support extension Archives

Winsage

March 1, 2025

Microsoft’s Free Windows Upgrade—When Does Offer Expire?

Microsoft is facing a challenge as the end of life for Windows 10 approaches in October, with hundreds of millions of users yet to transition to Windows 11. Throughout 2024, there has been a modest migration to Windows 11, but Windows 10 has recently regained some users. The transition to Windows 11 is free for licensed Windows 10 users whose hardware meets the necessary requirements, but if a PC fails the technical assessment, the free upgrade is not available. Initially, there was a belief that the free upgrade would be time-limited, but this guidance has been revised, and the deadline has been removed. Microsoft has not officially confirmed whether the free upgrade will remain available after the October end-of-life date for Windows 10. Currently, Microsoft states that the free upgrade offer does not have a specific end date but reserves the right to end support for it. Users are encouraged to upgrade before the October 14th deadline, as security updates will cease after that date. Estimates indicate that 300 to 400 million users are still eligible for the upgrade but have not yet acted, with many potentially needing new hardware. Upgrading an incompatible PC may lead to loss of support, leaving users with the options to pay for a support extension or buy a new PC.

Winsage

February 17, 2025

Windows 10: ESU-bypass to extend updates is working already reportedly

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, which will result in the loss of crucial updates and security patches for users. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, initially for Windows 7, has been expanded to include Windows 10 home users, allowing a one-year extension for a fee, while business customers can extend support for three years or more. There are methods discovered that allow users to bypass the ESU for Windows 7, enabling updates for five years post-support. Preliminary tests suggest a similar bypass may be possible for Windows 10, allowing updates after the official end of support in October 2024, but the legal implications are unclear. Users unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware requirements must consider options like the ESU program or micro-patching services such as 0Patch, which offers security patches for Windows 10 until at least 2030 for an annual fee.

Winsage

November 21, 2024

New Microsoft Update Warning—400 Million Windows PC Owners Need To Pay

Microsoft will stop providing free security updates for Windows 10 starting in October 2025. There are approximately 850 million Windows 10 users, with over half using PCs that do not meet the requirements for upgrading to Windows 11. An estimated 400 million PCs will be considered obsolete due to their inability to comply with TPM requirements for Windows 11. Additionally, around 50 million Windows users are already outside any support framework. The transition may lead to a significant increase in discarded computers, potentially creating the largest surge in junked computers in history.

Winsage

November 13, 2024

Microsoft Update Decision—Alarming News For Millions Of Windows Users

Microsoft has extended support for Windows 10 home users for one year, alongside existing enterprise options. A recent update (KB5001716) for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 may lead to automatic feature updates, which could eventually become mandatory upgrades. Users may receive notifications about their device's support status and hardware requirements. Microsoft has been installing this update since October 2024. As the extended support deadline approaches, users may be compelled to upgrade to Windows 11 if their hardware is compatible. The situation poses challenges for those wishing to continue using Windows 10 beyond 2025 and 2026, especially with recent vulnerabilities highlighting the risks of losing support.

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Microsoft’s Next Upgrade Move—New Warning For 850 Million Windows Users

Microsoft is offering a paid option to extend support for Windows 10 by one year, pushing the end of support to October 2026. However, support for Windows 10 will officially end in October 2025, after which Microsoft will stop providing free software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes. The company's website now discourages downloading Windows 10 and encourages users to transition to Windows 11, which has seen an increase in adoption with approximately 50 million users switching in the past two months. There are around 850 million users still on Windows 10, with about 400 million likely using hardware that does not meet Windows 11 requirements. Additionally, about 50 million users remain on older, unsupported versions of the OS.