support lifecycle

Winsage
December 3, 2025
As of October 14, 2025, Windows 10 has reached the end of its official support lifecycle, with Extended Security Updates available until October 2026 for those who opted for it, and at no charge for residents of the European Economic Area. As of November, 29.06% of users still rely on Windows 10 for gaming, reflecting a decline of 2.08% from October. Windows 11 has stringent system requirements that may deter some users, leading to alternative methods for installation. Linux accounts for 3.20% of users in the Steam ecosystem, with a slight increase of 0.15% from the previous month, but many gamers hesitate to switch due to a lack of support for popular multiplayer games.
Winsage
November 26, 2025
ATM operators are facing challenges in transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as support for Windows 10 ends. Many ATMs currently operate on various versions of Windows 10 IoT LTSC, including 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021, each with different support lifecycles and upgrade paths. The most urgent concern is the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC/LTSB 2015, which will lose support on October 14, 2025. The readiness of ATM manufacturers for Windows 11 varies; Diebold Nixdorf and Hyosung have announced their support, while NCR Atleos has not provided public information on its plans. Effective migration to Windows 11 requires thorough planning and testing, as manual testing processes may be inefficient. Utilizing virtualization and automation can enhance testing capabilities, allowing for concurrent testing of multiple OS versions, automated regression testing, and remote access to testing environments. Advanced tools like VirtualATM can help organizations manage the upgrade process more effectively.
Winsage
November 25, 2025
Microsoft is testing a preloading feature for File Explorer in Windows 11, aimed at enhancing its performance by loading it in the background before user interaction. This feature is currently available in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7271 for the Dev and Beta channels. Users can enable it through File Explorer settings, but its public rollout is uncertain as Microsoft is still exploring its viability. Additionally, a known bug allows users to temporarily boost File Explorer's performance by double-tapping Control + F11, though this may disrupt other system functionalities.
Winsage
November 7, 2025
Microsoft mistakenly sent notifications to Windows 10 users indicating that support for the operating system was ending, causing confusion. Windows 10 is officially set to reach the end of its support lifecycle on October 14, 2025. Despite the notifications, Microsoft has confirmed that users will continue to receive updates for at least another year. The erroneous notifications appeared in the system settings, with users noticing them as early as mid-October. Microsoft acknowledged the error and has rolled out a patch to correct the misinformation. Additionally, the rollout of the major 26H2 update has been delayed, initially available only to users with ARM processors and AI capabilities.
Winsage
October 19, 2025
Windows 10 reached its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025, concluding monthly security updates for over 1 billion PCs. Users with incompatible devices cannot upgrade to Windows 11 via Windows Update and are advised to purchase new hardware. Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows 10 on a subscription basis for three years post end-of-support, with costs varying for consumers, educational institutions, and businesses. Users can also consider buying new PCs, renting a virtual PC through Windows 365, upgrading incompatible hardware to Windows 11 using specific methods, switching to a Linux distribution or ChromeOS Flex, or continuing to use Windows 10 without support, which poses security risks.
Winsage
September 24, 2025
The end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025, with no changes to hardware requirements. Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESUs) on a subscription basis, with educational institutions paying a low cost for the first year, escalating in subsequent years, while businesses face higher costs. Consumers can access security updates for an additional year at a list price, which can be offset using Microsoft Rewards points. Users have several options: sign up for ESUs, buy a new PC or rent a virtual PC, upgrade incompatible hardware to Windows 11, switch to a Linux distribution or ChromeOS Flex, or continue using Windows 10 unsupported. After the end-of-support date, users will no longer receive security updates or technical support, increasing vulnerability to exploits.
Winsage
September 24, 2025
Microsoft is set to release the 2025 Update for Windows 11, known as version 25H2, as the fourth feature update for the operating system. This update will be delivered as an Enablement Package (eKB) for devices already on version 24H2, resembling a monthly cumulative update and avoiding a complete reinstallation. The update will initially be optional and may later be rolled out automatically as version 24H2 nears the end of its support lifecycle. Users on Windows 11 version 23H2 or earlier will need to fully reinstall to upgrade to version 25H2, and those on Windows 10 must first upgrade to version 24H2. The Installation Assistant tool or ISO file can be used for direct upgrades from older versions, but these methods will also require a complete reinstallation. Upgrading to version 25H2 extends support until October 2027, while version 24H2 is supported until October 2026. The hardware requirements for version 25H2 remain the same as for version 24H2. The rollout of the update will be gradual, with controlled feature rollouts (CFRs) meaning not all users will have immediate access.
Winsage
September 1, 2025
Microsoft has begun testing Windows 11 version 25H2 in the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel, indicating it is nearing public release. This version will not introduce new features and will maintain feature parity with version 24H2. The installation process for version 25H2 will be streamlined, requiring only a single restart and promising a faster download experience. Compatibility will remain intact, ensuring all applications and games will function seamlessly after the upgrade. General availability of version 25H2 is expected in late September or early October. Users can opt to install it through the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel, but it will not be automatically downloaded for those on version 24H2. Instead, it will appear as an optional update until version 24H2 reaches the end of its support lifecycle, after which it will be automatically installed.
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