support lifecycle Archives

Winsage

August 19, 2025

Windows 10 Is About To Die For Good – Here Are Your Options

The end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025, with 56 days remaining. Users can upgrade to Windows 11 for free if their device meets specific requirements, including a 1GHz 64-bit CPU, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and an HD display. Older machines may face compatibility issues due to the need for Secure Boot and TPM version 2.0. An unofficial tool called ‘WhyNotWin11’ can assist with compatibility checks. If upgrading is not feasible, users can buy a new PC, extend Windows 10 updates through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program until October 13, 2026, or choose to do nothing, which poses security risks. Exploring alternative operating systems like macOS or Linux is also an option for those seeking change.

Winsage

August 13, 2025

Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro reach end of support in November

Microsoft announced that support for the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 version 23H2 will end on November 11, 2025. The Enterprise and Education editions will continue to receive support until November 10, 2026. The last supported editions of Windows 11 22H2 will reach their end of servicing on October 14. Users of Windows 11 23H2 are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2, which began rolling out in May 2024 and became generally available in October 2024. Microsoft has implemented compatibility holds that may block upgrades on devices with certain incompatible software and drivers. Windows 11 has surpassed Windows 10 in install base, achieving over 53% of all Windows systems, while 59.9% of gamers use Windows 11 as of July 2025.

Winsage

August 12, 2025

Microsoft Will Support Edge on Windows 10 Until October 2028 — Three Whole Years After OS Support Ends, and It Won’t Cost You a Penny

Microsoft will provide updates for its Edge web browser on Windows 10 for an additional three years, until at least October 2028, beyond the operating system's end of support in October 2025. Users will not need to enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to receive these updates. Other browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera will also maintain compatibility with Windows 10 beyond 2025. Microsoft Office will stop receiving new features on Windows 10 by August 2026, but security updates will continue until 2028. Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11, which has surpassed Windows 10 in user adoption.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Microsoft is killing a special Windows 11 edition for low-cost PCs

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of Windows 11 SE, its operating system for low-end computers, which will cease support, including software updates and technical assistance, by October 2026. Windows 11 SE will not receive the upcoming version 25H2 and will not have any feature updates after version 24H2. Users will no longer receive new features, fixes, or security patches, leaving their devices vulnerable. Windows 11 SE was designed for educational institutions and budget-conscious consumers, but it has not gained significant traction. The Surface Laptop SE, which primarily ran Windows 11 SE, has a support lifecycle ending in January 2028.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Windows 10 turns 10: No compatibility chaos

Windows 10 was launched as a response to the mixed reception of Windows 8, aiming to provide a stable and reliable alternative. It offered improved performance on solid-state drives compared to Windows 7, although it did not achieve the same affection. The development included the Windows Insider program for user feedback, but responsiveness to that feedback was inconsistent. The operating system faced issues, such as the problematic October 2018 Update that deleted user files. Windows 10 Mobile, launched alongside, quickly faded due to lack of interest. The desktop version thrived, aided by a free upgrade offer and hardware compatibility. Privacy concerns arose due to telemetry and data collection practices. Microsoft replaced Internet Explorer with the Edge browser, which later adopted the Chromium engine. Despite challenges, Windows 10 maintained a strong presence in the desktop market, proving to be a stabilizing force for Microsoft after Windows 8.

Winsage

July 22, 2025

Turns out, the new Windows transfer tool will still leave some stuff behind: here’s what

Microsoft has introduced a new transfer tool to assist users in migrating files and settings from Windows 10 or Windows 11 PCs to a Windows 11 machine. The tool can successfully transfer personal files such as documents, photos, videos, and user settings like wallpaper and themes. However, it does not transfer system and OS files, OneDrive files (which require separate sign-in), installed applications, saved passwords, or data from BitLocker-encrypted drives (which must be decrypted first). The transfer tool is available on both Windows 10 and 11, but transfers can only be made to a Windows 11 PC, and a Microsoft account is necessary for the process. Microsoft has also provided a step-by-step guide for users to facilitate the transfer.

Winsage

July 14, 2025

Windows 11 update changes critical warning that’s remained unchanged for 40 years

Microsoft has announced the retirement of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) after nearly forty years, transitioning to a new error screen called the Black Screen of Death. The new screen will feature a black background, replacing the blue, and will provide clearer error messages, such as "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart." This change is part of a broader initiative to improve user experience during critical failures, including a significant reduction in reboot times to approximately two seconds. The redesign was influenced by the CrowdStrike outage and aims to enhance clarity and efficiency in troubleshooting. The rollout will begin with Windows Insiders and expand to millions of PCs globally.

Winsage

July 7, 2025

Windows Update Revamp Gives Users More Control Over Security Alerts

Microsoft has rolled out update KB5001716, targeting Windows 10 (versions 21H2, 22H2) and Windows 11 (version 21H2) systems. This update refreshes the Windows Update Service components without introducing new features or security patches. It provides notifications about potential issues that may prevent devices from staying up-to-date, particularly regarding the end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. The update is automatically distributed via Windows Update and is designed to enhance user experience by not disrupting full-screen activities. Users may encounter installation failures associated with error code 0x80070643, which can be resolved by uninstalling the previous version and reinstalling the latest one. The update aims to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11 or consider alternatives before support ends.

Winsage

July 7, 2025

Windows Update Revamped with Smarter Interface for Security Notifications

Microsoft has introduced an enhanced Windows Update experience for Windows 11 version 21H2 and Windows 10 versions 21H2 and 22H2, featuring a more intelligent interface that improves user awareness of security updates and support lifecycle deadlines. The update includes proactive notifications for users about potential risks, especially for devices that are out of support or do not meet hardware requirements. Key features include smarter security notifications that inform users of vulnerabilities, notifications that respect user experience by minimizing disruption, and lifecycle awareness indicating when support for a version ends. The update will be automatically downloaded and installed via Windows Update, with no manual action required for most users. There are no known issues affecting this update.

Winsage

July 5, 2025

Windows 11 is now the most popular desktop OS in the world — finally surpasses Windows 10 after 4 years

As of July 2025, Windows 11 has overtaken Windows 10 with a market share of 50.88%, while Windows 10's share has declined to 46.2%. Windows 11 was launched in 2021 and initially struggled to gain market traction, but the impending end of support for Windows 10 has accelerated its adoption. Microsoft is providing an additional year of security updates for Windows 10 users who sign into a Microsoft Account and back up their settings to the cloud, but is encouraging migration to Windows 11. Windows 11 has also become the most utilized Windows operating system among Steam users. The upcoming version 25H2 will maintain the same platform as version 24H2, ensuring compatibility. However, Windows 11 has faced criticism for increased system requirements, making many Windows 10 devices ineligible for the upgrade, and for requiring a Microsoft account and internet connection during setup. Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 PCs, while those with incompatible devices are encouraged to consider new Copilot+ PCs with AI features.