Windows 10 End Of Life

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Reminded by a post re Exchange 2019 being put to bed soon, please remember that Windows 10 goes EOL next week - 14th October

 

[Alcom IT]

Thanks Paul,

For businesses running Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, this is important news because it will invalidate Cyber Essentials certification if Windows 10 is kept in the business after the 14th October.

That's because, after the cut-off date, Microsoft will not plug any security gaps in its end-of-life software.

That means Antivirus software may soon stop being compatible as it very much relies on a patched computer to keep systems secure. There's no point having antivirus installed if there is a gaping hole in the software.

We've seen lots of Social Media buzz about extending the deadline but it mostly relates to Windows 10 Home edition computers. And while there is an extended support option available to buy for business editions, it won't help if antivirus companies or accounting software or such other critical software stops working with Windows 10.

This is the rationale we have communicated to our clients to help explain why it's a good idea to upgrade to Windows 11 before the deadline.

 

[DontAsk]

Is it not covered by the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program?

 

[Alcom IT]

The Extended Security Update (ESU) only applies to the Windows system itself so if software vendors (like antivirus, accounts software etc) decide to stop supporting Windows 10 the ESU won't be of any use anyway.

Also, worth noting that ESU is a paid option for Windows 10 Pro & Enterprise editions.

 

[fisicx]

TBH I’m not at all bothered.

It’s used for a bit of browsing, gaming and testing. There are no stored passwords and not used for emails or banking.

I can’t upgrade because of Microsoft’s stupid rules and see no point in buying a new laptop just to install more spyware.

 

[UKSBD]

TBH I’m not at all bothered.

It’s used for a bit of browsing, gaming and testing. There are no stored passwords and not used for emails or banking.

I can’t upgrade because of Microsoft’s stupid rules and see no point in buying a new laptop just to install more spyware.

mine is the same, can't upgrade because it hasn't got TPM 2.0 set up on it

 

[ctrlbrk]

Reminded by a post re Exchange 2019 being put to bed soon, please remember that Windows 10 goes EOL next week - 14th October

And I'm still here running Windows 7!

 

[Kerwin]

And I'm still here running Windows 7!

That is a really bad idea.

 

[ThatDevAaron]

imagine using windows for commercial purposes lol u deserve EOL

 

[fisicx]

imagine using windows for commercial purposes lol u deserve EOL

Why? Everything still works and my only interactions are via online services so the security risks are minimal.

 

[MikeJ]

By coincidence, just this second ordered a new laptop. This one I have I've been using since 2017 or 2018 I think, so I've had my money's worth out of it. It had lost a few keys by 2020, but I almost always use an external keyboard so it wasn't really an issue. It's been getting slower and slower though, so I felt it was time to get a new one.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

And I'm still here running Windows 7!

Many still consider it the best version they made, little of the crap they added on later versions

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I have just seen something that says in the US, there is a possible extension if you do one of 3 things (I will try to find the article).

However, it does not say available outside of the US.

 

[ctrlbrk]

Many still consider it the best version they made, little of the crap they added on later versions

Yes, the term "enshittification" comes to mind.

 

[HFE Signs]

Anyone remember Windows 3.1? Showing my age now

 

[mikewilliam474]

Reminded by a post re Exchange 2019 being put to bed soon, please remember that Windows 10 goes EOL next week - 14th October

Yeah, Windows 10 hits end of support in October 2025, so about a year left. After that, no security updates unless you’re on the paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) plan.

 

[fisicx]

Or just carry on regardless. I've still got a Win7 laptop that still works. Not had any problems with security. You just need to be sensible.

 

[Kerwin]

Or just carry on regardless. I've still got a Win7 laptop that still works. Not had any problems with security. You just need to be sensible.

Malware often works silently so you might just not be aware of any security problems your system has. I'd say using a system which has literally not had a security patch in years is a very bad idea especially if you rely on it for important / sensitive tasks.

 

[fisicx]

It’s used to run an old game I still enjoy.

There ain’t nuffin’ of any importance any more.

I understand you can get malware but almost all of it needs some sort of user action to begin the install.

 

[Kerwin]

It’s used to run an old game I still enjoy.

There ain’t nuffin’ of any importance any more.

I understand you can get malware but almost all of it needs some sort of user action to begin the install.

I see. That makes sense.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Anyone remember Windows 3.1? Showing my age now

I remember Compuserve on Dial Up

PS: I'm hoping Floppy Discs have a similar value to Bitcoin some day. I mean, few people can be daft enough to keep the one's that were stuck on the front of a Computing magazine.

 

[pentel]

I'd say using a system which has literally not had a security patch in years is a very bad idea especially if you rely on it for important / sensitive tasks.

It is amazing how much industrial equipment relies on old windows operating systems. There are machine tools out there using windows NT

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

There are machine tools out there using windows NT

ATM cash machines.....

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Yeah, Windows 10 hits end of support in October 2025, so about a year left.

Looks like your copy has already been affected.....

 

[fisicx]

It is amazing how much industrial equipment relies on old windows operating systems. There are machine tools out there using windows NT

And medical equipment.

Plus a whole load of remote pumps, valves and other stuff. I know an oil engineer who works on oil platforms and it’s still win95 or NT on a lot of the kit. You can’t upgrade because of all the dependencies. They only work with the old OS.

And things like Win11 need an internet connection. Try getting one of those in the middle of a desert. I know there are enterprise versions but they cost more.

 

[Kerwin]

It is amazing how much industrial equipment relies on old windows operating systems. There are machine tools out there using windows NT

Sure but they are probably locked down so they don't have full access to the internet. They probably block all connections to any unknown services / IP addresses so that they can't be directly attacked.

 

[DontAsk]

Sure but they are probably locked down so they don't have full access to the internet. They probably block all connections to any unknown services / IP addresses so that they can't be directly attacked.

LOL.

 

[Kerwin]

LOL.

Not entirely sure what is funny.

If you have a system you need to keep secure you make sure it can only connect to known servers and services and then block the rest of the internet.

 

[DontAsk]

Not entirely sure what is funny.

Your faith in the operators of such systems.

 

[fisicx]

@maroon - that only works if your hardware is compatible with the latest version of Windows spyware.

 

[MikeJ]

Prompted by support for Windows 10 ending, and the fact that my laptop was around 7 years old, slowing down and had three keys missing I bought a new laptop a few weeks ago.

Last night it announced it wanted to do an update, which I scheduled for 2am this morning. Woke today to find it refused to start, and the only thing I could get it to do was a complete Windows reinstall.

 

[MikeJ]

Did it again today, and now won't restart.

 

[fisicx]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Windows 11.

I’ve recently moved my old win 10 laptop to Linux. A very easy switch.

 

[ctrlbrk]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Windows 11.

I’ve recently moved my old win 10 laptop to Linux. A very easy switch.

I would have completely moved to Linux ages ago, if not for some critical apps that are just available on Windows.

Unfortunately Microsoft has a huge monopoly.

 

[fisicx]

I like it because it's just an OS. It doesn't have all the cruft, bloat, adverts and spyware that comes with windows.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

As many software packages move to online/SAAS, Linux becomes more of a proposition.

I have been looking for a reason to change at least one PC for years and this might just be the nudge needed.

 

[MikeJ]

10 hours later, and it's back. Lenovo's help service is very slow, and not particularly helpful but I managed to figure out a few problems. I'd have had no chance if I didn't have the old laptop still available.

Odd thing, it ran fine for six weeks. On Sunday I installed Photoshop from a disc. I got an error message while doing that saying it couldn't load a driver, but everything seemed to go ok other than that. Then Sunday night it packed up.

Yesterday I did the install again, and immediately installed Photoshop, and once again it packed up over night.

So, I'll avoid Photoshop for a bit (and not connect the DVD drive, in case it was that). And, if I remember, I'll shut it down properly overnight to see if that keeps it going tomorrow.

 

[MikeJ]

A quick search shows later versions of Photoshop than mine are not compatible, so that was the probable cause...

 

[Ian J]

I am about to tell you the stupidest reason for not upgrading to Windows 11

I already have Win 11 on my laptop and Surface Pro but have carried on with Windows 10 on my everyday PC until the weekend just gone when I upgraded to the newer operating system.

It upgraded seamlessly but the problem came when bored with configuring it I decided to play Spider Solitaire and was horrified to see that it was completely different to the Win 10 version. I spent ages on the internet trying to find the version that I have wasted so much of my life on but without success so did the only thing that I could think of and reverted back to Windows 10

Beat that for a daft excuse

 

[MikeJ]

Avoiding Photoshop has cured my issue, in case it helps anyone else.