Tag: Windows 10

  • Microsoft Apps Get Security Updates Until 2028 Despite Windows 10 Phaseout

    Microsoft Apps Get Security Updates Until 2028 Despite Windows 10 Phaseout

    Key Takeaways

    1. Windows 10 support will officially end on October 14, 2025, but Microsoft 365 Apps will continue to work on Windows 10 after this date.
    2. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid potential performance and reliability issues.
    3. Security updates for Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 will be provided for three years after end of support, until October 10, 2028.
    4. Businesses are advised to upgrade to Windows 11 or consider alternative operating systems to protect sensitive data.
    5. Alternatives to Windows 11 include Linux distributions like Mint and ChromeOS Flex, which offer different features and security updates.

    The end of support for Windows 10 is coming up quickly. While it’s obvious that some users will need to update to Windows 11, Microsoft keeps surprising us with little changes regarding the end of support for the operating system. Recently, they added a new note about Microsoft 365 on their support webpage.

    Updates to Microsoft 365 Support

    Previously, the support page indicated that Microsoft 365 apps would be unsupported from October 14, 2025, meaning users would need to switch to Windows 11 to keep using them. Microsoft has now modified this message and included a new note that eases this restriction a bit:

    Support for Windows 10 will officially cease on October 14, 2025. Following this date, if you have Microsoft 365 Apps installed on a Windows 10 device, they will keep working as they did before. Still, Microsoft highly recommends upgrading to Windows 11 to prevent potential performance and reliability problems in the future.

    Security Updates After Support Ends

    To help ensure your security while moving to Windows 11, Microsoft will provide security updates for Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 for three years after the end of support, wrapping up on October 10, 2028.

    Businesses should not let their guard down, as it is wise to upgrade to Windows 11 or consider installing a different operating system due to the importance of company data. For personal users who don’t use their Windows 10 PC for sensitive tasks like online banking, but rather for gaming or basic office work, this might give them some extra time before they need to make the switch.

    Alternatives to Windows 11

    If you really prefer not to upgrade to Windows 11, you might want to consider Linux alternatives like Mint. It has a similar aesthetic to MacOS or Windows and is considered secure thanks to regular updates. Another option is switching to ChromeOS Flex, although this operating system is primarily web-based and resembles the Chrome browser with all its extension features.

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  • Microsoft Urges Windows 10 Users to Upgrade to TPM 2.0 PCs

    Microsoft Urges Windows 10 Users to Upgrade to TPM 2.0 PCs

    Key Takeaways

    1. Windows 10 still holds a significant market share of 54.2%, compared to Windows 11’s 42.69% as of March 2025.
    2. Many users are hesitant to upgrade to Windows 11 due to the TPM 2.0 requirement, which older PCs may not meet.
    3. Microsoft is actively encouraging users to upgrade their hardware to support Windows 11.
    4. A recent blog post by Microsoft highlights the benefits of TPM 2.0, focusing on enhanced data security and software integrity.
    5. Microsoft is making it more difficult for users to bypass TPM 2.0 requirements, emphasizing their push for upgrades.

    While Windows 11 is slowly becoming more popular, Windows 10 still has a large number of users. According to Statcounter, as of March 2025, Windows 10 holds about 54.2% of the market share, whereas Microsoft’s latest operating system has a share of 42.69%.

    Reasons for Hesitation to Upgrade

    Many users of Windows 10 are delaying their upgrade to Windows 11 because of the TPM 2.0 requirement, which many older PCs do not fulfill. For a considerable time, Microsoft has been urging these users to upgrade their hardware and switch to the new OS, and it appears the company is still committed to this cause.

    Microsoft’s Recent Efforts

    Recently, Microsoft released a specific blog post explaining what TPM 2.0 is and its advantages. The post emphasizes that PCs equipped with TPM 2.0 can provide enhanced data security, better integrity of the software and firmware, and advanced security features.

    Even if Microsoft doesn’t directly state it, the blog post seems to draw a comparison between the user experience and security features of Windows 10 and Windows 11. As the end-of-support date for Windows 10 approaches, it’s reasonable to expect more posts discussing TPM 2.0 and Windows 11 in the future.

    Ongoing Push for Upgrade

    It’s also important to mention that Microsoft has made previous attempts to persuade users to upgrade through updates on their support pages. For instance, the company removed the official guide for bypassing TPM 2.0, making it harder for users with older computers to install Windows 11.

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  • Windows 10 Support Ends in 2025: Upgrade to ChromeOS Flex Now

    The end of Windows 10 support is coming soon in October 2025, allowing users some time to decide on their next steps. Many computers from the last 5-6 years, particularly those with Intel Core 8000 or AMD Ryzen 3000 processors, should be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11. For PCs or laptops that can’t be upgraded due to outdated hardware or if there’s no upgrade planned, users can either switch to a different operating system or delay the end of support for a maximum of three years by paying an annual fee. If they choose the latter, Microsoft will keep providing security updates.

    Options for Users

    While it’s technically possible to install Windows 11 on computers that don’t meet Microsoft’s minimum requirements, the experience may be far from smooth. Updates and error-free performance are not guaranteed, making this option quite impractical.

    Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Mint, as well as ChromeOS Flex, are viable alternatives to consider. We’ll focus on ChromeOS Flex. We tested it on a decade-old Lenovo ThinkPad L540, which recently underwent a retrofitting process (the article is in German, but readers can use translation tools in their browsers).

    Features of ChromeOS

    ChromeOS is a streamlined operating system from Google, primarily designed for cloud services and applications, especially Google’s own (like Docs, Sheets, and Gmail). Over time, support for native and Android apps has been introduced, broadening its functionality. However, ChromeOS Flex is a more limited version that doesn’t support Android apps. On the bright side, Google offers it at no cost.

    Typically, ChromeOS comes installed on Chromebooks, Chromeboxes, or Chromebases, but ChromeOS Flex is meant for installation on existing hardware. This lightweight OS can breathe new life into older computers, although it doesn’t fully replicate the Windows 10 experience.

    Installation Process

    According to Google, “ChromeOS Flex is designed to support the most common PCs and Macs from the last decade, but it is only officially supported on certified models.” While there’s a large list of certified devices, non-certified ones aren’t automatically ruled out. Users can test compatibility by running the ChromeOS Flex installation medium without needing to install it. Note that ChromeOS Flex supports only x64 hardware, while the full ChromeOS accommodates ARM architecture.

    Our test device, the ThinkPad L540, isn’t on the certified list, but its 14-inch counterpart, the ThinkPad L440, shares the same platform. This means that all hardware in the L540 is supported, including a recently added LTE modem.

    The ChromeOS Flex image comes in a ZIP folder (no need to unpack), which can be written to a USB stick (minimum 8 GB) using the “Rufus” tool to create a bootable drive. Alternatively, Google offers the Chromebook Recovery Utility, which is an extension for the Chrome browser, not a standalone app.

    Booting and Installation

    To use the USB stick, insert it into the target computer, power it on, access the boot menu (by pressing F12 for the ThinkPad L540), and start the system from the USB. If this fails, disabling Secure Boot in the BIOS settings may help. The USB can be utilized for direct installation or as a live system without installation. In either case, an internet connection and a Google account are necessary.

    Important: During installation, the entire hard drive of the target computer will be wiped clean. Therefore, running another operating system alongside it is not an option.

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  • Microsoft Rolls Out Full-Screen Ads for Windows 10 Users

    Microsoft Rolls Out Full-Screen Ads for Windows 10 Users

    Microsoft has a history of irritating users to encourage upgrades from older Windows versions, and now they seem to be focusing on persuading people to buy new PCs—particularly from the Microsoft Surface Laptop range. While the specific laptop is not mentioned, the intent is unmistakable. Microsoft is shifting its strategy from merely encouraging users to leave Windows 10 to pushing them towards replacing outdated hardware.

    The Role of Copilot+

    Copilot+, an AI feature that comes standard in Windows 11, plays a major role in these new advertisements. A full-screen prompt, which isn’t appearing for every Windows 10 user just yet, encourages people to “level up” by purchasing a PC compatible with Copilot+. The catch here is that only a limited number of machines currently meet the criteria for this new feature. For a device to be certified for Copilot+, it must have an integrated neural processing unit capable of executing at least 40 trillion operations per second. Right now, the only PCs available that fulfill this requirement utilize Snapdragon X, Intel Core Ultra, or AMD Ryzen AI processors.

    A Push for New Sales

    This strategy is clearly aimed at increasing the sales of new PCs. Windows 10 has maintained high user numbers for quite a while; however, since late 2021, the majority of new PCs sold have come equipped with Windows 11. This campaign is primarily focused on users clinging to their old hardware, and its aggressive and seemingly urgent approach might just nudge less tech-savvy users to make the switch. For those who wish to remain on Windows 10 and keep their older systems, there are a few alternatives, but the official support from Microsoft will only extend for a year. On the other hand, unofficial alternatives are mainly for users with more technical skills.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, Microsoft’s current marketing efforts highlight a trend towards getting users to update their hardware rather than just their software. With the introduction of features like Copilot+, they are making a clear push for modern machines, leaving older systems behind. While some users may find ways to stick to their current setups, the pressure from these ads could lead many to consider new purchases.

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