Latest news with #securityupdates
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
This secret version of Windows 10 still gets updates until 2032
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Microsoft won't advertise it, and you're highly unlikely to stumble across it by accident, but there's a version of Windows 10 that drops the ads, the AI, and will be officially supported for years to come — long after most are forced to upgrade to Windows 11. For those unaware, Windows 10 is due to be retired by Microsoft on October 14, 2025. Beyond this date, the operating system will lose access to any technical support, future feature drops, and vital security updates. While your computer will run as normal, and you don't actually need to leave Windows 10 behind, any potential system vulnerabilities discovered after the end-of-support date will remain exploitable forevermore. It'll be open season on your data, hardware, and privacy, and your copy of Windows will be about as secure as a piñata at a party packed with sugar-lusting Little Leaguers. Microsoft's ideal solution is for Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11. Those whose devices don't meet the operating system's minimum specs can alternatively opt into the company's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which offers regular consumers an extra year of security updates for $30. However, there's one group of Windows 10 users this doesn't apply to. In fact, those running this particular version of Windows 10 might be among the happiest of all. At a glance, it appears to be the operating system that dreams are made of. A near-stock version of Windows 10, without the ads or bloat. No Copilot, no AI, not even Cortana. And up to seven more years of official security updates, ending in 2032. This version of Windows 10 sounds like the one many have been wishing for, but in true monkey's paw fashion, the real cost of that wish isn't immediately clear. Getting it isn't easy. Running it comes with its own consequences. And using it means stepping into a sealed room where time stopped ticking in 2021 — for better or worse. I'm talking, of course, about Windows 10 21H2 LTSC. Windows 10 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a special, stripped-down version of Windows 10 designed primarily for embedded systems that don't need the usual array of features found in the typical desktop experience. Think hospital equipment, factory machines, ATMs, and even those touchscreen kiosks at McDonald's. LTSC versions of Windows 10 are typically installed on machines that serve a single purpose and can't afford any software surprises that might throw a sudden wrench in the works. To that end, Windows 10 LTSC doesn't receive any feature updates or flashy redesigns — just a quiet stream of security and stability fixes. It's the version of Windows 10 Microsoft never wanted you to use, and, even though it's entirely capable, it was never designed to run your laptop or desktop machine. Still, that doesn't mean you can't do it anyway. Windows 10 LTSC offers a streamlined experience that many users might find deeply appealing. No ads, no Microsoft Store, and no Copilot in sight. It's a pure, undiluted shot of Windows 10 — a snapshot of the operating system before Microsoft began meddling with how users liked it. Factor in the platform's extended support, running until January 12, 2027 for the 2021 LTSC release; and up to January 13, 2032 for the 2021 IoT Enterprise LTSC, and you've got a shimmering beacon of hope for those seeking a secure way to continue using Windows 10 long after its mainstream October 14 end-of-support date. But not all that glitters is gold. The first hurdle? You'll need to get your hands on it. LTSC editions aren't available through standard retail channels like Home and Pro editions. They typically require a volume licensing agreement with a minimum purchase of five licenses, which can push the price of switching through the roof. That said, ISOs are readily available online, and OEM keys for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC can be found through grey market retailers, completely cutting out the middleman at a fraction of the price (albeit with the usual risks). Compatibility is another looming issue. While versions of Windows 10 LTSC have years of official support ahead of them, Windows 10 is still approaching its mainstream end-of-support date, and support for the regular Windows 10 21H2 edition ended years ago, meaning certain software or drivers may drop support for the operating system in future updates, leaving your longer-lasting operating system to slowly decay through digital attrition. On paper, Windows 10 LTSC is everything users could ask for. It's a safe haven to continue using their favored operating system with peace of mind, a bloat-free experience that does away with all but the basics, and a restore point positioned right before Microsoft dove into AI with both feet first and never looked back. But it's also a version of Windows you were never really supposed to have, perhaps for a reason. Yes, you can use it. But it comes with caveats: a frozen feature set, a licensing process that can range from ludicrously expensive to ethically murky, and the knowledge that while Microsoft is obliged to support the platform with updates for several years, third-party developers aren't. Compatibility headaches could lie further down the road. Still, for aging hardware that doesn't fit the Windows 11 mould, securing a Windows 10 LTSC key could be the difference between longer life and landfill. This new Microsoft tool could be the final nail in Windows 10's coffin This app outsmarted Windows 11's most "dangerous" feature — here's how Gamers should be ditching Windows for SteamOS — here's why
The Verge
19-05-2025
- The Verge
iPadOS 17.7.8 may fix older iPads' login issues.
Wes Davis The update, intended for iPads that Apple ended full support for in iPadOS 18, replaces iPadOS 17.7.7, which Apple pulled last week after users complained that it was causing apps to log them out repeatedly, as 9to5Mac notes. Apple releases new version of iPadOS for older models, including important security updates - 9to5Mac [
The Verge
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Microsoft extends Office app support on Windows 10 to 2028
Microsoft revealed earlier this year that it was planning to stop supporting Office apps (Microsoft 365) on Windows 10 after the October 14th end of support cutoff. Now, Microsoft is performing a U-turn and has pledged to continue providing security updates for Office apps on Windows 10 for an additional three years. 'To help maintain security while you transition to Windows 11, Microsoft will continue providing security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after Windows 10 reaches end of support,' says Microsoft in an updated support article published last week. 'These updates will be delivered through the standard update channels, ending on October 10, 2028.' Microsoft quietly announced this three-year extension in late April in a separate support article for IT admins, and it reiterates that the Microsoft 365 apps will 'continue to function as before,' but that businesses should upgrade to Windows 11 'to avoid performance and reliability issues over time.' This latest language is a lot different to the blog post Microsoft issued in January that warned businesses that Office apps would no longer be supported on Windows 10 later this year. 'To use Microsoft 365 Applications on your device, you will need to upgrade to Windows 11,' said Microsoft at the time. Microsoft has been pushing consumers and businesses to upgrade to Windows 11 ahead of the end of support for Windows 10 on October 14th. The company declared at CES earlier this year that 2025 would be 'the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh,' despite Windows 11 adoption lagging behind Windows 10. Microsoft has also been trying to convince Windows 10 users to buy a new PC with full-screen prompts over the past year. Consumers who don't want to buy a new PC or upgrade to Windows 11 will also be able to purchase Extended Security Updates for the first time. You'll have to pay $30 for an extra year of updates, while businesses will be able to purchase up to three years of extended updates.
