Latest news with #ESU
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
Windows 10 will die this fall — here's how to survive
You've probably heard the news by now: Windows 10 is slated to reach end of life on October 14, 2025. If you're one of the countless among us who still use Windows 10, don't stress — your copy of Windows won't suddenly shut down and self-destruct if you turn it on after October 15. However, the clock is ticking. Over time your Windows PC is going to become a problem. After October, Microsoft claims it will no longer offer tech support or release security updates for Windows 10, so you want to do something about it sooner rather than later. I know because I review Windows and Windows PCs for a living, so I've been following this story since Microsoft first pronounced the death of Windows 10. I also wrote our Windows 11 review, and I think it's gotten a lot better since it debuted in 2021. So if you're ready to make the upgrade to Windows 11, I'll guide you through the process and get you set up right. But if you're not ready to make the jump, you still have time to enjoy Windows 10. In fact, there are a few ways to keep getting critical security patches from Microsoft for a full year after the company kills it off. Not ready to give up and upgrade to Windows 11? Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Good news: Microsoft is offering an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program that will allow you to keep receiving critical Windows 10 security updates for an additional year. The company is rolling out a new ESU enrollment wizard to Windows 10 users that will nag you to join the ESU program so your copy of Windows 10 can continue to get critical updates after October 2025. That's right, you can give your copy of Windows 10 a stay of execution until October 13, 2016 if you enroll. Microsoft has offered similar extension programs during past Windows upgrade periods, but they've typically only been open to enterprise customers and big businesses. This is the first time the rest of us can enroll in such a program, and Microsoft is charging you $30 for the privilege. But paying is just one of the ways you can avoid upgrading to Windows 11 for a year via the ESU. There are two other options you can take advantage of if you'd rather not pay: Paying 1,000 Microsoft points: if you have at least 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points sitting dormant in your Microsoft Rewards account you can cash them in via the Windows 10 ESU enrollment app in exchange for a free year of critical Windows 10 updates. if you don't, it doesn't take long to earn them — you can earn 500 Microsoft Rewards points just for downloading the Bing smartphone app, for example. Back up your data to Microsoft's servers: If you'd rather not spend Microsoft Rewards points or real money, you can also qualify for a free year of Windows 10 extended security updates by backing up your data and settings using the new Windows Backup app. You can use this app to back up your data and settings to Microsoft's OneDrive servers. By default every Windows 10 user gets 5GB of free OneDrive space, and it's possible to get more by either paying or taking advantage of free offers. But even if you don't have enough OneDrive space to back up all your data, you can at least back up your Windows settings and whatever else you can fit in OneDrive and still get the free year of Windows 10 ESU program updates. However, be aware that this means trusting Microsoft with your data. Look, at some point you should probably bite the bullet and upgrade to Windows 11. I didn't love it at first either, but once I got used to the visual redesign and some of the essential Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts I was able to work a lot more comfortably in the latest edition of Windows. So if you want to get ahead of things and upgrade to Windows 11 before Microsoft forces you, the first thing you need to do is verify your PC meets the Windows 11 system requirements to upgrade. You can do this by using Microsoft's PC Health Check app, which will tell you whether or not your PC can make the change. If you do qualify to upgrade to Windows 11, I recommend you back up your files and upgrade immediately. You can back up your files using the free Windows Backup app or one of the best cloud backup services around, then use the Windows Update app (hit the Start button and type "Windows Update" to find it) to upgrade to Windows 11. If that doesn't work, you can check out our guide to how to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 for detailed step-by-step instructions. Once you've upgraded, your PC will restart and you'll be living that Windows 11 lifestyle. If you don't quality, I'm afraid you should probably look into buying a new PC to make the jump to Windows 11. While it was possible to install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs (typically those lacking TPM 2.0 modules) for some time, Microsoft has cracked down on those loopholes over the years as it works to make Windows 11 more secure. So if your PC is too old to make the switch, I heartily recommend you upgrade your PC. The best Windows laptops on the market right now are amazing machines that are lighter, faster and longer-lasting than any Windows laptop of the last decade—and I should know, since I've been reviewing laptops for roughly 15 years. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
NYPD buying $389K Wall-E style bomb robot for emergency service operations
The NYPD is shelling out nearly $400,000 for a remote controlled Wall-E look-alike robot that can roll into danger — so cops don't have to. The PackBot 525 — built by Brooklyn-based defense company FLIR — will be deployed by the department's Emergency Service Unit, The Post has learned. 'This one has a crazy mechanical arm,' a police source said. 'They can pick up weapons. Let's say a suspect is barricaded with a knife. You communicate through the robot. Advertisement 4 The NYPD's new PackBot 525 can be deployed ahead of cops to inspect suspicious packages and clear dangerous rooms. Teledyne FLIR 'It can open a door and pick up the knife or a gun.' The city is shelling out about $390,000 for the super high-tech helper, which cops will control remotely. Advertisement The robot will be ESU's first response in bomb threat situations, letting police move and inspect suspicious packages from a safe distance, the source said. While it can't actually use a weapon, in a barricade it can clear rooms, relay video and audio and 'protects the officers,' the source added. The bot is equipped with HD cameras, improved lighting, a laser range finder and can lift up to 44 pounds, according to the manufacturer. It can be used for bomb disposal, surveillance, scouting and detecting or handling hazardous materials and radiation, and stows neatly in a vehicle — even fitting in a standard-sized car's trunk, the company's website claims. 4 ESU officers will control the PackBot remotely, using its HD cameras and improved lighting to scout scenes in real time. Teledyne FLIR Advertisement 'The new robot will allow our ESU officers to gain better command and control at the scene of an incident,' an NYPD spokesperson said. 'The robot can be used to navigate obstructions in a room and scan for persons in need of help.' The NYPD has been steadily adding mechanical muscle to its ranks over the last few years. In 2023, it brought back DigiDog — a 70-pound robotic canine that can be sent into dangerous situations — after shelving an earlier version that critics called dystopian. 4 The Wall-E lookalike — a $389,940 bot — can also detect hazardous materials and radiation without putting officers in harm's way. ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement The PackBot is 'almost like DigiDog but a little more advanced,' the NYPD source said, and better suited for handling hostage situations. 'ESU really wants this,' the source added. The department piloted a 400-pound Autonomous Security Robot in Times Square that same year, but scrapped it after just four months — in part because it needed a cop chaperone and couldn't climb stairs. 4 The PackBot 525's compact design allows it to stow neatly in a police vehicle, even fitting in a standard car trunk. Teledyne FLIR And in 2024, it bought 14 'throw bots' that can be tossed into active scenes to beam back live video and audio. FLIR, an acronym for Forward-Looking Infrared, specializes in thermal imaging cameras and sensors and became part of California-based defense and electronics giant Teledyne Technologies in 2021.
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
NYPD cops who saved 2 from NYC house fire promoted
Two hero cops who bravely battled a house fire in Queens and saved two sleeping residents last month were promoted at an NYPD ceremony Friday — as one of the officers called the daring job 'a calling.' Emergency Services Unit Det. Daniel Dongvort, 38, and Sgt. Bryan J. Vesely, 34, — who leapt to action, busting down doors and ushering victims to safety on July 16 — were hailed as 'the best of the best' by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch at the packed event at One Police Plaza. Dongvort, who along with Vesely are volunteer firefighters in Long Island, said keeping a cool head was key as they burst into the burning home in Jamaica. Advertisement 'It's a smoke-filled environment. There's a lot of things that are kind of going through your head,' said Det. Daniel Dongvort, 38, of Suffolk County, who was bumped up to Detective Second Grade Friday. 4 Det. Daniel Dongvort, 38, and Sgt. Bryan J. Vesely, 34, — who leapt to action, busting down doors and ushering victims to safety on July 16 — were promoted at One Police Plaza. James Messerschmidt 'The only thing I ever wanted to do was be an emergency cop. I do think it's somewhat of a calling,' he told The Post of the elite, 350-member unit. 'I think you have to kind of have a knack for staying calm in high-stress situations.' Advertisement 'It's an honor to be recognized,' he said of the promotion. 4 Cops battled the blaze at a home in Queens. Obtained by the New York Post Vesely, who was promoted to Sergeant Special Assignment, recalled finding a man and woman dozing in the basement of the blazing home. 'It was a relief for us to be able to find them and get them out of there safely, knowing that…there's no one else inside,' he said. 'They seemed grateful and thankful.' Advertisement Vesely Dongvort were on patrol in ESU Truck 9 in Jamaica on July 16, when they smelled smoke and spotted it pouring from an attic on 229th Street. 4 NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the cops 'the best of the best' at a promotion ceremony. James Messerschmidt The courageous cops quickly headed inside to battle the blaze, dramatic body camera footage shows. Dongvort grabbed air tanks and door-opening halligan tools along with a pressurized water can out of the ESU truck. Advertisement The duo donned compressed oxygen packs, pried open doors and began scouring the home for survivors as they knocked back flames with a water can. 4 Dramatic footage shows the cops fighting the house fire in Queens. New York City Police Department The officers soon discovered a sleeping man and woman downstairs and hurriedly escorted them outside. Dongvort and Vesely were two of 135 uniformed cops promoted Friday at One Police Plaza, where Tisch hailed the pair as 'highly trained' and 'well equipped.' 'They weren't about to wait around for a [fire department] response,' she said. 'Without any hesitation, they entered the burning house and walked from room to room, searching for survivors,' she said. 'ESU officers like Bryan and Dan, they respond to unprecedented tragedy with uncommon valor.'
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Best Practices for Managing Windows 10 End of Life Securely
Windows 10 end of life security. In less than three years, Microsoft will no longer provide any form of support to users of the OS. On October 14, 2025, the company will stop pushing out security updates and any other technical support for Windows 10. At this point, you can continue to use your Windows 10 device as usual — the OS wo n't shut off suddenly or stop working. still, it'll no longer be defended against malware and ransomware, and vulnerabilities will be left open without security updates to fix them. Your best bet is to start by checking the Windows 10 upgrade guide. It clearly states if your device is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11. If so, this is your best bet for a seamless upgrade path that is also quite affordable since it's completely free through Windows Update. Windows 11 brings a host of modern security and performance improvements and features over its predecessor. If your device doesn't Windows 10 support ending, you'll have to choose another option, like secure Windows 10 transition (ESU) plan. This service is only available to commercial customers (businesses and organizations), and you must pay to keep getting security updates after the end-of-support date. ESU costs consumers about $30 per device, per year, though some existing commercial customers may have lower rates negotiated with Microsoft. However, there's good news if you don't qualify for an ESU discount: Microsoft has announced that it will be offering the Extended Security Updates program for free. All you need to do is either sign in to your device with a Microsoft account or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points and you'll be all set. Microsoft offers various tools for businesses to help you manage Windows 10 EOL, from simple readiness checklists to more advanced deployment planning and professional migration services. If you're in an enterprise setting, it's also worth taking a look at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in the UK's recommendation to companies to 'move away from Windows 10 as soon as possible.'
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Windows 10 support ends on October 14, but you can keep getting security fixes using this trick
If you are a Windows 10 user, let us remind you that Windows 10 will reach its end-of-support status on 14 October 2025. This means that after this date, technical assistance, updates, and security will no longer be available for the platform, which leaves only a few options. Windows 10 support will end on October 14, 2025. The first is to upgrade to Windows 11 if your device supports it. This update is free for current owners of Windows 10 devices. However, your hardware must support Windows 11 in order to download it. Alternatively, you can keep using Windows 10 and still get support by using the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme. Here's how it works. What Is the Windows ESU Programme And How To Enroll? The Windows ESU programme is designed for those users who want to keep using Windows 10 and not upgrade to Windows 11 at present. This programme provides access to security updates from Microsoft, but it does not include technical support or any feature upgrades. But, too, will run out on October 13, 2026, giving you one full year of security. This will be a paid experience with a $30 one time fee. Or you may be able to get it for free if you are backing your PC or if you have enough Microsoft Rewards points to redeem. To enrol in this programme, note that it is only available for Windows 10 version 22H2. You need to go to Settings, then to Update & Security, and then to Windows Update. There, you will see a link to enrol in the ESU programme. If you meet the prerequisites, Microsoft will give you the option for the ESU programme. Now, if you backup your PC settings, you will get the ESU programme at no extra cost. You will also see your Microsoft Rewards points total and can redeem them for the programme, or you can make a one-time $30 purchase. Who Is It For? If your device is ineligible for Windows 11, getting the Windows 10 ESU makes sense, as you will still receive security updates. It goes without saying but upgrading to a new Windows 11 PC could be an expensive affair that you may not want to undertake right now. Therefore, paying $30 for the ESU is considerably cheaper than upgrading to a whole new PC, which is why Microsoft is offering this option. MOBILE FINDER: iPhone 16 LATEST Price
