Windows 10 will run out of support in October 2025

2026/27 is roughly what I was expecting. From a personal point of view I hope my laptop will last until then. It's just coming up for 3 years old and has a 2 inch horizontal split on the edge of the keyboard going right through to the back. A screw in that position is probably to blame.

I've had W11 from buying the computer new. My son doesn't work in IT but the department in his firm were happy to help him out regarding the difficult virus problem I had a while back.

 

I noticed in the article FC they are investigating the use of waste water. Recycling 'grey water' in the buildings that are used by employees for AI would be a good way to start.

What annoys me with the current rate of development, not only technology but architecture, eco- buildings etc., why isn't this sort of thing thought through before development? It seems in Britain that every new idea that comes to light starts it's life backside upwards.

 

Not "EU" but EEA (European Economic Area) which includes the UK. A Copilot search shows:

"Free ESUs are available for private users in the EEA until October 14, 2026, without needing a Microsoft account."

 

That’s what I thought but I was proven wrong:
“The United Kingdom was a member of the European Economic Area from 1 January 1994 to 31 December 2020”
United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Area - Wikipedia

 

Its all rather confusing, but what we have read the UK does not get the free ESU

"In the latest U-turn from Microsoft, the firm has decided it will offer the ESU program for free to anyone in the European Economic Area (EEA), but UK users will miss out. The EEA consists of all EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway."

However even the EEA folk have to sign up to a Microsoft Account, so MS must be doing that for a reason ?
In the UK as well as the MS account you have to use OneDrive and/or Backup which suggests they are after our info/data in some way ?
On ytube there are some folk showing how once you have signed up for the ESU you can turn Off those features so reducing any spying.

 

3 years is hardly old and as it is running W11 then if it all works as you want we would say keep it.
It should run W12 according to the current info available, just that you will not be able to get the full AI experience, which you say you do not want anyway.

Worth checking with a local PC repairer about replacing that split top cover, known as the PalmRest. Most of the big makers list them as a spare part.

 

Confusing indeed!

When I hit the button to apply for the ESU I was prompted to enter my email address & the password I always use when I log-in to my laptop. (Maybe that indicates I set up a Microsoft account way back when I bought the machine?) But I never use OneDrive and have never set up an account. My wife did the same on hers.

But like you said earlier @ricky101 we need more folk around here to try it and see if they're successful.

Here's the Microsoft link regarding eligibility. You'll notice the URL contains "en-GB" -

Windows 10 Extended Security Updates | Microsoft Windows

 

I think this is crazy, I'm using 11 but how long before they stop supporting that one.When they say supporting what exactly does that mean, you can still get virus problems even when they are supporting it and get told to buy even extra security.

Rip off or what?

 

I intend to keep it @ricky101, it's working fine. The problem is it may fall apart before then.

It's not just the top cover, the split is right the way through, on top and underneath. I have to be careful when moving it in case it breaks completely.

 

I believe there are no updates provided to the general running of the software. I'm sure I'll be corrected if wrong Pete.

 

Yes but are not most of those updates about security ,and I still can't understand why they can't carry on.

 

They want you to buy the next version - it's all about earning money. Just one big rip off. We still use Windows 7, Excel 5 and Word 6! Windows Defender is still having updates under Windows 7. We also use Trusteer Rapport for online security.