Windows 10: Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-support Checklist has more holes than Swiss cheese

Microsoft will end support for its Windows 10 operating system this October officially. While users may extend support for a year by paying Microsoft, or longer, if they resort to hacks, many need to make a critical decision this year regarding the future of their PC.

Microsoft published a checklist for those users. The Windows 10 end of support checklist helps customers be prepared when end of support comes, according to Microsoft.

Problem is, Microsoft's main intent makes the checklist less usable than it could be. It is basically a reiteration of the end of support email that Microsoft sent out last month.

First, let us take a look at what Microsoft is suggesting.

The Windows 10 end of support checklist


Microsoft's list has four items:

• Check for Windows updates.
• Backup your data.
• Safely erase your data.
• Recycle your PC responsibly.

Microsoft's first suggestion is to make sure that Windows 10 is up to date. It does not mention the upgrade option to Windows 11 here, which seems like a missed opportunity.

While many Windows 10 PCs cannot be upgraded, some can and that would ensure that they receive security updates after October 2025, albeit on Windows 11.

Also, checking for updates only helps until October 2025, after which update delivery will end officially.

Backups


The second suggestion makes more sense on first glance. Backing up important data should be on every user's agenda regularly, but especially so when migrating to a new system.

Microsoft suggests to copy files manually to an external hard drive. This is a time consuming process. Most users may want to use backup software like Paragon Backup & Recovery Free for that instead.

The second suggestion that Microsoft gives is to move files to OneDrive. Here, Microsoft fails to note that OneDrive has a storage limit and that upgrades cost money. Also, moving certain files to OneDrive may get the account flagged by automatic scanning systems.

Erase data before recycling or giving away


Microsoft recommends that users erase data on their PC before they recycle the device or give it away. This prevents data leaks and unauthorized access.

The way to do that, according to Microsoft, is to go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and activate the Reset this PC option on the page. Users should then pick remove everything, and remove files and clean drive, to erase all data.

Recycling


Last but not least, Microsoft says that users should consider recycling the PC or trading it in for a new device (with Windows 11).

Here is what is missing


Microsoft's main goal with the checklist and the email is to get customers to purchase new Windows 11 PCs. It made the strategic decision to omit certain information to further that goal.

First, Microsoft mentions only in passing that an upgrade to Windows 11 may be a possibility. While the email did include an option to check if an upgrade is available, Microsoft's checklist mentions this only as an afterthought.

Second, Microsoft makes no mention of the Extended Security Updates program. This allows home users to extend support by a year and businesses by three years. Home users pay $39 for that. Another year could extend the life of the PC and give some users enough time to prepare for a new PC or migration.

While it is understandable that Microsoft does not mention third-party options, it is important to realize that these exist. Here are three main options:

• Micro-patching service 0Patch promised to deliver critical security updates for Windows 10 until at least 2030. This comes at a cost of about $30 per year and includes only critical or exploited issues. Still, it takes care of major vulnerabilities for years to come.
• Linux is an option to extend the life of a computer. While that requires some testing on the user's side, it is an option and would extend life of the PC for years to come.
• Upgrade an incompatible PC to Windows 11.

Closing Words


There you have it. You can choose to follow Microsoft by giving up on your Windows 10 PC, if it is not compatible with Windows 11, or consider one of the other options to extend the life of the hardware.

Now it is your turn. Do you still run Windows 10 on (some) of your devices? If so, what are your plans going forward? Feel free to leave a comment down below to join the discussion.







Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-support Checklist has more holes than Swiss cheese appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

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Checklists now available in Microsoft Word for the web

Microsoft 365 Insider Blog: Hi, Microsoft 365 Insiders! Im Rahul Gosain, a Product Manager on the Word team. Im excited to share that you can now insert checklists in your Word for the web documents. Checklists now available in Word for the web Checklists are a simple yet powerful tool that can help you stay organized, focused, and productive. They are particularly useful in situations where there is a need to ensure that necessary steps are completed, or standards and procedures are being followed correctly. They also can be used to track progress and encourage the formation of new habits. Using checklists can help free your mind from having to remember the steps you need to complete and worrying about the possibility of forgetting to do something. They can also save time by making it easy to follow specific steps and reducing the likelihood of errors. Oh, and they can provide a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when you check off items from the list. How it works

1. Create a document or open an existing one in Word for the web.
2. Place the cursor or tap where you want to add the checklist in your document, and then select Home > Checklist or press Ctrl + , (comma).
3. To mark a task as complete, select the square icon to the left of each checklist item or press Ctrl + Alt + Enter.

Scenarios to try

• Add items to your grocery list throughout the week, and then check off each item as you shop.
  
  

• Create a checklist to track project tasks and milestones, and mark each one as completed as your team progresses, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
  
  

• Develop a checklist for new employee onboarding that include tasks such as paperwork completion, training sessions, and equipment setup.

Availability This feature is currently rolling out to all Word for the web users. Feedback We want to hear from you! Please select Help > Feedback to submit your thoughts about this feature. Source: Checklists now available in Word for the web

 

Microsoft Botches Up UEFI Support for Windows 7 on ASUS Motherboards



Microsoft suggests updating to Windows 10 to patch Windows 7

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• Chris Merriman
• 
  @ChrisTheDJ
• 05 May 2016

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MICROSOFT HAS confirmed a potentially lappy-borking problem that it won't be fixing, because Windows 7.

Woody Leonhard, the respected Windows columnist, points to a problem involving Asus motherboards, which also appear rebadged in a variety of other manufacturers' machines, and the activation of UEFI Secure Boot for Windows 7 in a patch KB3133977.

Short version: install update, welcome to Borksville, population you.

Both Asus and Microsoft acknowledged the problem. Microsoft entitled the article "BitLocker can't encrypt drives because of service crashes in svchost.exe process in Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2", but we prefer to just call it "Trevor for brevity."

The firm's advice was that it's an optional update, leave well alone, you'll be fine, or alternatively turn secure boot off.

Then Microsoft did a silly, silly thing.

It moved the update from 'optional' to 'recommended' and anyone who reads this site regularly will know what happens when Microsoft does this. That's right boys and girls - it makes it automatically install, unless you've specifically told your machine not to.

So now, if you have one of the affected motherboard and you keep your security updates automatic like wot Microsoft recommends, then your machine will stop working properly.

We should add it's not permanently bricked, but it will take some mucking about in the BIOS to fix and that's a pain even for an experienced computer user.

Microsoft has, by offering a workaround, suggested heavily that it won't be fixing the problem, though we have asked the question, so expect a response in about a fortnight.

But the real kicker is this piece of advice: "Note The Secure Boot feature is supported in Windows 10. To learn more about the security advantages of this feature and about the upgrade path from Windows 7 to Windows 10, go to the following Windows website"

Holy toledo, this company really knows how to rub people up the wrong way.

After all - if the advice is to manually avoid the update or move to a version of the operating system where there's virtually no control over updates, then Microsoft is dealing in massive contradictions.

A more cynical site would suggest that it's yet another example of Microsoft running Windows 7 into the ground and adding built in obsolescence to encourage quicker updates. But we're not that sort of site.

Its the patching to force secure boot that is the problem win 7 does not support secure boot
hence it borks systems and well microsofts answer is Cactus >your Asshole > insert

from the inquirer

 

Microsoft signals end of Paint program

Microsoft has confirmed that it will continue to offer its graphics program Paint.

In a recent update, it had listed Paint as a feature that would be either removed or no longer developed.

Paint, renowned for its simplicity, has been part of the Windows operating system since its launch in 1985.

Microsoft suggested it would not remain on Windows 10 by default but did say it would be available for free on the Windows Store.

BBC news Report here
Microsoft Paint avoids brush with death