Latest news with #Windows10
Forbes
12 hours ago
- Forbes
Microsoft Confirms 2 Free Offers—Windows Users Must Now Choose
Decision time for 700 million users. Microsoft's sudden decision to kill its own October deadline for Windows 10 was many things — but above all it was a surprise. But now for the reality check. Doing nothing is not an option. This reversal means half of all Windows users must now decide. There are now two options on the table — both free — from which to choose. These numbers are stark. There are around 400 million Windows 10 users eligible to upgrade to Windows 11 — that means a PC with the right security hardware onboard. A further 240 million can't upgrade because their PCs fail that eligibility test. All told, that's at least 700 million users with three options to stick to Windows 10. Use Microsoft's cloud backup and extend support for free until october 2026. Use some of the company's rewards points to do the same. Or cough up $30. There is a fourth option of course. Those 400 million users should really take the free upgrade to Windows 11 that's still on the table. Windows 10 retaining security updates for 12-months might be table stakes, but Windows 11 is much more secure. In the same blogpost Microsoft used to confirm its u-turn, it also emphasized the free upgrade point. 'Security is at the heart of Windows 11... Windows 11 is secure by design and by default, with layers of defense enabled on day one to enhance your protection without the need to first configure settings.' I've said before that this u-turn is a mistake. The free 12-month extension should have been limited just to users with PCs unable to upgrade to Windows 11. The threat now is inertia — users that would otherwise have upgraded not bothering until next year. The irony is that those upgrades had finally started to accelerate just as Microsoft issued its surprising news. The danger is that this acceleration will now rapidly slow back down to the crawl it was beforehand. That's not good for users or for Microsoft. So go ahead, upgrade to Windows 11 if you can and have not done so already. And if you can't, use the extended support wizard as soon as it's available. It's currently only available for Insiders, but that will change soon at it hits all PCs. For the rest, the best advice is to see what new PC bargains might crop up through the rest of this year. The Microsoft news will have disappointed PC m akers who want the refresh cycle to continue unabated. You should see some good bargain hunting through the shopping season in the fall as all that inventory chases an unexpectedly soft market. As for all those Windows 10 users, there are now two free offers on the table. Upgrade an eligible PC to Windows 11 or extend support for a year. No excuses for falling off support anymore, making the fared cyber nightmare a reality.
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Forbes
Microsoft's Free New Windows Upgrade: How It Works And How To Get It
Microsoft stops supporting Windows 10 in just over 100 days on Oct.14, 2025. But on June 25, the company introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will mean users will supported for an extra year, for free. Windows 10 and Windows 11 This is a big change: until a few days ago, to gain an extra year, you needed to pay the company $30. Now, there's a free option, but there are things you need to do. Essentially, you need to link your Microsoft account and sync Settings to the cloud. First, as Microsoft explains, you need to sign in to Windows on a device running Windows 10, version 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstation edition with the latest update installed. To enroll your device in ESU, go to Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update. Assuming you meet the requirements, you should see a link to enroll. If you choose not to sync your PC settings, the $30 fee still applies. Windows Latest, ahead of the game as usual, has already done all this as part of the Insider Program, so has seen it in action. 'In our tests, it just takes a few seconds to extend support. You'll see the 'Enroll now' button on the right side of the Windows Update. On some installations, it also appears below the Check for updates button. I assume Microsoft is A/B testing the toggle, but once you click the 'Enroll now' button, it opens a pop-up window titled 'Enroll in Extended Security Updates.' The pop-up says it'll help you extend security updates support beyond October 14, 2025, when Windows 10 support ends,' Mayank Parmar explains. The wizard will check whether your PC meets the requirements which are not, of course, the same as those needed to upgrade to Windows 11. When it's all done, a success screen appears. 'You're enrolled in Extended Security Updates through Oct. 13, 2026,'it says. If you're really not interested in moving on from Windows 10, and that's the case for hundreds of millions of users, this is a simple way to keep your PC secure until late 2026 for free.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
AI is helping small businesses increase productivity. Here's a look inside the computing hardware helping power it.
Businesses across industries are increasing their AI usage. AI workloads require hardware equipped with powerful processors that can handle these tasks. Responsible and sustainable AI adoption is key to business success. Most tech-savvy observers understand that AI is transforming large enterprises across functions such as customer service, HR, and the supply chain. Chatbots and virtual assistants are now powered by large language models (LLMs) that respond to nearly any natural-language query. These models are trained on business-specific data to provide targeted, accurate answers. According to a poll from the US Chamber of Commerce and Teneo, 98% of small businesses now use AI-enabled software, and 40 % of them employ generative tools like chatbots and image creators to cut costs and speed workflows. But AI isn't just making a splash at big corporations: a new generation of everyday business hardware and operating systems is putting AI in the hands of business owners of all sizes, with applications across a wide range of business functions. Business computing systems for the AI era Andrew Wan, product manager at MSI, has a front-row seat to the transformative impact of AI across industries. He explains that what was once a buzzword is now a practical, everyday tool. In fact, 91% of SMBs that have adopted AI say it's driven measurable revenue growth, according to a survey of 3,350 business leaders from Salesforce. For example, in marketing, AI is powering smarter, more personalized campaigns. Content teams are creating, tweaking, and repurposing material at incredible speeds. Meanwhile, in law, AI is cutting down the time needed for research and contract reviews. The classroom and the clinic are also seeing significant benefits. In education, AI is making learning more flexible, while In healthcare, AI is improving diagnoses and patient care. Across fields, AI boosts productivity and enables people to focus on the work that really matters. AI-ready computing hardware Many business owners have questions about the suitability of their legacy systems in this new AI era. According to Wan, MSI's latest technology is designed to help everyday business users take full advantage of AI. The Cubi NUC AI+ 2M, for example, include the next-generation Intel® Lunar Lake processors, featuring on-chip NPU and GPU cores which provide efficient, on-device AI computing. These compact systems also include Microsoft Copilot+, an AI-powered assistant designed to help teams work smarter. And it's not just enthusiasts leveraging AI: 27% of SMBs have "significantly accelerated" tech spending because of AI needs, with another 35% "slightly accelerating" their investments — underscoring why on-device NPUs and GPUs are so critical. MSI's new desktop models also come with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, offering businesses a smoother upgrade path from Windows 10 as Microsoft's October migration deadline looms. A real business impact AI is already improving productivity and business outcomes at many organizations. Early adopters in small and mid-sized businesses are seeing real gains by automating repetitive workflows that free up valuable time and resources. "We're hearing about tangible improvements in productivity, customer satisfaction, and even employee engagement as teams are empowered by technology that supports their goals," Wan said. Although AI has already had a profound impact on businesses, Wan believes we've only scratched the surface of its potential. Over the next year, he expects AI to become even more embedded in everyday workflows, especially through smart devices that offer real-time insights while keeping data private and secure. "Fast forward five years, and AI won't just be a helpful tool — it'll be at the heart of how businesses run," he said. "It'll shape strategies, spark new revenue ideas, and open doors to ways of working we haven't even imagined yet. The companies that start laying the groundwork now with AI-friendly systems will be the ones setting the pace in this smarter, more connected future." AI for good Of course, for all of the opportunities AI affords businesses, there are also a number of risks to watch out for. Wan says MSI is committed to responsible adoption of AI, and its suite of AI-powered computing products have been designed with sustainability in mind. "We've built in a three-year Advance Replacement Warranty, which means virtually zero downtime," Wan said. "And by focusing on energy-efficient design, we're helping businesses reduce their environmental footprint while embracing the future of work." 77% of small businesses plan to adopt new digital technologies — including AI and even metaverse tools — within the next year, making energy-efficient hardware and robust warranties like MSI's Advance Replacement critical for minimizing both downtime and environmental impact. "As we build toward a more intelligent future, we believe it's just as important to build a more sustainable one," Wan said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Windows 10 Support Ending Soon: क्या आपको Windows 11 पर Upgrade करना चाहिए? जानिए जरूरी बातें!
मोहिनी केडिया Produced by: | Navbharat Times• 27 Jun 2025, 4:57 pm Windows 10 Support Ending Soon: क्या आपको Windows 11 पर Upgrade करना चाहिए? जानिए जरूरी बातें!
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Porter County culls 35 employee dependents from health insurance because of ineligibility
Thirty-five dependents of Porter County employees will be eliminated from the health plan July 1 after a recent dependent verification process aimed at protecting the county from unqualified expenses and unforeseen liability. The Porter County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on the removal at its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday morning, with Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, absent. Representatives from General Insurance Services (GIS) and American Fidelity explained that the process began March 10 with a communication to employees about the upcoming audit. Such audits are done every two years, according to Commissioner Barb Regnitz, R-Center. Aram Touloukian of American Fidelity explained that seven rounds of communication were sent to employees asking for documents verifying eligibility of the dependents in question. Eight did not participate or complete the required documentation, 12 did not have sufficient documentation, and seven are spouses who qualify for health insurance on their own. Touloukian said it costs $4,700 per year for the county to add one dependent to the plan. The removal of the 35 ineligible will save the county not only $150,000 to $160,000 annually, but could also protect the county if someone technically ineligible became a high-cost claimant. The county has a separate insurance stop-loss policy that takes over claims after an individual tops out of the standard plan after $175,000 in claims. If that insurance provider asked for verification of qualification and a claimant failed that qualification the county could be responsible for those medical bills. 'So we have a number of dependents who have hit the stop-loss level?' Regnitz asked. 'Oh, absolutely,' replied Employee Benefits Advisor Candace Arvin of GIS. 'I think that's what we have to protect our plan from happening,' Regnitz said. She confirmed with Arvin and Touloukian that employees may reenroll any qualifying dependents during open enrollment in the fall, should they be among the 35 who failed to supply adequate documentation. In other business, commissioners gave Information Technology Director Lee Childress permission to set up a fund for additional appropriations that would be necessary if the County Council gives its blessing to an additional $400,000 expenditure for the purchase of 250 computers that will be necessary to run Windows 11. Windows 10 will stop receiving security patches in October and the computers purchased in 2007 to run it will not support the new software. The board also unanimously approved a zoning map amendment of the Unified Development Ordinance allowing Heartland Christian Center in Morgan Township to change the zoning of 10.7 acres from low-density single-family residential (R1) to Institutional (I). The property in question is for the development of the future Sunshine Center, planned as a recreational facility for the disabled and their caregivers. 'We're in the process of getting going,' said Heartland Pastor Phil Willingham. Finally, during approval for NWI Activists/NWI NOW to hold their next two 50501 protests on Sunday, June 29, and Thursday, July 17, the petitioners were asked by Regnitz to speak with members of their groups. 'I am getting photos of the event, and some of them are inciting violence,' she said. 'Are you talking about the 86 47 ones?' NWI NOW Director Deb McLeod asked. 'Yes,' she replied. The women explained it is a commonly used restaurant term that means to remove or eject an item, as from a menu, when it has sold out, and that they would not condone violent rhetoric at their events. The term has been under scrutiny since former FBI Director James Comey used the phrase recently. The implication is that he was referring to President Donald Trump. Merriam-Webster Dictionary says the term has taken on its police and military meaning of 'to kill.' 'Did they perceive that in the same way when they were spouting '86 46?'' McLeod asked of those sending complaints to Regnitz. 'We're not going to have another presidential election for a couple years, so to say we'll get rid of 47 now, the implication is violently,' Regnitz insisted.
