.....Windows 10 ESUs
There have been reports that some folks signing up for the single-year Windows 10 ESU offering would be forced into cloud software subscriptions. This is not true. You do need to log in with a Microsoft Account in order to activate and enable the ESU. But if you are in the United States, you do not need to stay logged in to your Microsoft account in order to keep getting the Windows 10 security updates.
Another misconception is that the ESU subscription has to have been acquired before November. Again, not true. You can sign up any time between now and October 2026. Waiting that long doesn’t make much sense, of course; sooner is better than later. Why sign up so late and miss security updates between now and then, especially when so many get the consumer ESU for free?
Setting up a new Windows 11 PC
The recent news about rapidly rising costs for RAM, SSD, and other components is encouraging a larger number of people to buy a new PC now. Makes sense. If that’s what you’re thinking, take a little time to consider some important points I’ve mentioned many times before. One, of course, is making the local-versus-Microsoft account decision. Another is ducking the artificial intelligence solutions Microsoft and others are cramming down our throats. Arm yourself with decisions about these things before setting up a new Windows 11 PC, and use the many articles and knowledge-base posts we’ve produced as guidance. Just because Microsoft wants you to do things its way doesn’t mean you can’t get, and configure, the computer the way you want.
I continue to stand by my long-time recommendation of ignoring the Windows Home edition and instead going Pro. I realize that Windows 11 Professional costs more (although usually at a discount when buying from a vendor at the same time the PC is purchased). It’s also very hard to find when buying from a big-box store, or even the few remaining computer stores — stay alert when examining specifications. But Pro is a much better long-term decision in terms of security, your control over the PC, and Microsoft’s attention to problems.
You will find some PCs sold with the “S” version of Windows 11. “S” mode means that only apps from the Microsoft Store can be installed. As Chris Hoffman notes in his article today, the Store is getting better, so S mode might be desirable, even with Windows Home Edition. But in some cases, a new PC configured in S mode out of the box can be slightly less expensive. Because S mode can be turned off, it’s something to consider. Just note that once S mode has been disabled, it cannot be turned back on.
Frankly, S mode is a good idea with respect to security because apps in the store are vetted by Microsoft. Unfortunately, installing legacy apps is often necessary for many users, so my observation is that S mode has not been particularly successful.
Although Microsoft keeps announcing that it will force us to use a Microsoft account with Windows...
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