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Offered options in the context of Windows 11 migration

Option 1: Replace hardware and install Windows 11.​

Ideally for the incompatible machines: - The first step should be retiring all the machines which are obsolete (if any) and rationalize the service resources. - For the cases where the nodes are needed, the second step is to check if one of the others options listed below are match your requirements. - If there is no valid option, then the service and machine owners have to plan the financial and operation aspect of procuring new hardware compatible with Windows 11 and reinstalling the service on it.

Departments need to intensify the planning and investment efforts to achieve device park readiness for Windows 11. See also: KB0009602​

Option 2: Activate Windows 10 ESU Year 1 on device (available via CMF)​

In case a delay is necessary, for example to adress a software compatibility issue, the Extended Security Update (ESU) plan can be used to gives one more year (till October 2026) for planning this. Available in CMF for all CERN CMF Centrally Managed devices, the "Windows 10 ESU" CMF package, once installed, extend the life of Windows 10 on the device per one year until October 2026. Note: - Only security updates will be provided by Microsoft - No new feature will be released - No technical support will be provided by the editor.

Microsoft plan to provide ESU program for a total of 3 years until October 2028, but CERN ordered it initially only for one year until end of 2026.

The CMF package is available in the NICE NSS and can be applied by CMF local admninistrators to their respectives NSCs

Option 3: Reinstall under Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 (available on request)​

Available on request by opening a ticket providing hostname of the device, this alternative can be suitable for control devices which are running software that are only compatible with Windows 10. For example, electrical substations. the LTSC branch, which stands for "Long Term Services Channel" provide support and security update until 2029.

  • Security update available until end of 2029
  • No new feature, based on a given build and doesn't evolve
  • Technical support provided by Microsoft

Other options:

Windows Server Operating System

In some cases, switching to a server flavor of the Windows Operating System can also be a viable solution if the hadware is not compatible with Windows 11 and if the incompatible software you have an issue with support server flavour

Linux and other OS ?

This is out of the scope of our mandate, nevertheless, considering moving nodes to Linux can be a viable solution to be explored