Windows Embedded Standard 7 is Reaching End of Extended Support

It's Time to Act: Windows Embedded Standard 7 is reaching end of Extended Support on 13th October 2020

• Microsoft is no longer providing security updates

• Find out why it’s critical for your customers to make embedded system part of their Windows 7 migration plan

• IOT and VDI environments rely on this critical update – make sure your customers are up to date

Win 7 Upgrade background

Microsoft offers Windows 10 IoT as the modern migration path for such devices, which includes the same security improvements, excellent application compatibility, and management flexibility as the rest of the Windows 10 family. It also has many advanced features like machine learning along with built-in cloud readiness. In addition, the latest Windows 10 IoT releases from October 2018 will be supported for 10 years, until 2028.

There have been many changes since Windows 7 was released almost 10 years ago. Some of the most significant for dedicated devices include information security and privacy, manageability, artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning, and cloud computing. Windows 10 has countless advances in these areas;

• Security—Trusted Boot, device encryption, and Device Health Attestation
• Manageability—Azure IoT Hub, Microsoft Intune, and Device Update Centre**
• Deployment—Azure IoT Hub Device Provisioning Service and Windows Autopilot
• AI/machine learning—Windows machine learning and cognitive services
• Cloud computing—Azure IoT Edge support

**Device Update Centre only applies to Windows 10 IoT Core.

Answers for 'you' the channel partner

What is Windows Embedded Standard 7 End of Support?

Microsoft will no longer be issuing security updates for any version of WES 7 from October 13th 2020. There are some Extended Support Upgrades available for HP Thin Clients, however these only provide support for critical security options for a limited time. This also still means the device may not be supported by ISV's, and may not meet various compliance standards (see below). 

How does Windows Embedded Standard 7 End of Support affect your customers?

Any security issues discovered in WES 7 will not have patches issued, which could lead systems to be vulnerable.

If you are an ISV support will cease for WES 7, what impact does this have on your business?

Many of the ISVs who provide the backend that Thin Clients often connect to (such as Citrix and VMware) have stopped supporting WES 7, or are stopping support with the release of their next client update. This means customers will not be able to use the latest versions of the ISVs’ client receiver, and the ISV will no longer be able to offer troubleshooting or support for environments where WES 7 is being used for the Thin Client OS.

This also means that many of the latest improvements to the ISVs’ environment will not be able to be used, limiting access to such technologies as Teams optimisation for remote access.
Having an unsupported operating system may also impact compliance with industry standards, such as PCI DSS or Healthcare/Privacy data protection standards.

What options do you and your customers have for upgrading to the latest supported Operating System?

Windows 10 IoT is the current supported Microsoft equivalent OS. Windows 10 IoT provides access to all the latest improvements from Microsoft, as well as the best compatibility with client-side receivers from ISVs.
There are options for providing in-place OS upgrades on some of the more recent models of HP Thin Clients. Due to the RAM and storage requirements for Windows 10 IoT these OS upgrades may also require additional hardware be installed in the Thin Client being upgraded.

HP also has a complete range of both desktop and mobile Thin Clients that come preinstalled with Windows 10 IoT. As well as providing increased performance and features, purchasing a new Thin Client provides a full new warranty with the system.

There may also be the option of repurposing the device with HP Thinpro OS, providing a current, flexible operating environment.

Are new Thin Clients and Operating system upgrades easy to deploy?

All of HP’s Thin Client hardware includes a full suite of value-added management and thin client utilities, with no initial or ongoing costs, including HP Device Manager as a central console for Thin Client deployment and management.

For repurposed devices there is a nominal maintenance subscription fee for access to the management suite.

What opportunities do you have? 

Thin clients run many useful technologies such as ATMs, cash registers, and airport kiosks. Spanning across industries like healthcare, manufacturing, digital signage, hospitality, retail, plus many more.

If you haven’t reached out to existing Thin Client customers, it is the perfect time to review your database and reach out to anyone in the above fields and offer to help them check inventory to prevent problems.

• Work out who is still using Thin Clients with Windows 7 OS
• Build a communication to advise customers of the potential risks if they do not act
• From backing up files, to finding a new computer to fit the needs of your customer, we have tools to help you transition with ease
• Work with Dicker Data to guide them through additional support, Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise to extend Windows 7 security updates through until January 2023
• Offer to upgrade to new hardware with support from the Dicker data team

Key Takeaways 

1. Check the needs of your customer
2. Understand their commitment to action
3. Prepare for upgrade or implementation of new devices 
4. Talk to Dicker Data to see how we can help