Windows 10 End of Support 10/25

[JBMusic]

I have 3 computers in my home running Windows 10. One is my Dell I5 that I keep dedicated for music production and 2 others (a desktop and a laptop) for general purposes. The two general purpose computers I use for bank and credit card accounts but the music one I never use for these purposes. It's only use is for music production. I have internet connection enabled on it only for software updates.

As you probably know, Microsoft is discontinuing support for Windows 10 this coming October (2025) and everybody seems to be warning about the scary things that can happen if you don't either upgrade to 11 or buy a new PC that has it on. As I said above, I can keep the music dedicated PC off line (except to upgrade/update) but I'm still undecided about the general purpose ones. My question is
are there any weaknesses in Studio One that would or could be exploited by not upgrading my music computer to Windows 11? Unlike the general purpose computers my music PC does have the ability to run Windows 11 now but I've heard so many horror stories about Windows 11 in general that I don't really want to upgrade.

Also, if I kept my music PC offline (disconnect the internet) would that create a problem with Studio One? Does it have to "phone home" for it to run correctly? Will I get notices when updates come out to prompt me to connect?

Would like your thoughts on this matter.



John B

 

[TDF1981]

Hi
First of all: I used to work in support for a cyber security company. Those „windows support is ending“ scenarios where often a part of my daily work.
Studio One itself will probably not be a problem as it is not able to gnaw at your system‘s roots, scriptable Microsoft programs like Excel would be more dangerous.
Studio One needs to phone home every 30 days to check your license so it needs an internet connection once in a while.
The other problem is your Windows system itself: where Microsoft used to patch any open door (so to speak) with a security update, this will no longer happen.
As time goes by there might be hackers and malware bots actively looking for Windows 10 IP addresses to implement malicious code which even antivirus software couldn’t prevent because the operating system has „open doors“ and the security software can only scan what the operating system knows of and allows it to.
With a good router and a firewall and you never visiting any strange websites you are pretty safe but from a security point of view, your operating system will be a bit like a car with open doors - people can try to open it and get what‘s inside.
Win 11 isn’t that bad.

 

[uOpt]

Studio One is guaranteed to have exploitable security holes right now.

You can update non-Win11 indicated computers to Win11 with a few registry hacks.

 

[TDF1981]

Studio One is guaranteed to have exploitable security holes right now.

You can update non-Win11 indicated computers to Win11 with a few registry hacks.

Studio One does not have enough system access to do a lot of harm though. Plus: even on an older operating system antivirus software will see if code tries to manipulate a running program (most of the time). I agree there is potential for minor attacks but not necessarily as bad as with Excel or other programs.

 

[JBMusic]

I guess what this means is that after October I'm gonna have to disconnect the internet from my music PC most of the time

 

[JBMusic]

If I don't use it for financial reasons does it matter? It has no bank or cc passwords on it.

 

[lokeyfly]

I guess what this means is that after October I'm gonna have to disconnect the internet from my music PC most of the time

FWIW, I still have my windows 8 Sony laptop that I use to archive old songs, and just leave the internet off. So it's really a matter of what you need to access, keep or update the OS on that computer. About three years ago, I went from the 17" i7 I Intel, to a 17" i7 Intel 10th Gen HP laptop, because the Sony was around for about 8 years. Since the newer HP is only 3 years old, I imagine I'll simply update the OS this October because it's still really capable. So just consider the stability on your existing computer, then decide. You'll have months extra, if you need to make any transition. Mileage varying.

 

[JBMusic]

I heard they're considered selling extra support time but it's still too early for details on that. If the price is right I'd consider that.

 

[Jemusic]

FWIW, I still have my windows 8 Sony laptop that I use to archive old songs, and just leave the internet off. So it's really a matter of what you need to access, keep or update the OS on that computer. About three years ago, I went from the 17" i7 I Intel, to a 17" i7 Intel 10th Gen HP laptop, because the Sony was around for about 8 years. Since the newer HP is only 3 years old, I imagine I'll simply update the OS this October because it's still really capable. So just consider the stability on your existing computer, then decide. You'll have months extra, if you need to make any transition. Mileage varying.

I very much agree with this. I have had an older Win 7 i5 machine for years while I was using more modern machines. The key was to keep it off the net all the time. I am not sure Studio One needs to phone home either ever because I had V4 on that machine and it worked permanently never being on line. Also every plugin I had on that machine including Soundpaint, Omnisphere and Unify also all worked perfectly too. Also I made sure all the plugins on that machine never had to phone home to work. Most will work fine eg Waves and Native Instruments, Arturia etc.. They just had to stay where there were at though. eg not fully up to date.

I also had those three synths on a modern machine up to date etc.. Currently for me its the Mac Studio. Most plugins allow for multiple computer installs. (And often they will allow for installs on quite older OS systems) So they key for me was to always have a modern up to date machine with several older machines off line as extra sound sources etc..

 

[Resonant Serpent]

Paid updates through MS will keep you going until October 25, 2026. That's my plan. I have zero plans to upgrade to 11, and just might switch to Apple when Windows 10 is finally dead. It's been said that MS Recall will be mandatory in the future to use Windows, and that's a red line crossed for me.

"Consumers will be able to sign up for a one-year ESU subscription for $30. That's roughly half what businesses will pay for that first year. That deal comes with two significant restrictions, however.

First, it's available only for "personal use," a move that's obviously designed to discourage business customers from trying to get security updates at a discount. Second, the subscription can't be renewed after that first year. On October 25, 2026, security updates will stop for good on those consumer PCs."

Can't quit Windows 10? Microsoft will charge for updates next year. Here's how much

Businesses can expect to pay a shockingly high sum for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates. Educators will fare better. And for the first time, consumers can sign up - but there's a catch.

www.zdnet.com

Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10

Learn about the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10. The ESU program gives customers the option to receive security updates for Windows 10.

learn.microsoft.com

"When I entered a credit card number and a random username / password into a Windows Notepad window, Recall captured it, despite the fact that I had text such as “Capital One Visa” right next to the numbers. Similarly, when I filled out a loan application PDF in Microsoft Edge, entering a social security number, name and DOB, Recall captured that. Note that all info in these screenshots is made up, but I also tested with an actual credit card number of mine and the results were the same."

Microsoft Recall screenshots credit cards and Social Security numbers, even with the "sensitive information" filter enabled

Despite promising to filter personal data out, Recall still captures it.

www.tomshardware.com

 

[Vocalpoint]

I won't be upgrading to Win 11 either - unless some vast improvements suddenly appear in 24H2/25H2.

And just 30 bucks to extend out to October 2026 - that is a deal too good to pass up.

But even after Oct 14, 2026 - unless I suddenly decide it might be a good time to start surfing the Dark Web on my DAW - I am not worried at all about security risks or someone to "suddenly come and get me".

As long as one stays in their lane on the Internet, has a good pro/prosumer router/firewall setup and uses Defender (which WILL continue to get updates after the ESU is complete) along with a manual dash of weekly MalwareBytes scans - I could use Windows 10 until the end of time - or at least until Studio One no longer will install to it.

The hype about what might happen to you without security updates is massively overblown. It is intentional FUD - geared specifically to make you buy something "newer" to keep the bad guys at bay.

I practically never go on the Internet with my DAW - and I am not concerned at all about specific apps needing internet access or license checks that will continue to exist.

The takeaway - anyone can get slammed by security issues in any OS - including Windows 11 - if you let bad habits take the wheel.

VP

 

[uOpt]

If I don't use it for financial reasons does it matter? It has no bank or cc passwords on it.

Well, even if you avoid such accounts, you presumably still do email. And the important accounts can be unlocked with your email account.

Plus most people share passwords between sites. Having all your unimportant account passwords stolen is not a good thing either way. People can commit fraud on forums in your name for example.

Using an insecure OS is very tricky. As I said, you can trick W11 to install even if it doesn't want to. And apparently Microsoft will sell you one more year of Win10 support for $30.

 

[Vocalpoint]

Using an insecure OS is very tricky. As I said, you can trick W11 to install even if it doesn't want to.

Installing Win 11 overtop Win 10 - espeically on a DAW - is not where you want to go.

And yes - MS has confirmed that while this "trick" worked for a while in the early going for Windows 11 - they will be closing the door on the trick in the coming months but more importantly also closing updates off - for anyone running Win 11 on a unsupported machine. You will essentially be right back to staying on Win 10 is this comes to pass.

And apparently Microsoft will sell you one more year of Win10 support for $30.

This has been 100% confirmed now. And I will be taking advantage in the Fall of 2025.

VP

 

[uOpt]

I doubt that MS will in the future disable all the W11 installations that have been upgraded with tricks. That would be catastrophic for the users and for MS' reputation.

What exactly are they gonna do? You can't automatically downgrade of course. Cut users off updates? Security nightmare. Just disabling boot? No way.

 

[Vocalpoint]

I doubt that MS will in the future disable all the W11 installations that have been upgraded with tricks. That would be catastrophic for the users and for MS' reputation.

Read exactly what will happen here:

Windows 11 on devices that don't meet minimum system requirements - Microsoft Support

Installing Windows 11 on devices that do not meet minimum system requirements is unsupported and is not recommended by Microsoft.

support.microsoft.com

If you want to chance your DAW suddenly have undocumented or unsupported issues - say 6 months from now because you thought you could skirt the rules - then you will be on your own.

I also do not think MS cares about what happens if users cannot follow the guidelines or what users think of their rep. They have been crystal clear on what you need to run Win 11. It's your call.

What exactly are they gonna do? You can't automatically downgrade of course. Cut users off updates? Security nightmare. Just disabling boot? No way.

And cutting off updates - I can easily see that happening.

MS has already clearly stated in the article above that if you have "bypassed" the requirements for Win 11 - you are already unsupported. And that means for any updates as well.

What I really can't figure out is Win 11 is a dog on even modern supported hardware - why anyone would want to put this on some old machine from 2018 without TPM etc - is beyond me.

Anyhow - when the end comes (and it will) - and the lid finally slams down on those who thought they could keep on keeping on by not using supported hardware - no one should be surprised.

It's not like this is a secret

VP

 

[uOpt]

Well, to clarify, I am a windows hater, and games like this and avoiding decisions like this is a major reason. I would never use Windows for anything important in the first place.

 

[Vocalpoint]

Well, to clarify, I am a windows hater, and games like this and avoiding decisions like this is a major reason. I would never use Windows for anything important in the first place.

Wow - strange conversation to be in then.

That said - I can only surmise that you use a Mac and therefore must be very well versed in the concept of absolute planned obsolescence (whether you like it or not) and the usual hair pulling activities that occur each September when Apple insists you must run a whole new OS and kills off the one from three years prior - which of course still works perfectly fine.

VP

 

[Craig Anderton]

I haven't updated my W11-ready computer because I don't have time for any disruptions. However, the person at PC Audio Labs who integrated my computer highly recommends installing W11. He says W11 is more stable, and the overall performance will be better on my machine. In 20 years he's never steered me wrong about anything involving Windows computers (pro and con), so I'll take his advice.

As to Recall, I could really use the functionality. It's opt in, not opt out, but I hope when it's released you would be able turn it off temporarily if you don't want it to remember what you're doing.

If needed, I could just do all my online banking and such on my Mac. Or at least, I could after I buy a new Mac, because my current Macs can't update past Catalina. They're no longer receiving updates for browsers and such. I've been using both Windows and Mac for 30 years. They're equally problematic and equally wonderful...just in different ways.

 

[Jemusic]

Wow - strange conversation to be in then.

That said - I can only surmise that you use a Mac and therefore must be very well versed in the concept of absolute planned obsolescence (whether you like it or not) and the usual hair pulling activities that occur each September when Apple insists you must run a whole new OS and kills off the one from three years prior - which of course still works perfectly fine.

VP

Not quite true. Actually on Mac you can stay on any OS version you want. You do not have to update at all. The only thing here is if any software will stop working on that OS but mostly it will for a very long time.

 

[Vocalpoint]

Not quite true. Actually on Mac you can stay on any OS version you want. You do not have to update at all. The only thing here is if any software will stop wprking on that OS but mostly it will for a very long time.

100% Agreed. Except I haven't come across a single person who actually does this. In the forums I travel - it's Mac issues 98% and Windows 2% - especially in September.

For reasons I will never understand - every single Mac user thinks they "need" to be current and that's where the fun starts.

AND - let's not gloss over the fact that Apple basically does not permit anyone any chance whatsoever to "go back" when buying a new device.

You get what you get and whatever that is - is usually never compliant with the real world until months after release when plugins vendors finally wrap up their testing due usual massive changes in the OS. And yes - I know there is a way to go back - but it's purposely made painful so no one wants to ever try it.

Mac can be excellent if users would simply leave well enough alone...but that just never seems possible.

VP