Fw: [EDM-Target-Stations] WINDOWS 10 END OF SUPPORT & DOS IN WINDOWS INFO
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David Tanks
Oct 13, 2025, 8:11:21 AM (11 days ago) Oct 13
to valleyhams
More info on Windows 10, etc.
David AD4TJ
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Group Moderator <edm-target-s...@groups.io>
Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2025 at 10:22:51 AM EDT
Subject: [EDM-Target-Stations] WINDOWS 10 END OF SUPPORT & DOS IN WINDOWS INFO
THANKS TO RON KLIMAS - WZ1V, for putting this great information together and passing it to us.
This message covers TWO subjects:
WINDOWS 10 END OF SUPPORT INFORMATION
& RUNNING DOS UNDER WINDOWS 10.
Ron mentioned both of these last Thursday in the member Zoom meeting and other participants indicated they would like more info on both of them. Ron was kind enough to write this up for us!
WINDOWS 10 END OF SUPPORT INFORMATION
Worried about Windows 10 support ending this month?
Don't want to buy a new PC just to have Windows 11?
No more worries, there's better options, read on.
Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11.
Many computers Microsoft deems too old to upgrade
will run fine on Windows 11. If this is the route you
wish to explore I suggest running FlyBy11_classic from:
https://github.com/builtbybel
This utility will check your hardware and let you know
Don't want to buy a new PC just to have Windows 11?
No more worries, there's better options, read on.
Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11.
Many computers Microsoft deems too old to upgrade
will run fine on Windows 11. If this is the route you
wish to explore I suggest running FlyBy11_classic from:
https://github.com/builtbybel
This utility will check your hardware and let you know
if it can install Windows 11 on your older machine
even though Microsoft says it can't be done.
This same author has a newer utility FlyOobe which is
recommended to customize your Windows 11 install,
you can also pick and choose what bloat to leave out,
disable Telemetry (Microsoft's spying eye), etc.
Option 2: Stay on Windows 10 with extended support.
Microsoft now has a program you can enroll in to receive
regular security updates beyond October 2025.
You can receive free updates for another year.
You can read the details on Microsoft's site, below.
even though Microsoft says it can't be done.
This same author has a newer utility FlyOobe which is
recommended to customize your Windows 11 install,
you can also pick and choose what bloat to leave out,
disable Telemetry (Microsoft's spying eye), etc.
Option 2: Stay on Windows 10 with extended support.
Microsoft now has a program you can enroll in to receive
regular security updates beyond October 2025.
You can receive free updates for another year.
You can read the details on Microsoft's site, below.
After October 14, you can go to Settings, Update and Security,
and click Check For Updates. After the October updates are
installed and you rebooted - Check for Updates again.
This time right under the Check For Updates section,
you should see "You're eligible for Extended Security Updates".
You can enroll here, but will need to sign in to your
Microsoft account, and choose Backup to One Drive for
a free year on continued Security Updates.
But for an easier way to enroll, I'd suggest first
using one of these third-party programs to do the
hoop-jumping for you. One of them is FlyOobe mentioned
previously. Run it and choose Upgrade, then click on
More Options (Enroll in ESU.). It will do the rest.
Another program that will do ESU enrollment for you
is ESU Assist for Windows 10, get it here:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/esu-assist-for-windows-10/
Read all about the ESU program on Microsoft's site:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-consumer-extended-security-updates-esu-program-33e17de9-36b3-43bb-874d-6c53d2e4bf42
Option 3: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021
A specialized version of 64 bit Windows 10, intended
mainly for commercial and medical equipment, ATM's etc.
It's leaner, faster, and runs anything 10 Pro can.
It will receive security updates through January, 2032.
You can either "upgrade" from Windows 10 Pro to this version,
keeping all your files and Apps in place, or do a clean
install. Note, you'll need a new license key to activate it.
I successfully "upgraded" to this version on 6 computers so far.
If this is the route you want to go with, read on:
Download
using one of these third-party programs to do the
hoop-jumping for you. One of them is FlyOobe mentioned
previously. Run it and choose Upgrade, then click on
More Options (Enroll in ESU.). It will do the rest.
Another program that will do ESU enrollment for you
is ESU Assist for Windows 10, get it here:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/esu-assist-for-windows-10/
Read all about the ESU program on Microsoft's site:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-consumer-extended-security-updates-esu-program-33e17de9-36b3-43bb-874d-6c53d2e4bf42
Option 3: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021
A specialized version of 64 bit Windows 10, intended
mainly for commercial and medical equipment, ATM's etc.
It's leaner, faster, and runs anything 10 Pro can.
It will receive security updates through January, 2032.
You can either "upgrade" from Windows 10 Pro to this version,
keeping all your files and Apps in place, or do a clean
install. Note, you'll need a new license key to activate it.
I successfully "upgraded" to this version on 6 computers so far.
If this is the route you want to go with, read on:
Download
en-us_windows_10_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2021_x64_dvd_257ad90f.iso
from https://massgrave.dev/windows_ltsc_links
All the information is there on how to upgrade keeping your files and apps. Basically you open the ISO with Explorer, edit a few registry keys to "fool" the Setup into believing you have an older Windows version, and then run Setup. Keep Explorer open after it starts (ok to minimize). This is needed to get the option to preserve all your apps, files, and settings. There's also an option for a clean install. I'd recommend going with keeping your Files and Settings. Either way, the setup will download updates and reboot.
There are websites selling valid Windows 10 Enterprise IoT LTSC 2021
license keys for around $20. Here's a few I found:
from https://massgrave.dev/windows_ltsc_links
All the information is there on how to upgrade keeping your files and apps. Basically you open the ISO with Explorer, edit a few registry keys to "fool" the Setup into believing you have an older Windows version, and then run Setup. Keep Explorer open after it starts (ok to minimize). This is needed to get the option to preserve all your apps, files, and settings. There's also an option for a clean install. I'd recommend going with keeping your Files and Settings. Either way, the setup will download updates and reboot.
There are websites selling valid Windows 10 Enterprise IoT LTSC 2021
license keys for around $20. Here's a few I found:
Activation is under Setup, Update and Security, Activation, Change product key. There's also a script method on the massgrave site to activate your copy but I didn't try it. Here's the Registry changes
needed before running setup from the iso.
Type Registry in the Search bar, right-click Registry Editor, run as administrator, Navigate to the path below and change the values as shown:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
Now change to these values:
Key Name New Value
CompositionEditionID = EnterpriseS
CurrentBuild =19044
CurrentBuildNumber = 19044
DisplayVersion = 21H2
EditionID = IoTEnterpriseS
ProductName = Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021
ReleaseId = 21H2
needed before running setup from the iso.
Type Registry in the Search bar, right-click Registry Editor, run as administrator, Navigate to the path below and change the values as shown:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
Now change to these values:
Key Name New Value
CompositionEditionID = EnterpriseS
CurrentBuild =19044
CurrentBuildNumber = 19044
DisplayVersion = 21H2
EditionID = IoTEnterpriseS
ProductName = Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021
ReleaseId = 21H2
(close Registry Editor to save changes)
You might ask why would I want to stay on Windows 10?
For most folks, Windows 11 will run 95 percent of Ham related software. But I need things like old USB cable drivers, legacy DOS applications, and 16 bit Windows software to run. Mostly to support older commercial radio equipment programming. Also, be aware if you "migrate" from Windows 10 to 11, you best backup everything before taking the plunge. Windows 11 requires your drive to be reconfigured as a GPT disk, with EFI Boot enabled.
So if you're presently using a MBR disk with legacy boot, it will likely get wiped clean to install Windows 11. OK sorry for the bandwidth, but thought this might be of interest to some. Glad to further assist anyone but email me direct for this topic. BTW, another option is Linux. I have 2 machines setup to dual-boot Windows 10 IoT Enterprise or PCLinuxOS Most of my Ham software including WSJT-x and MSHV run fine under Linux. Unfortunately N3FJP's logging software is strictly Windows, but there's other logging programs that support Linux.
Now the real obscure: A few people asked how can I run
old DOS and Windows 98 16 bit software under Windows 10.
How to run legacy DOS programs in Windows 10 64 bit:
DOSBox version 0.74 original version.
I've successfully set up USB serial ports DOSbox
to run legacy Motorola GM300 programming software.
https://www.dosbox.com/
DOSBox version 0.74 original version.
I've successfully set up USB serial ports DOSbox
to run legacy Motorola GM300 programming software.
https://www.dosbox.com/
RUNNING DOS ON WINDOWS:
To run both DOS and legacy 16 bit Windows programs
under Windows 10 x64, install NTVDMx64:
https://mendelson.org/ntvdmx64.html
NTVDMx64 makes it possible to run old DOS and 16 bit Windows applications under 64-bit Windows 7 and Windows 10.
Recent versions of NTVDMx64 make it possible to run
16-bit Windows applications under 64-bit Windows, but
you may prefer to use the less obtrusive otvdm/winevdm
for this purpose. Download the CCPU version.
under Windows 10 x64, install NTVDMx64:
https://mendelson.org/ntvdmx64.html
NTVDMx64 makes it possible to run old DOS and 16 bit Windows applications under 64-bit Windows 7 and Windows 10.
Recent versions of NTVDMx64 make it possible to run
16-bit Windows applications under 64-bit Windows, but
you may prefer to use the less obtrusive otvdm/winevdm
for this purpose. Download the CCPU version.
Unzip with 7-zip, 7z password: leecher
To install NTVDMx64, run INSTALL.BAT, and restart your system when prompted. If you want, you may uninstall
it from the Control Panel or PC Settings.
73 Ron WZ1V, retired EE,
University of Hartford 2001 Summa Cum Laude BSEE
CompTIA A+ certified computer technician,
FCC GROL Commercial 2-way license,
upgraded to 20 WPM Amateur Extra in 1991
...and still making dumb mistakes all the time.
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