Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 are now available for purchase today through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Program.

Pricing
ESUs for Windows 10 will be $61 USD per device for Year One & will double every consecutive year, for a maximum of three years.  ($122/device, $244/device) For more information, see When to use Windows 10 Extended Security Updates.

Available for free for Azure Virtual Desktops or Cloud PCs
ESUs for Windows 10 are available at no additional cost for Windows 10 virtual machines running in Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop. Windows 10 endpoints connecting to Windows 365 Cloud PCs will be entitled to the ESU for up to 3 years, with an active Windows 365 subscription license. For more information about Windows 365, see What is Windows 365?.

Read more at:

• Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10

GeekWire is doing a year-long special series about Microsoft’s 50th anniversary & looking at what’s next for a company that reshaped the technology landscape.

It features articles & podcasts about Microsoft’s history and the people that made the company possible.

• Coverage: “Microsoft@50”
  https://www.geekwire.com/special-coverage/microsoft-at-50/
• Podcasts: “Microsoft@50”
  • February 4, 2025: Interview: Bill Gates on his early years, key influences, and outlook on the world today
    https://www.geekwire.com/2025/interview-bill-gates-on-his-early-life-key-influences-and-outlook-on-the-world-today/
  • November 14, 2024 – Microsoft’s startup story: A new look, with insights for today
    https://www.geekwire.com/2024/podcast-revisiting-microsofts-startup-years-in-search-of-new-insights/

For those interested, the latest FBI Criminal Justice Information Services security policy documentation is available at:

• Online site & downloadable .PDF: (461 pgs)
  https://le.fbi.gov/cjis-division/cjis-security-policy-resource-center/
• Downloadable Excel spreadsheet: (1579 rows)
  https://le.fbi.gov/cjis-division/cjis-security-policy-resource-center/requirements-companion-document-excel

The Excel spreadsheet is very useful for:

• reviewing requirement definitions & priority
• identifying audit/sanction dates
• identifying the org that acts to comply with requirements

Ask Microsoft Anything (AMA) about Windows 365 and Windows in the cloud! Host Christian Montoya will be joined by experts from the product team and ready to help.

How does it work?
It’s easy! Just select Attend to save your spot and receive event reminders–and add to calendar! Then scroll down to the bottom of this page and post your questions in the Comments. You will see the broadcast here on this page and our panel will be answering live.

The event will be recorded and available on demand shortly after the broadcast concludes so you can also post your questions in advance and check back later for answers.

Bookmark our Windows 365 AMA series page for access to previous AMAs on demand and a list of future AMA dates! Not sure where to start? Watch Windows in the Cloud to catch up on the latest.

• Date/Time:
  Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025, 08:00 AM PST
• Registration:
  https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/event/windowsevents/ama-windows-365/4303550
  (Note: You MUST be logged into your Microsoft account in the upper right hand corner to Attend, Comment & Add to Calendar.)

Get answers to your questions about adopting Windows 11 and managing Windows devices across your organization. Find out how to proactively implement and monitor Zero Trust practices. Get tips on keeping devices up to date. Learn how to move forward with cloud-native workloads, even if you have on-premises or hybrid needs.

Windows Office Hours is our continuing series of live Q&A for IT professionals here on Tech Community every 3rd Thursday of the month.

How does it work?
We will have a broad group of product experts, servicing experts, and engineers representing Windows, Microsoft Intune, Configuration Manager, Windows 365, Windows Autopilot, security, public sector, FastTrack, and more. They will be standing by here — in chat — to provide guidance, discuss strategies and tactics, and, of course, answer any specific questions you may have.

Post your questions in the Comments early and throughout the one-hour event.

Note: This is a chat-based event. There is no video or live meeting component. Questions and answers will appear in the Comments section below.

• Date/Time: (every 3rd Thursday of the month)
  Next event: Feb 20, 2025
  8:00 AM – 9:00 AM PST
• Registration:
  https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/event/windowsevents/windows-office-hours-february-20-2025/4358419

Tune in as the Windows Cloud Experiences engineering team showcases the next generation of experiences for end users. See how new Windows protocol enhancements bring new “like local” experiences in connectivity, reliability, and device redirections to your Cloud PC.

Missed an episode?
Catch up on demand and dive into Windows 365 capabilities with insights and demos from the Microsoft engineers bringing you Windows in the cloud! Learn how to easily deploy and manage Cloud PCs—and create a protected and productive experience for your end users! Join host Christiaan Brinkhoff as he also brings in members of the Windows 365 community to share best practices and adoption tips.

Have questions? Want tips from the engineers behind the product?
Post your questions below in advance and anytime during the show. You can also join our monthly Windows 365 Ask Microsoft Anything (AMA) events here on the Tech Community!

• Date/Time:
  Thursday, Mar 13, 2025, 07:00 AM PDT
• Registration:
  https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/event/windowsevents/like-local-in-the-cloud-the-future-of-cloud-pc-experiences/4366268
  (Note: You must be logged in – upper right hand corner – to register to Attend & Add-to-Calendar for this event)

Are you confident who the people in your organization are interacting with online?

Identity verification is fundamental in protecting your organization from impersonation. Attend this session and walk away with the knowledge you need to bring strong identity verification to your organization and improve confidence that digital interactions are safe and secure.

The Microsoft Entra Verified ID team will kick off with a comprehensive understanding of how to set up Verified ID. We’ll walk through key concepts, including Verified ID’s significance in enhancing digital identity, security, and trust. Then we’ll show you how to configure your environment, set up and issue your first credential, and use the Microsoft Entra admin center to manage credentials across your organization.

• Date/Time:
  Tuesday, Feb 18, 2025
  8:00 AM – 9:00 AM PST
• Registration:
  https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/event/microsoft-security-events/setting-up-microsoft-entra-verified-id-step-by-step/4371503

Click Attend to save your spot and receive event reminders, then add the event to your calendar. Post your questions in the Comments in advance and during the live broadcast. The event will also be recorded and available on demand shortly after the broadcast concludes.