Windows 10 will reach its end of support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, non-security updates, or assisted support for Windows 10. It's crucial to upgrade to Windows 11. At that time, any computers running Windows 10 should be considered vulnerable and a security risk.
Berkeley Lab IT strongly recommends that all Windows 10 systems be upgraded to Windows 11, or retired before October 2025.
Berkeley Lab IT can help you order a new system from the Lab-standard selection with Windows 11 installed or from the repurposed computers inventory (subject to availability).
The Repurposed Computer Program has a large supply of general purpose laptops that are capable of running Windows 11 for a $250 fee that includes the costs of installing the operating system and LBL security software, basic file transfers, and completing property transfers.
See the Request a Computer page to order a new or used Windows 10 computer.
If you have a computer that is no longer in active use, please consider turning it in to IT. In many cases, these systems can be refurbished and reissued to researchers at the Lab.
See Windows 11 In-place Upgrade or Windows 11 Clean Install for more information.
IT User Support can help any Lab personnel with their Windows upgrade process. IT charges a flat rate of $250 to upgrade a system, which includes all labor costs involved with doing a workstation assessment, upgrading or re-installing Windows, installing key applications, and restoring all data.
Note that this fee does not cover any costs associated with Windows or application licensing, hardware replacement or upgrades, or 3rd party support. IT does not provide users with a long-term backup of the workstation drives. IT recommends that users always back up their computers using the Lab's enterprise backup solution, Druva inSync.
Please submit a help ticket and include the computer DOE number and Project-activity ID (PID) number.
Users with moderate Windows expertise should be able to perform the upgrade with no IT assistance. There are two main methods by which a system can be upgraded to Windows 11:
Also, see Windows 10 End of Support and Upgrade to Windows 11.
Yes, provided the computer has BigFix installed and running correctly. IT Support can leverage BigFix to identify Windows 10 computers and assess their readiness for Windows 11.
Users can inventory their systems using our Property Manager Report tool or request help from IT.
Please submit a help ticket and include the computer DOE number and Project-activity ID (PID) number.
IT understands that upgrading to the latest version of Windows is not always possible. Many computers run equipment or software incompatible with Windows 11, and upgrading them could be costly. In some cases, the vendor may no longer be in business, and it is not possible to upgrade.
In such cases, the IT User Support and Cyber Security group has developed Compensating Controls for Windows 10, and here is the Windows 10 Compensating Controls Checklist that users can follow to prevent their systems from being blocked. Part of the checklist requires users to submit a Windows 10 Exception Request by MM/DD/YYYY, and all compensating controls must be in place by MM/DD/YYYY to avoid cyber-blocking. |
You can continue using your LBNL Windows 7 computers for now, but there will no longer be any licenses available.