More than a single operating system, Windows 10 has become a family. In particular, there are versions with long-term support for which Microsoft undertakes to provide security updates for at least 5 years from the date of release. Since the Thin Client devices have a long life, this is the version we use in Praim.
After about 3 years of waiting, Microsoft has announced the release of a new version with extended support for the Windows 10 operating system and Praim is the first company to announce support for this new version (for more information, contact us).
| Version | Availability | End of support (Mainstream) | End of support (Extended) |
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2019 |
November 13, 2018 | January 9, 2024 | January 9, 2029 |
| Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2016 LTSB |
August 2, 2016 | January 9, 2024 | October 13, 2026 |
| Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2015 LTSB |
July 29, 2015 | October 13, 2020 | October 14, 2025 |
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet
The first news is about the name: the successor of Windows 2016 LTSB (Long Term Servicing Branching) is called Windows 10 2019 LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel). The terms of support remain unchanged: 5 years from the release, as regards the support for all, and 10 years for the extended support. The license will also change, so it will not be possible to upgrade from the 2016 version without buying a new one.
While waiting for the release of the new Praim thin clients with this version (which will take place in April), let’s see what are the features introduced in Windows 10 2019 LTSC compared to the 2016 LTSB version.
Windows Hello
Windows Hello is Microsoft’s proposal for the personal access to the computer using the face, the fingerprint or a PIN. This mode can be used both at device startup and in the lock screen. Windows Hello does not only work with local users, you can also access the user linked to Microsoft accounts. From this version it will be possible to use for example a security key to access: a physical device that can be used instead of a username and password to log in.
Shared experiences
With this version it will be easy to share documents, photos, website links and much more with nearby devices, via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. To use the Nearby sharing feature, both PCs must have the Bluetooth and must be running Windows 10 (version 1803 or later). Activating this feature will therefore make it very easy to share a document or image.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4091344/windows-10-share-things-with-nearby-devices
Timeline
The Timeline is a new feature of the Windows 10 update (April 2018). The functionality icon is located directly on the taskbar and improves the overview of applications currently running. It can also display past activities. By default, the timeline shows a cross-section of the activities you were working on earlier in the day or on a specific date that has already passed. The scroll bar lets you know what time the activities shown refer to. You can therefore directly resume an application that has been opened in the past.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4230676/windows-10-get-help-with-timeline
Capture and annotate
With this version the application that takes care of capturing screen images has been renewed. It is possible, for example, to capture a portion of the screen in a rectangular, free form, or capture the entire screen. After capturing an area of the screen, the image is added to the clipboard and can then be immediately pasted into another app. The app also allows you to annotate, save or share the captured image. Capture and annotate provides some tools to add information to images, such as pen, pencil and highlighter. The possibility of using a graphics tablet is integrated directly into the app.
Clipboard Cloud
With the new version of Windows it is possible to have the notes shared between different devices through the Cloud. You can also add items that are often used to always keep inside the clipboard. The functionality is activated using the Windows key + V.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028529/windows-10-clipboard
Customizable themes
You can customize the Windows theme by changing the base theme with different colors. From this version there will be a wide range of options for customizing the desktop background and changing the main color for Start, taskbar and other items.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17144/windows-10-change-desktop-background
Some of the new features are exclusive for the Enterprise version:
Remote Desktop with Biometrics
The most interesting feature for a pure Thin Client use is to be able to login to a remote desktop using biometric data, for example thanks to face recognition.
The requirements to exploit this feature are as follows:
- hybrid and on-premise implementation of Windows Hello for Business;
- devices connected to Azure Active directory, to Hybrid Azure Active directories and domain devices;
- structure that uses valid and well-formed certificates;
- biometric enrollement enabled on devices;
- Windows 10 version 1809.
Once these prerequisites are reached, the functionality is enabled by default.
Windows Defender for Advanced Thread Protection
A platform designed to enable organizations to prevent, detect, analyze and respond to persistent threats in networks called Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection is introduced compared to the predecessor.
Through this platform, local technologies integrated directly into the operating system and Analytics services in the Microsoft Cloud are combined. For further details I invite you to consult the following link:
Windows Update for Business
Anyone who has to manage Windows devices knows that one of the management problems is that of updates. For this reason, Microsoft in this version allows improved management of its updates. Windows Update for Business allows IT administrators to keep Windows 10 devices in the organization up-to-date with the latest security features and Windows features by directly connecting these systems to the Windows Update service. It will be possible to define policies and group policies for managing updates. In particular, Windows Update for companies allows:
- The creation of distribution circuits, in which administrators can specify which devices to update in a first wave and which at a later time (to allow reliability and performance on a subset of test systems before installing updates within the organization ).
- The inclusion or selective exclusion of drivers in the context of updates provided by Microsoft.Integration with existing management tools such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), System Center Configuration Manager and Microsoft Intune.
- Peer-to-peer delivery for Microsoft upgrades, which optimizes bandwidth efficiency and reduces the need for a caching solution on a server in place.
- Check on the level of diagnostic data to provide reports and in-depth information in Windows Analytics.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/waas-manage-updates-wufb
Miracast over Infrastructure
A new extension of the Miracast protocol has been introduced, which from today will also work through a local network, and not only via direct wifi link. Miracast on infrastructure offers numerous advantages:
- Windows automatically detects when sending the video stream on this route is applicable.
- Windows will choose this path only if the connection is via Ethernet or a protected Wi-Fi network.
- Users do not have to change the way they connect to a Miracast receiver. They use the same user experience they use for standard Miracast connections.
- No modification to current wireless drivers or PC hardware is required.
- It also works well with previous wireless hardware not optimized for Miracast via Wi-Fi Direct.
- It uses an existing connection that reduces connection time and provides a very stable flow.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/surface-hub/miracast-over-infrastructure
