The Blog
Guides, analysis and licensing advice for Windows, Office, Visual Studio and more — from the Software Supplies team.
Updated June 2026 For most people the answer takes about thirty seconds: if you don’t know what BitLocker, Remote Desktop, or Hyper-V are, you need Home. If any of those words mean something to you professionally, you probably need Pro. Everything below works through the decision properly for the cases that aren’t that simple. Already […]
Windows Updated April 2026 · 8 min read Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Pro takes under five minutes and does not delete a single file. This guide covers every method — Settings, Command Prompt, and generic key — plus a complete troubleshooting section for every activation error you might encounter. TL;DR — The short […]
Updated 12 August 2026 Microsoft calls it a product key. Half the internet calls it a licence key. Somebody on a marketplace is selling you an “activation key”, and your PC says you have a “digital licence”. Four names, one thing. They are all the same 25-character code — or, in the case of a […]
When Microsoft ends support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, millions of users in the UK and worldwide will face an important decision: upgrade to Windows 11, or continue using Windows 10 without updates. While your PC won’t suddenly stop working, the risks of staying on an unsupported system are significant. This guide explains […]
💡 We always recommend installing Windows 11 from scratch using a bootable USB drive, as this avoids the conflicts that can occur when using Microsoft’s upgrade tool. However, if you prefer to upgrade directly, you can follow the step-by-step guide to upgrading with the Windows Installation Assistant and troubleshoot common issues here: How to Upgrade […]
Microsoft has officially confirmed that Windows 10 support ends on 14 October 2025. After this date, the operating system will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support. For individuals and businesses still using Windows 10, this deadline marks a critical moment: stay on an unsupported system and risk major security issues, or […]
Windows 12 has been “arriving next year” since 2023. First 2024, then 2025, then early 2026. Sources close to Microsoft’s roadmap have since confirmed none of it is happening this year. Meanwhile, Windows 11 25H2 has shipped, 26H2 is in development, and the OS is confirmed supported until at least 2031. Here’s what’s actually confirmed, […]