Windows Thin PC will go end of life on October 12, 2021. This lightweight version of Windows based on Windows 7 was first launched on July 1, 2011, and will soon no longer be supported. Find out which machines to migrate to a newer operating system or to decommission.
What is Windows Thin PC
The operating system is based on Windows Embedded Standard 7. Windows Thin PC is a lightweight version of Windows 7, it is designed to be installed on low-performance PCs to be able to help customers repurpose their PCs as thin clients, as a result reducing the cost of VDI.
Many components and features of Windows 7 have been removed to lighten the operating system, including .NET Framework 3.5 with Client Profile, Games Explorer, System Restore, Tablet PC Support, Windows Backup and Restore, Windows Defender, Windows Disc Image Burner, Windows DVD Maker, and Windows Photo Viewer.
Additionally, Windows features cannot be enabled or disabled and Windows Thin PC includes 134 fonts, instead of 436 in Windows 7.
As a replacement, Microsoft has Windows IoT which comes in multiple variants. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Windows 10 IoT Mobile, Windows 10 IoT Core, Windows 10 IoT Core Pro, Windows Server IoT.
Windows Thin PC End of Life
The lightweight embedded operating system Windows Thin PC was first released on July 1, 2011. Mainstream support ended on October 11, 2016, and extended support will go end of life on October 12, 2021.
Once end of life Microsoft will no longer provide fixes, updates, or online technical assistance. To help you ensure that all devices in your IT environment are using a supported operating system, we’ve created a special report that provides an overview of all Windows Thin PC machines so you can start planning your migration or upgrade project.