Do I have to use Windows 10 or Windows 2016 for my XA client installations?
The listed platforms are the target platforms for ExactAccess. Older operating systems will continue to be supported for as long as they are supported with security updates from Microsoft. For instance, Windows 7 will continue to be supported until 2020 when Microsoft will stop producing security updates as published on the Fact Sheet. HealthCast recommends that customers conform to Microsoft policies and have a plan in place for end of life as defined by those policies. As noted on the Microsoft site concerning Windows 10:
Notice
Excerpt
All Windows 10 editions are managed via the Windows as a Service (WaaS) model: Updates are cumulative, with each update built upon all of the updates that preceded it. A device needs to install the latest update to remain supported.
By policy, devices need to install the latest feature update within a 60-day grace period of its release to continue to be eligible for monthly servicing with security updates and other quality updates.
Because of this update in policy and distribution mechanism, HealthCast is unable to support an operating that Microsoft is also not supporting. This results in the target platform being the currently maintained and updated operating system version available from Microsoft. As Microsoft continues to produces releases, ExactAccess target platforms will be updated to reflect those releases and support policies.
Because of this update in policy and distribution mechanism, HealthCast is unable to support an operating that Microsoft is also not supporting. This results in the target platform being the currently maintained and updated operating system version available from Microsoft. As Microsoft continues to produces releases, ExactAccess target platforms will be updated to reflect those releases and support policies.
Caution
Note
Not all features may function when using older operating systems. For example, High DPI support requires the Windows 10 Creators (1703) release to function properly. Older operating systems do not fully support High DPI displays. Microsoft is continuing to improve this technology which may also alter the minimum supported operating system version for this feature.
In general, HealthCast supports the Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 IoT Enterprise edition, as well as the latest Windows 10 LTSB versions.
This same policy applies to Windows Servers for RSM. Microsoft will be ending support for Windows Server 2008 R2 (SP1) in 2020 and Windows Server 2008 (SP2) in 2020 (Windows Server 2008 support ended in 2011 with the introduction of SP1 - and 2015 with introduction of SP2), with Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 support ending in 2023.