On July 29th, Microsoft will be releasing their next major operating system, Windows 10. Unlike previous OS upgrades, this version does not require users to purchase the new OS. The existing Windows 7 and 8 end users might initiate an upgrade directly on their computers, making it more difficult for IT admins to enforce version control.
At Symantec, we are committed to ensuring our customers: Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1, Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition (hosted version) and Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition (on-prem), remain fully protected across all operating systems.
For Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1, a maintenance patch release will be available on July 29, 2015. Customers will need to be current on maintenance to receive the maintenance patch update. For more information, visit our SEP 12.1 Windows 10 Knowledge Base.
Customers using Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition (hosted version) will experience an automatic system update on computers via Live Update targeted for July 29th. From July 29th onwards, any new endpoint installs of the hosted version of Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition will automatically have their machines protected should they wish to upgrade to Windows 10. Similarly, from July 29th onwards, any existing Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition customers will receive targeted patch updates to protect their machines on the new Windows 10 platform. These patch updates will automatically be rolled out later via Live Update to all endpoints, whether they are moving to Windows 10 now or at some point in the future. This effectively allows IT Administrators to proactively protect endpoints that move to Windows 10 at a later date. Existing customers must be on a current subscription to take advantage of these patch updates. Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition will automatically notify IT Administrators if any users decide to upgrade to Windows 10 without informing IT. In these instances, a new patch for Windows 10 will be pushed out to protect these user’s machines within a 1-2 hour window. Symantec will also provide guidance for IT Administrators who wish to avoid this 1-2 hour window and push out the patch update immediately – this guidance can be found on Symantec Knowledge Base.
For customers currently running Symantec Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition 12.1 (on-prem), which has now reached End-of-Life and will not support Windows 10, you will need to migrate to the hosted edition in order to receive protection for Windows 10 systems. Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition (on-prem) customers can migrate to the hosted edition. For information on our automated migration process, visit: go.symantec.com/sbemigration