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UK — The Register

Chocolate Caterpillar or Chocolate Teapot? Top up the disk space for Windows 10 to find out

Software1 min read

A digital sign outside a Marks & Spencer food hall on London's Oxford Street showed a 'Disk space is running low' error. A reader spotted it, and a tech writer made jokes about it.

What happened

A Register reader named Aaron Colwill saw a sign outside a Marks & Spencer food hall on Oxford Street in London. The sign showed a Windows 10 warning that disk space was running low. The sign normally advertises treats, so the error message was a surprise to passersby.

Key facts

  • Colwill thinks the sign runs Windows 10 21H2 LTSC.
  • Windows 10 LTSC 2021 gets support until January 12, 2027.
  • Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 gets extended support until January 13, 2032.
  • Installing Windows 10 needs at least 32 GB of disk space, and more is better.
  • In 2025, Marks & Spencer was hacked and expected cleanup costs of about £136 million.

Some background

Windows 10 is an older version of Microsoft's computer system. Support for the 21H2 version ended for many users in 2023. Some special versions, called LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel), get updates for a longer time. These versions are often used in shops, screens, and other devices that must keep working for years.

Why it matters

The story is funny, but it also shows a real problem. Devices that run old software can fail in public places. The writer suggests that simple posters would be a better choice than a computer that can run out of space.

What to watch

  • Whether Marks & Spencer or the sign's owner fixes the display.
  • How many older Windows 10 devices stay in public use before their support ends.
  • Support end dates for Windows 10 LTSC versions in 2027 and 2032.

Glossary

Windows 10
An older computer operating system made by Microsoft, the main software that runs a computer.
LTSC
Long-Term Servicing Channel, a special Windows version that gets updates for many years.
Marks & Spencer
A large British store chain that sells food, clothes, and home goods.
disk space
The storage room on a computer's hard drive for files and programs.
IoT Enterprise
A Windows version made for devices like machines, screens, and sensors used by businesses.
Register
A UK tech news website where the article was first published.

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