Setup Requirements for Enterprise Console - Windows 7 Yes, but Windows 10 No - this makes no sense

Hello Felix,

I'm not Sophos (and it's staff not stuff) so I don't the rationale behind this but please note that already Windows 8/8.1 was unsupported. IIRC a SEC install on Windows 8 was initially unsupported but possible but not much later there was an announcement that Windows 7 will be the last desktop OS.

you want to have a local distribution point for your clients
this is still possible on Windows 10. You don't need a full-fledged management server, just a SUM and both Console and SUM can be installed on Win10 Pro or Enterprise.

Christian 

Hi Christian,

thank you for your advice regarding SUM and EC.

I still would like to know, why Sophos canceled the possibility to install a - as you call it "full-fledged management server" - on a client operating system.

For example:

If there would be any technical limitations, this would be understandable.

It would also be understandable, if Sophos would simple say, that they don't want to support anymore such a broad variety of operating systems so they artificially limit it to supported server platforms.

In that case thy could also say "Hey, sure you can install, but even if you have a valid subscription, we won't support your setup anymore..."

How ever, the KB Article I was refering to is pretty much like "Eat it or die" and leaves some open questions, I'd appreciate to be answered properly!

I will, how ever, try your suggestion regarding SUM and EC!

Felix

Hi Felix Joussein 

Please refer to this KBA of Sophos Enterprise Console system requirement where windows 7 also not recommended for the Enterprise console management server. When Windows 10 was released by the Microsoft we created an article mentioned by you in case any customer wants to upgrade to windows 10.

The article has mentioned "Note: The Sophos Management Server component is supported on Windows 7 but not on Windows 10. If migration of Windows 7 takes place with Sophos Management Server installed this will be migrated successfully but is unsupported on the Windows 10 platform." at the end.

So as you said above that installation may complete successfully and as suggested by QC you can install the remote console on Windows 10 but it is not supported by Sophos for management server.

Hi Jasmin!

Thanks for your elaborations.

How ever there is a significant difference between installing on Windows 7 and installing on Windows 10:

If I install under Windows 7, the Installation "Checking system properties" Window might bring up some warnings but will allow me to continue the setup.

If I try to install under Windows 10, the same Installation step will stop the setup process, as the Operation System does not meet the requirements. This is when I meant earlier, that it's artificially blocked...

So I have no chance to run it in a non supported mode except for trying an in-place upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 which outcome is questionable.

So in case, there is a way to get passed that check and continue the setup process at own risk, I'd be happy to know!

regards,

Felix

Hi Felix Joussein 

In the above scenario, you'll not be able to go ahead as it is stopped on the checklist. As QC has mentioned we have discontinued the client OS support for the management server, this checklist is blocking this OS.

Hello Felix,

to add to Jasmine's reply - it's not only the bootstrapper (setup.exe) that refuses to continue but AFAIK the OS requirements are also authored into the installer package. You won't be able to work around this - unless you can convince the MS Installer that it's running in a server grade OS.

Christian 

Hello Felix,

to add to Jasmine's reply - it's not only the bootstrapper (setup.exe) that refuses to continue but AFAIK the OS requirements are also authored into the installer package. You won't be able to work around this - unless you can convince the MS Installer that it's running in a server grade OS.

Christian