In October 2025, Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10.

For most users, that means upgrading to Windows 11 — a simple change on paper, but one that could have major implications in courtrooms, council chambers, and law enforcement facilities across the country.

Why? Because not all recording software is built to adapt.

Some legacy systems — especially those designed in the early 2000s — are deeply tied to specific Windows versions. As the OS evolves, these systems grow brittle. Recently, certain vendors have issued warnings to customers: critical functionality may fail after the Windows 10 end-of-life date. In some cases, customers are being told they must either upgrade to newer versions or migrate entirely to proprietary cloud platforms just to stay operational.

That’s not innovation. That’s a warning sign.

The Problem with Proprietary, Version-Locked Recording Systems

At the heart of the issue is architecture — how a product is designed to interact with the systems around it.

Many recording vendors developed their platforms around Windows 7 or Windows 10 without future-proofing in mind. This makes their software vulnerable to breakage with every major Windows update. And when the OS changes, the burden shifts to IT teams — often with no warning and limited options.

For government agencies, the consequences are significant:

• Unanticipated upgrade costs just to stay compliant

• Operational downtime during critical sessions

• Security vulnerabilities when legacy systems can't be patched

These aren’t minor technical issues — they’re infrastructure liabilities. Especially in justice environments, where systems are expected to last 10+ years.

To make matters worse, many proprietary vendors enforce rigid upgrade paths by locking key features — or even basic functionality — to specific OS builds. This puts users in a dependency trap, where staying functional often requires:

• Migrating to an entirely new (often cloud-based) platform

• Replacing otherwise functional recording infrastructure

• Paying for “support extensions” to remain compatible

And now, as Windows 10 sunsets, some vendors are warning that their software will stop working altogether — unless customers:

• Purchase new licenses

• Navigate complex migration steps

• Risk losing access to older recordings

• Accept reduced control over platform behavior

This isn't just about cost. It's about control. And it's a direct result of closed, OS-bound system design.

Why Government and Judicial IT Teams Prefer Platform Stability

In legal environments, stability isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Courtrooms don’t get rescheduled because of software bugs. Police departments can’t miss an interview due to a surprise OS issue. City council meetings don’t pause for IT maintenance. The systems supporting these operations must be reliable, flexible, and low-maintenance over the long term.

Liberty Recording is built to meet those needs — with consistency, not forced obsolescence.

With Liberty:

• IT teams stay in control of when and how to update

• Critical AV systems remain operational, even through OS transitions

• Recordings remain accessible, years after capture — regardless of platform changes

Because Liberty doesn’t rely on internet connectivity or proprietary cloud services, it also runs seamlessly in air-gapped, secure, or offline environments — common in courtrooms and law enforcement settings.

How Liberty Uses Open Standards Architecture to Avoid OS Issues

Liberty Recording has followed one core principle since day one: build around open standards, not operating system limitations.

Our recording software is engineered to minimize OS dependencies and deliver long-term operability, whether installed in 2005 or 2025.

Key benefits of Liberty’s open standards architecture:

• Audio and video are captured using standard Windows APIs

• Systems can record to local drives, secure networks, or offline devices

• No cloud account or subscription is required to record, play, or export

• Updates are optional — not mandated by the latest OS version

Even Liberty Recorders installed a decade ago on Windows 7 continue to function reliably today. While modern resolutions may change how things look, the core functionality is fully preserved.

That’s the benefit of architecture built to last — not just to sell upgrades.

Solution: Invest in Courtroom Recording Solutions That Age Gracefully

Choosing the right recording software isn’t just about today’s features — it’s about protecting tomorrow’s continuity.

Liberty Recording is committed to building future-proof courtroom systems based on open standards, long-term support, and platform flexibility. Our software works with the tools you have now, and the tools you’ll adopt later — without locking you into costly migrations or version-based support cycles.

Don’t let an operating system dictate the future of your AV infrastructure.
Choose a recording platform that’s as reliable as your institution’s mission.

Contact Liberty Recording at: [email protected] to learn more about why we’re trusted by courts, councils, and law enforcement agencies world-wide.