In past decades, scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) were operated with large, complex consoles that required extensive training and experience to use effectively. The industry has made a lot of progress since then — but many SEMs are still operating on outdated systems that can’t adapt.
Five years ago, in 2019, SEMTech Solutions introduced the SEMView8000 upgrade to the Microanalysis and Microscopy tradeshow in Portland, Oregon. Visitors to the show were surprised to see that the SEMView8000 was operating on Windows 10, while many new SEMs were still using Windows 7. Operating on a Windows 10 platform gave older SEMs with the SEMView8000 upgrade an edge. They were more secure, intuitive, and future-proofed than SEMs operating on outdated models. While much has changed since 2019, one thing has remained the same: SEMTech Solutions’ commitment to staying on the Microsoft roadmap and upgrading scanning electron microscopes with new technology, which allows our customers to operate more efficiently and securely.
Benefits of Staying on the Microsoft Roadmap for SEM Support
The key to SEM operation is ease of use. Over the past several decades, we have gone from using button and knob consoles to operating SEMs on familiar, easy-to-use desktop computers. This allows for easier training and more intuitive SEM operation.
On top of that, operating your console with Microsoft provides added benefits. Microsoft is the world’s most widely used operating system — as of early 2024, 68.15% of desktop computers were operating on Microsoft. That means it’s intuitive, accessible, and trustworthy.
Additionally, Microsoft continues to support its users with new operating systems every few years. These operating systems come with better features, increased security, and more. When you upgrade your SEM to keep up with the latest operating system and technology, your SEM remains a useful part of your operation. By keeping it up-to-date, you can keep it running at its best and you won’t need to invest in new SEM technology. That’s why SEMTech Solutions prides itself on upgrading SEMs, using the latest Microsoft technology, to keep them running for years to come.
The Current State of OEM Operating Systems
It’s clear that staying with the latest technology is vital for effective SEM operation and consistent performance — but where do the OEMs currently stand? Most new scanning electron microscopes are either shipping with the Windows 10 or Windows 11 operating systems. However, after October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for Windows 10. Your SEM PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11. At SEMTech Solutions, our goal is to stay in the forefront of the Windows end of support cycle.
Historically, Windows OS has about a 10-year support from launch. For example, Windows 10 was released on July 29th, 2015. Since Windows 11 was launched in 2021, we expect end of life support in 2031. Note that this is not based on official statements from Microsoft, but on historical support timelines.
What does this all mean for you? It’s best to upgrade to Windows 11 sooner rather than later so you can ensure support for your system. SEMTech Solutions has been providing SEMView8000 users with Windows 11 for over six months.
Benefits of Windows 11
At SEMTech Solutions, we think it’s valuable to keep up with the latest Microsoft updates. For years, we upgraded our customers’ SEMs to operate on Windows 10 — but now, newer technology is rolling out, and we’re prepared to keep our customers on the Microsoft roadmap with Windows 11. What are the benefits of upgrading?
Windows 11 itself features a new user interface with a redesigned Start Menu and Taskbar, improved touch controls, enhanced security features, and integrated widgets for quick access to information. It also has improved virtual desktops and multitasking capabilities.
One Windows 11 system application feature that we love for our own SEM applications is the ability to record videos with the Snippet tool. For older SEMs, the ability to capture video of a process happening in the chamber in real time (heat, cold, compression, tensile, fracture, etc.) can prove to be a valuable asset.
The Snipping Tool comes standard with Windows 11 and can be activated by pressing the <Windows Logo Key> + <Shift> + <S> all at once. At this point, the following image highlighted in blue will overlay the SEMView8000 SEM User Interface screen in the top center as shown in figure 1.
Figure 1. SEMView8000 dedicated SEM User Interface of a Diatom sample acquired at 8k x 6k
The default is for the Snipping Tool to grab an image on the screen. To record a video, select the movie icon next to the camera icon, then draw a rectangle around the screen area desired and press ‘Start’. The snippet tool will record the video in a MP4 format, which is supported by YouTube. An example snippet video is linked on our SEMTech Solutions YouTube page. This video shows how to capture an 8k image using a tin on carbon sample.
Upgrading Your SEM to Use SEMView8000 Running Windows 11
The SEMView8000 User Interface (UI) has transitioned over the years. We began operating on Windows 7, upgraded to Windows 10 and now most recently to Windows 11. Since SEMView8000 is based on the Microsoft framework, transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is seamless. The source code does not require any changes when migrating from one version of Windows to the next. Basically, by taking advantage of the Microsoft dot net framework, this has allowed SEMView8000 to migrate from one version of Windows to the next while providing a consistent user experience.
From Microsoft’s perspective, a Windows 11 PC requires a 64-bit processor with 2 cores, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage, while Windows 10 requires a 64-bit processor with 1 GHz clock speed, 2GB RAM, and 20GB HDD. Therefore, to make the transition to Windows 11, it is advised to check your existing PC’s specifications to make sure it is up to the task before any update takes place.
While the SEMView8000 can transition smoothly from Win10 to Win11, third party accessories may not. We advise you to contact our team if you are considering an update.
Upgrade to a Smarter System with SEMView8000
The biggest driver for most companies in terms of what operating system to use factory wide is what their existing IT department mandates. This is largely dictated by the end of service notice from Microsoft. Typically, one can expect the mandate to occur 1 to 2 years before the end date, which for Windows 10 is fast approaching. At SEMTech Solutions, we continue to maintain a vigilant watch helping to ensure that older SEMs have a path forward to meet these requirements.
Are you ready to upgrade your system and ensure long-term support for your SEM? We can help. Whether you already have SEMView8000 and need to update to Windows 11 or you’re using an outdated operating system that could use a full upgrade, our team of experts can help. Reach out to us for a conversation.
