All good things must come to an end, even Windows 7. After January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7. But you can keep the good times rolling by moving to Windows 10.

The GADS OS software versions prior to 2019 required .NET Framework 4.5.2 or higher. The release of .NET Framework 4.5.2 was announced on 5 May 2014.

Beginning with versions 19.x.x.x, the GADS OS software will require .NET Framework 4.6.1 or higher.  The release of .NET Framework 4.6.1 was announced on 30 November 2015. This version requires Windows 7 SP1 or later.

One year from today -- on January 14, 2020 -- Microsoft's support for Windows 7 will cease. That means no more updates or fixes, including security fixes after that date, which is the first Patch Tuesday of 2020, unless a customer pays.

Windows 8.1 customers will continue to get security updates from Microsoft for free until January 10, 2023. 

Wind plants with a Total Installed Capacity of 75 MW or more with a commissioning date of January 1, 2005 or later are required to report on a quarterly basis according to the following phased in schedule:

January 1, 2019: Mandatory reporting begins for plants with a Total Installed Capacity of 100 MW or larger

January 1, 2020: Mandatory reporting begins for plants with a Total Installed Capacity between 75 MW and 99.99 MW

The GADS Wind Turbine Generation Data Reporting Instructions have been developed to assist wind plant personnel in reporting information to NERC’s GADS Wind Reporting application. The instructions detail the procedures, schedule, and format to follow when reporting data. 

Questions regarding reporting requirements for wind may be directed to gadswind@nerc.net