Posted on 05/19/2024 11:57:09 AM PDT by fireman15
Microsoft will officially end support for its most popular operating system in October 2025. Here's what you should do with your Windows 10 PCs before that day arrives.
In less than two years, Microsoft will draw the final curtain on Windows 10 after a successful 10-year run.
That news shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. The end date is right there on the Microsoft Support document that lists "products retiring or reaching the end of support in 2025." The schedule is defined by Microsoft's Modern Lifecycle Policy: "Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025. The current version, 22H2, will be the final version of Windows 10, and all editions will remain in support with monthly security update releases through that date."
When a Windows version reaches its end-of-support date, the software keeps working, but the update channel grinds to a halt:
There will be no new security updates, non-security updates, or assisted support. Customers are encouraged to migrate to the latest version of the product or service. Paid programs may be available for applicable products.
That part in the middle sounds encouraging, doesn't it? "Customers are encouraged to migrate to the latest version of the product or service." Unfortunately, that's not a supported option for customers running Windows 10 on hardware that doesn't meet the stringent hardware compatibility requirements of Windows 11. If you try to upgrade one of those PCs to Windows 11, you'll encounter an error message. And Microsoft is adamant that it will not extend the support deadline for Windows 10.
Option 1: Ignore the end-of-support deadline completely
Option 2: Buy a new PC
Option 3: Ditch Windows completely
Option 4: Pay Microsoft for security updates
Option 5: Upgrade your old hardware to Windows 11
(Excerpt) Read more at zdnet.com ...
Option 3: This talks about using Linux instead of Windows. Linux advocates should be happy about Windows 10 going away. It will probably be an opportunity for them with many people finally taking the plunge.
Option 4: My guess is that Windows 10 updates going away will be a major boon for computer security providers. Norton, McAffee and others will be more than happy to step in if Microsoft tries to gouge too much for the updates that they are actually still going to be providing for schools, businesses, and others willing to pay.
Option 5: This actually is more about bypassing Windows 11's "requitements" which is actually very easy typically with few negative repercussions at this time. I have installed Windows 11 on several machines that didn't make the cut. It is not hard and there are how to articles and videos all over the place. I have even posted a couple technique on Microsoft's own forums years ago and they were never taken down. Microsoft is just shedding responsibility for future mishaps caused by scammers, etc... Whether Windows 11 works well on old hardware depends on why it didn't make the grade. If you have a capable computer that has a decent processor and enough memory that is just a generation or two behind, then it will likely work fine. Obviously, a 7th generation Core I7 desktop processor is going to do a lot better than a 3rd generation Core I3 laptop processor.
“but the update channel grinds to a halt”
Not a problem, I disabled updates on my Windows 7 pro system a long time ago.
Funny how well that works. Did what I could for the wife’s Win 10 after the damn thing kept freezing with updates.
I have a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 I bought awhile ago and it cannot be updated to Windows 11 because of its hardware configuration.
Windows 11 is forced rape by MicroSlop.
My considered take as a computer professional is that MicroSlop is trying to chase people off PCs onto tablets and smartphones, where they can be more easily controlled by the smaller screens.
Computer 1 - A Win7 machine. Won’t be impacted by this.
Computer 2 - A Win10 machine that is Win11 capable. Will upgrade this one.
Computer 3 - A Win10 machine that struggles on Win10 and modern version of Linux. Won’t try to upgrade this one. It’s 4 years old and HP messages me regularly that they won’t provide parts or service any more.
Computer 4 - Win7 that I upgraded to Win10 when Win10 first came out. So likely 15 years old. Not going to even try.
So it looks like I’ll have one Win11 machine and 3 that work.
As a stockholder in various companies, however, I recommend that everyone reading this thread buy a new HP machine and Win11 from Microsoft. You’ll have my thanks for that.
Your Surface Pro 3 is perfectly capable of running Windows 11... just not officially.
https://youtu.be/9QLRPZQFHuo?si=qo3gzHg9lVYkKqQY
Windows 11 sucks, so I’ll go for options 1 or 3.
I picked up 2 used PCs and a laptop that have W11 for my real computing needs and I assume the old W10 laptops will still be good for listening to music and not doing any banking or shopping on?
How much of a threat is an outdated OS computer if one is only signing into Chrome for music bookmarks, Pandora and using youtube for music while using Avast free and Malwarebytes extension?
Mandatory paid upgrades are the new feudalism. I wish I had built Bill Gates’s house. “Sorry, you need to upgrade your foundation, because what was installed is no longer supported.” And if he doesn’t pay for the upgrades, his house collapses- because it’s “no longer supported”.
Nobody would buy a house with such terms and conditions, but collectively humanity has made Gates a multibillionaire by buying his software which does exactly that.
I used to upgrade my computers almost yearly, then less, now when technology requires or something dies. I have Windows 11 Pro, 64GB RAM, 6+TB, and so forth. Very happy, no major problems, the operating system and applications get better and better. I've got some older computers around but cannot see downsizing or downgrading to them. Should just give them away.
Boy, how the time flies.
I’d didn’t realize I had been busy avoiding 10 for 10.
I also have an old Toshiba 1200xe laptop in my closet that works! A 286 that runs on DOS.
“Obviously, a 7th generation Core I7 desktop processor is going to do a lot better than a 3rd generation Core I3 laptop processor.”
Whatta ‘bout a [from neofetch...]”Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 “?
Accept nothing less than a desktop with a fair sized case.
Something that is relatively easy to monkey with.
Two options? Buy a Mac and quit giving Bill Gates your money, he uses it to support genocide and to buy up American farm land to put it out of production.
“the old W10 laptops will still be good for listening to music and not doing any banking or shopping on?”
I have 3 older hand-me-down iPhones for ‘net radio and weather and pics [and telephoning, 2 have active SIM cards]. [ABC; Always Be Charging - hence the need of 3]
Embrace the suck.
“Your Surface Pro 3 is perfectly capable of running Windows 11... just not officially.”
There is no support with Tiny11 so what is the advantage?
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