Windows 12 could be the tipping point that finally pushes you to Linux

Some rumored Windows 12 features could frustrate users and be the reason Linux finally starts looking better.

First off, the rumor about a 2026 release for Windows 12 is not true. Someone translated a German article about Windows 12 releasing in 2026, and it proved to be untrue (and was later retracted). Second, there are a lot of other "speculations" as to what Windows 12 will be like.

What could cause a large migration? I'm going to set the rumors aside, and instead, focus on what I believe will happen (based on the past, the present, and the future of technology). It's all about AI.

Microsoft is heavily invested in Copilot and has zero intention of backing down from its AI. Although many have claimed the rumors that Microsoft is planning on plunging Windows 12 deeper into artificial intelligence waters are false, I would argue that they are true.

Also: The 6 Linux distros I expect to rule 2026 - as someone who's tested hundreds (and for decades)

AI started as third-party services that consumers could use. Those services then transformed into paid services. The paid services were soon replaced by free services, by way of various integrations. For example, the Opera browser gave us Aria, which we could all use for free. Google gave us Gemini. Apple gave us Apple Intelligence (sort of?), and Microsoft gave us Copilot.

AI then evolved into agentic AI, which could automate tasks like shopping, and that agentic AI started filtering into various browsers (some free, some not).

Then, AI started trickling its way into operating systems, with Copilot, Gemini, and Apple Intelligence becoming more and more deeply embedded. All of a sudden, AI was integrated into web browsers, email, notes, office suites, and more. What this meant is that user-facing apps were now intrinsically tied to AI.

The next evolution Here's where I think this goes with regard to Windows (ergo, Windows 12):

AI will take the place of Windows Service Manager, so users won't have to worry about managing services. AI will take control of software updates. AI will begin reading what's on users' screens (so it always has context for what users are asking). AI will be used for natural language system control (such as "I need to close the app that's consuming the most RAM"). AI will be capable of local processing (which will require even more powerful systems). AI will be able to monitor long-running tasks (such as research), and will be able to assist in that process. AI will be used for semantic search on the desktop. AI will be used for data collection. As you can see, I believe AI will be so deeply embedded in the next iteration of Windows that it will be impossible to break that tie. If you want an AI-less Windows, you'll be out of luck, and once Microsoft makes that change, there will be no going back.

At the same time, the Windows UI probably won't undergo much of a change, and it will most likely include even more ads and more data collection.

Also: I've used Windows for decades, but I tried Linux to see if it's truly 'easy' now - and one thing surprised me

When you put all of this together, it points to migration. Users are only willing to take so much before they finally break and change, and Windows 12 might be the metaphorical straw v. camel. And I believe that what we'll see with Windows 12 will make the migration from Windows 10 to Linux look quaint.

And then, you add to that the continued evolution of the Linux desktop into something that any user (of any skill level) can work with and enjoy (without all the caveats that come with Windows), and you have a perfect storm. Linux on the desktop will never:

Include ads. Be deeply interwoven with AI. Require users to purchase a new PC. Collect user information or track users' behavior. Cost a penny. Sounds appealing, right? Well, the combination of where Windows is going and where Linux is not going will have consumers flocking to the open-source operating system.

Win 10 LTSC IoT. Under support till 2032 and pretty reasonably de-crapified

I know that you have been encouraging people to switch to Win 10 LTSC IoT for a long time. It has probably felt like a Cassandra like adventure. Everyone whines about the many issues with Microsoft and Windows 11, but when the obvious solution is presented... most people’s eyes glaze over and they immediately zone out.

I have converted many machines to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC since last summer. It has worked out very well. Here is one of the posts I made on this last July which tells how to convert your entire Windows 10 installation to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC, I know that it wasn’t my first post on this and probably not the last... It is post 3 from https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4329453/posts?q=1&;page=1

The following project is not difficult to figure out if you watch the video at https://youtu.be/rWxGfxXLRFU . This guy deserves most of the credit; he has 877,000 followers and puts out a lot of good videos. But use the values below instead of the ones that he recommends or your license will expire in a couple of years and not in 2032.

This will take you at least a couple of hours and maybe more because I recommend backing up your system hard drive first, and because of all the updates that will end up being installed. But you will end up with a system tha most people will not be ablet to distinguish from what they are currently running right now. Not having to reinstall everything in many of my machines is definately worth a little extra effort.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC is a stripped-down version of Windows 10 21H2. The latest version of Windows 10 is 22H2. There are essentially no differences between 21H2 and 22H2 that any normal user will notice. But there are many features and a whole lot of crap that are left out as compared to a normal install of Windows 11 Pro. With this method all the crap along with extra features will be installed. The first three installations that I did, were done completely clean from the original Microsoft ISO file. I added the features that I wanted included by using PowerDesk scripts. This worked fine and if you are someone who doesn’t mind getting their hands a little dirty diving into Windows or Linux operating systems... it may be the best way to go for you. BUt you are also going to have to reinstall nearly all of your applications that you like to use.

A clean install is the only way that the vast majority of users are aware of to get Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC working on their computer. The normal install routine will not allow you to upgrade an already installed Windows 10 installation. But I have found that with a few very minor edits to the Windows 10 registry that it installs without any real problems. The primary issue is that it takes considerably longer than doing a clean install... This is because it will re-install basically every update that Microsoft has released in the last 4 years and give you access to your already installed applications.

The following is how I have installed Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC on the last few Windows 10 computers that friends, family and I want to continue using Windows 10 on while being hooked up to the internet after October 14. This creates a system that is virtuatlly indestinguishable to most users from the Windows 10 installation that they currently have installed on their computer only it will likely run a little faster. It does involve purchasing a license online. I am not associated with any of the mostly shady operators who sell license keys. I would advise using Paypal or a “virtual credit card” to pay for the place even with the place I have purchased many licenses from over the years... Gamers-Outlet. I should mention that Gamers-Outlet always has 10% disount codes available that you can search for using Google or DuckDuckGo, so this “project” costs right around $21.

I obviously do not offer any guarantees that Micorosoft will not pull something to put an end to this workaround that helps to prevent users from being forced to upgrade to Windows 11. As the deadline gets closer the demand for license keys whatever their origin will no doubt increase despite the lack of advertising and good info.

1. Download the ISO file and save it somewhere where you can find it again but preferably on a second drive installed in your computer. A fast removable drive or SD Card that is large enough to hold a 4.5GB iso file will work also. The file that you download should be called:
en-us_windows_10_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2021_x64_dvd_257ad90f.iso

It is available from a link that license key providers such as Gamers Outlet will provide you with, but it can also be found at archive.org and other places:
https://archive.org/search?query=en-us_windows_10_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2021_x64_dvd_257ad90f.iso

You should check the file from whichever source you choose with a Hash Viewer. You do this by using one of the free HASH checkers available from the Microsoft store... search for Hash Viewer. After you have installed Hash Viewer (MD5, SHA1, ...) load the file into it and it. After it has completed it’s calculations you can copy and paste the following hashes into the verify box and see if it finds any discrepancies.

File list :: Operating Systems :: Windows 10, version 21H2 [19044.1288] (Updated October 2021) ::
English :: en-us_windows_10_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2021_x64_dvd_257ad90f.iso
File: en-us_windows_10_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2021_x64_dvd_257ad90f.iso
Family: Operating Systems
Version: Windows 10, version 21H2 [19044.1288] (Updated October 2021)
Language: English - (EN)
CRC-32: 188c9d0d
MD5: 2463b19beac328290e6a8adcedb7533a
SHA-1: 76c3c10e38307d29fd8b4748522ed144dba35829
SHA-256: a0334f31ea7a3e6932b9ad7206608248f0bd40698bfb8fc65f14fc5e4976c160
SHA-512: 640942d93daf8cd183d06e35d5d753a4b93c952c3196c3e3fa7876295b39d8bfef5df8ef2a3b420b5247905fe396606f94ccf093982ee999e503d09e69850143
SHA3-256: 33bacaa70b78abcf4969fa0f6219a5cad7dd4d49c9b975ddadc8b15658d17d48
SHA3-512: 03e3a8e34a79363235aaf91333cb3afa4927feb0b1f1cf212e6cf4a70c54cbe7ab367fafb6143e6057dac00e407c1b661cb0e2511f7eadb4562c49d0ee606a4e
Size: 4.518 GB (4851668992 bytes)

2. Next scan your current Windows 10 installation for errors: Use your search bar or icon next to the Windows 10 icon on your taskbar and search for Command Prompt. Choose to run it as an administrator. Enter the following command into the command line: sfc /scannow
It will likely find a few errors and correct them. When this is done run another command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
After this command has finished reboot your computer. (turn it off and on using the shutdown option when you click on the Windows Icon at the lower left corner of your screen.)

3. Then Make an image of your primary hard drive, SSD, or NVME preferably to a second drive installed in the computer. My prefered tool for this is Macrium Reflect Free, but there are many other free programs that work just fine as well.

4. Watch this video, https://youtu.be/rWxGfxXLRFU . It explains what you will be doing better than I can here. Follow the steps that he shows in the video... But do not use the regestry values that he recommends... use the following values instead to install it as an IoT version which will get updates until 2032.

The following will take just a couple minutes. But I will warn you that if you do not do the upgrade the changes you make will probably screw your computer up in some way.

5. Go to the search box like you did for the command prompt and search for regedit.

As shown in the video run regedit as an administrator and navigate to...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

now change to the values to the new ones listed below by double clicking on the Key Names:
Key Name = New Value

CompositionEditionID = IoTEnterpriseS

CurrentBuild =19044

CurrentBuildNumber = 19044

DisplayVersion = 21H2

EditionID = IoTEnterpriseS

ProductName = Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021

ReleaseId = 2009

6. After that you can mount and run the ISO from within your Windows 10 computer.

If you purchase your license key from a provider like Gamers-Outlet they provide a link to the ISO file. Download the ISO and copy it preferably to your 2nd drive but a USB drive will work as well. The ISO file cannot be run from the drive that you are currently running Windows on. Do not bother preparing a bootable drive. Go to wherever you saved the ISO file using Windows Explorer right click on it and choose “mount”. Then go to the simulated DVD drive that will show up and double click on setup.

You may have to choose the option to keep your files and programs but I have not had to do this. If you do not want to keep your files and programs you can click on the button that allows you to review what you want to keep. If it already says that it is going to keep your files and programs and you click on the button to review your decision expect to wait several minutes.

If you are doing a clean install from a bootable USB stick the process of installing like most instructions in videos and directions found online like I did on my first three installs it does not not take very long. But depending on how much stuff you have installed in your Windows 10 system installing over the top of it can take a long time to complete.

The first time that the computer shuts down it may try to look for the simulated drive that you ran setup from and gie you an error message. Turning the computer off and on this should fix this problem. If it does not you might have to go into your “bios” or “UEFI” to change the boot settings. This varies a little from system to systembut is not difficult.

After you have waited quite a while for update after update is installed and it looks like your about done be prepared for more updates, and then more updates after that. You will eventually be stuck on a blue page for quite a while that says that more updates are in progress “Please keep your device on”. You will start thinking that the computer is screwed up, but just wait and wait and wait, and eventually you will get a counter showing the percentage left. It will appear to boot up, but you will get a blank screen that lasts for a long time. EVentually the counter will resume at about the number that you saw last. It will eventually get to 100% then it wills eventually boot up and come to a familiar page.

8. When you do decide you are ready for more waiting install the cumulative updates search for Windows Update in the search box. Scan and choose to install them all... two will fail.

KB5055682 NET Framework 4.8 and 4.81
KB5010472 NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8

They will give you error code 0x80070570

9. Search for NET Framework 4.8 and 4.81 and then NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 in Grok.com and it will tell you how to install them manually.

After everything is installed you need to perform one more step... And that is once again checking your system for errors. Here are those directions again:
Use your search bar or icon next to the Windows 10 icon on your taskbar and search for Command Prompt. Choose to run it as an administrator. Enter the following command into the command line: sfc /scannow
It will likely find a few errors and correct them. When this is done run another command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
After this command has finished reboot your computer. (turn it off and on using the shutdown option when you click on the Windows Icon at the lower left corner of your screen.)

After that your system should look and feel the same as it did to begin with and it likely will perform a little better.

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