Microsoft’s Free Windows Upgrade—Stop 60% Of Attacks On Your PC [provocative post]

.forbes.com ^ | April 25, 2025 | Zak Doffman

[daniel1212]

We’re talking Windows 10, of course, which will soon retire from service. “On October 14, 2025,” Microsoft has just confirmed, again, “Windows 10 PCs will no longer receive feature or security updates, increasing security risks and operational challenges.”

Microsoft is taking this opportunity to push Copilot+ PCs, complete with a raft of new AI tools including its controversial Recall. But the primary benefit is the upgrade to Windows 11, which combines with a compatible PCs security module to better protect against all those threats targeting the world of Windows.

Those using Windows 11, Microsoft says, “have reported a 62% drop in security incidents — reducing risk and supporting peace of mind.”

If your Windows 10 PC is compatible — meaning it has the required TPM 2.0 module — then you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free. You can run an easy check on your PC to make sure it is compatible.[
Download the PC Health Check app] The bad news is that at least 240 million PCs, and maybe many more, will fail the test and cannot upgrade.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: copilotplus; linux; malware; mswindows; virus; windows10; windows11

[daniel1212]

Excerpts. Part of a series. As for Linux proponents - which I am sure this article will elicit comments from, for me, it takes less time and effort to restore functions Windows removed (such as Quick Launch bars, and multi-level taskbars, grouping by I.D., compact start menu etc.) and enhance it for efficiency and appearance to my preferences than it would to conform a Linux distro to be as good, if possible.

My favorite so far is PCLinuxOS KDE Plasma, though I do not intend to use proprietary multimedia codecs (murky legal issue).

My old PC runs Mint well, which is just used by a brother in Christ for Internet and email,

Thank God for tools to be used for good in God's sight in Christ

[antidemoncrat]

Was there ever a version of Windows that wasn’t delightfully hackable?

[razzle9251]

Use RUFUS or another utility to bypass TPM? It is well documented and simple to use. Chris Titus has something similar on his debloat utility.

[FreedomPoster]

The whole Win11 thing is probably make me finally move to Apple hardware. Looking at MacBook Pros.

Will keep my old Windows PC because reasons, and the wife has a Win11 machine, so I’ve still got a fallback.

[4Runner]

Windows is now nothing but SPYWARE. I have 10 and it’s working perfectly for me so of course they have to destroy it. It doesn’t control me enough or tell them enough about what I do. Wife has 11 and hates it so her laptop is just an expensive dust-collecting paper weight. Yes we still have paper in our house. I have an iPad Mini I had to buy because I hate smartphones and needed an Apple config to run the app that came with the hearing aids. Admittedly it’s an amazing tool. Much more immersive than Windows. But it doesn’t take the place of a desktop.

[wally_bert]

Sounds almost like me.

My Mac is the workhorse for me.

Several Linux distros live on a Windows 11 laptop via Virtualbox.

One old Dell has Mint by itself.

The spouse will probably never leave Windows.

[Lockbox]

In a non work setting I prefer Apple. Windows is necessary for work with all the online programs the company uses which either are difficult to access with Apple or are impossible.

[webheart]

Apple Mac Mini M4 at Costco for 579.00. It’s the base model. Only 5 inches on a side and 3 inches tall. Use any hdmi display and practically any usb keyboard and mouse. Display, mouse and keyboard can be had for 60 bucks at a thrift store although you can use the accessories from the PC you are going to get rid of. I splurged on an Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID from Amazon for 80 bucks refurbished.

[Inyo-Mono]

Bookmark.

[4Runner]

Good info. Writing it down in my to-do book. I only have ‘til October to stay on 10 or so they say.

[alancarp]

You can stay on Windows 10 indefinitely... it’s just that after October, they won’t be doing any further updates.

I would wait until you intend to change out your computer the next time... Win 11 reduced my wife’s machine to a crawler.

[Don W]

I will continue using win10 simply because win11 does not have a driver for my portable printer, and I am loathe to buy a new one when this one works perfectly well.

[daniel1212]

I will continue using win10 simply because win11 does not have a driver for my portable printer, and I am loathe to buy a new one when this one works perfectly well.

What is the model #?

[Don W]

Canon iP100

[Paal Gulli]

"Microsoft’s Free Windows Upgrade—Stop 60% Of Attacks On Your PC"

The division of zero is meaningless.

[daniel1212]

OK. Research offers:

Jill4777 Apprentice In response to sohker ‎10-19-2023 09:23 PM At this time, CanonF:\DOWNLOADS\System\DRIVERS\pd64-win-ip100-2_17b-ej Series doesn't have a driver for Windows 11. To connect your iP100 Series printer to your Windows 11 computer:

(1) Plug in your iP100 series printer to your computer and turn on your printer & computer. (2) Hit the (4 squares) Windows button. (3) Go to "Settings". (4) Select "Printers & scanners". (5) Go to "Add a printer or scanner" and hit the blue "Add device" button. (6) Go to "The printer that I wanted isn't listed" menu and hit the "Add manually" button. (7) Choose the "Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings" then hit the "Next" button. (8) Go to the "Use an existing port" drop down menu & find your printer, then hit the "Next" button. (9) Choose your printer from the "Manufacturer" & "Printers" list, then hit the "Next" button. (9A) HOWEVER, IF YOU DON'T SEE YOUR PRINTER ON THE LIST, hit the "Windows Update" button & allow the system to refresh your menu. You should see your printer. Then you can follow step (9). (10) The system should then recognize your printer. You can print a test sheet to make sure. Follow any remaining prompts, and you should be set! - https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/Mobile-Compact-Printers/PIXMA-iP100-Won-t-Show-Up/m-p/442132

Or try: Download Windows 7 or 10 Driver Installer from Canon Website

• Change the .exe extension to .zip.

• Open the .zip file and extract the "Driver" folder

• Open Device Manager > Click "Printers" category

• In top menu, click "Action" > "Add Drivers"

• Locate and select "Driver" folder you extracted earlier Driver:

  https://pdisp01.c-wss.com/gdl/WWUFORedirectTarget.do?id=MDEwMDAwMTAyMDA1&cmp=ABR&lang=EN

  Changing the .exe to .zip and opening that should result in the contents being in folder in which you can right click and choose extract all. That resulting folder, or even more specifically, \pd64-win-ip100-2_17b-ej would be what you point Windows 11 to in a manual install. Failing that, you might try a right click on ip100.inf and choose Install.

  Hope this helps. Grace and peace thru Jesus the Lord.