Posted on 07/18/2025 1:35:20 PM PDT by fireman15
Choose wisely. Your PC could end up vulnerable to online threats otherwise.
This fall, Windows 10 will reach its end of life—at least, as defined by Microsoft. On October 14, the company ends feature updates to the operating system. Security and stability updates also become restricted—a potential liability, depending on the choices you make now.
To help users successfully navigate Windows 10’s extinction event, Adam Patrick Murray sat down with ethical hacker Mike Danseglio to talk options. The goal: To find the best option for your PC to stay current with security updates and patches, no matter the age of your hardware. AI tools have increased the speed and volume of online attacks, with vulnerabilities more easily discovered and exploited.
The duo frames the possibilities as a decision tree, with two main branches: PCs compatible with Windows 11, and those that aren’t. For systems ready for Windows 11, Mike simply recommends upgrading—and making the jump before the October sunset. I echo this advice, as doing it well before the deadline ensures your PC will keep receiving uninterrupted security patches.
(Not sure if your PC’s compatible? If it has an Intel 8th-gen or Ryzen 2000 chip, you’re probably fine. Windows Update—or a Microsoft nag screen—will tell you.)
If your Windows 10 computer is too old to upgrade to Windows 11, you can choose between five different potential paths—but only three are smart choices, according to Mike:
Do nothing Buy a new device Pay for updates Modify your Windows install Install another OS Doing nothing leaves you open to vulnerabilities in Windows 10, which attackers will unearth as time passes. Exploits could then allow hackers to run code on your PC, steal your data, or even potentially remotely render your hardware unusable.
(Excerpt) Read more at pcworld.com ...
No one knows less about computers than I do.
I have a MacMini, should I call my computer guy?
MacMinis are incredible little machines! This is especially true for those who do not enjoy endlessly fooling around with computer hardware and software like I do.
Consider yourself “bookmarked”. ;-D
I got this patent doing the drawings in KeyCreator running Win7 on my Mac.
There are advantages to having the text and drawings on the same machine, especially if you are very comfortable with the CAD program and the Mac.
Even more so when you already own the CAD program...
#79 Try the FREE Irfanview.
https://www.irfanview.com
It opens images and can do some editing as well.
There are many free photo and image editors out there.
The reason to upgrade to Windows 11 is the web browsers won’t support Windows 10 but that will be years in the future or your software like for taxes or a printer etc. will require 11 only but again years in the future.
Microsoft will still update their security software and if they don’t then buy a 3rd party antivirus.
No need to rush into Windows 11.
DO NOT USE BITLOCKER or one day POOF! all your files will be gone due to you forgetting your password or corruption.
ALWAYS back up your files to an external hard drive. It is cheap to get one.
They usually come with backup software so you can copy your Windows profile / folders and files automatically.
Google: problems with Windows 11
or
Windows 11 is annoying
You’re referring to Recall which is a highly controversial new product that Microsoft has completely committed to distributing. It’s in limited release in the Canary channel, I believe, so no retail end users have it yet. Even if it goes to market, you will have the ability to control it. Microsoft doesn’t force you to do anything in their product. Configuration settings, while often buried somewhere, allow you to control your privacy options across the board.
Also, if you think that Windows is the only OS that’s storing things in the Cloud, you might be surprised to know that Apple devices both macOS and mobile are using cloud-based AI features regularly. Google/Android devices all the moreso. It is possible to run Windows, even 11, completely offline, no cloud, no OneDrive, just barebones.
As far as Office, Microsoft 365 is their cloud-integrated productivity platform, and while the suite IS available via browser, if you have a license for M365, you are absolutely entitled to the desktop application. I’m still using Outlook, Word, Excel, etc. like I have been for decades. I find the web applications to be clunky and lacking features.
Yes, a lot of the software market seems to be going subscription which is unfortunate. We don’t really own anything anymore. While I am an ardent Microsoft supporter, I also support and use Linux. Really the only software platform I keep at bay is Google. I block and avoid Google products at any cost.
Thanks. After our last communication yesterday, I did some research and realized I had been out of date and that you were correct.
Oh, right. I’d forgotten about Irfanview, which I think still exists on some of my systems. Thank you!
The following taskbar features are no longer available as of Windows 11:
But see post
bttt
Not unusual. It’s the need to be needed. It’s a gift. Many people don’t have it. None of my liberal friends have any interest in actually helping people. Virtue signaling is enough for them.
Retirement is not an age. It’s a financial number. I have to keep reminding myself of that because I passed both long ago. My pastor is 26 years old. He needs all the help he can get.
Bkmk
“If you are pretending that Linux can completely replace Windows or Apple... it is almost a joke.”
True. I don’t do anything special here. Mainly web, mail, some c coding when I need something. Linux and the BSDs will never be 100% compatible.
“Most builds are fine for people like me who started out long before Windows or Macs even existed.”
You are Seriously dating yourself. First machine here was an Altair 8800. You’re not alone *grin*
“But for someone who is not comfortable using a command line I know of no versions that are completely ready for prime time.”
X11 with a simple window manager (ctwm, fvwm - there’s others) are just wunnerful to open multiple command line terminals. Sometimes I do get lost though. This can be done using Linux or BSD distros.
Three Linux, three FreeBSD machines.
Yes, currently it seems that only businesses will be able to extend security updates for more than 1 year. I want to apologize for my explanation which was meant to clarify the material in the video and extend Microsoft’s security updates until 2032. I felt that it was important to also check for errors on your PC before and after the procedure and start by making a full backup of your system drive.
If the two of you had just watched the video and followed along, I doubt that it would have seemed complicated or difficult to either of you. You could have purchased the non IoT version of Windows Enterprise LTSC for $16 and been happy as clams for the next two years.
https://www.gamers-outlet.net/en/buy-windows-10-enterprise-ltsc-2021-cd-key-microsoft-global-20pc
I can’t believe it! I forgot to add the final step in my procedure.
10. Type “Activation settings” in the search bar or icon next to your Windows button in the lower left corner. Then use the key you purchased to activate Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC.
I should have clarified that most people who have a computer savvy friend they can call can get along with various flavors of Linux just fine.
In younger days I might have followed your path perhaps. I just have limited time these days. Of course buying a new PC and cutting over takes lots of time too! I’ll have to ponder this a bit more.
Thanks for the great info!
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