News Windows 10 support is ending — but End of 10 wants you to switch to Linux

[Admin]

End of 10 is encouraging people with Windows 10 PCs to install Linux and skip buying new Windows 11 PCs.

Windows 10 support is ending — but End of 10 wants you to switch to Linux : Read more

 

[Notton]

I'll vouch for Mint. It'll run smoothly on a craptastic Ryzen 3 7320U with 8GB RAM.
I didn't even run into some dreaded wifi/BT card issues because the card is crap.

 

[Alvar "Miles" Udell]

Or you could just use Rufus to bypass the TPM 2.0 requirement and install Windows 11 on your "unsupported" PC...

 

[thestryker]

While I would love to see more people getting experience with Linux I think it still only applies to two camps: people who don't use their device for much beyond browsing/video/email and those willing to troubleshoot and problem solve. The closest we've come to a Windows like experience (where stuff just works) on Linux is SteamOS (and I suppose ChromeOS to a degree) but that's driven entirely by gaming.

At the end of the day Linux is fine until it's not or doesn't work the way one expects. I like tinkering with things but my primary systems likely will never move from Windows because it works. I definitely have other systems that are Linux based and they work perfectly, but they're also doing very specific things.

Personally speaking if I had unsupported systems that needed to be online I'd just circumvent the Win 11 install restrictions and install that. I don't think this is a great solution, but for most Windows users it's going to be the best one.

 

[PiersPlowman]

Linux is a fine alternative provided that you are not tied to any Linux-unfriendly proprietary software. I guess the most common show stoppers are Word and Excel, and while there is Libre office, interoperability is not guaranteed.

Actually, if all you need is basic web functionality, ChromeOS Flex is the better choice.

 

[heffeque]

I'm actually really really thinking of going Linux (haven't used Linux in ages, hopefully things are easier now).
I might keep a Windows partition for the odd non-supported thing (maybe some games, or a government tool or something), but... I think I'll be going Linux.
Still deciding what distro though. I might try a few first on a test machine (not on my main machine).

 

[TechieTwo]

My experience with Linux over the years has always been filled with disappointment. I started out on DOS so command line input is fine by me but I have yet to find a Linux distro that you can download, install and have all the basics you need. Something as simple but necessary as a print driver can be a headache. I think the reason why Linux has never realized it's full potential is because it was designed for PC geeks by PC geeks - even the commercial Linux packages that you pay good money for. Unless someone has the time and interest in constantly learning and tweaking a new OS, it's really not practical for the general PC user population. I'm pretty sure when Microsoft strongarmed all PC makers back in the 80's they were well aware that eliminating competition by any means possible was a means to a golden future.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

I could and in general I like Linux, but alas as a photographer, not a single photo processing app I use has native Linux binaries, and I'm not going to dual boot or run emulation. And no, GIMP and Darktable are not the answer I'm looking for. GIMP is still light years behind in certain areas and will never support the plugins I rely on.

If Apple allowed user buildable PC's that would be my preference for a Unix like OS, but that'd never going to happen.

 

[Ogotai]

yea... um... no.. for those that read this site, or post here, or the like, this is an option, for those that dont, it may not be an option..

there is no way my parents or wife would be able to use linux. it just wouldnt work for them.

 

[das_stig]

No point in in saying "find someone with technical expertise to help" that will never persuade users to move to Linux, until Linux is as easy to use out of the box as Windows.

 

[Moonstick2]

...people who don't use their device for much beyond browsing/video/email and those willing to troubleshoot and problem solve. The closest we've come to a Windows like experience (where stuff just works)...

But stuff doesn't always "just work" in Windows!! That's why the phrase was used in an Apple campaign digging at Microsoft. Sure, it's better now in that I no longer have to configure an IRQ for a soundcard, but it's a long, long way from "just working".

I run Windows 11 on my main and work PCs, Linux on a repurposed Chromebook and dual-boot Linux/Win11 on a Thinkpad, plus RaspberryOS on a couple of Pis. Family (close and extended) have Win10/11 and usually look to me for support. I do most of my stuff on Linux and yet I spend way more time problem-solving in Windows and hardly at all in Linux.

Much of it in Windows is small yet incredibly annoying stuff: trying to stop Teams unpinning from the taskbar, working out why desktop switching has gone exceptionally slow, trying to stop dual-boot Win11 going back to losing an hour because it doesn't understand UTC, configuring 3rd party programs to perform basic OS functions like file-searches because Win11 is so slow. So, so many times the problems are introduced by unasked-for non-security updates.

On Linux the problems are far, far fewer. When they do happen they might be bigger (e.g. a Pi that shut down ssh due to failing to boot to desktop, traced to an underpowered external SSD) but here's the thing: when I run into a problem in Linux, no matter how technical, I find a solution on the internet very quickly. Run into a problem in Windows and 99% of the search results are answers.microsoft.com where the sheer inanity of the replies has me wanting to gouge my eyes out. e.g. a user's Win11 crashed whenever his Xbox controller connected via Bluetooth: answer from Microsoft agent/mod - completely reinstall Windows (!!!)

I keep meaning to set up a spare SSD in my main PC as a Linux boot drive so maybe with that my attitude will change, but right now the idea that Windows is for people who want something that just works and won't need troubleshooting is for the birds.

 

[salgado18]

I could and in general I like Linux, but alas as a photographer, not a single photo processing app I use has native Linux binaries, and I'm not going to dual boot or run emulation. And no, GIMP and Darktable are not the answer I'm looking for. GIMP is still light years behind in certain areas and will never support the plugins I rely on.

If Apple allowed user buildable PC's that would be my preference for a Unix like OS, but that'd never going to happen.

I'm on the same situation. I'll go full Linux, but my wife uses Photoshop and Word extensively. She hates Gimp and didn't get used to Libre Office. And it would be bad to install Linux, just to use a VM to run Windows for those apps (especially on a dual-core, 8gb LG Gram).

 

[computerdave911]

i have 6 computers in the house with 11 24h2,, 3 of them on unsupported cpu,, 3rd gen a 6 and 7th pc, as long as you have ssd and 8gb ram , 11 works same if not better than 10 on them, so unless they stop from being able to use rufus to install 11 on unsupported hardware i would wait to install linux .

 

[thestryker]

But stuff doesn't always "just work" in Windows!! That's why the phrase was used in an Apple campaign digging at Microsoft. Sure, it's better now in that I no longer have to configure an IRQ for a soundcard, but it's a long, long way from "just working".

I run Windows 11 on my main and work PCs, Linux on a repurposed Chromebook and dual-boot Linux/Win11 on a Thinkpad, plus RaspberryOS on a couple of Pis. Family (close and extended) have Win10/11 and usually look to me for support. I do most of my stuff on Linux and yet I spend way more time problem-solving in Windows and hardly at all in Linux.

Much of it in Windows is small yet incredibly annoying stuff: trying to stop Teams unpinning from the taskbar, working out why desktop switching has gone exceptionally slow, trying to stop dual-boot Win11 going back to losing an hour because it doesn't understand UTC, configuring 3rd party programs to perform basic OS functions like file-searches because Win11 is so slow. So, so many times the problems are introduced by unasked-for non-security updates.

On Linux the problems are far, far fewer. When they do happen they might be bigger (e.g. a Pi that shut down ssh due to failing to boot to desktop, traced to an underpowered external SSD) but here's the thing: when I run into a problem in Linux, no matter how technical, I find a solution on the internet very quickly. Run into a problem in Windows and 99% of the search results are answers.microsoft.com where the sheer inanity of the replies has me wanting to gouge my eyes out. e.g. a user's Win11 crashed whenever his Xbox controller connected via Bluetooth: answer from Microsoft agent/mod - completely reinstall Windows (!!!)

I keep meaning to set up a spare SSD in my main PC as a Linux boot drive so maybe with that my attitude will change, but right now the idea that Windows is for people who want something that just works and won't need troubleshooting is for the birds.

Cool stories after all anecdotes are fun. You know how many of the problems you described I've had? Zero. Does that mean they don't exist? No. I've personally only had one problem with Linux and that was caused by a faulty piece of software, but that doesn't mean it's a universally great choice for everyone.

You assumed I meant nothing breaks or can be broken. What I actually mean is that there's no question as to whether or not something can work. People in this thread have pointed out workloads that have no analog in Linux. Many games with kernel level anti cheats just won't work in Linux period. Then there's of course the random issues that don't fall under non-functioning.

Linux is a good OS and if your workload falls into the category of just works it's a great choice. The second it doesn't however it becomes a giant pain.

 

[rambo919]

If ever you think Linux is ready for mass adoption.... think about all the free tech support you have to give everyone you install it for..... and compare how much work that will be for you compared to them running Windows.

 

[King_V]

I'm going to deviate somewhat. Yes, dropping support for Windows 10, and Windows 11 not supporting quite a number of still viable CPUs will create an e-waste nightmare.

But, here's the thing: I don't even want Windows 11 on my PCs they have Windows 11-supported CPUs. Keep Windows 10, and stop trying to force pieces of Windows 11 into it that are the things people DON'T want!

I don't want to be forced to upgrade to what amounts to "Windows 10: Advertising and Spyware Edition."

Microsoft: you had a good thing with Windows 10. You should've continued to streamline and optimize it rather than adding bloat.

 

[King_V]

Side note: there's a website I recently discovered called alternativeto. net. I haven't explored it much, but you can search for alternatives to a specified existing piece of software, then file the results by OS.

I accidentally stumbled upon it when looking to see if there was a Linux equivalent of Avid Pro Tools, since a friend of mine is using that on a Haswell-based system.

 

[Moonstick2]

Cool stories after all anecdotes are fun. You know how many of the problems you described I've had? Zero.

Maybe they are anecdotes, but so's 'I've had zero problems.' Meanwhile Windows Updates are forever breaking things, like putting PCs into boot loops. Last month, more problems. March update, oh...

Claiming Windows' advantage is it "just works" and is somehow a breeze to run for users who don't like troubleshooting issues just because you've never had one is way. way off base.

 

[thestryker]

Maybe they are anecdotes, but so's 'I've had zero problems.' Meanwhile Windows Updates are forever breaking things, like putting PCs into boot loops. Last month, more problems. March update, oh...

Claiming Windows' advantage is it "just works" and is somehow a breeze to run for users who don't like troubleshooting issues just because you've never had one is way. way off base.

I can't tell if you're trolling or stupid but it's definitely one of the two. I foolishly tried engaging in good faith and you respond by making stuff up. Won't be making that mistake again.

edit: to be very clear by saying making stuff up I'm referring to your second paragraph full of nonsense I never said.

 

[rambo919]

I can't tell if you're trolling or stupid but it's definitely one of the two. I foolishly tried engaging in good faith and you respond by making stuff up. Won't be making that mistake again.

People seem to be having massive problems with the latest win11 feature update.... people forget the rule of thumb since win10.... never upgrade to the latest feature update willingly because something WILL break.

 

[TerryLaze]

Maybe they are anecdotes, but so's 'I've had zero problems.' Meanwhile Windows Updates are forever breaking things, like putting PCs into boot loops. Last month, more problems. March update, oh...

Claiming Windows' advantage is it "just works" and is somehow a breeze to run for users who don't like troubleshooting issues just because you've never had one is way. way off base.

The difference is that with windows MS is gonna fix any issue very fast, with linux any issue might get fixed...
Linux is great if it works and if it does all the things you need it to do but if you are a simple user you want the security of the overload that will fix all your issues for you, you don't need to come home from a difficult day at work to fight your computer for 4 hours just because you wanted to do something.
(Why people have consoles, the worst thing that could happen to you there is having to wait for updates)

 

[KyaraM]

I run Solus OS (standalone Linux distro) on one of my systems, and outside of wishing for HWINFO64 and Afterburner, I had no issues so far with getting stuff to run. Usually, it is as simple as installing the program. It also mostly looks like windows. It runs stable, fast, and doesn't eat 5 billion GB of RAM just for the OS itself.

 

[Grobe]

My experience with Linux over the years has always been filled with disappointment.

And with this, I'd sincerely advice you to stay true with MS Windows.

Something as simple but necessary as a print driver can be a headache.

If a printer manufacturer won't create open source drivers for their products so that it cannot be included in a Linux distro - how is that the fault of Linux in any way ?

If ever you think Linux is ready for mass adoption.... think about all the free tech support you have to give everyone you install it for..... and compare how much work that will be for you compared to them running Windows.

Ok, so If W10 was installed for a family member 5 yrs ago - then you now must:

• Check if the laptop are compatible with W11. Assuming it's not.
• Create backup of any files (and hopefully those files aren't spread all over the folder tree)
• Argue to the family member why the need of purchasing a new computer when the old one worked just fine.
• Help the family member doing the purchase of a new laptop, and wait for it to arrive.

However, if your family member got - say Linux Mint installed 5 years ago - the difference from the above becomes:

• No need to discuss new laptop. However while on it, you can check the smart. status of the ssd while booted with the live desktop.
• Backup is still needed - but the difference from W10 is that
  • All user documents AND settings from various programs are located in the user Home dir. When reverting the backup of home-dir all program settings are maintained.
  • If the partition scheme dictated a separate Home partition, then you should be able to install Linux over again, specify where home partition is (mark to not format) - and thus you can skip the step where backup from old OS is reverted.

While Linux isn't for everyone, it surely have it's advances in some ways.

 

[USAFRet]

Ok, so If W10 was installed for a family member 5 yrs ago - then you now must:

• Check if the laptop are compatible with W11. Assuming it's not.
• Create backup of any files (and hopefully those files aren't spread all over the folder tree)
• Argue to the family member why the need of purchasing a new computer when the old one worked just fine.
• Help the family member doing the purchase of a new laptop, and wait for it to arrive.

However, if your family member got - say Linux Mint installed 5 years ago - the difference from the above becomes:

• No need to discuss new laptop. However while on it, you can check the smart. status of the ssd while booted with the live desktop.
• Backup is still needed - but the difference from W10 is that
  • All user documents AND settings from various programs are located in the user Home dir. When reverting the backup of home-dir all program settings are maintained.
  • If the partition scheme dictated a separate Home partition, then you should be able to install Linux over again, specify where home partition is (mark to not format) - and thus you can skip the step where backup from old OS is reverted.

While Linux isn't for everyone, it surely have it's advances in some ways.

To be fair.....

The 8th Gen Intels are Win 11 compatible.
i3-8100 came out in 2017. So 8 yrs, not 5.

An inplace Upgrade from Win 10 to 11 works just the same as an inplace upgrade in Linux. All your stuff and applications are still in the same place.

 

[lemongrassgarlic]

A couples of days or weeks on linux and they'll come screaming back to unsupported W10 (no problem) , or make the jump to W11.
And no , I'm not a microsoft fan boy , just a realist.