The end for Windows 10 is near. After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates, technical support, and security patches for its operating system. It's time to think about what you want to do with your old computer. Should you throw it out and buy a new one, pay for extended support, or force a migration to Windows 11? We are evaluating possible options in this regard.
Continue using Windows 10: It's possible, but there are risks!
It's tempting to stick with a familiar operating system and postpone the inevitable move to Windows 11. However, this decision comes with significant security risks. In fact, Windows updates are not limited to new features or aesthetic changes. They play a crucial role in protecting your system from cyberattacks. Software, no matter how complex, inevitably contains vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities are constantly exploited by cybercriminals to break into your systems and steal your data. Hence, updates help fix these vulnerabilities and keep your system safe from the latest threats.
If you still decide to continue using Windows 10 without updates, it is necessary to take additional steps to strengthen the security of your system. High-quality antivirus and firewall software are essential to detect and block threats. It is also necessary to be careful about suspicious emails, and not click on unknown links or download files from questionable sources.
In addition, other software installed on your system should be updated regularly to fix their vulnerabilities.
Pay for extended support for Windows 10
If the idea of moving to Windows 11 doesn't excite you and you absolutely want to extend the life of your Windows 10, there's another option: the Extended Support Program that allows you to take advantage of security updates and fixes through 2028.
However, there are some conditions. First, if you're currently using a consumer edition of Windows 10, you'll need to upgrade to a Professional, Enterprise, or Education edition. Although it is possible to find legal licenses at attractive prices (less than €15), this represents an additional cost. In addition, the extended support itself is paid. For three years, it will cost $427. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully evaluate your needs and budget before making a decision.
Migrate to Windows 11
This is the solution recommended by Microsoft. The tech giant is offering a free Windows 10 upgrade if your PC meets the minimum Windows 11 requirements.
To check if your device is compatible, you can download PC Health Check (the official Windows 11 compatibility tool). If not, it's technically possible to bypass the restrictions and force install Windows 11 on an older computer.
However, this approach carries risks and drawbacks that must be weighed carefully. By forcing the installation, you may experience performance issues. With Windows 11 being more resource-intensive than its predecessor, your computer may experience slowdowns, especially with more demanding tasks.
Furthermore, since the 24-hour update, Windows 11 requires the POPCNT instruction set, a feature commonly found in processors from 2007 for AMD and 2008 for Intel. If your processor does not have this feature, it will be impossible to install Windows 11 correctly, even by force installation. It's also important to note that forcing a Windows 11 installation on incompatible hardware may result in incompatibilities with certain drivers or software, which may cause crashes or instability.
In short, if you really want to upgrade to Windows 11, we recommend that you check if your configuration is compatible and consider upgrading your hardware if necessary.
Media Creation Tool for Windows 11
Windows 11 Media Creation Tool is a utility to create a bootable USB key or bootable DVD to install or reinstall a new Microsoft Windows 11 operating system.
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Downloads:
851 -
release date:
01/10/2024 -
Author:
Microsoft -
license:
Free license -
Categories:
Utilities – operating system
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Operating system:
Windows 10
Switch to Linux
The last alternative we offer you for your old computer is to adopt Linux. This family of operating systems, of which Ubuntu is the most famous representative, provides a free, secure, and customizable alternative.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu, a GNU/Linux operating system based on the Debian distribution. Open source and free, it provides your computer with an easy-to-use graphical interface.
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Version:
24.10 -
Downloads:
403 -
release date:
10/10/2024 -
Author:
Canonical Limited. -
license:
Free software -
Categories:
Operating system
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Operating system:
linux
Linux distributions are regularly updated to fix vulnerabilities and introduce new features. It is also designed to run on devices with limited resources, making it an ideal solution to give a second life to old computers. In addition, the user interface of modern distributions has become intuitive and easy to use, moving away from the strict environments of early releases.
However, although the free software ecosystem is rich and offers many options for proprietary software, some specialized applications are not available on Linux. To address this limitation, an interesting solution is to combine the advantages of Linux and Cloud computing.
By installing a lightweight Linux distro on your old machine, you will benefit from a secure and efficient system. Meanwhile, you can subscribe to the service Cloud computing (Microsoft offers some) To access a powerful virtual PC running Windows 11.
With this solution, you will be able to run the most demanding applications without having to invest in a new computer. However, you will need high-speed connections and will still have to pay for a subscription.
Windows 365
Windows 365 is Microsoft's cloud PC solution. Take advantage of a computer with the latest version of Windows, no matter where you are or what device you're using.
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Downloads:
16 -
release date:
03/08/2021 -
Author:
Microsoft -
license:
Commercial license -
Categories:
Operating system
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Operating system:
Online Service, Windows 10/11
