Author Topic: Windows 10 End of Life: October 14, 2025 (Read 836 times)

Deozaan · « **on:** September 05, 2025, 03:13 PM »

Windows "The Last Version of Windows" 10 is quickly approaching end of life. If you have (or had) Windows 10 installed, what are you planning to do (or what have you done) about the upcoming deadline?

Update to Windows 11? Install a different OS? Keep using Windows 10?

Ath · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2025, 03:42 PM »

I'd love to keep using Windows 10, but that's not possible without giving up basic security, and Windows 11 isn't living up to expectations, as MS is removing long-living, and used, functionality from Win 11 (removing stuff from Explorer

), so still contemplating switching to Linux (don't want to invest in way too expensive Apple hardware), but a lot of tools I'm used to are only available on Windows so still searching for alternatives...

Deozaan · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2025, 06:07 AM »

I'm still currently using Windows 10. My PC was built about 14 years ago so it "isn't capable" of running Windows 11 due to lack of TPM 2 or whatever. But I don't want Windows 11 anyway. Microsoft have injected ads and spyware too much already into Windows 10. It's not too bad if you disable various settings, but they basically bait and switched me by slowly introducing the ads and spyware piecemeal over the years after I initially installed Windows 10. This time I know what to expect from them so I don't plan to sign up for more of that by using Windows 11.

Apple is also out of the question for me. Unless perhaps someone donated some older hand-me-down hardware to me or something. I'd at least check it out if that happened.

So for me it's either finally make the leap over to Linux or kick the can down the road by figuring out a way to "safely" keep using Windows 10 for a while. I've heard rumors that Microsoft will provide security updates and support for Windows 10 for a few more years in certain circumstances. But maybe that's just for big corporations or enterprise customers. More research is needed on that subject.

I've been slowly preparing myself for the eventuality that I'd be switching to Linux by gradually moving away from using tools and software that are only available on Windows over the past several years. At this point in time almost everything I use on a regular basis is cross-platform, if not open-source. But I realize not everyone has that luxury.

And I can't think of any specific Windows-only software that I absolutely can't live without or that won't work on Linux through something like Wine or Proton. So even though I've toyed with the idea in the past I think I am finally prepared to make Linux my daily driver when I am done with Windows 10.

Of course, there may still be things that I take for granted and won't realize I'm missing them until they're not available anymore. Screenshot Captor just came to mind. 😭 I'll miss it but I'm sure I'll find an alternative.

Deozaan · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2025, 07:05 PM »

Microsoft is offering Extended Security Updates (ESU) for an additional year, until October 2026, in some regions.

You can pay $30 for it, or in some cases or might be free.

https://www.microsof...-of-support?r=1#FAQ3

Windows 10 ESU is valued at $30 USD per device and can be purchased directly through the Microsoft Store using the built-in tool available in Settings on eligible Windows 10 devices. To help customers stay protected or move to a new device, ESU includes multiple enrollment paths—some at no additional cost:

Sync your PC’s settings and apps to help you move more easily to a new Windows 11 device.
Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
Pay $30 USD.
-https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/end-of-support?r=1#FAQ3

So I guess maybe there's not quite so much of a rush after all.

Tuxman · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2025, 07:08 PM »

still contemplating switching to Linux (don't want to invest in way too expensive Apple hardware)
-Ath (September 05, 2025, 03:42 PM)

This whole #Endof10 palaver on social media has been annoying me for months. Since I haven't written anything on DonationCoder for a long time, I'm taking this opportunity to elaborate on it:

Anyone who has been following my posts for a while knows that I don't think much of Linux. (There are significantly more options than Windows, macOS or Linux! Haiku and FreeBSD are pretty good alternatives for the end-user, I myself also think highly of OpenBSD, illumos and - in some respects - 9front.) In fact, despite all the activist drumming, you can't simply replace Windows with just any free systems. Sure: good office suites (I recommend SoftMaker Office) are also available for operating systems other than Windows, and if you only need email and a web browser anyway, the system doesn't matter, but when it comes to graphic editing, it gets tricky. What's the Linux alternative to Adobe and Affinity tools? GIMP? Inkscape? Seen it, laughed, deleted it.

It's incomprehensible to me why the Free Software scene, after almost thirty years of development and countless developers, hasn't managed to develop GIMP even remotely into something that would be a serious competitor to Affinity Photo and/or Photoshop. And vector editing? That's not rocket science. Sure, I get it: not everyone needs graphic tools in everyday life. I don't really either, but I like to design funny T-shirts myself. With Inkscape, I'd only manage that with a wagonload of schnapps to calm my nerves.

Linux, the BSDs and other free systems are simply unsuitable for many people as an alternative to Windows and macOS. Sure: there's Wine. So people install Linux to "get away from Microsoft", and then need a Windows simulator for most of the software tools they want to use in everyday life. That would be too daft for me.

But to each their own, right?

By the way: Third-party file management tools on Windows exist, including (but not limited to) KDE Dolphin, praised by some as a "Linux killer application", ironically. Just saying.

Deozaan · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2025, 07:20 PM »

What's the Linux alternative to Adobe and Affinity tools?
-Tuxman (September 10, 2025, 07:08 PM)

I am not deep into graphics/image editing software, but I've recently seen PixiEditor make some headlines, with some people claiming it's a decent Affinity alternative. It has different editing modes, like Affinity's personas, for pixel, raster, vector editing, and more.

I haven't had occasion to use it yet. So I don't have an opinion one way or the other, other than to say it may be worth looking into.

Tuxman · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2025, 07:26 PM »

I am not deep into graphics/image editing software, but I've recently seen PixiEditor make some headlines
-Deozaan (September 10, 2025, 07:20 PM)

I remember having looked at this tool a few months ago. The web browser version had a lot of bugs (well, a web browser is a crap platform for applications), I haven't tried the desktop version yet. (But that's also because I'm quite happy with the Affinity Suite on macOS.)

If I understand the download page correctly, the "final" version of PixiEditor will also cost a fair bit of money. But if the plan works out, I'm glad that at least this problem will be solved. It only took a few decades. Thanks for reminding me.

Deozaan · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2025, 07:34 PM »

I believe the reason why it has been making headlines lately is because v2.0 with massive improvements to basically everything was recently released. So if it has been a while since you checked it out you may find it is very different now.

I was under the impression it was OSS if not FOSS but with optionally paid supporter packs that include extra brushes or something like that.

Tuxman · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2025, 07:38 PM »

I was under the impression it was OSS if not FOSS but with optionally paid supporter packs that include extra brushes or something like that.
-Deozaan (September 10, 2025, 07:34 PM)

You might be correct here. My bad.

rgdot · « **Reply #9 on:** September 14, 2025, 12:02 PM »

GIMP is probably the most 'recommended yet insufficient' software. May be can say 'overrated' too.

I get this notice when I check windows update, not sure when I backed up the settings, but I guess I will take advantage of the extra year.

Windows 10 End of Life: October 14, 2025

Deozaan · « **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2025, 12:47 AM »

not sure when I backed up the settings, but I guess I will take advantage of the extra year.
-rgdot (September 14, 2025, 12:02 PM)

It's in the "Accounts -> Windows Backup" section of Settings. It may be safe to assume that it's on by default if you use a Microsoft account for your Windows login.

I have my settings synced but I'm not yet seeing what you are seeing. That may be because I typically update my Windows install and then repeatedly click "pause updates for 7 days" to set it for as long as it lets me before it forces me to update, at which point I repeat the process. So I haven't installed any updates for about the past 30 days.

sphere · « **Reply #11 on:** September 16, 2025, 03:29 PM »

There are a number of tools out there that can help you upgrade on unsupported hardware. I think the process is first check to see if you can upgrade your pc's TPM version or activate it. Then you can run a script that gets the installer to ignore those criteria checks. ( you still want to have them in place as if they are the system is more secure I think)

Not remembering the tools/scripts.

I am curious how it is determined if someone is eligible for a free year of updates.

Dormouse · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2025, 06:18 PM »

when it comes to graphic editing, it gets tricky. What's the Linux alternative to Adobe and Affinity tools? GIMP? Inkscape? Seen it, laughed, deleted it.

...

Linux, the BSDs and other free systems are simply unsuitable for many people as an alternative to Windows and macOS. Sure: there's Wine. So people install Linux to "get away from Microsoft", and then need a Windows simulator for most of the software tools they want to use in everyday life. That would be too daft for me.

By the way: Third-party file management tools on Windows exist, including (but not limited to) KDE Dolphin, praised by some as a "Linux killer application", ironically. Just saying.
-Tuxman (September 10, 2025, 07:08 PM)

Agree completely. Been there, done that too often.
And haven't used anything except third part file management tools for a very very long time.

And, despite disliking Apple even more than MS, I now have a Mac 4 Mini on my list should I ever need to use a Mac program regularly.

PS I too like Softmaker Office. But in practice I always use actual Word because it's better (though I appreciate that most users will never need that 'better' or even be aware it exists).

wraith808 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 23, 2025, 08:22 PM »

I was hesitant to update to windows 11, but once my work did it on my work laptop, I started on my other machines. It's not that bad, in all honesty. Using Start 10 and DOpus and it's not really been a change.

4wd · « **Reply #14 on:** September 26, 2025, 06:51 AM »

Another alternative to keep using Win10 and getting security patches is 0Patch

But MS are offering free security patches for another year if you sign in using your MS account and Enroll for them, (if you've received the notification under Settings->Updates), once you've enrolled you can go back to using a local account.

There's a few videos on YT about it, e.g.:

I'm not being offered enrollment probably because my update settings aren't "default".

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #15 on:** October 09, 2025, 06:11 AM »

I don't know about other countries but in the UK MS are giving free Extended Support for 1 year without having to login to an MS account for computer use or cloud backups. You do have to register for ESU by loging in to an MS account - but I did not have to change from local user login to achieve this. Done it on 2 computers so far.

I also have two Windows 11 machines (a gaming laptop and a mini desktop) and not finding them particularly annoying.

Deozaan · « **Reply #16 on:** October 16, 2025, 03:25 PM »

I could never figure out how to get ESU to work on my primary machine. For some reason the Windows Update screen says "some of these settings are managed by your organization" but I don't have an organization. I must have tweaked something in the registry or group policy years ago to keep it from rebooting on me when it updated itself. 🤷‍♂️

But I did get it to work on another computer that's almost never on these days.

Anyway, I just learned about Zorin OS, and I think I'm going to check it out soon. It's Ubuntu-based, but has included features to make it easy to transition from Windows, such as handling Windows .exe or .msi files/installers (probably with Wine).

Tuxman · « **Reply #17 on:** October 16, 2025, 03:34 PM »

All Linux distributions are the same kernel with varying desktop themes. Try GhostBSD. It’s Ubuntu without a shitty kernel.

erikts · « **Reply #18 on:** October 19, 2025, 08:01 PM »

I use windows 11 laptop at work and for personal use I purchased $160 pc (i3 1005G) with Windows 11 pre installed in April.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #19 on:** October 24, 2025, 09:54 AM »

I could never figure out how to get ESU to work on my primary machine. For some reason the Windows Update screen says "some of these settings are managed by your organization" but I don't have an organization. I must have tweaked something in the registry or group policy years ago to keep it from rebooting on me when it updated itself. 🤷‍♂️

But I did get it to work on another computer that's almost never on these days.

Anyway, I just learned about Zorin OS, and I think I'm going to check it out soon. It's Ubuntu-based, but has included features to make it easy to transition from Windows, such as handling Windows .exe or .msi files/installers (probably with Wine).
-Deozaan (October 16, 2025, 03:25 PM)

It does use Wine

Before choosing a distro look at which hardware you have and what support it needs (eg. if you want Linux printer drivers not just the generic ones built in) - and if you plan to use various programmes check which distros are recommended (eg. da Vinci resolve needs a lot of messing about if you don't use the distro they set up for).

Deozaan · « **Reply #20 on:** October 24, 2025, 01:11 PM »

Thanks for the advice. I use my printer infrequently enough that it might be 6 months before I need to print something and realize I can't get it to work on the distro I've been using. 😅

wraith808 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 25, 2025, 05:13 PM »

Anyway, I just learned about Zorin OS, and I think I'm going to check it out soon. It's Ubuntu-based, but has included features to make it easy to transition from Windows, such as handling Windows .exe or .msi files/installers (probably with Wine).
-Deozaan (October 16, 2025, 03:25 PM)

Thanks! I'm going to try it on my old laptop that I'm trying to get up and running.

Deozaan · « **Reply #22 on:** October 26, 2025, 02:38 AM »

Let me know how it goes. I haven't gotten around to trying it out yet and may not as soon as I thought I would.

Shades · « **Reply #23 on:** October 29, 2025, 05:31 PM »

Let me know how it goes. I haven't gotten around to trying it out yet and may not as soon as I thought I would.
-Deozaan (October 26, 2025, 02:38 AM)

Myself, I have 1 desktop and 2 laptops. The desktop is about 10 years old, one laptop is 9 years old, the other one is 3,5 years old.
Me desktop runs on Windows Server 2019, my youngest laptop came with Windows 11, the old one runs Pop!_OS (24.04), which is a Ubuntu-based and made by US company System76, who have very nice Linux hardware in their assortment and produce their own Linux operating system. Their hardware is priced like Macs are. But you do get a lot of hardware for it.

Anyway, I really like Pop!_OS. I was using Pop!_OS around 2020 for about a year on another really old laptop. And that experience was working out well for me. About 80% of the tools I use on Windows was already available as Linux native applications. That made the jump to Linux a pretty smooth one. Granted, I don't do a lot of graphic work. Even if I did use Linux in a multi-monitor setup (which worked out-of-the-box).

With the above in mind I found Pop!_OS to be enjoyable to use. For work I have a laptop that I use for maintenance work in the network. That one runs on Linux Mint and this distribution also works very well. It "feels" a lot like Windows 7, if that is of any help.

My oldest laptop has now Pop!_OS (24.04) on it, and I use it also to play games from my GoG library on it and that works rather well.

The only thing I truly miss in Linux is Directory Opus. And DOpus is also the reason why I find Windows 11 still palatable. I hardly do anything with the W11 OS and do as much as possible within DOpus instead.