Microsoft emails Windows 10 users, recommending recycling or trade-in of outdated PCs

[LimyG]

I installed W11pro soon after release. Quickly reverted back to W10pro. Did the same thing about 2 years ago. Quickly Re-imaged my beautifully tweaked, no store, no edge, and LOCAL account W10pro back.

My reasons for not liking are W11 are simple. It's not the price. My hardware is new enough, no it's the fact W11 is bloated trash.

It's probably harder to rid of all the things (most of it) not needed on W11.

I steadily add/change GPO, update reg tweaks when needed etc etc. As a result my W10 is very fast - and NO store.

As long as people don't use remote. Learn how to use the firewall properly (potentially third party - but I use Windows firewall). Understand Group policy, and find ways to uninstall - I mean totally wipe all the crap. Use a third party anti malware with a couple of free on demand scanners for extra checks.

W10 will remain relevant for years to come.

Finally as a result of my tweaks MS update, and Windows update don't work at all. But so what? It's easy to download patch Tuesdays, .net previews etc etc directly from the MS cataloge.

Even easier there is a free program called Windows update Minitool. It funtions just like windows update. We can choose what to download, including drivers and defender stuff everything. Total control.

But the actual Microsoft/Windows update never runs, and can't be run. It's great. Secure, and I am in charge of my own PC.

W11 is garbage data mining, unecessary ultra bloat crud!

 

[ZedRM]

W10 will remain relevant for years to come.

That is dependent on what version you use and how you use it. The consumer/prosumer versions, no. The enterprise long term support versions, yes.

 

[captaincranky]

Microsoft is taking this forced obsolescence to a whole new level. They need to be put in their place. They need to have Windows taken away from them if they're not going to behave like responsible adults.

I've been saying, (literally) for years that these mutts, M$, Intel, Dell, HP, and perhaps others, hold "bathroom meetings", the ends of which are to skirt fair trade practices, and establish a "mega-monopoly". Wherein, "the needs of the one, are supported by the many".

Right now Intel is in some trouble. So, how many Intel CPUs would go into new sales replacing those 240 million scrapped machines? My guess is, that in all likelihood, it would be as many as already exist in the junk pile. So, there's a big bailout.

HP is possibly facing blow back by disabling printers. Is it possible that it could recoup some of its losses by an uptick in its PC segment?

I'm not big on conspiracy theories, but when corporations start rubbing our noses in blatant tactics like this, they're hard to avoid.

M$'s arrogance has escalated to the point that when they say, "Jump", they expect you to have already stuck the landing

 

[Underdog]

For me, Windows was a time-consuming nightmare until XP. I felt I was finally "in control" but still had to cope with the infamous BSOD. When W7 came out I was reluctant to make the move and for a while I felt I was no longer in control but found it was much more stable and I could trust it to do its thing. I'm on a "cleaned up" version of W7 Pro now and haven't had a single BSOD or malware infection in 15 years. I have built two desktop PCs using mid-range components in that time without a single issue. Lack of "support" and "security" paranoia brainwash are of no concern. MS just wants to keep their huge market share and keep the money rolling in by offering more bells and whistles to tempt the masses thinking new is always better. Sad truth is if it was that good why would they need so many "updates" to cover their shoddy product? Would you buy a self-driving car that used Windows software?

 

[Loadedaxe]

Microsoft is taking this forced obsolescence to a whole new level. They need to be put in their place. They need to have Windows taken away from them if they're not going to behave like responsible adults.

We live in a world of planned obsolescence, MS is just a small part of the problem.

Everything we buy, from washer, dryers, refrigerators .... everything. Look at the auto industry, they plan for your new car to only last 4-5 years at best. This is the world we live in now.

My wife drove Mustangs, she loved them, in 2014 she bought a new one, after three years of getting it service at the same dealer, we took it for its regular maintenance right before the warranty expired. After we dropped it off, a sales woman called me and said "your three year warranty is ending in a few months, are you interested in upgrading to the new mustang?"

Not, "your three year warranty is ending would you be interested in extending it?"

 

[Loadedaxe]

For me, Windows was a time-consuming nightmare until XP. I felt I was finally "in control" but still had to cope with the infamous BSOD. When W7 came out I was reluctant to make the move and for a while I felt I was no longer in control but found it was much more stable and I could trust it to do its thing. I'm on a "cleaned up" version of W7 Pro now and haven't had a single BSOD or malware infection in 15 years. I have built two desktop PCs using mid-range components in that time without a single issue. Lack of "support" and "security" paranoia brainwash are of no concern. MS just wants to keep their huge market share and keep the money rolling in by offering more bells and whistles to tempt the masses thinking new is always better. Sad truth is if it was that good why would they need so many "updates" to cover their shoddy product? Would you buy a self-driving car that used Windows software?

Everything in the computing world requires updates, especially security updates, not to mention software, BIOS, drivers, and more. While many share your perspective, even more people do not.

I also disagree with the hardware limitations imposed by Windows 11, and I had my own reasons for disliking Windows 10. However, Windows 11 is not some hidden menace you make it out to be, the real issue is that people don’t like being forced into change. Microsoft is now deeply invested in telemetry, and that’s not going to change, no matter how much users resist, and if you think your not sending information to MS on Windows 7, your mistaken.

Since Windows 7 is outdated and unsupported, the bigger issue is its lack of security updates making it a huge risk even if you dont visit shady websites. Hopefully you dont do any financial things with your PC and If privacy is a major concern, consider Linux or configuring Windows 11 with stricter privacy settings, yes it can be done.

For those who dislike Windows 11 and object to being forced into an upgrade, switching to Linux is a far better alternative than sticking with outdated and insecure systems like Windows 7 or XP.

You are right about MS wanting to make money, thats the whole idea, to offer new things, not to sit on old software that no one, but a very few want.

 

[captaincranky]

Everything in the computing world requires updates, especially security updates, not to mention software, BIOS, drivers, and more. While many share your perspective, even more people do not.

The idea that Windows needs constant upgrades, or that Windows 7 is a "security nightmare", isn't entirely or literally correct. M$'s POV is from the standpoint that Windows should be a "bastion of security unto itself". In other words, all you need is Windows for complete security, period.

However, browsers are the first line of defense, with 3rd party AV solutions being next. Other browsers are as secure, or possibly more so than, "Edge". Windows 7 is still supported by various AV softwares, including AVG, and Avira, in both paid and free versions. Both of which I employ in my Windows 7 online machines. These are frequently updated, at least at a pace comparative to M$ update scheduling.

Suspension of Windows 7 support by such organizations as Steam, are simple economic measures. They don't want to put in the time, effort, and money, to continue supporting an OS which only retains 2+% market share. However, that doesn't mean you can't have a heaping helping of protection, using Windows 7 online.

The cold hard facts are that you're being herded into the Windows 11 fold, by your own "needs". "Oh gee, I can't play this new game unless I have Windows 11." "Oh no, I can't have ray tracing in this new game unless I buy a GTX-5090." And so forth, yadda , yadda, yadda.

For those of us with less lofty ambitions, or professional needs, Windows 7 works just fine.

I built a Windows 10 Pro machine for the sole purpose of using as a platform for my imaging software. ATM, it's just sitting around until I get up the ambition to block M$ update, or support expires in October, at which point I'll be out from under M$'s thumb. Once I get my software installed and activated, I'll take it offline forever.

And this a "FWIW" speculation. Adobe has changed Photoshop Elements from a perpetual license, to one only lasting 3 years. Can it being a subscription model be far behind? As for Windows 12, that so many users, "intend to skip 11" and wait for, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if that becomes a subscription service as well.

Newegg wants $200.00 for an OEM copy of Windows Pro 11, yet you can buy a key for it for maybe $20.00. How long to you think it will be before M$ puts its teats away, shuts its legs, and forces people to buy their latest version directly from them, instead of from bulk license sellers?