The "End of 10" project wants to save aging PCs with Linux instead of Windows 11

[Daniel Sims]

In brief: An estimated 240 million PCs will become obsolete when Windows 10 reaches end-of-life status in October. Microsoft is begging impacted users to buy new devices (preferably Copilot+ PCs) to upgrade to Windows 11, but the "End of 10" project aims to use the opportunity to introduce more people to Linux.

A recently created website called "End of 10" offers simple instructions for installing Linux while explaining the open-source operating system's advantages over Windows. The project primarily targets users with Windows 10 PCs that are ineligible for Windows 11 because of hardware constraints.

Microsoft will stop updating most Windows 10 devices after October 14, even though the OS remains more popular than Windows 11. Furthermore, stringent CPU requirements will leave potentially hundreds of millions of PCs unable to run the company's latest OS.

Windows 11 only supports Intel's 8th-generation and AMD's Ryzen 2000 processors or newer, cutting off most systems made before 2017. However, End of 10 argues that many PCs built since 2010 are still usable. That's left PC repair shops and thrift stores contemplating whether to recycle older machines, keep distributing increasingly vulnerable Windows 10 systems, or switch to Linux – a secure but unfamiliar option for most users.

While Microsoft uses persistent emails and other tactics to push Windows 11 through new PC sales, End of 10 encourages users to switch to Linux. The site highlights several advantages, focusing on cost savings and greater control over software.

Linux supports many older PCs that won't receive Windows 11 updates, so users often don't need to upgrade their hardware. The operating system is free to download, compared to $15 (on sale) for Windows 11 Pro. Sticking with older machines also reduces emissions since most of a PC's lifetime carbon footprint comes from manufacturing.

Also see: A few Linux distro options

Furthermore, Linux likely offers greater privacy, as it's not controlled by a corporation that tracks user behavior. It also faces less malware since most cyberattacks target other operating systems. Finally, skilled users have complete control over their machines.

End of 10 lists worldwide repair shops that help new users make the jump. The current list is small, mainly comprising European locations, and contains only one US-based company. However, shops and other organizations willing to help are welcome to add their contact information to the list. End of 10 also has information on upcoming Linux tutorial events in multiple countries.

The site also offers a quick DIY installation guide. Although some popular Windows and macOS programs require alternatives on Linux, users who primarily rely on web browsers likely won't notice a significant difference after switching from Windows.

Whether the impending end of Windows 10 support will push users away from Microsoft remains unclear. Although over half of Windows devices still run Windows 10, according to StatCounter, Windows 11 adoption has accelerated considerably in recent months and could soon surpass the older OS.

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The "End of 10" project wants to save aging PCs with Linux instead of Windows 11

 

[NumberNine]

This happens every time there's a new version of Windows released and quite often in between as well.

 

[yRaz]

This happens every time there's a new version of Windows released and quite often in between as well.

The difference now is that there is a lot of modern hardware that M$ is arbitrarily saying Windows 11 wont run on. The thing is, TPM 2.0 has already been cracked so their adamant stance by saying it's for security reasons is fubar. The is accompanied with the fact that Windows 11 is basically Microsoft manufactured spyware.

Then you have companies like Valve dumping hundreds of millions into Linux gaming with Linux providing a better experience when the developers actually allow it to work. The only thing holding back anything from working on Linux is DRM and I have some news for you on that. Any program that has a working crack for it will run on Linux just fine. I have no problem running a crack on a piece of software that I own to get it to run on Linux, especially if Linux compatibility was arbitrarily removed long after I already paid for it.

I'm certainly the exception, not the rule, but there isn't a single windows program I haven't been able to find a way to run on Mint without the need for a VM. For awhile I was using ProxMox to switch between Windows and Linux without needing to restart or the pain of a dualboot, but then I just started running cracks in WINE and I don't even need to run proxmox anymore.

 

[Eldrach]

Not a bad option. I would also say that this should be utilized by larger cooperations to bring computers to 3rd world countries that could use them for education. Install Openoffice on them and they’d be a great tool that wouldn’t need to be recycled.

 

[unoficialoficial]

I'm thinking of creating a freeware alternative to photoshop (but even better) and only allowed it to run on Windows 10 or lower. When is installed it will turn off the mitigations and when uninstalled it will turn them on again. When it will become popular the version 2 will be available only in Linux. Am I crazy enough? In 6-12 months with a good AI and the gimp codebase I definitely can make a competitive photoshop alternative alone. I really want to give a good punch to windows 11.

 

[yRaz]

Not a bad option. I would also say that this should be utilized by larger cooperations to bring computers to 3rd world countries that could use them for education. Install Openoffice on them and they’d be a great tool that wouldn’t need to be recycled.

The most widely used OS in the world is Android, a fork of Linux. This idea that Linux can never replace Windows isn't even a 'western' idea, it's mostly just an American idea.

 

[brucek]

This happens every time there's a new version of Windows released and quite often in between as well.

Actually I don't believe there's been a single previous time where massive numbers of device still in use, still perceived as adequate by their users, have been prevented from updating to a supported Windows version. Meaning, this is the first time mass numbers of users have been told they must fork out hundreds of dollars to buy a new device just to keep doing tomorrow the exact same thing they were perfectly happy with yesterday.

Yes there's been specific niche exclusions before but nothing remotely like this.

 

[NumberNine]

The difference now is that there is a lot of modern hardware that M$ is arbitrarily saying Windows 11 wont run on. The thing is, TPM 2.0 has already been cracked so their adamant stance by saying it's for security reasons is fubar. The is accompanied with the fact that Windows 11 is basically Microsoft manufactured spyware.

Then you have companies like Valve dumping hundreds of millions into Linux gaming with Linux providing a better experience when the developers actually allow it to work. The only thing holding back anything from working on Linux is DRM and I have some news for you on that. Any program that has a working crack for it will run on Linux just fine. I have no problem running a crack on a piece of software that I own to get it to run on Linux, especially if Linux compatibility was arbitrarily removed long after I already paid for it.

I'm certainly the exception, not the rule, but there isn't a single windows program I haven't been able to find a way to run on Mint without the need for a VM. For awhile I was using ProxMox to switch between Windows and Linux without needing to restart or the pain of a dualboot, but then I just started running cracks in WINE and I don't even need to run proxmox anymore.

Yeah I don't get the TPM thing except maybe as an effort to combat piracy. Respectable effort on your part. Every day is a good day to switch to Linux.

 

[yRaz]

Yeah I don't get the TPM thing except maybe as an effort to combat piracy. Respectable effort on your part. Every day is a good day to switch to Linux.

My hair will probably be gray by the time it happens, but I think the switch to Linux is inevitable at this point. With ARM becoming popular, X86/x64 being a pain for most people and RISCV being basically what ARM should have been without all the licensing crap. 99% of a program you run today runs on ARM/RISCV instructions and the other 1% can be emulated with brute force with little to no performance impact.

Cost and power efficency is going to change things. M$ might not realize it now, but all those non TPM 2.0 systems that are still 100% fine for 99% of compute are going to make there way to developing nations where money is more valuable than time. M$ is either going to get rejected by the first world or Linux will be embraced by the third world with their TPM 2.0 policy. considering that W11 comes with a severe privacy and security issues for even governments, the first world rejecting them isn't too unlikely. the company I work for is considering switching to Macs because our contracts aren't compatible with windows 11 licensing. it infuriates me that my work issued laptop has an enterprise license that is constantly telling me about Xbox game pass and to install candy crush.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Yeah I don't get the TPM thing except maybe as an effort to combat piracy. Respectable effort on your part. Every day is a good day to switch to Linux.

If you truly embrace your inner cynic, and follow along with what Phil Spencer said about banning people on every platform for saying mean words anywhere, sprinkle in the spyware that is CoPilot Recall, and, well.......

 

[pnntmp]

Windows 11 can be installed on *any* computer capable of running Windows 10.
All over the place, there are really elementary to follow instructions how to bypass hardware restrictions.
Windows 11 is free for personal use - at least practically, if not officially.

Nothing against Linux, but it's still not suitable for the average user.

Sticking with older machines also reduces emissions since most of a PC's lifetime carbon footprint comes from manufacturing.

Carbon footprint is definitely the most important argument of all, and the very first thing everyone considers before buying a new PC.
≧▽≦

 

[seeprime]

Not a bad option. I would also say that this should be utilized by larger cooperations to bring computers to 3rd world countries that could use them for education. Install Openoffice on them and they’d be a great tool that wouldn’t need to be recycled.

Many Linux distros come with LibreOffice and are ready to use within minutes, unlike Windows installs that multiple reboots to get drivers loaded.

 

[Loadedaxe]

I've been tinkering with Linux more lately, but still run into issues with certain software, especially those that rely on databases, like Honeywell's Compass 2.0 Downloader for security and access control systems. I suppose it's time I finally buckle down and figure out a workaround.

I'm also still running an older i7-6700K system that performs perfectly well. Over the years, I've maxed it out with upgrades, and it just doesn't feel right to retire it....especially given Microsoft's push for Copilot and other unnecessary bloat. It handled Windows 11 fine until the most recent update, which brought performance to a crawl. I rolled it back to Windows 10 and it runs like a champ again. Like many others, I've had enough, dropped my Office 365 subscription and switched to OnlyOffice. Microsoft's direction just doesn't work for me anymore. Looks like I may just finally switch to Linux Mint full time.

 

[Watzupken]

Having used Linux Mint, Bazzite and Ubuntu, I would recommend using Linux Mint for the most streamline experience. Bazzite is generally good for gaming since it’s got most of the gaming essentials preinstalled. The switch is not as challenging as I was expecting.

 

[yRaz]

Having used Linux Mint, Bazzite and Ubuntu, I would recommend using Linux Mint for the most streamline experience. Bazzite is generally good for gaming since it’s got most of the gaming essentials preinstalled. The switch is not as challenging as I was expecting.

I mostly agree with this, but for a gamer looking to move to Linux and just wants his controller to work for non-triple A games, Bazzite is fantastic.

The sad truth is that all of it is going to require a tad bit of tinkering, but it isn't like anyone on forums like these aren't capable of that level of tinkering. Linux requires less effort than Windows XP did. While that isn't a "set and forget experience" I think the 'Mircosoft free' experience is worth the effort. Like, spend a weekend learning Linux and you'll never have to worry about MS again. I've spent money to play games that have wasted my time more than learning Linux has.

 

[noblody]

I manage two older computers used by my parents that are perfectly fine for their needs. If I have to install a new OS from scratch, I'll probably install windows 11 with the available TPM bypasses. The worst that can happen is I remain without updates, same as with sticking with windows 10. They could probably get by with linux because they used it in the past, but I'm not sure it is worth the hassle, older people find it harder to adapt.

 

[Antias]

I've always been a Windows person, never used Linux...
BUT now I'm seriously considering using one of my spare unused Lenovo Thinkpad T40s as a training tool and trying out Mint... just to see what its like and if I can naturally make the change without too much mental fuss...
I primarily use my PC's as gaming and media consumption (PLEX, MPC-BE and Chrome browser based mostly) with home book keeping via Chrome Browser's Google Apps being the next most common thing...

 

[trgz]

Running Mint on two laptops and dual-booting Mint/Win10 on my main PC. Games shouldn't be a problem, from what I've tested so far*, but MIDI/synth software is a headache to authenticate, though switching kernels does reduce the native lag for the audio with this sort of stuff.
I've been considering a mobo/CPU upgrade of late, but even when my new hardware can run 11, I'll be staying with Mint/Win10.
*VR hasn't been working though

 

[Vanderlinde]

Microsoft should be sued for this. More then 240 million of PC's becoming E-waste.

Their bigger concern is locking enterprise, company's and consumer into these 360 packages, subscriptions and what more.

OS is no longer important.

 

[EvilRebar]

Users would rather buy a new PC than deal with Linux. The time and comfort are a cost that generally exceeds moving an upgrade cycle forward.

Remember people, just because you feel strongly about your hobby doesn't mean that your older relatives should be moved to it with no alternative.

 

[EvilRebar]

...M$...

Oh my gosh an unironic M$ is the wild!
https://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2002/07/22/m

 

[Anton Longshot]

From what I've seen before (hell I know someone who runs XP and several who run Win 7!) most unskilled users who cannot or won't get a new box will keep running Win 10. I expect a large increase in botnets number and size.
Of course those who know how to do it will extend 10's service life by the available means OR switch to Linux.
I'll be doing the former on my two PC's but will likely see if I can get my aging once super expensive (hehe I did not buy it myself) laptop to run well on Linux, maybe even later this week if I can find the time.
Said it before: should I run into MONEY which btw is a real possibility I will definitely go MacBook and perhaps swap my PC's for Macs too.
However, should Microsoft decide to change their evil ways (bend to outside pressure really) I may decide to stay with Windows.

 

[yRaz]

Oh my gosh an unironic M$ is the wild!
https://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2002/07/22/m

You must be so proud of yourself for pointing that out

 

[BuckarooBonzaii]

Linux will need to appeal to the general public, in this case the non-tech/unskilled users as many will not want to go looking in repositories or communities for drivers for their devices, or for solutions (troubleshooting) if drivers don't work. Although many companies already provide Linux drivers for their devices it's still not enough. This is where Apple and MS has the foothold. Apple and MS knows their target customers and caters to them to make things easy as possible not only in GUI but in plug and play to make it work out of the box.

 

[yRaz]

Linux will need to appeal to the general public, in this case the non-tech/unskilled users as many will not want to go looking in repositories or communities for drivers for their devices, or for solutions (troubleshooting) if drivers don't work. Although many companies already provide Linux drivers for their devices it's still not enough. This is where Apple and MS has the foothold. Apple and MS knows their target customers and caters to them to make things easy as possible not only in GUI but in plug and play to make it work out of the box.

are you talking about the first world or the third world? MS is about to dump hundreds of millions of PCs into the third world where money is more valuable than time. Know what Linux needs of its users? Time. "here is a $500 computer that was $2000 new and we arbitrarily turned into e-waste, you want this for pennies on the dollar because, uhh, windoows 11 wont work on it?"

Windows 11 is about to install Linux on a few hundred million PCs