Windows 10 support ends in a year, leaving users with difficult choices to make

[yRaz]

That’s no longer something you need to worry about now. NVIDIA supports running GPUs in a VM without needing to use workarounds.

While it is true that running an NV card in a VM is no longer an issue, if you're serious about Linux gaming, stability and compatibility AMD is the way to go. If you already have an NV GPU you by no means need to go out and buy an AMD GPU to make things work. It's just that you'll run into far fewer of what I'm going to call "unnecessary errors." This is even more true if you have an APU with an nVidia GPU, you'll get driver conflicts. I've never seen an "unnecessary error" that wasn't simply solved with a restart, but the fewer restarts the better.

 

[Brickwizard]

I ran Microsoft from the first days of MS-DOS for IBM compatibles up to XP as my main system, 21 yrs ago I changed to Linux as my daily drive and not looked back,

 

[Bone fletcher]

And here we are still using Windows XP...

 

[zx8086]

I'm pushing my family members to chromeOS so I dont have to constantly fix their junk. Linux or macOS for those that need more functionality. So far only 1 demands windows, for his CAD software.

You're pushing people from one spyware-ridden OS (but where at least you can control it relatively easily) to a much worse one ? That's some top drawer advice there

Whatever the "experts" such as this one will tell you, Windows still remains the best choice for most of the public, like it or not. It's really rather a far-out idea to expect normal people to learn and troubleshoot Linux, and compatibility is another huge thing, especially when you have to use windows for work. And no, your personal anecdote about how it's all fine and dandy for you doesn't apply to software which has market penetration counting in billions.

So instead of expecting the impossible to happen (ok, maybe 2025 will be finally the Linux year) it'd be better to critciize and demand solutions for the truly bad stuff which plagues Windows, such as mandatory log-ins, and not whine about unimportant and easily fixable things, eg taskbar placement.

 

[Xelions]

Went to linux 5 years ago and never looked back ..... and have NO regrets.

Which flavor? Have you switched flavors since? What were some of your biggest challenges switching over from windows?

 

[Brickwizard]

What were some of your biggest challenges switching over from windows?

I tried to give you a comprehensive answer but the no-smart auto filters will not allow me to post it, I will tried to sen ads a pm but I dont have that facility [you can find me if you google Brickwizard and Linux]

 

[Tran Bronstein]

This is truly the most bizarre approach to consumers that I have ever seen by a corporation. After the disaster that was Windows 8 and a major loss of goodwill, Microsoft staged one of the all-time great comebacks with the beloved Windows 10 -- an OS so many enjoy using that they actually refuse to get off of it for various legit reasons -- and their response to their own massive consumer base is one big F.U.

There was absolutely no reason any of the Windows 11 improvements couldn't have just been put into Windows 10. It's IMHO a false representation of OS iterative advancement as a brand new OS. That is in fact what Microsoft promised in marketing Windows 10 as a modular OS and the last one consumers would ever need. Of course users were perplexed when Windows 11 came out, had strict hardware requirements that limited its install base, and showed no substantial differences to the majority of the public between the two that could justify its existence.

It's like Microsoft is actually allergic to making money and earning goodwill. Every time they do something right (Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 10) they follow it up with a monumentally boneheaded move (Windows Vista, Windows 8, Windows 11).

 

[Underdog]

I gave up on all this corporate brainwash ages ago. Windows 7 serves my needs and runs on a PC I built out of mediocre level parts so long ago I can't remember which year. I don't think my needs are that different from millions of other ordinary people, internet browsing, data storage, word processing, email, basic photo tweaking, and because I am an adult, the latest games are of no interest to me. OK, maybe someone running a business has need of more (and quicker) processing power but anyone else wasting their time and money rolling the dice in Microsoft's expensive game needs to think twice.

 

[Ecurb]

Most people should know average life in a machine is 2-5 years. Need to get with the times and upgrade, just like companies too, why waste time and pay your employee to sit there waiting, get the job done faster in 1/10 of the time and the new machine pays for itself.

My server cluster runs on 9-11 year old consumer level hardware. It's speedy because it doesn't have to carry the bloat of Windows.

Three to four year old hardware is the sweet spot for me in buying 'new' hardware. Getting the latest and buggiest hardware and software is a productivity drain, so I think your example was exactly backwards.

 

[Brickwizard]

Three to four year old hardware is the sweet spot for me in buying 'new' hardware.

I have a similar outlook, My 2010 del insperon packed up a few weeks back, I picked up a 6 yr old Latitude Grade A refurbished, at such a silly price due to market glut
It came with a fresh install of Win 10, within 25 mins of it landing on my desk, windows was gone Mint LMDE installed, configured and running with an I5 quad-core 8 threads and 16mb of ram it should last me around 8 years

 

[MrPractical]

Most people should know average life in a machine is 2-5 years. Need to get with the times and upgrade, just like companies too, why waste time and pay your employee to sit there waiting, get the job done faster in 1/10 of the time and the new machine pays for itself. Its as bad as companies that get suckered into contracts or monthly too or lease computers, that is even more silly!

I built my system over ten years ago (though I have upgraded the video card, RAM, and SSD over the years), and it still runs fast and does everything I need it to.

So why should I spend hundreds just to meet arbitrary hardware requirements for an incremental OS update that also includes a bunch of unwanted ads, tracking, and AI junk?

 

[Ecurb]

... Mint LMDE installed, configured and running with an I5 quad-core 8 threads and 16mb of ram it should last me around 8 years

I hope that was 16GB or it might take 8 hours to boot ;-)

 

[Brickwizard]

I hope that was 16GB or it might take 8 hours to boot ;-)

Yep,, something I am noted for, mixing my GB and KB, but I don't care as it shows if anyone is actually reading and not skimming, the real point is I got n excellent everyday machine for not a lot of dosh.

 

[Draconian]

Is 0patch a good solution?

 

[Achaios]

M$ have to understand that 2025 will not be like 2015.

Back in 2015 many ppl were still stuck with terrible Core 2 and even P4 systems. While a few were sporting Gen 2, 3 and Gen 4 systems many were still stuck with the above earlier systems.

Dumping the P4 and Core 2 systems and switching over to the latest Intel Core systems (almost nobody built AMD systems back then) seemed and felt natural.

Switching over from, say a Core 2 Q6600 (or a P4) to a 4770K made a world of difference.

Today it won't.

Times have changed and M$ are still sticking to an outdated model IMO.

 

[LimyG]

Recently I spent time going through the details of ALL (I think it was 87) security fixes for W10 & 11 last patch Tuesday.

One thing is apparant. Most (not all) but vast majority of these patches fix potential exploits that require one of the following two things.

Remote access.
Physical access to the PC.

So personally, on a home PC I've never used remote. It can be turned it off via Group policy, although that's not necessary, easy to turn it off. From CP or Settings.

I don't leave my home open as public space, (satire). So simply put, not using any remote functionality, and for the paranoid block the firewall remote port (I forget but perhaps 3389 - easy to check.) Covers a lot of recent patches.

Will mitigate a large percentage of potential expoits.

I am NOT saying it's a solution. But it will increase security. Just putting it out there.

 

[Brickwizard]

I am NOT saying it's a solution. But it will increase security. Just putting it out there.

There I one major failing in all security Apps/programs, and that is the link between the seat back and keypad, and no amount of said apps will ever make up for poor security practices.

 

[LimyG]

There I one major failing in all security Apps/programs, and that is the link between the seat back and keypad, and no amount of said apps will ever make up for poor security practices.

Yes, congrats

 

[Brickwizard]

Which flavor? Have you switched flavors since? What were some of your biggest challenges switching over from windows?

I have been trying to send you a more comprehensive reply and the system will not allow me to.
I am active most days between 6am and 10 pm UTC on Linux dotorg

 

[Xelions]

Thanks Brickwizard

I'll hop on sometime this week when I'm free.

 

[Starfals]

I aint replacing perfecly working laptops from 2017. With gorgeous screens and amazing colors. 0 Lags and slowdowns. Just aint gonna happen cus MS said so. Sure, if my stuff all break suddenly.. ill probably go to W11. A brand new machine will come with that OS on default. I also wont upgrade my desktop PC either.

Everything works perfectly fast and fine. It would be insane to go to a new OS for literally 0 reason. So yea, bring on the viruses and unsupported apps. Im here for all of that. Any app that drops support of the most popular OS, or even second most popular one is an app not worthy of keeping anyways. Its just dumb.

P.s. Upgrading for the sake of upgrading = no thanks! (in case nobody understood what im talking about)

 

[mlernst]

Microsoft telling me 2 of my 4 computers were outdated, one of which was a high end HP laptop, was the last straw for me. I have switched 3 of 4 to Linux Mint and Libre Office. 3 down, 1 to go. Goodbye Microsoft!

 

[Bamda]

I have completed the jump on all of my four windows PCs to Windows 11. I am good until the next meltdown.