Windows 10 end of support concerns. As most already know, Microsoft says that they will no longer support Windows 10 after October 2025 to promote the use of Windows 11. According to sources, many of the 240 million plus existing Win 10 computers will get the notification that they do not meet the hardware requirements of Win 11. In response to numerous requests and concerns regarding this let me give you my hands on experience. As always I expect critical reviews and pros and cons. However I do not claim to have all the answers even with my 35+ years in the business. This is simply what I have learned from my personal use and without going into a lengthy technical discourse. 1. Even with a lack of support, Windows 10 will continue to function. There are still many Windows 7 O/S in use as an example. 2. There are several work-arounds that have been successful since the advent of Windows 11. In most cases they work flawlessly but there are instances where driver issues arise. Even so there are still ways to correct most of those issues. 3. Microsoft is aware of the by-pass methods and has even published one of their own. 4. According to M/S computers running a “work-around” solution may not receive updates. As yet I have not seen this happen. I make this post only to try and help those concerned that they will have to buy new hardware to run Windows 11. There are many YouTube videos available on this subject and many written articles on the Internet. And, if you’re tired of Microsoft, I personally use a laptop with Linux Mint as an operating system which is very user friendly, secure, runs all the programs I use and operates very similar to windows. Thanks for reading and contrary to what Microsoft implies, the world won’t end in October 2025 unless the good Lord intervenes.
I have a Lenove T520 (2002) still receiving security updates running Windows 11. And yes, I had to use the work-around to install it, but it has been running since 2021 without a crash, reload, or any other problems. Older computers will run Windows 11. I upgraded my T520 before MS announced the work-around and had to make some registry changes published by Tom's Hardware.
I have a very powerful i7 that won't allow me to update to Win11. Says it's incompatible - something about the firmware - I don't recall what the complaint was off hand. But I am the last person who should be mucking about in firmware settings So is the Win11 update back to being "free"? Or do you have to pay for it now? Dave W7UUU
I'm not certain the upgrade from Win 10 is still free or not. It was back when I upgraded the T520. You will have to check at the MS site. It might be the Trusted Platform Module that is not allowing the upgrade. Which generation of i7 is your processor?
I have several Dell Latitude E5480 laptops that are not W11 compatible. So, I downloaded the W11Pro iso onto a USB drive and used Rufus to install it. Since the bios already has a Windows product number installed, wiping and installing W11 with Rufus automagically activated.
I used Rufus to install a dual-drive, dual-boot on the T520 several years before Win 11 (or even Win 10) was available. I put XP Pro64 and Win7 Pro on separate drives on the T520 without a hitch. Great Program. I never saw XP run so fast.
I cloned a hard drive with Win 11 and use it to do a clean install then update it online. Normally the original activation keys of the computer will activate Win 11. Laptop keys are usually found underneath the battery. If not you can buy lifetime digital activation keys for about $8-$10 online.
Was told last year, the laptop I use did not have the systems for Win 11. Too old so I'll use it offline.
W10 to W11 is free - provided you retain the grade (as in Home or Pro). There are multiple web sites offering W11 licences at far below the official asking price. CJS-CDKeys will sell you a W11 Pro licence for £9.99 - I purchased one a couple of days ago and it installed cleanly without problems... Martin (G8FXC)
Thanks Martin. I just have to figure out the "safe reboot" function that is preventing this otherwise very powerful computer from allowing the update to 11. It's in the firmware and I'm not someone who should be mucking about with firmware. The error isn't "machine specific" so I have no idea what I'd even be looking for. I'll just wait until support for 10 ends then take it to my local "computer guy" and I'm sure he can fix me up for $25 and a beer Dave W7UUU
I tried Windows 11 about a year ago and wasn't a big fan of it. I used it for a few months before switching back to Windows 10. I didn't like the updated user interface very much and really didn't like how there was no way to turn off combining similar windows in the taskbar. I prefer my user interface old school (if you can call it that) where each window is clearly stated with the title of it on the taskbar, even if they are the same program like Chrome or others. This is the way it was back in XP and 7. I have not used 11 at all since then, so maybe they have added this feature by now? If not, then I would still not be looking to switch to it anytime soon. As far as the end of support goes, I think that a lot of people are going to keep 10 around for quite some time. If Microsoft is ending support only to promote the use of their new operating system, I think there might be better ways of doing this.
