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Learn about Windows

Windows 10 end of life​

The fact is that Windows 10 is reaching it's end-of-life cycle in October 2025.

After that date, Microsoft will stop providing security updates, which means your computer will become increasingly vulnerable to viruses, scams, and other attacks. This is especially dangerous because new types of malware are discovered every day and unpatched systems are prime targets.

If you continue using Windows, you have two official choices:

  • Upgrade to Windows 11, or
  • Opt in for security updates

While these may seem like reasonable options, they come with important caveats. Let’s look at why they’re not necessarily the best course of action, especially if you're using an older computer.

Option 1: Upgrading to Windows 11​

⚠️ Not all computers are supported​

Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements. If your computer is more than a few years old, it likely doesn’t meet them.

For example, Windows 11 requires:

  • A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0
  • A compatible processor (only newer CPUs are supported)
  • UEFI firmware and Secure Boot enabled

If your computer doesn't meet these requirements, you won’t be able to upgrade without hacks — and those are risky and unsupported.

🖥️ Even if it is supported...​

Windows 11 represents a shift in philosophy from being a tool you own to a service that serves the interests of its parent company.

Even on supported hardware, many users find the experience frustrating or invasive. Here's why:

  • 🔄 A new interface that’s not made for everyone

    The redesigned Start menu and taskbar break from decades of familiarity. For less technical users, this creates unnecessary confusion and slows down simple tasks.

  • 🔐 A push toward Microsoft accounts and online syncing

    You're now required to sign in with a Microsoft account, even just to set up your own computer. Local accounts (which don’t sync your data to the cloud) are harder to create — and often hidden.

  • 🛍️ Ads and promotions in the Start Menu and Settings

    Microsoft now includes advertisements for products and services inside the operating system itself. This includes suggestions for OneDrive, Office 365, Xbox Game Pass, and more.

  • 👁️ Built-in AI assistants and background data collection

    Windows 11 integrates cloud-based features like Copilot and Cortana that connect to Microsoft’s servers. These tools often collect usage data to “improve the experience,” even if you're not using them actively.

  • 📡 Your activities are logged and shared

    Unless you go through several menus to opt out, Windows tracks your typing, browsing, location, app usage, and more — and shares that data with Microsoft. These settings are often reset after updates.

  • 🐌 Slower on older hardware

    Even if your PC meets the minimum requirements, you might find Windows 11 less responsive than Windows 10 — especially during startup or while multitasking. Extra services, animations, and background syncing all add to the load.

In short

Windows 11 is no longer just your computer’s operating system, it's part of a much larger ecosystem that wants your attention, data, and money.

Option 2: Opting in for Security Updates​

"Opting in" sounds like the perfect deal at first sight, but let's got a little deeper and see what that actually means.

You now have three ways to keep getting security updates:

  1. Back up to the cloud with OneDrive

    Free, but requires syncing your settings and files with Microsoft’s servers. You only get 5GB of storage for free; larger backups may require a subscription.

  2. Redeem Microsoft Rewards points

    You can exchange 1,000 points for one year of updates. But not everyone uses or accumulates these points.

  3. Pay $30/year

    A subscription model for extended security updates. Businesses may extend this up to 3 years; for home users, it only buys time.

While these options are welcome, they come with strings attached: subscriptions, accounts, ads, and eventually a deadline. They are designed to delay the inevitable, not avoid it.

A Better Way Forward​

Instead of upgrading or paying, you can switch to a modern, fast, and free system designed with privacy and security in mind.

That system is called Linux, and I can help you make the switch with no tech knowledge required.

Learn what Linux is and why it’s a great choice →