Planned approach for Windows 10 EOL by October 2025
Planned approach for Windows 10 EOL by October 2025
I realize it's still a while before W10 reaches its end of life. However, my thought is that in 2025 there won't be any security updates left, which could make these systems unsafe for devices linked to the web. I'm trying to make smart choices now so they remain reliable for years ahead. I own four computers, none qualify for W11, but they all serve their purpose. Each has 16GB RAM and an SSD; none have a graphics card (no gaming). My main machine is an i7-7700K, followed by an older i7, and two Core 2Duo processors (still strong back then). The two i7s are also used at home for remote work. The two Core 2Duo act as my living room setup—streaming YouTube, watching converted videos, and backing up main data. One is on a TV, the other on a 4K model that sometimes falters with 4K content. All devices connect via CAT6 and my router. Except the main rig, it uses an older HDD, which I keep for occasional backups (like in case of a house fire). In the coming years, I plan to upgrade only the main machine and swap out the struggling Core 2Duo for something better at 4K. Everything else is fine. I don’t want to rely on smart TVs or other devices in living rooms since they limit my backup options. I need a solid keyboard and PC to stream YouTube or browse without issues. Most of my viewing is YouTube with searches, and sometimes people use them for general browsing or searching. Any TV solution I tried didn’t work well. I also test streaming on my phone, but the connection isn’t stable. I might be okay if one computer skips its HDD for backup, though. Right now I’ve kept all three with HDDs, using the old ones for backups whenever needed (in case of a disaster). Still, I’m curious whether replacing more than one before 2025 makes sense and if selling the older models would be wise—given how quickly technology changes. These machines are still working well; I just worry about what happens after W10.
We possess two desks designed for remote work, which run Windows PCs. We also have two rooms equipped with TVs—just refurbished old computers from a recent upgrade, essentially free to use. For streaming YouTube or other browsers, I require a functional keyboard and mouse pad, along with a reliable browser. This is merely an illustration of a show accessible only through standard web browsers. Devices like Roku, smart TVs, or Chromecast simply restrict content to what they permit and don’t support full websites. I struggle with remotes lacking a real keyboard (making it hard to input commands without misdirecting the device) and I need to watch movies converted from DVDs stored on our drives, which are also our backup storage. It seems Chromecast doesn’t fully support all these needs. While we have solid WiFi, a CAT 6 connection would be preferable. I’m not certain it’s a dealbreaker compared to the other challenges. If I need new gear, I’m open to alternatives beyond a PC, though I worry they won’t meet every requirement. My primary system will likely get upgraded. My oldest Core-2-Duo uses DDR3, so it would be replaced entirely. The others have 16GB DDR4 and are more capable. A recent i7 on a desktop would need a new case, a compatible power supply, and better cooling—plus the CPU and RAM. There’s still time and cost savings as performance improves, but I’d like a clear upgrade path over the next few years. I’m also interested in how people manage with decent but soon-to-be-obsolete hardware if they don’t play games or handle video encoding; quad-core CPUs should suffice for years to come. Microsoft seems to contribute significantly to e-waste, especially when performance isn’t a factor.
For the scenarios you mention, any contemporary Linux distribution is suitable and lacks hardware limitations. There are no peculiar requirements for Windows-specific programs—Ubuntu even includes a built-in RDP client now. Until then, you can simply observe. Windows 7 compatibility was maintained several times due to its continued popularity despite the presence of Windows 10. There’s also evidence suggesting many users won’t transition to Windows 11 and may remain on Windows 10 well beyond 2025.
I was considering a Linux distribution for the living room computers. The two work PCs need Windows to connect remotely, which our IT team requires for installing specific software—don’t ask about it. Would a Linux distro still be able to reach my main system (W11) drive for backups? I’m sure it’s possible, but I’d like it to work as smoothly as with Windows. Also, I hope Microsoft extends the lifespan of W10 or eliminates the hardware limitations for W11.
You can mimic TPM 2.0 with virtualization tools such as QEMU (for example, virt-manager). This allows running Windows 11 inside a VM even on older hardware. Connecting to your Windows system from Linux works smoothly using VNC or RPD clients, and sharing files is possible through SAMBA, FTP, or other methods.
They require a particular software from their IT team for remote access. It’s not something they can easily change, especially after COVID. Any alternative solution would be risky since it could jeopardize remote privileges. Even experts wouldn’t recommend it. IT seems more interested in blaming the software than fixing issues. They have strict policies—no exceptions.
For the two home PCs, I’ll use Windows for the desktop ones and a browser-friendly setup for the living room machines. The living room units are limited to two cores, but they have enough RAM for basic tasks like backing up, streaming, and running Chrome apps. It won’t be smooth if you try to run heavy programs, but it should work fine for everyday use.
The 2-core units have 8GB DDR4 and 16GB DDR3. The system will likely emulate the hardware, so it should function without major hiccups. Just make sure you keep your software up to date and avoid installing anything unauthorized.
The cost of running virtualization is now minimal. However, you won’t be able to run both Windows and Linux simultaneously on just two physical cores—you’ll have to choose one or the other. QEMU doesn’t offer graphics acceleration unless you route a dedicated GPU through your virtual machine. You can configure a VM to start automatically when your Linux system boots for a smoother experience, but you’ll need to learn the specific steps, as methods differ across distributions and vary in how seamless they feel.
You found some ideas to ponder. This virtualization setup seems complex for a work PC you already have. As a beginner, it might require some effort and troubleshooting occasionally. If anything needs manual handling or things don’t work immediately, my wife would be upset if either desktop isn’t set up for remote use right away. For the two work computers, upgrading to W11 would make more sense. This shouldn’t be too difficult since I intended to replace one of them. Regarding the two living room units, trying Linux could work. I think I’ll phase out the dual-core models and use my older quad-core machines there. By then, those dual cores will be over a decade old, which should fix any performance problems.
You're aware that W11 can be installed directly on unsupported systems without needing virtual machines, just a straightforward setup. I see the concept of attempting to recreate TPM 2.0 for W11 as highly questionable if the goal is simply a functional workstation. From a proof-of-concept angle, it could be useful, but there aren’t many detailed guides available. W11 usually requires only one command to bypass typical installation steps and it works smoothly. You’ll find straightforward instructions online.
Meanwhile, W10 IoT Enterprise, which is essentially the same as regular W10, has a clear roadmap for mainstream support through 2027 and extends until 2032. These licenses are often volume-based, so updates should be feasible on basic versions with some registry adjustments, similar to previous releases.
I wouldn’t recommend installing Linux on critical workstations just to run specific software via Wine—it’s inefficient and not ideal. Instead, consider using PCs designed for experimentation. The downsides of C2Ds are significant: they consume large amounts of space, generate noise, and use excessive power. If you’re in Germany, replacing them could save money quickly due to high electricity costs. Modern CPUs can handle demanding tasks efficiently, often using just a few watts, not the hundreds required by older models.
Keyboard and mouse work with almost any device, including phones and Android TVs, and desktop browsers are accessible too. I agree that non-standardized platforms with outdated hardware and software aren’t the best choice.
I’d suggest exploring more standardized ARM-based solutions with hardware decoding for modern codecs (like VP9 and HEVC) and expandability—think of an SBC approach. The Raspberry Pi isn’t ideal for media use, especially compared to current alternatives.
Nvidia Shield is over a decade old, but it was developed rapidly at the time, and its price has remained stable. I’d look into Radxa’s Rock 4-5 or similar devices—they’re widely available in Germany, with TV boxes based on the RK3588 SoC priced around 150€. These SoCs support modern codecs and hardware decoding, making them suitable for desktop use. They’re not just basic toys; they can run PS2 emulators and handle video efficiently while using minimal power (5-15 watts).
For expandability, an SBC setup works well, supporting M.2 drives, SATA devices, and more. TV boxes also have USB ports for external storage. While ARM hardware is still evolving, it offers better performance per watt than older systems. Running x86 software on these devices isn’t practical right now, but the ARM path is promising.
In short, consider sticking to standardized platforms unless you’re comfortable with non-standardized, underpowered setups. The energy savings and future-proofing make a strong case for modern ARM solutions.