Verification of TPM installation
Verification of TPM installation
You ride your motorbike without a helmet, and nobody seems to mind. Just keep it secret from others. I’m not endorsing this behavior, but I suppose they might have been curious about upgrading their operating system. The discussion about adding the TPM module makes sense; otherwise they’d stick with W10. Technically, W10 isn’t at end-of-life from a security standpoint, though it will be in October. I considered W10 until about three years ago, before the ESU was revealed. At that time I owned four W10 machines. Afterward, I upgraded to AM5 systems and naturally switched to W11. All my older non-TPM PCs got W11 and functioned well. I also experimented with Linux, but it didn’t meet my requirements—especially for remote work or DRM content. So W11 became the only viable choice when I was refurbishing old hardware. I still run Linux in a dual-boot setup on my desk and a media PC in my living room. I appreciate Linux, but compatibility issues are beyond individual control. Ultimately, I need a stable system. I use W11 at work too, so it’s convenient. Everyone should try W11 if they’re considering Windows options. It addresses most common complaints about home or Pro setups. No AI involved, no feature upgrades, no MS account, no TPM, no Edge, and telemetry can be turned off (same for Enterprise). I believe this is the best middle ground if you depend on Windows software. Those who advocate keeping W10 will agree with me once Microsoft announces W12. How do I know that? Those groups did the same when XP reached EOL and again with W7.
No worries! Many would prefer Win12 to be a cleaner alternative compared to Win11. XP and W7 offered better usability than Vista and Win8. W7 resolved the problems Vista introduced, while W10 provided a noticeable upgrade for those disliking W8. If W12 delivers a similar positive experience to XP, it could quickly replace Vista users moving to W7 or even W10.
UI varies in personal preference. The W11 centered task launcher performs well on large screens and can be adjusted to the left if necessary. File Explorer with tabs enhances efficiency. Virtual desktops also contribute positively. Disorganized system settings (Settings, control panel, etc.) are frustrating, a problem also seen with W10. Remember, Windows is primarily for office productivity; home use is just an added advantage. Many recall positive aspects from earlier versions. W10 ended its support recently, so no further updates were released. This is likely what users miss and find irritating in W11. When W10 launched, it wasn’t flawless either—it introduced new features that some found annoying or caused issues. That’s why I suggest exploring W11 IoT, which focuses solely on quality and security updates without new additions. It feels similar to how W10 was in its final years.
It's clear I'm concerned about Microsoft's direction. My grandfather seems better off sticking with Windows 10 and Linux because they're simpler, while I prefer staying on my own terms without constant updates or security worries.
There is that win11 LTSC @Lurking was talking about, but win10 LTSC is still getting support as well. I'm guessing your grandpa wants to keep all the gimmicky stuff though, which the enterprise versions don't have I believe. I understand, some people like it. My grandfather has win11 on his PC with a 2 core CPU and 4 gigs of RAM and it runs like hot garbage. I hate being honest sometimes, but I had to call his PC a waste of money, because this was "modern" junk. With that in mind, I hope yours has enough system RAM because it is so easy to use almost 8GB of RAM these days.
This setup is extremely lightweight, perfect for minimal tasks. The W11 IOT model uses just 8GB and an i5-7500 processor, which is ideal for very basic use. It runs with only 4GB RAM after startup, and the iGPU needs some system memory. Running Linux on 4GB will feel constrained, especially when browsing multiple tabs. For smoother performance, consider using lightweight desktops like xfce or Fluxbox. Manufacturers often exaggerate requirements—most likely they expect at least 4GB RAM and a modern CPU. Still, 8GB is the absolute minimum without extra services like OneDrive.