Windows 10 Now Not Supported

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the implications of Windows 10 no longer being supported, exploring various user experiences and solutions for operating systems, including alternatives like Linux. Participants share their personal approaches to managing their systems and express opinions on the longevity of older operating systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention using debloated versions of Windows to enhance performance, citing specific tools like Velotic and Primocache.
  • Others express confidence in continuing to use Windows 10 despite its end of support, referencing experiences with older operating systems like Windows XP.
  • There are discussions about the availability of extended support for Windows and the existence of headless devices that continue to operate on outdated software.
  • Some participants highlight their transition to Linux, noting its maturity and usability for ordinary users.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the security implications of using outdated systems, particularly for devices connected to the internet.
  • Participants share anecdotes about using older hardware and software in professional settings, emphasizing the longevity of certain systems.
  • There is a mention of the challenges and risks associated with networking older systems, particularly in industrial contexts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the use of Windows 10 and alternatives like Linux, with no clear consensus on the best approach. Some advocate for continuing with Windows, while others strongly support switching to Linux. Concerns about security and the practicality of using outdated systems are also debated.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the reliability of debloated Windows versions and their future interactions with Microsoft. There are also unresolved discussions about the security risks associated with outdated systems, particularly in relation to internet connectivity.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to users considering their options following the end of support for Windows 10, those exploring alternatives like Linux, and individuals concerned about the security of older operating systems.

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Well, the date has now passed, and Windows 10 is no longer supported.

Hopefully, the readers of this forum have done one of the many ways this issue can be handled.

If not, do a YouTube search and a smorgasbord of solutions will be returned.

What I want to mention is that I chose to use a debloated Windows from a debloater. There are many available options, e.g., Chris Titus Utilities (I used a product called Velotic, which also features AI to prevent your computer from overheating etc, among other benefits, such as optimising resources like memory usage). I also installed a caching program (Primocache).

Although the hardware is still over 10 years old, everything is now virtually instantaneous.

I must also mention that I was banned, despite it being perfectly legal, in another forum for saying this particular solution. It is also on YouTube, so it is hardly secret forbidden knowledge.

Go figure.

Thanks
Bill
 
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I know people who still use Windows XP, without any problems. Hence I do not expect problems with my Windows 10. I will switch to Windows 11 only if I will buy a new desktop/laptop, which I don't plan to do in a near future.
 
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bhobba said:
Well, the date has now passed, and Windows 10 is no longer supported.

Hopefully, the readers of this forum have done one of the many ways this issue can be handled.

If not, do a YouTube search and a smorgasbord of solutions will be returned.

What I want to mention is that I chose to use a debloated Windows from a debloater. There are many available options, e.g., Chris Titus Utilities (I used a product called Velotic, which also features AI to prevent your computer from overheating etc, among other benefits, such as optimising resources like memory usage). I also installed a caching program (Primocache).

Although the hardware is still over 10 years old, everything is now virtually instantaneous.

I must also mention that I was banned, despite it being perfectly legal, in another forum for saying this particular solution. It is also on YouTube, so it is hardly secret forbidden knowledge.

Go figure.

Thanks
Bill
Which option for Velotic did you use?
 
bhobba said:
Well, the date has now passed, and Windows 10 is no longer supported.
I don't know if it's still available, but I was offered another year of free support and accepted it on all my devices. It's worth checking.

extended.webp


Also, there are a lot of headless devices like industrial controllers that run windows; you can get support for much longer if you want it enough to pay for it:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/faq/extended-security-updates
 
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PeroK said:
Which option for Velotic did you use?

The one that requires a yearly fee because it includes the AI.

There is one available for a one-time payment of approximately $20.00, excluding the AI.

Thanks
Bill
 
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Luckily, when I had to buy a new laptop in December 2024, I switched to Ubuntu Linux. Windows 11 is still on my laptop, but it has been 9 months since booting into Windows.
 
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I remember working at Maersk Data writing web apps we had to support the most ridiculously outdated versions of browsers because some customers was from, for instance, Africa, and was still using IE versions lower than 4! Talk about nightmare!

But yeah, I made the change to Linux long ago. Ubuntu has matured to the point that ordinary users can find their way around it without being downright geeks.
 
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sbrothy said:
I remember working at Maersk Data writing web apps we had to support the most ridiculously outdated versions of browsers because some customers was from, for instance, Africa, and was still using IE versions lower than 4! Talk about nightmare!

But yeah, I made the change to Linux long ago. Ubuntu has matured to the point that ordinary users can find their way around it without being downright geeks.
Yeah, I was thinking about Linux all the way back in 2022, and finally made the switch at the end of 2024. Crazy how folks can still use old browsers and OSes.
 
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AlexB23 said:
Crazy how folks can still use old browsers and OSes.
There's millions of headless PCs doing industrial controls and front ends that don't ever get software upgrades and run for decades.
 
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  • #10
russ_watters said:
There's millions of headless PCs doing industrial controls that don't ever get software upgrades and run for decades.
Yeah. When I was doing my PhD our desktop machines were Pentium IIs running Windows 98 or 2000, but we still had 386s and 486s in the lab running MS DOS because they ran bits of custom electronics that we needed and more modern machines didn't have the slots for the I/O cards, let alone being able to run such elderly software.

I guess they eventually died and somebody got to reverse engineer the interface into something more modern. Or maybe they're still there, chugging away.
 
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  • #11
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  • #12
Been on Linux since 2008. Can't understand why people still stick to Windows.

It's 2026, maybe time to definitely switch to Linux :)

Of course, using Win xp while having internet is not a good idea.
 
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  • #13
fluidistic said:
Been on Linux since 2008. Can't understand why people still stick to Windows.

It's 2026, maybe time to definitely switch to Linux :)

Of course, using Win xp while having internet is not a good idea.
Dayum, son. Nearly 20 years of Linux. But yeah, Linux can now game. Back in 2008, that was probably a nightmare to set up. I am not a gamer, but I follow tech news. One major innovation is the Valve Proton compatibility layer, allowing video games to be run on Linux. The guys/gals at Valve made this software to sell their Linux console.

Linux can also be used to run AI models such as Mistral Small 3.2 or Qwen 3 on GPUs using Vulkan. My laptop GPU does not have the power to run these.
 
  • #14
russ_watters said:
There's millions of headless PCs doing industrial controls and front ends that don't ever get software upgrades and run for decades.
Yeah, besides being a mess it also a security nightmare.
 
  • #15
sbrothy said:
Yeah, besides being a mess it also a security nightmare.
Only for computers connected to the internet.
 
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  • #16
bhobba said:
I chose to use a debloated Windows from a debloater.
The idea is good, but I have some concerns regarding either the 'debloater' and also the debloated piece vs. MS future interaction (and I'm also not really happy with MS itself, to be honest...).

So the only affected tablet of my collection will just get a fitting Linux when the time comes.
 
  • #17
russ_watters said:
Only for computers connected to the internet.
In this day and age I'd almost argue that a computer not connected to net hardly qualifies. I mean even a refrigerator is connected to the IoT.
 
  • #18
sbrothy said:
In this day and age I'd almost argue that a computer not connected to net hardly qualifies. I mean even a refrigerator is connected to the IoT.
It's a massive security risk and a conscious choice to avoid it. The Target hack 10 years ago happened because an HVAC controller was networked and provided a pathway to the payment processing system. Rather than worrying about keeping your HVAC controlls secure and up to date on patches, it's easier and safer to just not have it on the internet.

I go through this sometimes with my clients; a big parts washer is run by a PLC. The vendor wants it networked so they can do remote diagnostics. Getting it approved for a connection is a process, and often denied.

https://redriver.com/security/target-data-breach

"The vector of the Target data breach was one of the corporate giant’s HVAC vendors, Fazio Mechanical Services. Hackers obtained credentials used by the vendor to access a Target web application.

Once inside, attackers moved laterally through the network, eventually planting malware on cash registers across the country. This technique of exploiting a “trusted” vendor connection is a case study in why zero-trust architecture is now a foundational part of modern cybersecurity frameworks."
 
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