Windows 10 will run out of support in October 2025

Many of you probably have switched to Windows 11 in the meantime, but some may still stick to Windows 10 and are not aware of the changes that will happen next year.

The official end for Windows 10 is the 14th of October 2025. Sounds like a long time and nothing to worry about, but I generally recommend to plan ahead as there are financial costs involved in some cases.
- Windows 11 runs only on systems made after 2018. Here is a checklist: AMD processors and Intel processors. If your processor is not supported, you would need to buy a new computer (laptop/PC).
- Most of the issues with Windows 10/11 are down to the non-updated BIOS, drivers and firmware.
Regularly check with your system's manufacturer what updates they have in offer.
Since 2020, Microsoft has turned Windows upside down and that's why the hardware needs regularly be updated. Many printers needed a firmware update when Microsoft changed the print support in Windows in 2022.
- In my experience, if one OS runs out of support, there will be a high demand in new computers and prices go up. If your system is older and can't get Windows 11 installed, have a look at shops what specifications and prices new systems have got to be prepared.
Windows 11 uses heavily AI and a 16 GB RAM system for simple computer tasks, and 32 GB RAM for stuff like video-editing are recommend. Don't invest into a 8GB RAM system, there will be no RAM left to work with your own programs.
- Many newer software can be updated and runs on Windows 11. Some older software eventually needs to be purchased again, which is also to consider as a strain on your pocket.
- Microsoft started working on a new type of processor like Apple did with M processors. It had set a target for 2025/2026.
What happened to Apple systems in 2020 was that M processor systems were cheaper, but Intel systems were hard to get and especially, the price went up. Apple now only ships with M processors.
That required that all of the software needed to be changed to this new kind of processor.
It might be that offered Windows systems also suddenly change next year.

What happens if you stay with Windows 10?
- Microsoft will probably not take actions as it did in 2015, but there will regularly pop up a reminder.
- Your browsers will no longer be updated and fall out of support which means that you will have less and less access to your daily browsing life (won't happen with gardenerscorner, but your online banking and other websites).

What happens if you organise a Windows 11 in the internet that ignores an old system?
- There are indeed such copies and some people install them just to find out that nothing works, because Windows 11 can't work with their hardware.

 

We use Windows 7 together with Firefox and IBM Trusteer Rapport. It still works! Of course I have my smartphone as a backup, but don't like to use it for banking.

This Windows upgrading is a pain that the Gov needs to sort out, as using the Internet is now essential. It needs regulating - let's call it OffIT.

 

OffIT! Love it!

 

I wrote this thread while testing LinuxMint22, because my distro is no longer what it used to be.
Nevertheless, that was said when Win7 run out of support in 2020 and almost all continued using Windows.

 

I have been using Linux since I got hit by a virus whilst using Windows - it was Windows Vista so I've been with Linux a long time. My favoured distribution is Kubuntu. Still have to use Windows at work and I hate it, we have all sorts of corporate nonsense on top of the Microsoft pain.

 

When I started in IT support, Windows 3.1 was the operating system of choice and occupied 3 floppy disks each with a capacity of 1.44 mb. Yes you read that right folks. Total installation would take 10 to 15 minutes max.

 

I used to have to install a database system that came on 32 floppy disks; you had to sit there all day waiting for it to prompt for the next disk, and then make sure you gave it the right one ...

I also date from the era when floppy disks were genuinely floppy.

 

Blimey, we are showing our ages now. I started on mainframe computers too. Kids today will never believe that it had 64k main memory in a cabinet about 5 feet long, 4 feet high and 2 feet deep. The processing cabinet was at least twice that size.
We had the same 'curling stone' removable disks which had multiple platters and were cleaned with alcohol on a foam rubber stick, for want of a better description.

 

I thought it was said that windows 10 was going to be the last just upgardes or did i dream that??