One of my PCs runs Windows 10 and is not Windows 11 compatible. Microsoft is ending security updates and support for Windows 10 in October 2025. The PC is still very powerful and runs extremely well. While it is by no means the end of the world, its a nice little back-up desktop and I hate the idea that it may become essentially worthless junk in a few months.
Has anybody heard of any workarounds? What are some options for people who want to continue using these devices?
I intend to use the end of Win 10 support to convince my wife I need to update my 8 year old computer to something more modern. I will then use the current computer to play old games on, while playing the high speed, low drag games on the new system. I will also use the new system to justify my b*tching about Microsoft not supporting a perfectly good OS that they promised they would when it first came out.
Quote from: Tripoli on November 17, 2024, 11:40:25 AMI intend to use the end of Win 10 support to convince my wife I need to update my 8 year old computer to something more modern. I will then use the current computer to play old games on, while playing the high speed, low drag games on the new system. I will also use the new system to justify my b*tching about Microsoft not supporting a perfectly good OS that they promised they would when it first came out.
I'm sort of doing that now. That is, using the Win10 rig to run games I don't want to take up prime HD space on my main systems...but once Win10 support stops, I think it will be risky to be connected to the internet since the security updates will cease. I guess that is my chief concern.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on November 17, 2024, 11:59:57 AMQuote from: Tripoli on November 17, 2024, 11:40:25 AMI intend to use the end of Win 10 support to convince my wife I need to update my 8 year old computer to something more modern. I will then use the current computer to play old games on, while playing the high speed, low drag games on the new system. I will also use the new system to justify my b*tching about Microsoft not supporting a perfectly good OS that they promised they would when it first came out.
I'm sort of doing that now. That is, using the Win10 rig to run games I don't want to take up prime HD space on my main systems...but once Win10 support stops, I think it will be risky to be connected to the internet since the security updates will cease. I guess that is my chief concern.
Maybe I'm wrong but I have more trust in my own internet security software than in windows updates.
When my software no longer supports Win10 that will be my final cue.
It's just that I'm currently dreading the time it takes to set up a new PC more than I am looking forward to a more powerful system.
I only use Windows Defender. I guess that is one option...to use a third-party security vendor.
You can pay Microsoft $30 for 1 more year of patches.
You can circumvent the Win11 check and install even on rejected PCs.
Quote from: Redwolf on November 17, 2024, 02:43:05 PMYou can circumvent the Win11 check and install even on rejected PCs.
You can install win11 on a PC that is not "compatible"?
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on November 17, 2024, 04:14:26 PMQuote from: Redwolf on November 17, 2024, 02:43:05 PMYou can circumvent the Win11 check and install even on rejected PCs.
You can install win11 on a PC that is not "compatible"?
Yes. There is light registry hacking involved, but no big deal.
Random link, not sure how up-to-date it is:
https://www.xda-developers.com/install-windows-11-unsupported-pc/
Hm, interesting. I didn't bother to install Win10 on my aging MachV supercomputer, once Win 8.1 stopped being supported (thus killing my Steam access in effect), because I heard Win10 was next on the chopping block and Win11 wouldn't work on the supercomputer. For which I then got a very nice laptop desktop-replacement; and I don't know that I'd hack my registry to install Win11 on "The Presence" (because it looks like the black monolith from 2001), because its BIOS is getting shaky anyway.
However, I also know our computer systems at work are about to tank Win10, and I'm not looking forward to helping migrate them to new rigs (such as they are, we don't need awesome things). On the other hand, I'd have to research what that registry change does, to avoid exposing the current rigs to problems since our company's accounting is on them as well as two or three other companies. (The guy who bought our family business when we (semi-)retired already owns a few other businesses and helps run some more. He's very busy.)
Still, I'll keep it in mind!
Microsoft Loosens Windows 11 Install Requirements, TPM 2.0 Not Needed Anymore
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/microsoft-loosens-windows-11-install-requirements-tpm-2-0-not-needed-anymore.329691/
What I really want is a test program that says what specifically is not in order, instead of just a blanket yes/no on everything combined.
Quote from: Redwolf on December 13, 2024, 05:19:17 PMWhat I really want is a test program
It's not a program but Microsoft did release a short manual :evil: :
1) Buy a new PC
2) Buy and install Windows 11
Quote from: Redwolf on December 13, 2024, 05:19:17 PMMicrosoft Loosens Windows 11 Install Requirements, TPM 2.0 Not Needed Anymore
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/microsoft-loosens-windows-11-install-requirements-tpm-2-0-not-needed-anymore.329691/
What I really want is a test program that says what specifically is not in order, instead of just a blanket yes/no on everything combined.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2024/12/14/microsoft-warns-400-million-windows-users-do-not-update-your-pc/
This appeared to be a serious shift in policy, affecting the 400 million Windows users whose PCs do not meet the minimum threshold and preventing "the single largest surge in junked computers in history, with dire consequences for both consumers and the environment." But even if true, it would have been entirely pointless, given the sacrifice of the very security support users would be looking to maintain.
And it wasn't true. As has now been clarified by Microsoft and reported by Neowin on Friday,
"Microsoft [has] confirmed it's not lowering Windows 11 system requirements for unsupported hardware... Microsoft has noticed the buzz and has updated the article yet again. This time, the headline of the piece has been updated from 'Installing Windows 11 on devices that don't meet minimum system requirements' to 'Windows 11 on devices that don't meet minimum system requirements'."
And the company has gone further, publishing an "important update" to users on the support article: "This support article was originally published on October 4, 2021, when Windows 11 was first released to the public. At the time of publication and still today, the intention behind this support page is to detail considerations for customers to understand the implications of installing Windows 11 against Microsoft's recommendation on devices that don't meet system requirements for Windows 11. If you installed Windows 11 on a device not meeting Windows 11 system requirements, Microsoft recommends you roll back to Windows 10 immediately."
Put more simply,
"Windows 11 minimum system requirements remain unchanged." The fact that even the reporting suggesting a change added the caveat that support would fall away, meant that users should never have followed the advice. As a Windows 10 user approaching end of support, you want to move to Windows 11 on your incompatible PC to maintain support. And while you can now do this, you will likely lose support. "So we're back to square one," says Tom's Hardware.
Well.
Either way Win11 is just a few regedits away.
I'm thinking about this to replace my 5 year old Windows 10 PC :
Alienware Aurora R16 RPL Gaming Computer, Intel Core i9 14900KF, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD, Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X, Windows 11 Home.
Looks like a good deal for 2600 € ($ 2700).
https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0CR976L8V/?coliid=I3B0H53V3SXPEB&colid=2N6ZZ5K95UOXV&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&language=en_GB
Quote from: Pete Dero on December 14, 2024, 02:11:07 PMI'm thinking about this to replace my 5 year old Windows 10 PC :
Alienware Aurora R16 RPL Gaming Computer, Intel Core i9 14900KF, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD, Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X, Windows 11 Home.
Looks like a good deal for 2600 € ($ 2700).
https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0CR976L8V/?coliid=I3B0H53V3SXPEB&colid=2N6ZZ5K95UOXV&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&language=en_GB
Did Alienware release a BIOS with Intel's fix for 13/14th gen?
Quote from: Redwolf on December 14, 2024, 05:47:34 PMDid Alienware release a BIOS with Intel's fix for 13/14th gen?
I have no idea. If I get this one it would be my first Alienware PC.
Is there a problem with them ?
Quote from: Pete Dero on December 15, 2024, 04:31:43 AMQuote from: Redwolf on December 14, 2024, 05:47:34 PMDid Alienware release a BIOS with Intel's fix for 13/14th gen?
I have no idea. If I get this one it would be my first Alienware PC.
Is there a problem with them ?
Yes, the 13th and 14th gen basically self-destruct without that BIOS fix.
Necroing the thread to check the current status: assuming new computers at work aren't in the budget, is a light registry hack still the best idea? Or buying Win11 to install on the current systems then rolling back to Win 10?
I've been thinking about this too. I have two rigs on Win 10 that cannot be upgraded.
When the time comes that Win10 lacks security patches I will have a good look at Win11 at that point in time. I have a feeling that Microsoft has some crazy changes that they plan to commit to 11.
I'll likely pay the $30 for 1 year more of support for Win10.
I would have no problem using a registry hack to run Win11. I just don't want a brickton of unwanted changes to rain down on my systems once I am committed into Win11.
Last time I checked (months ago), Win11 requires certain hardware features (probably on motherboard) for their software to function. I know my 5 year old motherboard doesn't meet the standard. I can purchase a year of Win10 security updates from Microsoft if I choose.
And I believe that Microsoft desperately wants to go to a subscription model for Windows that will bring in a buttload of money every year from us suckers.
Wait, Steam won't let me play my games when WIN10 gets boxed? What about installing Linux or some other operating system? Could you log into Steam and still play?
Quote from: W8taminute on April 15, 2025, 08:43:45 PMWait, Steam won't let me play my games when WIN10 gets boxed? What about installing Linux or some other operating system? Could you log into Steam and still play?
Where did you see that? I read that Steam will require at least Win 10 as of Jan of last year but nothing about win11.
Quote from: W8taminute on April 15, 2025, 08:43:45 PMWait, Steam won't let me play my games when WIN10 gets boxed? What about installing Linux or some other operating system? Could you log into Steam and still play?
Steam stopped supporting Windows before Win10 because the Electron toolkit made by Google that the Steam client is based on stopped supporting them. There is no sign that Google stops supporting Win10 in Electron anytime soon.
Linux would be an alternative, but not everything runs on it.
RIP Windows 10.
https://www.engadget.com/computing/windows-10-support-ends-today-but-heres-how-to-get-an-extra-year-for-free-125118540.html
I got the extra year of security patches for free because I had backed up my system at some point. Don't remember doing that 🤔
Quote from: bobarossa on October 14, 2025, 08:21:17 PMI got the extra year of security patches for free because I had backed up my system at some point. Don't remember doing that 🤔
Nobody does. Seems to be some "auto-opt-in".
I just got an email from Microsoft saying they are extending the security updates for Win10 machines for another year. I'm guessing this only applies to those already in the extended program. I was planning to replace my 7 year old machine this fall and assimilating into Win 11 but it looks like I can procrastinate another year (assuming it doesn't die of old age).
Quote from: bobarossa on July 10, 2026, 09:16:41 PMI just got an email from Microsoft saying they are extending the security updates for Win10 machines for another year. I'm guessing this only applies to those already in the extended program. I was planning to replace my 7 year old machine this fall and assimilating into Win 11 but it looks like I can procrastinate another year (assuming it doesn't die of old age).
I just signed up two of my older rigs for the extended security updates and it said they expire in late 2027.