Sept 2025
We all probably had knowledge that this day would come but maybe secretly thought it wouldn’t! Bill Gates had the dream of eveyone having access to a PC and did (almost) everything possible to make sure that newer versions of “Windows” were backwards comapatible with older kit. Unfortunately, this meant that Microsoft had to make compromises. For sure, it has become more secure and more reliable but lacked the robustness. Compare this to “Apple” who have the “policy” of “This is the way we do things and you need suitable kit”. This makes “Apple” kit very robust and reliable – it always works, maybe not how you want it to but always works it does!
Since “Windows 8” Microsoft have been more proactive in the security of devices running “Windows” and since “Windows 10”, they have got the security of “Windows” under control. You no longer need 3rd party Antivirus or Firewall etc because “Windows” does it all and it does it very well.
Along comes “Windows 11” and Microsoft now want to take total control of the security of your device. Like “Apple”, they now insist on a MINIMUM spec for hardware which has caused headaches for a lot of people because older kit is no longer supported. People like me and maybe you, runing “Windows 10” on kit that does the job – plenty of RAM, decent CPU amd SSD but it doesn’t have the Trusted platform or a CPU that is suitable for “Windows 11”. grrr spit grrrr.
What do I do, what do you do. If the kit you have does what you want but isn’t suitable for “Windows 11”. Rock, hard place.
I do have a “Samba server“ that runs on Rocky Linux (which replaced Cent OS), should I ditch “Windows” and use a desktop version of Linux e.g. Rocky or Ubuntu etc. I’ve been an advocate of Microsoft since the early 1990s, “Windows 95” was a game changer and I haven’t looked back. I’ve become a serious advocate of “Windows” and I “get” Microsoft. I’ve played with several Linux “Distros” and haven’t found any that have a GUI as good as “Windows”.
So I decided to purchase some new (to me) kit that came with “Windows 11” installed. It wasn’t an easy decision because I’m a Yorkshire lad that doesn’t like spending money to buy kit to replace kit that is doing its job.
So now I have several PCs runing “Windows 11” but was it worth the expense?
The (refurbished) Desktop PCs that I have purchased have a better / higher spec CPU, 16 GB RAM and SSDs and all came with “Windows 11 Pro” installed so now my desktop PCs are fully compliant with “Windows 11” and are basically more secure. “Windows 11” has a familiar feel but in many ways it is annoying and isn’t as “customisable” as previous versions.
Microsoft appear to be intent in making “Windows” similar to “Apple” in that they dictate the minimum spec of hardware. This will potentially mean that “Windows” will become very robust, reliable and very secure. Who would not want that? Businesses would certainly want that and they can afford to replace older kit.
Some “home” users might feel that they have been abandoned by Microsoft because they can’t afford to keep buying new kit. Certainly the minimum spec has excluded MILLIONS of people upgrading to Windows 11 (which has now been available for about 3 years). Windows 10 is still going to work but ultimately things like browser support will make it difficult to get an Internet connection.
Linux has been around for many years and will do what most “Home” users want to do e.g. connect to the Internet, get mail, browse websites and Linux is “open source” and is FREE. It is worth a look at, IMO the GUI won’t be as good as “Windows” but it is improving all the time. Microsoft seemed to have fell in love with Linux a few years ago and they have made it easy to “Dual Boot” e.g choose between “Windows” or “Linux”.
As an aside, Linux uses the open source version of UNIX. So the core of al Linux distros is still UNIX but much more developed.
Linux has many “distros” which basically means there are many “Versions”. They all use the “Open Source” Linux and adapt it to do things the way they want but use the “Linux engine”. Some of the most popular Linux Distros are:-
Summary
If you want to stay with Microsoft and use “Windows 11”
- You need to purchase suitable kit, if your kit isn’t suitable.
- Maybe check out refurbished kit with “Windows 11” installled.
If you are happy to say goodbye to “Windows”.
- Have a look at the various Linux “distros”
- Download and install the distro you fancy.
You might need to try a few Linux distros to find one that you are happy with. Some are available as “portable” which means you can run them from a bootable USB stick. This makes it easier to decide which distro is best for you.
Windows 10 won’t stop working after September 2025 but with no security or other bug fixes, it will eventually become unusable. I know of people hat are still running Windows XP but Internet access is difficult. I know of people still running Windows 7 but again it is difficult to find a browser that will connect to the Internet.
The choice is yours. I’m an advocate of Microsoft Windows but as an administrator I find that “Windows 11” is annoying. Its likely that most uses will get used to the changes and grow to love “Windows 11”. The File Explorer is a bit of a headache, its more like “Windows 7” with the “Libraries” and the “Start Menu” is WTF (I can’t find a less rude description).
“Windows 11” is a very secure OS (Operating System). Its robustness remains to be seem but so far I don’t have any problems. The added security with the “Minimum Hardware Spec” has enhanced the security and should make “Widows” more reliable and robust.
If you can afford to upgrade old kit, Windows 11 is a good choice.