Despite the impending end-of-life for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, a significant number of users remain hesitant to transition to Windows 11. This reluctance can be attributed to various factors, including perceived design flaws in Windows 11 and its demanding minimum system requirements. However, the landscape is evolving, with a surge of alternatives emerging that aim to alleviate some of these concerns for users.
One notable example is Tiny11, a tool designed to create a lightweight version of Windows 11 tailored for older and unsupported PCs. Recently, Tiny11 received a substantial update, now supporting Windows 11 version 25H2 while eliminating certain Microsoft applications such as the new Outlook and Copilot.
As Microsoft gears up for the rollout of Windows 11 version 25H2, expected to occur in waves from September through October, it’s important to note that this update will not introduce any new features. Meanwhile, speculation surrounding a potential successor to Windows 11 remains largely unaddressed by Microsoft, although whispers of Windows 12 have circulated over the past few years.
What’s next for Microsoft’s ecosystem after Windows 10 reaches end-of-life?
Amidst this uncertainty, Windows enthusiasts, including concept designer Abdi (known as AR 4789 on YouTube), continue to envision the future. Abdi previously captivated audiences with his Windows 12.2 “next evolution” concept, which offered a refreshing take on the operating system, emphasizing nostalgic themes reminiscent of Windows 7 while placing Microsoft’s aggressive Copilot AI initiative on the back burner.
In his latest endeavor, titled “Brilliant Windows 12,” Abdi introduces a host of innovative features. This concept not only enhances the aesthetics of Windows 11 but also incorporates practical functionalities such as “Collectzone,” a feature that allows users to compile multiple wallpapers into easily accessible collections. Additionally, the concept merges the Control Panel with the operating system’s settings, streamlining the user experience and enabling greater personalization.
Among the standout features of the Brilliant Windows 12 concept are Quick interactive settings, which facilitate the swift activation of dark mode—a feature that has drawn criticism in Windows 11. These settings also include a screenshot button, providing users with convenient access to previously captured images or the ability to take new ones.
Furthermore, the concept showcases Copilot AI’s advanced search capabilities, enhancing user interaction. Notably, it grants users increased control over customization options, allowing widgets to be placed anywhere within the operating system, thereby fostering a more personalized computing environment.
While Microsoft’s vision for a future operating system that transcends the limitations of Windows 11 remains somewhat ambiguous, the potential for integrating some of these innovative ideas is intriguing. Recently, Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s CVP and Windows lead, hinted at a future where the successor to Windows 11 would offer “a truly ambient and multi-modal experience made possible by AI that will redefine our usage of computers.“
As the clock ticks down to Windows 10’s end-of-life, the dynamics within Microsoft’s ecosystem are shifting. Despite the company’s push for users to upgrade to Windows 11, third-party alternatives are gaining traction, presenting a formidable challenge to Microsoft’s dominance in the operating system market.
The impending transition has sparked backlash among users, particularly in light of Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which aims to provide continued security support beyond the October 2025 cutoff. While Microsoft encourages users to embrace Windows 11, the ESU program offers an alternative for those unwilling or unable to upgrade, albeit at a cost of for extended security updates that can support up to 10 devices.
In the face of bold claims from Microsoft, such as “Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3x faster than Windows 10 PCs,” many users have expressed frustration, perceiving the end of support for Windows 10 as a strategy to drive sales of newer devices. A public interest research group has even petitioned against this decision, warning that it could lead to “the single biggest jump in dumped computers ever.” Despite the introduction of the ESU program, critics argue that it fails to address the needs of the estimated 400 million PCs unable to upgrade to Windows 11.
With half of today’s PCs still operating on Windows 10, as indicated by HP and Dell, the potential for security vulnerabilities looms large. Nevertheless, Microsoft stands to gain significantly from its ESU program, projecting earnings exceeding billion from enterprise clients in the first year following Windows 10’s end-of-life.
