obsolescence Archives

Winsage

July 14, 2025

The Restart Project releases the “End of Windows 10 toolkit” to help communities move over to Linux

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in October, prompting users to upgrade to Windows 11 or buy new hardware. The Restart Project is advocating for a switch to Linux, offering a toolkit to help communities transition to open-source solutions instead of upgrading. They highlight that many computers running Windows 10 will not meet Windows 11's requirements, leaving users with unsupported devices. The project promotes an "End of 10" service for repair groups and suggests hosting "End of 10" parties for installing user-friendly Linux distributions like Linux Mint. Some Linux distributions are designed to resemble the Windows experience, making the transition easier for users.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Stop Killing Games takes action against gaming giants

The gaming industry has seen a trend of game cancellations from major companies like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, leading to frustration among gamers. In response, a grassroots initiative called Stop Killing Games has launched a petition that has collected nearly 1.3 million signatures, urging game publishers to fulfill their commitments to consumers. The organization raises legal concerns about publishers marketing expensive games without clear longevity, likening it to planned obsolescence, which undermines customer trust and complicates digital game preservation. They aim for the European Union to enact laws that strengthen consumer rights, potentially allowing defunct games to remain accessible through private servers, with hopes that similar protections could extend to the United States.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

European game publisher group responds to Stop Killing Games, claims ‘These proposals would curtail developer choice”

The Stop Killing Games movement has transitioned into a European Citizens' Initiative, which has faced criticism from Video Games Europe, a trade association for game developers and publishers in the EU. Video Games Europe expressed concerns about the complexities of discontinuing online services, emphasizing that such decisions are multi-faceted and necessary when an online experience is no longer commercially viable. The movement aims to challenge the legality of publishers destroying video games sold to customers, highlighting issues of planned obsolescence and the preservation of digital culture. The movement has gained significant support, amassing over a million signatures for its EU petition, but any potential policy changes would likely be limited to the EU and UK, allowing publishers to continue shutting down games in other regions without similar scrutiny.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

I refuse to upgrade to Windows 11, here’s what I’m doing instead

An old PC with a decade-old motherboard continues to perform basic tasks but struggles with gaming and faces the end of support for Windows 10 in October. The user is not upgrading to Windows 11 due to dissatisfaction with its features and customization limitations. They are considering alternatives, including sticking with Windows 10, which feels temporary, or trying Linux Mint. After a trial run with Linux Mint, the user found the transition seamless and appreciated its customizability and community support. As the end of Windows 10 approaches, the user sees Linux Mint as a stable and personalized computing option.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Microsoft’s big lie: Your computer is fine (and you don’t need to buy a new one)

Microsoft is set to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, despite it being the most widely used version of the operating system, with a market share of 52.94%. Windows 11, which has stricter installation requirements, is being promoted as the necessary upgrade, leaving many users feeling pressured to transition or risk their computers becoming non-functional. The upgrade prompts lack a "Never show again" option, which has raised concerns about user trust. Microsoft’s push for new hardware contributes to the growing issue of electronic waste. Alternatives for users include Linux Mint, which is user-friendly and can run on older hardware, and methods to bypass Windows 11's installation requirements. Tools like Windows 11 Debloat and O&O ShutUp can help users regain control over their systems.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft Ends FrontPage RPC in Secure 365 Update

Microsoft plans to block outdated protocols, including FrontPage Remote Procedure Call, as part of its "Secure by Default" initiative to enhance cybersecurity within its Microsoft 365 ecosystem. This decision aims to phase out legacy technologies that pose security risks, reflecting a broader industry trend toward prioritizing robust cybersecurity over maintaining older systems. The impact will be significant in enterprise environments, where legacy systems are often critical, requiring IT teams to identify dependencies on these protocols. While Microsoft provides guidance for migration, the responsibility lies with customers, which may strain relationships with long-time clients.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

LibreOffice adds voice to ‘ditch Windows for Linux’ campaign

The LibreOffice project is encouraging users to transition from Windows to Linux as Windows 10 approaches its end. The Document Foundation is developing LibreOffice version 25.8, which will remove support for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, as well as deprecate x86 (32-bit) Windows builds. The latest version is 25.2, released in February, with version 25.8 expected in August. Users on Windows 7 can access both "fresh" and "stable" releases, with the current stable version being 24.8.7, which will still support Windows 7 after the release of version 25.8.

Winsage

June 6, 2025

This app has been shipping with Windows for decades, and it needs to go away

The Character Map is a tool in Windows designed to help users access uncommon characters and symbols not available on the keyboard. However, it is considered convoluted and unnecessary due to its complicated access process and cumbersome selection method. Microsoft has introduced a more efficient emoji keyboard in Windows 11, which allows users to quickly select symbols by pressing Windows + . (period) and is more user-friendly than the Character Map. The emoji panel saves the last twelve used symbols for easy access. It is suggested that the Character Map would be better suited as a feature within Microsoft Office, where symbol selection is more relevant. The Character Map is viewed as one of several outdated features in Windows 11 that may need removal to improve the user experience.

Winsage

June 6, 2025

Breathe new life into your PC with this Microsoft bundle for $46

The All-in-One Microsoft Office Pro 2019 for Windows lifetime license, along with the Windows 11 Pro Bundle, is available for .97, reduced from 9. This offer is valid until July 20. The bundle includes Windows 11 Pro, which features an AI assistant named Copilot, DirectX 12 Ultimate for improved graphics, enhanced security measures, and integration with Microsoft Teams. It also provides lifetime access to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, along with new analysis capabilities in Excel, enhanced presentation tools in PowerPoint, and updated features in Outlook.

Winsage

June 4, 2025

One of Linux’s big hitters declares your Windows 10 PC “is toast,” and one angle needs talking about MUCH more

The end of life for Windows 10 is prompting discussions about alternatives, particularly Linux, as users consider their options. KDE, a key player in the Linux ecosystem, encourages users with obsolete Windows 10 devices not to discard them but to consider repurposing them with Linux, which can extend the lifespan of older PCs and reduce electronic waste. Many functional PCs, even those over a decade old, can run alternative systems like Linux or Chrome OS Flex efficiently. KDE's initiative highlights that Linux can revitalize old machines, promoting sustainability in the face of potential e-waste accumulation from Microsoft's push for new hardware.