older PCs Archives

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Your ‘unsupported’ Windows 10 PC can still run Windows 11 in 2025

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users considering upgrading to Windows 11 may face obstacles due to hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 and specific CPU models. Workarounds exist for upgrading incompatible PCs. To check compatibility: - Determine if the PC uses UEFI or Legacy BIOS via System Information (msinfo32.exe). - Ensure BIOS Mode is UEFI. - Check TPM status using the TPM Management tool (tpm.msc). - Verify CPU compatibility; most Intel CPUs from 2009 or later and AMD CPUs from 2013 or later should meet the standards. Option 1: Registry Edit Method (for PCs with TPM 1.2+ and UEFI) 1. Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe) as an administrator. 2. Navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMSetup; create MoSetup key if absent. 3. Create DWORD (32-bit) Value named AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU, set value to 1, and restart. 4. Download Windows 11 ISO from aka.ms/DownloadWindows11. 5. Mount the ISO file and run Setup.exe. Option 2: Using Rufus (for PCs without TPM or UEFI) 1. Download Rufus version 4.6 or later and Windows 11 ISO. 2. Prepare a USB flash drive (16GB or larger). 3. Launch Rufus, select the USB drive, choose the Windows 11 ISO, and check the box to remove requirements for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. 4. Create the bootable drive and run Setup.exe from the USB drive. These methods are unofficial workarounds. Users may encounter compatibility warnings, and the registry method is preferred for its simplicity. Some very old systems, especially those with AMD processors lacking SSE4.2 support, may still be incompatible.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

5 reasons I stopped dual-booting Windows and Linux on my PC

The author currently uses Windows 11 on most devices due to the lack of Linux alternatives for certain creative applications. They previously engaged in dual-booting Linux and Windows but have shifted away from this practice due to time and data management concerns. Storage issues were a significant challenge, particularly with drive partitioning on laptops. The author finds virtual machines (VMs) and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to be more accessible and practical solutions for their needs. They also mention that Windows 11's Secure Boot complicates dual-boot setups and that Windows updates often overwrite the GRUB bootloader, risking data integrity. Additionally, using BitLocker with GRUB can lead to complications. Ultimately, the author prefers a single operating system per device for a simpler and more efficient experience.

Winsage

April 1, 2025

Microsoft’s Windows 98 can run Meta’s Llama AI model on just 128MB of RAM: “We could have been talking to our computers for 30 years now.”

Generative AI is being integrated into modern technology, with Microsoft incorporating its Copilot AI into Windows 11. Marc Andreessen revealed that a small Llama AI model from Meta operated on a Windows 98 PC with 128MB of RAM. Although the specific Meta AI model was not disclosed, it suggests older technology could have supported generative AI capabilities. Andreessen noted that running Llama AI on a 26-year-old Dell PC could have enabled human-like interactions with computers decades ago. An experiment by Exo Labs successfully ran a modified version of Meta's Llama 2 on a Pentium II-based Windows 98 PC, overcoming challenges related to sourcing compatible peripherals and transferring files. The team used Borland C++ 5.02 for compiling modern code but eventually switched to an older version of the C programming language due to compatibility issues. The project required developing a streamlined version of the AI model to function within the hardware limitations of the legacy PC. This illustrates that even older PCs had the potential to support generative AI.

Winsage

March 29, 2025

Windows 11 is closing a loophole that let you skip making a Microsoft account

Microsoft has mandated that every new device running Windows 11 must be set up with an internet-connected account. The company has removed the bypass script that allowed users to circumvent this requirement during the initial setup. This change is aimed at enhancing security and user experience. While the bypass command has been disabled in the latest beta build, users can still reactivate it through a registry edit, although there is no guarantee this workaround will be allowed indefinitely. Microsoft is also tightening the upgrade process to Windows 11, restricting installations on older PCs that do not meet the TPM 2.0 requirement and eliminating the option to install Windows 11 using older product keys.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Windows 10 Ending : Microsoft Makes Windows 11 Free, But Not for Long

Microsoft's official end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 2025, prompting the company to encourage users to transition to Windows 11 through a "limited-time" free upgrade offer. Windows 11 has stringent system requirements, including TPM 2.0 support, which many older PCs lack. Microsoft 365 apps will stop receiving updates on Windows 10 after support ends, although they will continue to function. Users who do not upgrade can opt for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for continued security patches at a cost. Options for users include upgrading to a compatible PC, switching to another operating system like Linux, or remaining on Windows 10 with limited support.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

5 reasons why Linux Mint is the best distro for Windows converts

Transitioning from Windows to Linux can be overwhelming due to concerns about software compatibility, gaming capabilities, and the learning curve. Recent advancements in Linux distributions, particularly Linux Mint, have made this shift more accessible. Linux Mint features a start menu for easy navigation, is built on Ubuntu with Debian foundations, and offers a graphical user interface for installing applications through an integrated software store. It is compatible with a wide range of hardware, requiring only 2 GB of RAM and 20 GB of disk space, making it suitable for older PCs. Gaming on Linux has improved significantly with Valve's Proton, allowing many Windows games to run smoothly on Linux, sometimes even better than on Windows.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

240 million Windows 10 users are vulnerable to six different hacker exploits

Windows 10 users are urged to download the latest update due to critical fixes for six actively exploited vulnerabilities affecting up to 240 million individuals. The U.S. Cyber Defense Agency advises updating systems before April 1st or turning off computers as a precaution. The vulnerabilities include: - CVE-2025-24993: Buffer overflow exploit. - CVE-2025-24991: Access to data from a malicious virtual hard disk. - CVE-2025-24984: Exploit requiring physical access to log sensitive information. - CVE-2025-26633: Bypass flaw in Microsoft Management Console. - CVE-2025-24985: Privilege escalation flaw after mounting a VHD. - CVE-2025-24983: System-level exploit for gaining top privileges on the Windows Kernel Subsystem. Over 600 organizations have been affected by these vulnerabilities. Microsoft will cease security updates for Windows 10 on October 14th, 2025, and users are encouraged to transition to Windows 11. Currently, there is a 60/40 split between Windows 10 and 11 users, with only 2% switching monthly. Approximately 240 million users have PCs incompatible with Windows 11, potentially leading to 1.1 billion pounds of computing equipment being discarded. The slow migration poses risks to user data security.

Winsage

March 11, 2025

Microsoft Intensifies Push for Windows 11 Adoption Amid Looming Windows 10 End-of-Support

Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11, highlighting its advantages as the end-of-support date for Windows 10 approaches on October 14, 2025. As of August 2024, Windows 11 accounts for nearly 32% of global Windows installations, up from 23% in July 2023, while Windows 10 holds about 64% market share. Windows 11 has become the preferred operating system for PC gamers on Steam, with 49% of users choosing it over 47% for Windows 10. Key features of Windows 11 include mandatory TPM 2.0 for enhanced security, a redesigned Start menu, improved multitasking with Snap Layouts, integration with Microsoft Teams, and a more efficient Windows Update process. However, some users are hesitant to upgrade due to hardware compatibility issues and a preference for Windows 10's interface. Microsoft may increase efforts to promote the transition to Windows 11 as the support deadline nears, and users remaining on Windows 10 will face security risks without official support.

Winsage

March 11, 2025

8 reasons to stop using Windows Search and use Everything instead

The search functionality in Windows 11 has been improved, but users may still experience slow performance or difficulty finding files. An alternative is Everything, a free utility by Voidtools that efficiently finds files and folders by indexing their names and continuously tracking changes. It has a lightweight design that minimizes resource usage, making it suitable for older PCs. Everything provides almost instantaneous search results by indexing the entire local drive, displays hidden files by default, and offers easy installation. It features real-time indexing, allowing immediate updates when files are modified, and has a portable version for use on different computers. Additionally, Everything can index network drives for efficient searches across shared devices. It is free to use, ad-free, and does not contain bloatware, with donations accepted to support the developer.

Winsage

February 18, 2025

Nearly 45% of Steam users still on Windows 10 despite looming deadline

Over 44 percent of gamers are using Windows 10, while 55 percent have transitioned to Windows 11, according to a Steam survey from January 2025. Microsoft will cease official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, which will result in no new security updates. Windows 11 has been available as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users, but many older PCs do not meet its hardware requirements. The most prevalent graphics card among Steam users is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, and the most common storage capacity exceeds 1TB, with users typically having between 100GB to 249GB of free space.