older PCs Archives

Winsage

April 18, 2025

7 things you can do with your old Windows 10 PC instead of trading it in

Microsoft is encouraging users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and suggests trading in old PCs that cannot be upgraded. However, trading in may not provide significant discounts, and there are various ways to repurpose old hardware. 1. Install Linux: Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Pop! OS can extend the life of older PCs due to their low system requirements and long-term support. 2. Make it a retro gaming machine: Using Emulation Station, an old PC can be transformed into a retro gaming machine, allowing access to thousands of classic games. 3. Make it a media server: Old PCs can be converted into home media servers using platforms like Plex and Jellyfin, enabling offline viewing of shows and movies. 4. Use it as a game server: An old PC can host game servers for titles like Minecraft, allowing for a unique gaming experience with friends. 5. Power your smart home: Turning an old PC into a Home Assistant server can help manage smart home devices from a single interface. 6. Turn it into a NAS: An old PC can be transformed into a Network Attached Storage (NAS) solution for centralized data backup across multiple devices. 7. Kickstart your home lab: Setting up a home lab using dedicated operating systems or platforms like Docker can turn an old PC into a multifunctional server for various services.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Your Windows 10 PC isn’t dead yet – this OS from Google can revive it

On October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will reach its end of life, affecting users with older PCs that cannot upgrade to Windows 11. ChromeOS Flex is a free operating system by Google designed to modernize older Windows PCs and Macs, offering a fast and secure alternative built on Chromium OS. It does not support standalone Windows applications but allows access to Microsoft 365 and other SaaS applications via web portals. ChromeOS Flex focuses on security with features like automatic updates and data encryption, and it has never experienced a reported ransomware attack. The minimum system requirements include an Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device, 4 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, and the ability to boot from a USB drive. To install ChromeOS Flex, users must back up their files, create a USB installation drive using the Chromebook Recovery Utility, and boot from the USB drive to test compatibility before proceeding with a full installation.

Winsage

April 18, 2025

Microsoft still has a massive Windows 10 problem – and there’s no easy way out

Microsoft's Windows 10 will reach its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025, after a standard 10-year support lifecycle. Most editions, including Home, Pro, and Enterprise, will stop receiving updates, although PCs running Windows 10 will continue to function without updates. Windows 10 Enterprise Long Term Servicing editions have different end dates, with some extending support until 2029. Current data indicates that approximately 1.6% of Windows 10 PCs are replaced by Windows 11 each month, suggesting that around 35% of the 1.4 billion Windows devices will still be using Windows 10 by the end-of-support date, equating to over 500 million PCs potentially vulnerable to cyber threats. As of April 2025, about 54% of PCs globally are still running Windows 10. Users likely to remain on Windows 10 include those with incompatible hardware, corporate environments that have standardized on Windows 10, and users resistant to upgrading due to dissatisfaction with Windows 11. Microsoft faces challenges related to a significant number of unsupported PCs, and while extended support options exist for enterprise customers, consumer adoption is expected to be low. Users unable or unwilling to upgrade may consider non-Microsoft operating systems or continue using Windows 10 without official support, which poses security risks.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

There’s a quiet PC boom happening – thanks to Windows 10 and the tariffs

In the first quarter of 2025, PC shipments increased by 12.6% compared to the same quarter in 2024, with over 16 million computers dispatched. All six leading PC vendors in the United States reported growth in shipments: HP shipped 4.1 million PCs (25.1% market share), Dell shipped 3.9 million (23.9% market share), Lenovo shipped 3.1 million (19.2% market share), Apple shipped 2.6 million (15.9% market share), Acer shipped 944,000 (5.8% market share), and ASUS shipped 464,000 (2.8% market share). Globally, PC shipments reached 58.9 million units, a 4.8% increase from 56.2 million the previous year. Lenovo led the global market, followed by HP, Dell, Apple, Acer, and ASUS. In Japan, demand for PCs, particularly for replacing Windows 11 systems and the adoption of Chromebooks, drove a shipment growth of 15.6%.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

What the Tech: Why you might need to get rid of your Microsoft computer

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14th, meaning no further updates, technical assistance, or security fixes will be provided. Users continuing to operate Windows 10 after this date may face increased security risks. To check if a PC can run Windows 11, users can use the “PC Health Check” utility. If a computer is incompatible with Windows 11, recycling or trade-in options may be available. Microsoft advises disconnecting older PCs from the internet to reduce risks if users choose to keep them. Users should verify the compatibility of any used PC with Windows 11 before purchase.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

What The Tech: Windows 10 support ending in October

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 after October 14, leaving users without updates, technical assistance, or security fixes. An estimated 240 million older computers cannot run Windows 11, prompting Microsoft to encourage recycling those machines. Users can check compatibility using the “PC Health Check” utility. If a PC is incompatible, recycling is advised, with many centers available in the U.S. Some retailers offer trade-in programs for older computers. Continuing to use Windows 10 after the deadline poses security risks, and Microsoft recommends disconnecting from the internet if users keep their older PCs. Buyers of used PCs should verify compatibility with Windows 11 before purchase.

Winsage

April 7, 2025

5 essential tips to optimize Windows 11 for office work

Windows 11 includes features to enhance productivity, particularly through customization for older PCs. Key strategies include: 1. Virtual Desktops: Use Win + Tab or the Task View icon to create separate virtual desktops for work, allowing for a more organized workspace. Applications can be dragged into this desktop and will reappear upon reopening. 2. Focus Sessions: Activate Focus via Settings -> System -> Focus to set timers for work sessions and breaks, enabling Do Not Disturb mode to silence notifications during work periods. 3. System Optimization: Select a High Performance power plan in Control Panel -> Power Options or Settings -> System -> Power & battery, and disable unnecessary startup apps in Task Manager to improve performance. 4. Pinning Apps and Snap Layouts: Pin frequently used applications to the taskbar for quick access and use Snap Layouts by dragging windows to the screen edges for efficient arrangement. 5. Keyboard Shortcuts: Utilize essential Windows 11 shortcuts to enhance efficiency, such as Windows key + A for Quick Settings, Windows key + E for File Explorer, and Windows key + H for voice typing.

Winsage

April 7, 2025

Windows 11 Update Finally Lets You Install on Older PCs

Microsoft has relaxed its hardware requirements for Windows 11, allowing older PCs that were previously excluded to install the operating system. This change comes as Windows 10 approaches its end of life in 2025 and aims to provide users with access to the latest security updates and features. Older processors that were once deemed incompatible are now eligible to run Windows 11, reflecting a shift towards a more inclusive approach by Microsoft. Users with previously incompatible PCs may now upgrade to enjoy new features like a redesigned Start Menu and improved multitasking capabilities, although they should verify their system's compatibility and performance.

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.