Do You Really Have to Stop Using Windows 10? Leave a comment

So that you won’t have the cash to purchase a brand new laptop in the meanwhile. What are you able to do as an alternative? Change Home windows with one other working system, and ideally one that may hold getting safety updates. That is going to require some tech expertise in your half, however don’t be concerned: It is largely a matter of following directions.

Choice 3: Flip Your PC Right into a Chromebook

Have you ever ever used a Chromebook? It is only a laptop computer that may solely run Google’s Chrome browser. Such gadgets are likely to run nicely regardless of sometimes having substandard elements, so it’s significantly helpful for an older laptop computer. Previously few years Google launched ChromeOS Flex, which lets you set up ChromeOS by yourself system. There is a good probability it may possibly run in your previous laptop.

There are downsides right here. Should you depend on a selected piece of Home windows software program, you will not have the ability to use it in ChromeOS. You’ll solely have the ability to run internet apps that load within the browser. Should you largely simply use the Chrome internet browser, although, there is a good probability you will not miss Home windows in any respect.

Should you’re curious, WIRED has a helpful ChromeOS Flex information, and Google gives directions for house set up. Mainly you must test in case your laptop computer is supported, put the working system on a flash drive, after which boot from the flash drive. Word that putting in a brand new working system will delete the whole lot at present in your laptop, so be sure to again up photographs and paperwork earlier than doing this.

Choice 4: Embrace Linux

ChromeOS is simple to make use of, however not everybody can reside their whole life in a browser window. If you wish to change Home windows with a extra feature-filled working system, it is time to look into Linux. This can be a utterly free different to Home windows, and it tends to run higher on older gadgets than Home windows.

Linux has a popularity for being fussy, and relying on which model of Linux you resolve to make use of it actually might be. However there are variations of Linux that deal with ease-of-use as a marquee function. Linux Mint is a strong start line for most individuals, and it gives nice step-by-step directions for getting began. As with ChromeOS, you will want to obtain the working system, load it to a flash drive, then boot from the flash drive, and at last set up the working system (which is able to delete the whole lot at present in your laptop).

If any of that is an excessive amount of so that you can determine, there’s a neater method: Ask your whole pals if any of them are Linux customers. If they’re, supply to purchase them a 12-pack in alternate for serving to you arrange Linux—I promise you it’ll get accomplished. They will additionally educate you the fundamentals and present you how one can navigate round your new system.

As a result of there might be an adjustment. We’re speaking a few brand-new working system. If you wish to get a couple of extra years out of your laptop, although, Linux might be your best option, even when it means a little bit of a studying curve.

Replace: October 14, 12 pm. This story, initially revealed in Might 2025, was up to date to mirror that help for Home windows 10 has now formally ended.