The day has come: Microsoft will "give the passport" today to Windows 10Available since 2015, it's been the preferred option for many users, although the truth is that this is something that often happens. Windows system users don't like to upgrade, and just as there are many who don't want to upgrade to 11 now, a few years ago they preferred to stay on 7. But anyway, let's get to the point.
Starting today and as a general rule, Windows 10 stops receiving supportThis means you won't receive any more patches of any kind, and if someone discovers a security flaw, they'll be able to exploit it without any problems, since Microsoft won't cover it up. What can be done now? What's the best way to keep your computer running properly? Don't worry, we'll explain several options.
Windows 10 will continue to receive support in Europe for another year.
If you reside in the European Community, You will be able to continue receiving security patches until October 2026All you have to do is sign in with a Microsoft account.
To do this, simply do what we explain in this article. Basically, it involves activating support using your Microsoft account, something the company is very interested in, to the point that it seems Windows 11 won't be usable without logging in this way.
The EC has pushed to extend support for Windows 10, and while no new features will be added, Microsoft will patch any security flaws detected within 12 months.
Upgrade to Windows 11
The other, more logical option is to upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft's operating system. As we've explained, this is the lesser of two evils that occurs every time Microsoft decides to kill one of its operating systems. Everyone complaining now about having to upgrade will complain in a few years when they're forced to abandon it.
To be able to upload, there are some minimum requirements, such as the computer supporting TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. If this is not the case, it is recommended to use Rufus, a program that, at least at the time of writing, allows you to eliminate these requirements when creating the installation media. Performance may be slightly reduced, which is normal considering the operating system has add-ons that weren't present in Windows 10.
Switching to Linux, taking into account its shortcomings
The other option is to switch to Linux, but keep in mind that it is not the same as Windows.
Linux is a kernel, the core upon which operating systems used by graphical user interface distributions are built, which is called GNU/Linux. This kernel is used by systems like Android and Chrome OS, although Google avoids calling its systems "Linux."
And the million-dollar question: Which Linux should I install? I usually recommend Linux Mint in its MATE version. It's based on Ubuntu, for which there's extensive documentation, and it's very lightweight. If you're looking for something more up-to-date, Linux Mint uses Ubuntu LTS as its base, or Kubuntu, the official flavor, but with a desktop more similar to Windows.
Another option is Zorin OS. Version 18 is coming out today, and it supports Windows applications after a clean install. Sort of. And there's WINE, software that lets you run Windows applications on other operating systems. But don't assume everything Windows has will work; that would be a mistake.
Better than relying on Windows applications is getting used to using open source alternatives. Photoshop is the most popular image editor, but there are also GIMP and Photopea.
My best recommendation to replace Windows 10
I've been using Manjaro as my main operating system for years. It's a rolling release—some say "semi" because of its update schedule—but I don't have to worry about major updates that could cause problems. I have my reasons, but I've generally embraced it, and it doesn't force me to do anything. But I've been using Linux for years, and I know what to do if I run into a problem.
For other users, I recommend using Linux Mint MATE Edition. If you miss any Windows app, the options are to use PlayOnLinux, currently not very well supported, Bottles or bare WINE. Of the three options, I would use Bottles. Another option is WinBoatAlthough I recommend using different applications, if possible, open source.
Another option is to stay with the main Ubuntu version, mainly because it's the most widely used and easier to find information on. Other versions, including Wine, are also valid here.
If you install Linux, you won't regret it. Your computer will fly like never before, and you don't have to buy a new one, as Microsoft recommends. Your computer has years of life left... if you want it to.