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Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux Mint, E-waste, Operating Systems, Software, Hardware, TPM, Secure Boot, Debloat, O&O ShutUp, Rufus, Autounattend.xml”>
PHILADELPHIA, June 24, 2025
Don’t ditch your device!
Windows 10 support ends Oct. 14, but your PC may still have life.
- Microsoft ends Windows 10 support Oct. 14.
- Upgrading to Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements.
- Consider Linux Mint as a Windows 10 alternative.
- Force Windows 11 install or “debloat” it for better performance.
- E-waste is a growing environmental concern.
With Microsoft ending support for Windows 10, many users are wondering what their options are, and one option is to switch to Linux Mint.
microsoft pressures users to upgrade, raising environmental concerns
Microsoft is urging Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11.The company will end support for Windows 10 on Oct. 14, ceasing all updates, including crucial security patches.
Despite this, Windows 10 remains the moast popular version, according to StatCounter:
- windows 10 – 52.94%
- Windows 11 – 43.72%
- All other Windows versions – 3.34%
Unlike previous upgrades, Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements, leaving many Windows 10 users in a bind.
Microsoft suggests buying a new computer, contributing to the growing problem of e-waste. E-waste is among the world’s fastest-growing waste streams, increasing five times faster than recycling efforts, according to reports.
Did you know? E-waste includes discarded computers, phones, and other electronics. Improper disposal contaminates soil and water with lead, mercury, and cadmium.
Is it security or planned obsolescence?
Why are older PCs excluded from Windows 11 upgrades? Microsoft’s checks for Windows 11 exclude most PCs made before 2018. The OS has become bloated with unneeded software, raising the hardware requirements higher than needed.
The other two checks are too aggressive for home users who don’t store highly sensitive data. Most people have been running without these features for decades without issue.
here’s a summary of Windows 11 installation requirements:
- System resources: Checks RAM, CPU, and storage. The requirements are higher than thay need to be.
- Trusted platform Module (TPM): TPM 2.0 is a hardware-based security feature for storing cryptographic keys. it is indeed not essential for most home users and wasn’t standard until 2018; some manufacturers adopted it later. Some computers bought in 2022 might not be able to install Windows 11. Microsoft has hinted at relaxing this requirement.
- secure boot: This feature may prevent installing operating systems other than Windows and isn’t needed for average users.
Option 1: Embrace Linux Mint
linux Mint is designed to feel familiar to Windows users. It includes everything a typical user needs.
Switching from Windows 10 to Linux Mint is often less jarring than upgrading to Windows 11 because the user interface is more similar.
Linux Mint Cinnamon Edition has a familiar start menu, works with Zoom, and has drivers for most devices. It includes programs like Firefox and can run other popular web browsers. it also includes LibreOffice, a free, open-source office suite highly compatible with Microsoft Office, including Writer (like Word), Calc (Excel), impress (PowerPoint), and Base (Access). It supports Microsoft formats (.docx,.xlsx,.pptx).
Linux Mint doesn’t collect data, include telemetry, or display advertising. The user has complete control.
Linux Mint runs smoothly on almost any laptop from the last 20 years. It was tested on a Dynabook Tecra A40-G with a Celeron processor and 4GB of RAM (available on eBay for $68). Despite these specs barely handling Windows 7, Linux Mint runs smoothly.
Linux Mint might not be ideal for applications only made for Windows, like steam VR. However, it works well for email, office apps, and Zoom.You can even use Office 365 web versions.
Option 2: Force-install Windows 11
You can bypass the system requirement checks and force the Windows 11 upgrade.
Microsoft supports a file called Autounattend.xml, which pre-answers the questions during installation and provides options not normally available.
Or, use Rufus, a free program with an interface to customize a Windows 11 installer on a USB key. Rufus lets you remove the checks, eliminate the Microsoft account requirement, and disable data collection.
After installing Windows 11,run Windows 11 Debloat and O&O ShutUp.
Take back control of Windows 11
Windows’ system resource demands stem from its bloat.
Microsoft lets PC makers “customize” windows,leading to preloaded,frequently enough subpar software. This includes subscription-based virus scanners and anti-malware programs, with short free trials and hard-to-uninstall applications. Since Windows has built-in protection, these programs waste resources and charge monthly fees.
Rapid fact: Preinstalled software, also known as “crapware,” can slow down your computer and compromise your privacy.
Here are two free, open-source programs to help:
- Windows 11 Debloat: This project removes preinstalled apps, disables telemetry, diagnostic data, activity history, app-launch tracking, targeted ads, and disables Bing web search, Cortana, Copilot, and Windows Recall.
- O&O ShutUp: This tool adjusts Microsoft’s settings to benefit the user. It is indeed recommended to run this after monthly Windows updates.
Consider the economic impact. The cost of a new computer can be substantial, especially when considering the need to replace perfectly functional hardware. This affects not only consumers but also schools, businesses, and government agencies that manage large fleets of computers.Extending the lifespan of existing hardware, through options like Linux Mint or by carefully managing Windows 11 installations, can lead to notable cost savings.
Beyond the costs to consumers, consider the benefits of a greener approach. By extending the life of existing hardware we can lessen the environmental impact of new manufacturing and disposal. Each discarded computer contributes to the growing e-waste problem, which contains toxic materials that can pollute soil and water. Choosing options that allow older hardware to function keeps these devices productive rather than prematurely ending in a landfill.
A key takeaway: extending the life of your current computer through Linux Mint,or by thoughtfully configuring a Windows 11 installation,is not only a financially sound decision but also an environmentally responsible one,countering the trend of planned obsolescence.
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