Windows 10 Upgrade Guide

Funny when my new MB first started up, it went straight to "you need windows 11" FREE upgrade, etc.....I declined.
Every time there is a Windows 10 update, Microsoft tries to get you to click on the Windows 11 upgrade ... kind of like Amazon trying to get you to sign-up for Prime every time you try to checkout an order, lol.
 
One of the big pains with Win10 upgrade is Edge (browser) running in the background collecting cookies and opening no matter what. I would like it gone!
I see it also used 4 instances running so if I delete one it reopens right away. I haven't found a way to stop it.

The whole OS really is not all that stable...it freezes, and there seems to be a LOT of 'updates'. I rather have win7.
 
One would almost be tempted to think there's something to the idea! :)
+1. With all the stuff going on at MS now I really believe there will be a lot more people switching to some version of Linux within the next year. Linux is already over 4% market share as it is. Linux market share is maybe 2% or 3% higher if you factor in the Chromebook/Chrome OS, which runs on Gentoo Linux.

https://www.neowin.net/news/linux-f...passes-4-for-the-first-time-says-statcounter/

https://www.zdnet.com/article/5-reasons-why-desktop-linux-is-finally-growing-in-popularity/
 
Originally Posted by redhat
Great info Overkill. The Google-ing of the hardware ID is a great tip for folks with unknown hardware.

I am happy to say that I have had my entire organization on Windows 10 months prior to the EOL.


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I ended up with Windows 10 when I replaced my Man Cave desktop computer about 3-4 years ago.
I am / have been very happy with it. One thing Windows keeps offering me to free upgrade to Windows11.
I tried that once and I was so let down by it I could not wait to do a computer "restore" to get rid of Windows11
and return to my old trusty Windows10.
Some of you may like Windows11 BUT I could not stand how it was so different than Windows10.
 
I use "classicshell" on an older laptop, I like it but its no longer developed. I would like to go to Linux but not sure how to save everything so I can do a clean install from scratch (or if I even need to) also not sure about drivers....
 
Made a couple of changes to my computers bios recently so I could upgrade to Windows 11. I don’t mind it at all. I made a few basic stylistic adjustments and in the end it’s not that much different than Windows 10… at least for me.
 
I have three computers. Two Linux and one Windows 10. I'm new to Linux and was interested in it because l'm unsure of the direction Windows is going with privacy, AI and the like. I'm pretty sure my computer will update to Windows 11 so when the time is right I'll probably try the upgrade and give it a fair assessment. I've also been researching Windows 11 hardening tips and tricks that I'd like to try.

As for Linux, like anything new and different, there is a bit of a learning curve. After some research I went with the Mint distribution as most say it's a easier transition to make for Windows users with their Cinnamon desktop theme. Currently I have one running their mainline Ubuntu version and the other running their Debian version otherwise known as Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE). Without getting into all the details, it seems like Debian runs smoother with less problems over the Ubuntu version. So at this juncture, I'd be more inclined to recommend LMDE to anyone wanting to give Linux a try.

Fun fact. I was recently at Goodwill and noticed a 2012 era HP computer for $9.99. It was an original Windows 7 machine and the hard drive was gone. I thought it could make a good candidate for Linux. So I bought it. Once home I threw an old hard drive. Flashed Linux Mint to it and was literally up and running within an hour. It wasn't the fastest machine but it works. No problem surfing the web, ckecking email and normal daily tasks. Mint also comes packaged with the Libre Office which I find intuitive to use as a long time user of Windows Office.

So keep your eys open at the thrift stores and garage sales. I'd imagin within the next 12 months there will be literally tons of old PCs heading for the scrap heap. If you're so inclined, pick one up and give Linux a try. You might be pleasantly surprised.
 
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Just initialized a new Acer laptop from the $199 real laptop sale at Amazon. It is real nice for $199. The dark mode is new and really changes the appearance of Windows 11. This little honey is light, has an excellent 1080p IPS display, and the keyboard while not backlit has excellent feel when typing with the large keys.. The Bing daily wallpaper I had on the 7-8 y.o. Acer looks fantastic, keeping in mind the price. Everything on the old Acer transferred with Zero hassles OTA. Produced in July 2024 so it had a lot of updates to catch up on. That took about 30 min. Must have reset 15 times during the update installations. So far, no complaints. Will update if it fubars.

Within a couple weeks I will euthanize the Old Acer. RIP
 
Has there been any definitive information regarding the ability (or really, inability) to activate/reactivate a Windows 10 installation with a valid key past October 14th? I'm assuming the end of support does not necessarily mean they are turning off the Win10 activation servers but who knows.

Not real important, of course. Continuing to run Windows 10 into the future will become a bad idea security-wise, but it still would be nice to use a product (or license) I paid for should I want to if the hardware doesn't support 11.

Yes, I know, hack Win11, run Linux, etc, got it. I've done both. That's not what this is about.
 
Has there been any definitive information regarding the ability (or really, inability) to activate/reactivate a Windows 10 installation with a valid key past October 14th? I'm assuming the end of support does not necessarily mean they are turning off the Win10 activation servers but who knows.

Not real important, of course. Continuing to run Windows 10 into the future will become a bad idea security-wise, but it still would be nice to use a product (or license) I paid for should I want to if the hardware doesn't support 11.

Yes, I know, hack Win11, run Linux, etc, got it. I've done both. That's not what this is about.
You can sign up for Windows 10 Extended Support as an option, once mainstream support ceases.
 
Continuing to run Windows 10 into the future will become a bad idea security-wise,
If you have a Microsoft account, you can extend the security updates on Windows 10 for a year for free - that's their Extended Security Updates (ESU). Go search for Windows 10 ESU on YouTube ... lots of videos on how to do that. And of course, Microsoft said they will continue to push antivirus definitions to Windows 10 Defender for around 3 years after support.
 
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I just ended up purchasing a new computer, (HP) a desk top pc for my Man Cave from Best Buy when the support was supposed to disappear for everything that was pre Windows 10.
My new pc came with Windows 10 pre loaded. Some time back. I would say, at least 12 to 15 months ago I got the offer to switch up to Windows 11, which I did not like at all from the previews I had seen.
I finally caved in and took the free up grade to Windows 11.
It really only took me a few days and I was used to it and it has been 100% trouble free on my Man Cave desk top HP machine. The absolute hardest thing about Windows 11 for me was at first just getting used to the way things are set up with W11. I have zero complaints with W11 at this time.(y)
 
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