cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/30792652
Support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, 2025. Microsoft wants you to buy a new computer. But what if you could make your current one fast and secure again?
If you bought your computer after 2010, there’s most likely no reason to throw it out. By just installing an up-to-date Linux operating system you can keep using it for years to come.
Installing an operating system may sound difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone. With any luck, there are people in your area ready to help!
5 Reasons to upgrade your old computer to Linux:
- No New Hardware, No Licensing Costs
- Enhanced Privacy
- Good For The Planet
- Community & Professional Support
- Better User Control
If anyone is interested to try out Linux distros, you can do it in your web browser at https://distrosea.com/
The other nice thing about Linux is that there are several Live versions you can try out on your computer without making any changes to your Windows installation.
This also lets you see if check and see if Linux fully supports your hardware (just in case you have a weird network or audio card). If the Live version of Linux works, the installed version will, as well.
Most installers let you set up a dual boot on the same hard drive, too.
Even if your audio or WiFi card doesn’t work automatically in the live environment, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are out of luck either. My WiFi card manufacturer doesn’t support Linux (Last thing I buy from them), but I was able to find a driver that was built by the community for a very similar product that works flawlessly.
This may be more complex than some people are willing/able to solve, just wanted to put that out there for people who can so they aren’t discouraged by a bad experience with a live distro.
I love this. I recently set up a “Linux flight” with various distros on a bunch of thumb drives to test drive the latest. I decided to stay Kubuntu but it made experimenting so quick and easy.
I have some friends and family that cant upgrade from Windows 10, so I’m going to keep the flight and walk them through trying out some personally selected distros.
Using Steam, Heroic, and Bottles you can even run Windows software almost perfectly, too. There’s never been a better time for regular folks to make the switch.
Came to Lemmy while my disk manager is processing my new partition.
If it goes well, I’m switching today.
So, probably some time early tomorrow morning. Because I’m not great with reading instructions.
Edit: it’s still processing. It feels like it shouldn’t take this long to partition…
if you are shrinking or modifying an existing partition to make room, it will take quite a while
How viable are modern nvidia cards (like 4070) on linux today? Mainly for gaming. I’ve heard there are some driver issues that can cause problems, any truth to this claim?
Most problems with newer cards have been fixed with version 550. Gaming related, the only thing that will cause you pain is VR or Kernel Level AC
Thanks. So just use official Nvidia drivers and I’m good to go? Thinking of moving to fedora if it maters.
I have a 3070 Ti and it works flawless on Mint with the official driver
I started with Bazzite and moved from there to Garuda. Both have an Nvidia version that just takes care of that for you. I’ve never had to worry about drivers.
As someone getting back to pcs and trying linux, it warms my heart because I am scared of VR and shite at online games. This is the place for me.
What distro would be good for an old (coming up to ten years) Windows 10 under-TV Steam box with a GTX870? Its job is basically to boot straight into big picture mode with no login screen and be operated by a PS4 controller, but I figure I can’t just keep it on Win10 without security patches.
if your using to watch tv try kodi or osmc or another media OS i have a ras pi running osmc and i never had a issue and im sure you could get a ps4 controller to work an if its for games i dont know any maybe bazzite
Oh sorry I edited out the word Steam by mistake.
bazzite or aniother gaming focused like garuda gaming edition would prob be your best bet garuda gaming is arch linux built for gaming and more user friendly
I haven’t used it myself, but I hear Bazzite provides an experience similar to SteamOS. Note that some competitive online games with kernel-level anti-cheat won’t work on Linux. Most other games should run fine, though.
Linux has gotten incredibly better for gaming. Now Bluetooth controllers connect just as easy as Windows, and Steam has Proton built in so that when you run a Windows only game, Steam will automatically install the appropriate Proton and Wine software – just make sure to turn on compatibility mode in the Steam launcher settings. Every game I ran so far runs fine on Linux.
It couldn’t be a better time to switch to Linux.
Xpadneo is baked into Ubuntu 25 now? I noticed it was in Fedora 42.
Alright, what do people like for gaming? And can I play helldivers on it?
For gaming you can just use steam. You can see which game works and the corresponding distributions/configurations on ProtonDB; Helldivers 2 get’s a GOLD status (https://www.protondb.com/app/553850).
https://remedybg.itch.io/remedybg
I’m currently using this software, what kind of replacements do I have for it on Linux, that have an actual GUI, and not just command line?
There are probably loads of debugging software on Linux, also probably the one you are using will run just fine through wine.
What if I want to develop for Linux?
Lots of open source tools for that too.
im not a big fan of linux, mainly cause of multiplayer game and photoshop compatibility, but i would honestly would help out some old folks with a linuxmint install or a free ltsc for few bucks. any way to get on this list?
I’m stuck with Windows for the same reasons. I do use Linux on my laptop though and would not be opposed to switching my office machine to it as well if I can get the company I work for to make a few key software changes. I’ve had older generations of my family running Linux Mint for nearly a decade. They don’t know the difference because it’s all they’ve ever used. I have less phone calls about problem from these people than any Windows users I’ve had to deal with.
Had the same idea last month. Feels great to get away from MS and to learn about Linux, re-igniting my interest in computers after years or just double clicking everything with no understanding of what processes are going on behind the scenes.
I already shifted to Linux Zorin OS. It’s the best option for ex-Windows users like me. Sleek and modern with low learning curve.
For those which need to use Windows, here three mandatorio FOSS apps (the best IMHO)
- hellzerg Optimizer to eliminate bloat- and spyware
- WindHawk for those which don’t like this terrible childish Fisher Price UI of Windows 11
- Portmaster to monitor and if needed blocking unwanted traffic and telemetries (optional paid SPN service)
With these you can use Windows 11, showing the middlefinger to M$
My PC had been running like shit for a while and I was already weighing up options for replacing it, when I got the popup message from MS about Windows 10 expiring, and how my only option was to dump the PC. So I installed Linux out of pure spite. Runs like a dream now. Thanks Microsoft!
If you bought your computer after 2010, there’s most likely no reason to throw it out.
Frist of all, how dare yo u
The average retail store where I live is still selling computers with 6+ years old CPUs as “gamer edition”.
I need Microcenter to branch out internationally so these retailers can finally stop this bullshit tactic.
That was only 14nm+++.
I just toss it in a lake so the fish can have internet.
Coral habitat
Corel draw joke in there somewhere
Ain’t no coral in lakes!
Technicalities
You don’t need to buy a new computer. You just need to upgrade your old computer.
To Linux.
Which then makes it run like a new computer. So Linux basically gives you a free new computer.
