As the Windows 10 EOL date is close I was wondering what fellow Linux users thoughts about it are.
Are you helping open minded people making the switch to Linux? If yes, which distro are you using? Are you using resources like endof10.org?
Or are you using the the opportunity to get your hands on some cheap hardware for your homelab? Are you keeping an eye on special websites or just ebay (or your local equivalent)? Are you talking with local companies to get the hardware directly from them?
Or are you just observing and enjoy your peace of mind because you switched already to Linux before?
Whatever it is, we are very interested to hear your stories concering this interesting time.
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Macbook/Linux user here: People (And organisations/governments) who are reasonably skilled with technology will understand that on hardware which can’t use windows 11, and is stuck with windows 10 without security updates need an alternative operating system. When institutions switch to linux, they will likely contribute to the opensource project, and overall bring the user base numbers up, which will make more software developers add support for linux.
But while this should happen, it might work in microsoft’s favour, (Like when Netflix stopped password sharing) meaning people, who are used to windows will just buy new windows 11 machines, overall increasing microsoft’s company value. Microsoft also supports the Israel military during the genocide, and Bill Gates personally supports Trump and had close ties with Epstein, so it would be best if the general public does an accident, or purposeful boycott. Personally I buy secondhand stuff and put linux on it, if you want new stuff either buy a mac, or buy one of those new linux machines from Lenovo?
I am a chicken, I could not make the switch for the home desktop and work computer, so I just downgraded to Windows 11. There are some financial apps that needs switching, damn.
Maybe I could convince people to let me use Linux at work…
The EoL doesn’t affect me. I use Linux and Mac. My work pc is windows 10 but that’s their problem.
My roommate refuses to move on. I flat out gave him an old surface pro X with win11 and a spacious new SSD. I offered to migrate him to fedora and teach him how to use it. I offered to help him pick out a new pc if he wants. No, he’ll just keep waiting 20 minutes for his old crusty Dell to boot up, then another 10 to load chrome. For updates, he said he’ll just download hacks as people post them online.
All his shit is on its own VLAN now.
Linux on all of my main machines, so I’m grabbing the popcorn. Got LTSC for all the remaining Windows use cases: VMs, beater laptop for Windows-only stuff, and a couple of computers from family.
Most of my friends replace their computers quite frequently, so they’re living blissfully unaware on Windows 11 or MacOS. The ones who do have older laptops tend to be tech-savvy enough to have figured out LTSC or Linux themselves. On one occasion, a good friend of mine had an old iMac that wasn’t getting updates anymore, so I installed Debian and themed XFCE to look like MacOS, taught them the basics, and they were impressed with the result.
As for family, they’re usually very happy with the Linux Mint Debian Edition that I install for them, but some I know just won’t use the computer if it doesn’t have their familiar Windows-specific software, so I get them started with LTSC.
I frankly have an excess of unused hardware that’s piling up, which won’t be helped by my access to a good source of e-waste. Old computers have already been trickling in, but I’m excited to see what’s next now that the Oct 14 date has come.
I used windows 10 on my gaming PC for many years. I “upgraded” to 11, and it felt bad. The UI/ux was tolerable, but between the AI features and everything requiring a Microsoft account, it got on my nerves quickly.
I literally just wanted to upgrade the firmware on my Xbox one controller (so it’d work in Linux…) and that forced a login. At that point I logged in, upgraded my controller, formatted as ext4, and now I rarely look back.
Every once in a while a game will crash or not be playable on Linux, but I’d trade that for being in control of the hardware I’ve spent thousands on over the years.
Very happy with bazzite on my htpc and a kde based distro on my main computer. I pop over to my MacBook for casual computing, but for the real stuff I’ll never use windows again (barring being forced by future employers)
I hosted an endof10.org event at my local public library. Advertised like crazy, posting flyers around town, posting online, etc. I had over 30 USB installers ready to go with Debian 13. I was worried that I was advertising too much and wouldn’t have room for everyone.
Only 2 people showed up, and neither were prepared to go through with an install. In a town with well over 70k people and a major university, I expected more.
Now I’m thinking an event like this would only be viable in a major metropolitan area.
In my circle of friends and family, I only knew of one person who was faced with the Windows 10 dilemma, and he chose to purchase new hardware (granted he’s nearly 80 years old).
Yeah nobody in real life really cares about this. Anyone techie enough has already replaced their system and runs Win11, or has already switched to Linux themselves.
Anyone not techie enough doesn’t care and will continue using Win10 (or just follow the Windows nagging and buy a new PC from Best Buy).
Yeah…and I think there’s also a chunk of the non-techie population who are getting by with just their phones now.
Why Debian? Why not Mint?
Unfortunately the average person doesn’t care about this stuff. Good on you for putting on the time and effort though.
I’ve finally swapped over my main personal (gaming) PC 6+ months ago. Should’ve probably done that a lot sooner, but lazy. I knew I wouldn’t upgrade my Win 10 to 11, and didn’t wanna wait until the last minute, but have fallback options and time to distro hop if needed.
I’m not new to Linux at all, as most servers I’m running (personally or in my job) are Linux based. Debian, usually, cause servers. But I haven’t used a Linux desktop in well over 20 years.
My choice fell on CachyOS, as I wanted something pre-configured for performance/gaming/wine, but kinda dislike fedora (rules out Bazzite, Nobara, and actual fedora). Also in the running was PikaOS, but I tried CachyOS first and stuck with it. I had no experience with Arch, but what a brilliant base that turns out to be for me. Love the rolling up-to-date-ness and AUR accessibility. I’m used to having to contort myself to get a more current version of software, possibly compiling from source and screwing with dependencies, but everything is literally just there and up to date. Critically, all games basically just worked. Everything just worked. EXcept all mail programs suck to an unexpected degree, but that is literally my only complaint.
I do use the EoL of win 10 as an opportunity to get people to move over or at least try it out. Depending on their use case, I usually still recommend Mint for non-technical people, mostly because searching for help from a Windows convertee likely finds appropriate solutions. The more technical ones get personalized recommendations, depending on context. For example I do have a colleague who spends half his day complaining about anything Microsoft, but still uses Windows at home, but that is mostly because of a single piece of software (and so far I haven’t been able to get that to run, but haven’t tried very hard yet either).
Installed bazzite on my son’s gaming laptop, it works perfectly well and he really likes the ricing.
The bazaar on bazzite is really convenient for the non-power user
I would help if asked, but I’m not out there trying to convince people. This isn’t the first Windows version to be EOLd, and Apple and Android have all but convinced people that a 2-3 year hardware replacement cycle is normal. I just don’t think this is a significant consumer event at all.
Or are you just observing and enjoy your peace of mind because you switched already to Linux before?
Yeah, but I wouldn’t say “switched” is the right word for me. I’ve been using a variety of OSes for personal and work for a long time. I worked in embedded software, and we had to support a variety of build toolchains for different host OSes and different target OSes. So the idea of using a different OS on my own computer is not a big deal. Over the years it’s been Solaris, BSDos, Mac, Windows, and more flavors of Linux than I can recall.
Not the question you asked, but it was gratifying when Raspberry Pi really started to take off because it was the first time that developing for a different hardware arch and OS target was going mainstream. I would enthusiastically help people with that sort of thing. But even fewer ask. lol
I switched to Linux about a year ago. I was a windows power user and now I’m a Linux noob, but couldn’t be happier.
I hate to say it, but there’s still reasoning to have Windows. I use a VM with ameliorated windows running for the few things I can’t get away from.
For others, I tell them my story. Most people I talk to won’t or can’t make the switch, which I’m respectful of. To those that would benefit, I recommend at the minimum O&O Shutup but highly recommend ameliorated. This has been more welcomed.
People won’t care until they have a reason to care. I’ll still be around when they do.
but there’s still reasoning to have Windows
For sure. There’s a lot of software that’s built for Windows only. I have some Garmin aviation software that only works on Windows or Mac. It’s pretty shit software, but I have to use it, and since I can do windows in a VM, that’s what I use. Similarly, there’s another bit of software I use all the time that’s only built for iPad. So I have an iPad for that app. There’s not always a choice.
installed fedora cinnamon on my grandparent’s laptop a few days ago and got a friend turned from 10 to mint. been using mint on my gaming rig, server and media PCs for over two years. also wife requested mint on her laptop, so no windblows devices left in the house then
Unfortunately still have to use W11 for some anti-cheat games I play with friends :(
But being forced to update to 11 motivated me to come back to Linux on a PC. I already have a little homelab with all the flavors, but was wondering how it would game on my desktop.
Ultimately went with Debian + KDE on a second SSD, and it’s just awesome. Especially coming from WSL on my desktop, it’s just so seamless.
Had a little trouble getting Nvidia drivers for my relatively new card (Debian’s latest proprietary driver still didn’t support it lol), so I had to use the official Nvidia repo. And it was a little tricky signing it for Secure Boot, but other than that, awesome.
Need to run better side-by-side tests, but it at least feels like a 10% or so performance improvement.
Thank you Linux! And fuck Fortnite, release a Linux port already!
I went through the effort to guide some people (mostly my family n≈10) through distrochooser, but in the end most of them chose Linux Mint and two wanted to go with endeavour for gaming, but I installed base arch on it and we designed their basic workflows together. For now everyone is happy.
Transitioned my moms computer to Windows 11, 11 months go. Pretty easy. Her computer was originally for Windows 7 and is still fully supported. Her computer will always be Windows as I’m not local and other people have to be able to support her too. It is also what she knows. I love Linux but it is not for everyone.
Feel you. If you are tech savvy you can debloat Windows for them and get rid of recall and the online accounts.
It’s a once-off operation if you’re willing to go the LTSC route. Microsoft likes to undo all your hard work debloating Windows with the semi-annual major updates on non-LTSC editions.
That’s become increasingly difficult.
There are Sommer good tools to create stripped ISOs and to adjust running installations.
I’ve been dual booting since 2000 starting with Mandrake. Then Ubuntu and stuck with it or Xubuntu or Kununtu ever since.
I had been using win 10 a lot more when I eventually installed it. It was a great OS in my opinion. Until it wasn’t because Microshits decided to make it bad. I was getting angry with that and learned last year that it would reach EOL this October. So I booted in Linux and started experiencing with Steam and Proton and Bottles and I was blown away by how easy it had become and how well the games played. So last December I wiped the disk, installed Kubuntu 24.04 and it’s been a great experience ever since. Honestly it’s insane how easy it has become. To think I had to recompile my kernel to have all the features of my hardware back in the early 2000s. LoL!
I tried to convince my GF to move to Linux but she can’t due to her job. It’s complicated.
