If the OS is no longer being supported, will there still be Security Updates for Windows Defender?

Yes, virus definition updates to Defender on Windows 10 will continue to at least October 2028

I've been following this thread with interest given I have Win10, which is more than adequate for my needs, and have no wish to upgrade to Win11 unless I have absolutely no choice.

However, when I booted up earlier, there was a full screen message from MS saying my machine does not have the hardware to support Win11...so here's a helpful promotion to induce you to buy.

How does MS know my machine isn't hardware compatible and is this just a "hard sell" on the part of MS ?

- How does MS know my machine isn't hardware compatible -

The upgrade control software checks. Most PCs fail the check on one more of age of CPU, absence of TPM 2.0 chip or no secure boot/EUFI bios.

- .so here's a helpful promotion to induce you to buy.-
TBH that sounds more like the PC/laptop manufacture's app. giving you a 'hard sell'

Windows 10 collects at lot. A huge amount. Processor information. Your web searches. Your local searches. File extensions. What apps you're running.

But you know all this already right, because they're legally required to tell you and give you the opportunity to opt out?

I've got W11 on a PC and laptop but my daily use machine has W10 and I'll be using that until it expires. I started off with 3.1 around 2000 and had all the versions since then except W8. The W11 navigation is a real pain compared to them and a lot of my programmes aren't supported so it'll be little more than a personal data back-up. Why can't the bean-bag barons just leave an easy-to-use system alone? :*

Because they need to do something new to justify their continued employment and what would MS do if no-one HAD to buy new software every 5 years.....................

To answer Discorde's first post, I suggest a viable 'workaround' could be Linux Mint.

Mint is free to download and use (I suggest the Xfce version), and could well make your computer experience faster and more stable than with Windows.

Moreover it's incredibly easy to put onto a USB thumb drive and just trial for a while if you're uncertain. Fully installing it on a machine usually takes just a few minutes and, refreshingly, there's no interminable license keys etc to purchase/find and enter, and the finished install will already have browser (Firefox), office suite (LibreOffice) and email client (Thunderbird) installed. There are many other programs available (including Chrome browser if you want your browsing to be monitored and controlled by G) and little need to spend money, although a donation is usually gratefully received. Additionally it will often work well on older hardware, so you could also resurrect the old PC you have laying around in the garage etc.

I've used M$ since the 1980's and Linux since 1992/3. Many years ago it was arguably difficult to use, the software was limited and 'experimental, and wouldn't work with a lot of hardware, but over time it has become much more mature and universal. Fifteen years ago or more I switched entirely to Linux and have been completely happy with that move. It's not completely perfect, and I'm not being a fanboi here, rather prefer just to recount my experience and satisfaction, and encouragement to give it a try.

FP.

I have recently upgraded to a Win 11 machine and like Win 11. I would say if your machine supports it then definitely upgrade to Win 11.

Ha ! I said the same thing when I was bullied into upgrading to Win 10, until I eventually gave in and then regretted not upgrading sooner.

I'm still on the fence about this... my work laptop has been on Win 11 for a couple of months now. It's got its issues but I can live with it. I tend to use occasions like this to upgrade my desktop to something newer, which is something I rarely do. I think the current setup has been around since Win 7 was released.... but it has served me well all these years and still happily runs Win 10. Decisions... decisions....

OE (albeit rebadged as Window Mail 6) working fine on W7 here. :O

I migrated all my machines to Windows 11 a while back. Not really any heartache, just move the Start menu over to the left and tweak the Start Menu options to taste.

Did MS say your machines were capable of handling it? I get the "this machine can't use W11"

- Did MS say your machines were capable of handling it? I get the "this machine can't use W11" -

On my home built tower PC I had to change the BIOS to enable secure boot. If your PC fails the check due to older CPU or not having TPM2.0 there's workarounds to install Windows 11, check YouTube.

I've been looking to upgrade my plastic monstrosity for quite a while now, but for longevity I have been waiting for the release of Windows 12 so that I can be a assured of compatibility.
Looks like Windows 10 will have to suffice for a while longer.

Out of curiosity, when the rug gets pulled on Windows 10 in October, will this be the 1st time that Micro$oft has only one supported mainstream OS available to Joe Public?

Which gives the choice of running an unsupported version of Windows 10, or an unsupported version of Windows 11.

I was dithering over this until you confirmed that Defender updates will continue on Windows 10 till late 2028. I'm fairly sure now that I'll stay with Windows 10 on machines that don't support 11.

Microsoft will offer three ways to continue getting support for Windows 10 until Oct 2026 (one additional year)

1) Pay for extended support which I expect will be $30 or local equivalent
2) 'Cash in' 1,000 Reward Points from Microsoft account, which you can accumulate by using Bing, Xbox etc.
3) Run Windows 10 with a cloud account and backup the settings to Microsoft cloud

Obviously the last two will be unattractive if you are suspicious of 'the man' and you'll be migrating to Linux Mint

Microsoft gives up, extends Windows 10's support for free if you meet the requirements

Would anti-malware software (such as Norton or MacAfee) give adequate protection to W10 users when MS withdraw all support options?

Or upgrading to, for example, Linux Mint. Some information about this may be seen here:








I have an idea there was another 'better' overview for current M$ users that a friend mentioned to me recently. I will try and find out what that was and (if found) post it in the next few days.

Not trying to start anything contentious here, simply speaking as someone who has used many different OS's over the years, including M$ (DOS, and all versions of Windows), but has also happily used Linux since the very early '90's. In my experience I am quite satisfied that Linux easily covers most if not all needs and often - markedly - improves performance of machines when installed in place of M$ Windows...

FP.