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Before Windows 10 Goes Eol I M Testing Three Alternative Linux Distros

Leo Migdal
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before windows 10 goes eol i m testing three alternative linux distros

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Support for Windows 10 is set to end on October 14 2025, and that means your old PC will no longer receive any software or security updates, nor will it enjoy any technical support. So we just throw these PCs into the landfill and buy a new Windows 11 PC? If your PC meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11, then you should be able to upgrade for free. For reference, this is what Microsoft considers the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.

In reality, those specs won’t get you a great Windows 11 experience; you’d need a better CPU, more RAM, and more storage to even start using Windows 11 in a productive manner. You’d need something like an Intel 9th Gen CPU-based system and 16GB of RAM, along with 512GB of fast storage as a comfortable minimum. But what if your PC doesn’t meet the spec? Now, do we throw it into the trash? The answer is still a firm no! Linux is the alternative, but which version of the OS is the best?

With Windows 10 support officially ending on October 14, 2025, many PC users are facing an important choice: upgrade to Windows 11—if their machine allows it—or look elsewhere. And for those with aging but still perfectly functional computers, Linux might just be the alternative you’ve been overlooking. As someone who’s refurbished a few “obsolete” laptops over the years, I can say this confidently: Linux has come a long way, and it’s more user-friendly than ever. Microsoft’s message is clear: if your hardware doesn’t meet the requirements for Windows 11—including TPM 2.0, 4GB RAM, and a compatible processor—your options are limited. You can pay for extended support or, as Microsoft suggests, buy a new PC. In an era of sustainability and digital sobriety, that’s a tough pill to swallow.

According to Canalys, nearly 240 million devices could be deemed incompatible, pushing countless users toward unnecessary upgrades. Thankfully, you don’t need to send your computer to the recycling bin just yet. Linux offers a wide array of distributions that work on virtually any machine, no matter how old. Plus, it’s open-source, secure, and free. There’s a myth floating around that Linux is only for developers or hobbyists glued to their terminals. That might’ve been true 15 years ago, but today, Linux distributions come with polished user interfaces, easy installation wizards, and even built-in app stores.

Windows 10, it's almost time to bid you adieu. Support ends soon, and many of those PCs simply aren't powerful enough to run the successor to what has been one of the most widely used desktop OSes on the planet. But users have choices. It's that last option -- touted by a campaign called End of 10 -- that should pique the interest of most Windows 10 users. Why? Because it makes the most sense.

End of 10 is more than just a website with an opinion. It's a movement with a digital purpose that aims to help those who aren't sure A) what to do with their Windows 10 PCs, and B) aren't sure what Linux is all about. Also: This Linux app makes sharing files to Android a breeze - here's how The End of 10 campaign states up front: "Support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, 2025." We adhere to a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is crafted by an in-house team of experts in technology, hardware, software, and more. With years of experience in tech news and product reviews, we focus on providing reliable insights, balanced reviews, and practical guidance from actual people.

Our goal is to help readers make informed decisions. Read more. On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will pull the plug on Windows 10 for good. No more updates. No more security patches. Just you, your aging PC, and the digital equivalent of a ‘Good luck out there.’

And unless you want to pay hundreds for extended support or upgrade to Windows 11 (which your old hardware probably hates), you’re in trouble. But maybe–just maybe–that trouble is a blessing in disguise. Support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. While In wake of Windows 10 retirement, over 780,000 Windows users skip Win 11 for Linux, says Zorin OS developers — distro hits unprecedented 1 million downloads in five weeks | Tom's Hardware The key feature of Zorin OS is its compatibility.

It focuses on integrating web apps, allowing users to install apps like Office 365 and Microsoft Teams using the Progressive Web App installer. Apps like Google Docs and Photoshop can be used like native applications. Zorin OS 18, in particular, promises improved support for Windows software. Tom's Hardware notes that while Linux isn't on track to overtake Windows, the barriers to catching up are the lowest they've been since Windows 95, thanks to the resurgence of Linux gaming systems ,... Windows 11 Explorer now has a 'pre-load feature' to speed up startup Google Search AI mode finally displays ads, with ads at the bottom of the page labeled 'Sponsored'

The "End of 10" group wants novice users to switch to Linux, but its various distros still lack full app and anti-cheat support. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Windows 10 hits its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025, and it's fast approaching. Despite requests and pleas from millions of users, including a Public Interest Research Group that filed a petition asking Microsoft to reconsider its decision to end support for Windows 10, citing "the single biggest... As such, Windows 10 users are left with limited options: upgrading to Windows 11, paying up for an additional year of support through the Extended Security Updates program, or switching to another operating system...

It's apparent that Microsoft wants users to upgrade to Windows 11, but its stringent minimum system requirements for the operating system are making the transition an uphill task. Many Windows 10 users may have to ditch their current, incompatible devices to buy new Copilot+ PCs or other devices loaded with Windows 11. When Microsoft officially pulled the plug on Windows 10 support in October 2025, they probably didn't expect to create one of the most measurable desktop market shifts in recent memory. But the numbers don't lie: Zorin OS, a Linux distribution specifically designed to ease the transition from Windows, reported hitting one million downloads in just over a month following its release. Even more telling, 78% of those downloads - roughly 780,000 - came from Windows devices, suggesting a significant migration wave is underway. You can also set us as a preferred source in Google Search/News by clicking the button.

This isn't just about one Linux distro getting lucky. The timing was everything. Zorin Group strategically launched version 18 on the exact day Microsoft ceased support for Windows 10, creating a perfect storm for users facing a difficult choice. According to industry coverage, an estimated 200-400 million devices worldwide now face the Windows 10 end-of-life dilemma: upgrade to Windows 11 where hardware permits, pay for Extended Security Updates, or jump ship to an... For many users, the hardware requirements for Windows 11 proved to be the breaking point. Microsoft introduced these requirements for legitimate security reasons, but the practical reality is that millions of otherwise serviceable PCs suddenly became "unsupported." This created exactly the kind of friction that Linux distributions like Zorin...

The distro specifically invests in easing migration with Windows-like layouts, OneDrive browsing, and improved compatibility stacks - all aimed at making that first week or month less intimidating for newcomers. What's particularly interesting is how this migration is playing out across different user segments. On forums like Restarters, community members are documenting their experiences with "The Great Migration," sharing notes about which Linux distributions work best with various hardware specs. One user reported successfully installing Emmabuntüs on an Acer Aspire One, while others are using Mint Linux as their baseline first install for rescued laptops. The sheer variety of hardware specs and potential distros means there's no one-size-fits-all solution, but the community support infrastructure is clearly stepping up. Microsoft will end free support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025; security updates will only be delivered to paying users after this date.

Most reasonably up-to-date computers (Intel Core 8000 or AMD Ryzen 3000 or higher) can be upgraded to Windows 11 and the upgrade should be free in most cases. If neither Windows 11 nor paid support (max. 3 years) beyond October 14 is an option, the only way to keep using your PC with peace of mind is to switch to a different operating system. The numerous Linux distributions (e.g. Ubuntu, Fedora, Mint, EndeavourOS, Pop!_OS) and ChromeOS Flex can be considered as alternatives. All popular Linux distributions can be regarded as full-fledged Windows replacements.

All the usual apps (e.g. word processing, image processing) are available. Even gaming is no longer a major problem with Linux. However, users do need to familiarize themselves with the OS and how to use it. Google's ChromeOS Flex is not a 1:1 replacement for Windows 10. Nevetherless, the operating system, which is designed for the use of cloud-based services and applications, runs quite smoothly on relatively weak or old hardware.

A Google account and an internet connection are required to use the OS. We recently took a closer look at ChromeOS Flex and installed it on a 10-year-old Lenovo ThinkPad L540. While Linux should run smoothly on most computers from the last 10 to 15 years, this does not necessarily apply to ChromeOS Flex. Google has a list of devices certified for the OS; those not listed are not necessarily excluded. The only way to really know is to try it out. As the end of Windows 10 draws near, many users are rethinking their relationship with Microsoft.

Whether it’s the relentless data collection, nagging upgrade prompts, or the looming need to replace otherwise functional hardware, the frustration is real. But here’s some good news: switching to Linux in 2025 isn’t just a rebellious move—it might be the smartest choice you make for your computer. October 14, 2025, marks the official end of support for Windows 10. After that, no more security updates, no more patches—just a ticking time bomb for anyone still using it. Microsoft would love to see you leap to Windows 11, but with its tighter hardware requirements, more aggressive ad integrations, and persistent telemetry, it’s not exactly a welcoming upgrade. And let’s not even get started on Windows 11 Copilot+ and its controversial “Recall” feature.

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