Windows 10 deadline is approaching, should I switch to Linux for my old laptop or buy a new Copilot+ PC?

Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025, and that date is fast approaching. Despite requests and calls from millions of users, including the Public Interest Research Group, which filed a petition asking Microsoft to reconsider its decision to end support for Windows 10 , citing 'the largest single spike in discarded computers ever,' the tech giant has not changed its plans.

As a result, Windows 10 users are left with limited options: Upgrade to Windows 11 , pay for an additional year of support through the Extended Security Updates program, or switch to another operating system entirely.

Microsoft clearly wants users to upgrade to Windows 11, but the operating system's strict minimum system requirements make the transition difficult. Many Windows 10 users may have to ditch their current, incompatible devices and buy a new Copilot+ PC or other device that comes with Windows 11 pre-installed.

Microsoft isn't holding back in its PC Copilot+ campaign, touting it as the perfect device for an intuitive Windows 11 experience with great battery life, faster performance than Apple's MacBook Air M4, and up to five times faster than a five-year-old Windows 10 device.

However, a small group called End of 10 has a different (but very familiar) approach and solution to the impending end of support for Windows 10.

Instead of buying a new device to meet Microsoft's strict system requirements for Windows 11, the group came up with the idea of ​​abandoning the Windows ecosystem entirely and switching to Linux on outdated Windows 10 devices.

Interestingly, a report by Canalys claims that there are around 240 million PCs that are not ready to run Windows 11 due to system requirement limitations.

Will Microsoft ever lose some market share to Linux?

To be clear, the End of 10 group includes users from the Linux community and the KDE project, including the Windows-like KDE Plasma desktop environment.

While it's still unclear how Windows 10 users will approach this recycling idea, it could pose a threat to Microsoft's market share if any given Linux distribution is eventually able to offer equivalent native app support.

Unlike Windows, End of 10 recommends Linux because it is free of ads and telemetry. Additionally, the group promotes Linux as a free and open-source operating system, making it a cheaper alternative to ditching your current device and buying a new PC for Windows 11.

The group also says the approach is environmentally friendly as it will reduce e-waste, one of the most prominent issues as Windows 10 approaches its end-of-life (EoL).

End of 10 says that 'almost' anyone can run Linux on their device, and recommends looking into Linux distributions for beginners . And if you get stuck, the team insists that the Linux community will help, but it doesn't include anti-cheat support for popular multiplayer games and other support that's missing for native Windows apps.

As Tom's Hardware highlights, there is a comprehensive list of stores and tech groups ready to provide Linux support, most of which are located in Germany, with the rest scattered across other parts of Europe.

David Pac

Update 26 May 2025