Windows 10 Support Dropping October 2025 (8.1 and 7 also)

No because Apple doesn't use Direct3D or even OpenGL/Vulkan, they use their own Metal API and games not only need to run in x86 emulation they also need to translate Direct3D or OpenGL/Vulkan calls to Metal

The largest barrier isn't even the x86 emulation, that was solved long ago by Rosetta 2 and customizations Apple made to the Apple Silicon hardware. The largest barrier is translating to Metal, if you think this is easy then you have no idea how much of a pain in the ass it has been to make Steam Deck's Proton translation layer that translates Direct3D calls to OpenGL/Vulkan in Linux, even today there are many games Steam Deck simply doesn't work with and there is still a significant performance penalty for the translation
Isn't Metal more powerful though, like a 4070 running on Metal would be more powerful than a 4080 on Direct3D?
 
I would like to, inevitably, but my PC is not supported by Windows 11...
Same, my i7 7700k stops the automated update. And I aint faffing around with doing a forced bypass install. I've also got my W10 configured nicely, with no ads etc. And the thought of not getting any more updates that might threaten that. Unless there's some downside I'm unaware of. I'm actually glad its going end of life.
 
windows 10 is the last windows I will use. I just built a new PC and didn't even consider installing 11. Truly have no clue why any gamer would. Just compulsive needs for newness? It's really a mystery. I'll use hacked windows for the rest of my life or hopefully a Linux gaming OS.
 
I still get the bullshit update message saying this pc doesnt meet minimum requirements to run windows 11..... lol

Ryzen 9 3900X
RTX 3080
32GB RAM
 
Man this is the worst part of PC gaming for me, having to install a new OS.
Having to install all my apps again,., favorites on my browsers etc.

What also sucks is that this seems a very small lifespan for Windows 10, Vista style. I was thinking there would probably be 5 ot 6 more years with 10 before having to change OS.
 
I used windows 11 on my gaming PC and it worked fine. Didn't seem all that different from 10 in most ways. I only used my gaming PC for gaming though so maybe that's why? Then again my work laptop has windows 11 and it also works just fine.
 
Same, my i7 7700k stops the automated update. And I aint faffing around with doing a forced bypass install. I've also got my W10 configured nicely, with no ads etc. And the thought of not getting any more updates that might threaten that. Unless there's some downside I'm unaware of. I'm actually glad its going end of life.
I only updated Win 7 two years ago and apparently that wasn't necessary since both were no longer supported at the same time...

I won't buy a new PC. So basically the only option is to switch to Linux.
 
I only updated Win 7 two years ago and apparently that wasn't necessary since both were no longer supported at the same time...

I won't buy a new PC. So basically the only option is to switch to Linux.
Why did you move from 7 in the end? I'm still planning on staying on 10 way past 2025...

Tangent, but for me 7 was my best Windows experience ever. I only changed to 10 because I was still using PC's for gaming at the time.
 
Man this is the worst part of PC gaming for me, having to install a new OS.
Having to install all my apps again,., favorites on my browsers etc.
In the past I used to reinstall every few weeks.. It was almost as it was necessary to revitalize the Windows OS that way. Windows 11 however is so boring in that respect as I've never gotten the feeling of it getting clogged up. The install feels as snappy and smooth now as it pretty much was its first days in 2021. And it's not because of a lack of drivers and OS extensions either.. I push that bitch to the max.
 
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Atleast it ewill be another 2 or 3 years after support ends before devs start dropping support for Windows 10, like with Windows 7.
It still sucks though how short 10's lifespan has been.
 
I still get the bullshit update message saying this pc doesnt meet minimum requirements to run windows 11..... lol

Ryzen 9 3900X
RTX 3080
32GB RAM
Isn't that just a firmware setting issue at your end, though?

My 12 core 24 thread Intel Xeon workstation laughably isn't supported, despite a Dell, Acer or Asus, etc Celeron joke of a netbook are all compatible despite TPM being hackable too AFAIK, but that is because Microsoft have completely run out of reasons for 90% of the PC market to buy new computers without fake TPM security requirements, so I am going to switch to Linux and eventually buy new workstation hardware to keep my retail version of Windows active with proper win 11 pro support. But Windows is playing a dangerous game if someone like Google released a Desktop version of Android that could Proton Windows.
 
Why did you move from 7 in the end? I'm still planning on staying on 10 way past 2025...

Tangent, but for me 7 was my best Windows experience ever. I only changed to 10 because I was still using PC's for gaming at the time.
If I remember correctly, it was said back then that support was supposed to end at the end of 2023. I really liked 7 too btw!^^
 
The best version is windows 11 LTSC if you don't know what that is it's windows de-bloated, It's the version they use in cash machines etc.
There are also scripts so you can install windows store and xbox features so you can play forza etc.

I highly recommended this version and I've been using to since May, If you search round the usual sites you should come across it as this version is not for sale to consumers.
 
I hate this constant nupgratind. I miss windows movie maker. the versions of it now are not fun and do not have features i miss from the one I was usiung back in 2013-2015. also, I need to stop typing in forums when I cant see. glasses onm order.
 
Another forced migration toward the unified system of no choices.
10 years support for an OS is pretty good tbh. Windows 7 lasted around the same.

For retail Windows owners like myself, the value is insane as I got three whole OS's with one key. And likely be able to update to 12, whenever that launches or even a lifetime.
 
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Used to be only for business.
Now MS will allow normal users to also buy into extended updates.
Only available for 1 year if regular customer vs up to 3 years for business.

That said if the hardware will take it might as well go to Win11 and decrapify it.
 
I upgraded from Windows 10 to 11 - it gave me issues.

However, a fresh install (including a full format of my existing hard drive) has not given me a single issue.

Windows 11 is the first OS which has given me a overwhelming stable experience in my 23 years of owning a PC. Every other MS OS would randomly lock or crash on a frequent basis.

I would always recommend removing the bloatware and use the following script:
 
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I'm just hoping that they finally get Windows 11 out of beta before all this happens. (I suppose I could run W10 with a third party anti virus or something.)
 
10 years support for an OS is pretty good tbh. Windows 7 lasted around the same.

For retail Windows owners like myself, the value is insane as I got three whole OS's with one key. And likely be able to update to 12, whenever that launches or even a lifetime.
How is that insane? RRP Physical or Digital retail copies of Pro are at least £200, and key resellers typically charge £10-20 per license for non retail - hardware locked licenses. So even buying a new motherboard every single year for 10years and needing a new license would only cost around the same price for licenses.

And 10years is a completely disingenuous claim when all hardware from prior to 2019 (5 years) has all been made obsolete to Windows 11, despite UEI secure boot and TPM 2.0 being just as vulnerable as before. Meaning that unless you built a machine in 2019 with a £200 retail version of Windows 10 Pro you've got no valid way to enjoy that 'insane' value.

It is just Microsoft trojan horsing Windows to help make non-obsolete PC hardware look obsolete and help their OEMs sell new hardware and in return let them get their cut of new OEM Windows license sales on said hardware. If they weren't so big and powerful, this type of zero solution to facilitate legally upgrading to Windows 11 on older hardware, and provide a dongle solution to the TPM issue would probably get them in trouble with regulators, as the compatibility bar for Windows 11 is totally self serving, and this support offer just exposes a further shakedown.
 
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How is that insane? RRP Physical or Digital retail copies of Pro are at least £200, and key resellers typically charge £10-20 per license for non retail - hardware locked licenses. So even buying a new motherboard every single year for 10years and needing a new license would only cost around the same price for licenses.

And 10years is a completely disingenuous claim when all hardware from prior to 2019 (5 years) has all been made obsolete to Windows 11, despite UEI secure boot and TPM 2.0 being just as vulnerable as before. Meaning that unless you built a machine in 2019 with a £200 retail version of Windows 10 Pro you've got no valid way to enjoy that 'insane' value.

It is just Microsoft trojan horsing Windows to help make non-obsolete PC hardware look obsolete and help their OEMs sell new hardware and in return let them get their cut of new OEM Windows license sales on said hardware. If they weren't so big and powerful, this type of zero solution to facilitate legally upgrading to Windows 11 on older hardware, and provide a dongle solution to the TPM issue would probably get them in trouble with regulators, as the compatibility bar for Windows 11 is totally self serving, and this support offer just exposes a further shakedown.
I paid £80 odd quid some years ago for Windows 7 retail. Which is account bound and I can use however many times as I want. I've been through a few builds and OS's with the same key. For OEM's keys thats tied to your motherboard and one time use.

About TPM, eh. If people are desperate to cling on to their old systems they can get a TPM module for a couple quids. Support doesn't last forever and they can stick to 10 if they are really THAT bothered by it.
 
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I paid £80 odd quid some years ago for Windows 7 retail. Which is account bound and I can use however many times as I want. I've been through a few builds and OS's with the same key. For OEM's keys thats tied to your motherboard and one time use.

About TPM, eh. If people are desperate to cling on to their old systems they can get a TPM module for a couple quids. Support doesn't last forever and they can stick to 10 if they are really THAT bothered by it.
So you're only running Home edition?

My Asus 12C/24T Xeon workstation motherboard has no such populated header to let me add a TPM, and nor should it need one. It is BS requirement for Windows 11 when the feature is no more secure than without. But a £10-20 usb dongle could have provided the same feature and securely through use of TFA, but instead I need £1,000 of new hardware to keep my hardware status quo to use Win11 Pro with my retail copy.
 

Today, less than four months before that October 14, 2025, cutoff, Microsoft is announcing additional options for people who can't or don't want to pay that fee.

Individuals who want to pay $30 for the additional year of updates will still be able to do so. But Microsoft will also extend a year of additional Windows 10 security updates to any users who opt into Windows Backup, a relatively recent Windows 10 and Windows 11 app that backs up some settings and files using a Microsoft account. Users can also opt into ESU updates by spending 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, which are handed out for everything from making purchases with your Microsoft account to doing Bing searches.
 
The sheer amount of bloat added to windows 11 along with data tracking, advertising, lecturing and requiring a MS account login makes it hard to like. Yes there are tools to remove those but how long those last is questionable as MS updates the system. Also the whole AI craze is something I do not trust MS or anyone else on.

If they just offered a retail version of windows 11 with all of that stuff stripped out at a price premium that would keep most people happy looking for a classic experience.

Linux is like 80% of the way there to being a viable alternative, but still has gaps that are being filled with a whole lot of behind the scenes stuff going on, Nvidia drivers with RTX hardware are now a lot better.

I'd just go with kubuntu if your starting out (Tuxedo is better), not the ideal distro but it should work, there is a decent SteamOS clone called Bazzite that is community made. But what's really needed is Valve to make SteamOS available to general PC's you have a trusted company and brand behind it.

The best version is windows 11 LTSC if you don't know what that is it's windows de-bloated, It's the version they use in cash machines etc.
There are also scripts so you can install windows store and xbox features so you can play forza etc.

I highly recommended this version and I've been using to since May, If you search round the usual sites you should come across it as this version is not for sale to consumers.
For those that are interested, Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC exists and is designed for devices where functionality and features must remain constant over time, such as medical systems, industrial controllers. It lacks Windows store and it's UWP apps, however it's possible to manually install them via a Powershell script. As LTSC does not receive feature updates, you may run into issues where games that require a later build of Windows 11 will no longer run. Now you can do an in place upgrade with LTSC versions, it works just how upgrading Windows was done previously where the OS is migrated to a new install but retains currently installed drivers and applications. Simply download the ISO, mount and run through the upgrade process.

There is also Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC, this version does not require TPM and will bypass any unsupported CPU checks, like any other LTSC it is feature fixed in place and you will only receive security updates. Currently I'm running this on a Intel 6700K system and it works just fine. Just make sur your other hardware like graphics card and chipset drivers do have Windows 11 support, the driver model was changed following Windows 10 and some drivers might not be compatible.

Lastly there is also Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 24H2, as above this version will not have the TPM requirement but is part of the GC (General Availability Channel) So you will get feature updates like a standard Windows 11 version does.
IoT builds of Windows 10 will receive 10 years of update support, as compared to 5 for non IoT but this does not correlate to app support. Many games and software might not support LTSC once that same build has reached the end of life in GAC.
 
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With regards to LTSC versions....just be warned that M$ most likely will ban yr MS related gaming accounts (xbox etc.) when they dont like the OS. I usually stay far away from any Microsoft products, but I always liked their flight simulator and I wasnt able to use it with a Win10 LTSC version. They always banned the obligatory xbox account, rendering the game useless. Only switching to one of their spy infested "consumer" versions did the trick. :messenger_unamused:
 
I really don't want to upgrade to windows 11. However my pc keeps telling me my pc isn't compatible with windows 11 anyways. No idea why. X470mb updates bios to use ryzen 5000 series processors. X57003d SSD etc.
 
I really don't want to upgrade to windows 11. However my pc keeps telling me my pc isn't compatible with windows 11 anyways. No idea why. X470mb updates bios to use ryzen 5000 series processors. X57003d SSD etc.
I think there are ways to circumvent these checks.

But you also have an ideal rig (full AMD) to try out linux. ;)
 
Maybe you don't have the TPM module enabled on the uefi.
If he never updated his BIOS from when he built it, the software TPM is disabled by default

AMD didn't flip the switch to enable software TPM by default in new BIOS releases until several years into AM4's life cycle, and they only did it because Win11 was requiring it
 
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If he never updated his BIOS from when he built it, the software TPM is disabled by default

AMD didn't flip the switch to enable software TPM by default in new BIOS releases until several years into AM4's life cycle, and they only did it because Win11 was requiring it
I did update the bios. As originally the motherboard didn't support amd4. So I had to update it to use ryzen 5000 series. Since then I haven't updated it.
 
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