This is what I’m doing with my old Windows 10 PC instead of trading it in like Microsoft wants me to

If you missed the news, Microsoft really wants you to trade in your Windows 10 PC so you can buy a Windows 11 one. However, as I explored before, you won’t get much for it. If you’re currently sitting on a Windows 10 PC and you want to purchase a new one once support runs out, it may feel like the only alternative is to throw it out.

However, there are plenty of things you can do with a Windows 10 PC that keep it away from the landfill. I have a Windows 10 PC myself, and instead of chucking it out, I’m going to do these things with it and put its hardware to good use.

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Install Linux Mint

It’s not as scary as you may think

How do you stop a computer from losing its operating system support? Easy; change its operating system. While Microsoft has made it a tradition to axe its ties with its operating systems after a set amount of time, not everyone does. For instance, there are plenty of Linux distros out there that don’t “go bad” like Windows does.

The solution here is easy; once Windows 10 falls out of support, I will put Linux on the computer and use that instead. These days, Linux operating systems are really easy to install and start using, so I shouldn’t notice too much of a difference except some software won’t work.

So, spoilers for one of my next week’s articles: I’m actually giving Linux Mint a try right now. I got it installed as a dual-boot alongside Windows 10, and so far, I’m really enjoying it. It does help that Linux Mint is a great distro for Windows users, so I feel right at home.

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Turn it into a NAS

Saves buying a new one

Speaking of installing different operating systems on it, there are a ton that convert a computer into performing a different job than it was originally made for. Taking this route again dodges Windows 10’s lack of support by stripping Windows 10 out and adding a new system.

I was really interested in our guide on how to turn an old PC into a NAS, where two of our editors, Adam Conway and Rich Edmonds, used their collective big brains to get the job done. As part of the guide, they used an operating system called TrueNAS Scale, which is also based on Linux.

Once it’s all set up, you can put your old storage media to good use by allowing devices on your network to store files on them. And because it’s using all your old hardware, you can get your very own NAS at no additional cost. A far more worthwhile venture than throwing it out.

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Continue using Windows 10 with third-party support

Digging in the heels

Source: Arm

So, there is one more option I will explore once Windows 10 falls out of support, and it’s a little unconventional. We’ve seen a few companies step forward and state that they will develop third-party security patches for Windows 10 after Microsoft drops it. Of course, anyone can come out and say this; whether or not they follow through is yet to be seen.

As such, I’ll be keeping tabs on how people handle third-party support when Windows 10 hits its end-of-service date. If the scene looks weak, I’ll perform one of the two solutions above and forget about using Windows 10. However, if people come out in full force and provide proper security patches for the operating system, there’s a chance that I’ll continue using Windows 10 on my old PC and just use those patches instead.

Am I better off just forsaking Windows 10 and using Linux instead? Probably. But honestly, if the modding scene for Windows 10 really takes off, it’ll be exciting to see what people do with it. And if people do take to the operating system. I’d want to keep it installed so I can check out all the newest updates and see how people push the OS. I mean, it’s not like Microsoft is going to muck things up with an update. Besides, if things go stale, I can just nuke it and take the Linux route instead.

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Microsoft can’t force me to surrender my hardware

Regardless of which option I go for, one thing’s for sure: I’m going to do my best to give my hardware a second life once Windows 10 falls out of support. It may end up being a Linux workstation, it may become a NAS server, and it may just keep soldering on with Windows 10 until it gives out. Regardless of which option I end up picking, it’s definitely not being traded in, and it’s absolutely not going to be thrown out just because Microsoft wants me to.