Tom’s Hardware highlights the issue that Windows 10 end-of-life support in October 2025 will have a significant impact on the donation of old PCs (e.g. organizations donating old PCs to those in need, the elderly) as recipients may face the risk that Windows 10 will no longer be secure. However, opting to install Linux instead may pose challenges regarding user familiarity.
The estimated number of Windows 10 PCs is as high as 240 million. For organizations prioritizing data security, purchasing new Windows 11 PCs is a safer bet to reduce the risk of cyberattacks. The question remains: where will these PCs go next?
In other countries, non-profit organizations like PCs for People or Computer for People (e.g. Thailand’s Computers for Kids Foundation) accept donations of old PCs for the less fortunate. These organizations must decide what to do with these PCs. Paying Microsoft for Extended Support may be challenging, so the alternatives are:
– Stick with Windows 10 at the risk of security
– Switch to Linux, though users may not be familiar
– Dispose of them as electronic waste for recycling
Each organization may choose a different course of action. In an interview with Tom’s Hardware, Casey Sorensen, CEO of PCs for People managing 1.4 million old PCs per year, recommends the following strategies:
– PCs with Intel Gen 8 CPUs or higher should continue with Windows 10
– PCs with Intel Gen 6-7 CPUs should be installed with Linux Mint
– PCs with Intel Gen 5 CPUs or lower should be recycled
Sorensen notes that current PC usage behavior revolves around internet connectivity and using Linux is now more user-friendly than before. Opting for a Linux distro that is user-friendly like Linux Mint with Chromium as a browser allows for easy adaptation by users in this era.
TLDR: Windows 10 end-of-life in 2025 will impact the donation of old PCs, with options to continue using Windows 10, switching to Linux, or recycling the PCs, each with its considerations for data security and user familiarity.
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