iFixitOct 14, 2025

Microsoft wants 2025 to be the "year of the Windows 11 PC refresh." They want up to 400 million perfectly good computers running Windows 10 to become e-waste. Why? So Microsoft can have their cake ($140-$200 for a Windows 11 license) and eat it (your data) too

It's time to switch sides, and break away from this cycle of endless upgrades. Our new guide walks you through installing a Linux-based operating system—keeping your computer secure long after Microsoft walks away

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Install+Linux+on+a+Windows+PC/196722

Show threadMary BranscombeOct 14, 2025
@iFixit I'm going to make myself unpopular because even though I don't *like* Windows 11, the reason you need a new PC is that your 'perfectly good' computer doesn't have enough hardware security features to keep you safe. Perhaps throw a little shade on PC makers who haven't been putting in the basic security hardware to run new features.
Show threadXarizzar Phantasma (玄)
@marypcbuk @iFixit If that were really the case, why would they be able to continue working with Linux operating systems, if I might ask? I have a Desktop from 2013. It used to be a gaming desktop, but now I'm pretty sure that it can fulfill some basic consumer or office needs. It cannot upgrade to Windows 11, obviously, but a Linux operating system will work on it. I'd imagine that's what a lot of people are after.
Oct 14, 2025 at 10:22pmWeb
Show threadWesDymOct 15, 2025
@Xarizzar Hell, I've got stuff older than that running on Linux, with no problems. Some of it's a bit slow, but not because of any security issues.
Show threadMary BranscombeOct 20, 2025
@Xarizzar @iFixit why aren't Linux distros making the same decisions for their users that Microsoft is making to protect consumers who buy PCs? I think you'd have to ask the Linux distros that, because their users are going to face the same threats although they probably don't get nearly as much information back about ongoing attacks that Microsoft does from telemetry (or from seeing all the attacks on their consumer services)
Show threadXarizzar Phantasma (玄)Oct 20, 2025

@marypcbuk @iFixit You did not answer my question, I don't think.

"Why aren't Linux OSs making the same decisions?"

I'd think it's because they don't need to. Microsoft, in my eyes, decided to arbitrarily stop supporting certain old hardware that still works just fine. Why does having an old processor (that still works, mind you) have to mean that my system is unprotected?

For context, my old Desktop's processor was the Intel Core i7 4770, released in June 2013 (?), if I recall.

Show threadMary BranscombeOct 21, 2025

@Xarizzar @iFixit

it's not arbitrary and 'works just fine' is only one way to describe 'will be vulnerable to attacks newer hardware is protected against' or 'won't run fast enough when protected for anyone to be happy with'. maybe Linux distros don't think they need to protect their users as much; Windows *does*.

I wrote about this a lot when Windows 11 was first coming out, so these pieces don't even include newer features announced since then that rely on hardware security.

- here's the security features that are on by default in 11 but available in 10, so don't push the hardware spec
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-get-the-windows-11-security-protections-on-your-windows-10-pc/

- here's what 11 adds (so features that are missing in Windows 10 and why it needs new hardware to make all that security usable (if I can use the word of an OS with such a bad UI as 11)
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-11-understanding-the-system-requirements-and-the-security-benefits/

- here are the new security things going into 11 that need the new hardware that started as features for enterprise but consumer apps will be able to use as well
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/why-windows-11s-security-is-such-a-big-deal/

How to get the Windows 11 security protections on an existing PC - TechRepublic

Windows 11 will turn on hardware security by default but only on new PCs or if you re-image from scratch. But there is a workaround.

TechRepublic
Show threadXarizzar Phantasma (玄)Oct 21, 2025

@marypcbuk @iFixit How much of this is relevant to the average user though?

For example. My newer Desktop had Win 11 from the start, but things like Memory Integrity (which is something that is mentioned in the articles you posted), are turned off, and I had zero security issues, to my knowledge.

So I ask again, how is this relevant to an average user? Why must I buy new hardware every 6 years? I feel like common sense protects against a lot of these issues, and if not, someone's targeting you