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 threadbpollenOct 15, 2025

@iFixit You can get Win11 at: https://store.entrepreneur.com/sales/microsoft-windows-11-pro-7?utm_term=customdeal1&utm_source=StackSocial%20Deals%20Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20251014_Tech_Sale_1pmPT_327609_MicrosoftWindows11Pro15_3Products_FullCreative_a0xRn000004l5Jh&cmp=15244652&tmpl=19846784

$14.97. Not a plug, just where I got a license for a new computer on the cheap

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro | Entrepreneur

<p>Microsoft-Verified Partner! Upgrade Your Windows OS and Enjoy Enhanced UI, Better Multitasking, and Improved Security</p>

Entrepreneur
Show threadWesDymOct 15, 2025

@bpollen The issue here isn't those who can and want to upgrade to Win11. It's the fact that many Win10 machines can't upgrade to 11, and MS's hard sunset of Win10 (or paid extension) will result in countless perfectly fine machines getting trashed this month, for no good reason.

Those machines could continue on Win10, but MS won't allow it (unless you pay them). But they can ALL run Linux, for many more years.

Show threadbpollenOct 15, 2025
@wesdym I agree about Linux. But some hardware that MS claims ain't compatible is perfectly capable of running Win11. I tend to dual boot in hopes of getting the best of both worlds.
Show threadWesDym
@bpollen Yeah, I'm not sure what MS's deal is. There's some scheme involved, and I don't know what it is, but I'm suspicious. My current belief is that they have some metric they're using to determine if a given system is likely to run Win11 WELL, and that it's got something to do with AI.
Oct 16, 2025 at 1:01amWeb
Show threadbpollenOct 16, 2025
@wesdym I think you are probably spot on. They sure are pushing it. Hopefully, AI isn't going to be the next dot com bust, because a lot of companies are pouring ungodly amounts of money into it.
Show threadWesDymOct 16, 2025
@bpollen I suspect it's a very significant bubble that will burst very dramatically, affecting a great many people. I also suspect that it might break within the next few months. MS is currently losing a great deal on it, and that's not sustainable. I believe this is part of a strategy to force a market for AI that otherwise would be much smaller, in the hopes of catching up. I don't think that will work for them, but I do expect it to cause a lot of damage and disruption, especially in e-waste.