Linux is good in that there is usually an open-source version of most productivity software. However, problems arise when everyone else does not upgrade with you, and you start running into compatibility problems with software.
Good luck if you are a Creator, Gimp is nowhere close to Affinity or Photoshop's capabilities or ease of use, let alone C1 or Lr and many other plug-ins. There is times you still have to 'roll your own' support when compiling drivers or packages, not so common as it was 20 years ago though as driver support is a lot better - as long as you stick to mainstream hardware. No licenced codecs notably AAC which is the most common codec used in professional cameras and tools. Davinci Resolve fails to render your open/close buttons on the pane. I could go on, even Open Office is clunky and just lacks the polish of Office 365 which makes using it painful to use and the font/screen rendering for Open Office is painful to work with for long periods on the eyes (at least to my eyes). This is before I get onto the state of gaming if they use kernel level anti-cheat. There has been plenty of 30 days with Linux videos in the last few months highlighting the issues with Linux. Linux has a place, but it's not the be all and end all. Realistically a lot of the older hardware is going to be end up in recycling. This is coming from someone who has worked with various *nix variants over several decades and refurbished a lot of old Enterprise kit. I will also add I trialled two people using Linux but even after two months I was still getting inundated on questions on how to run certain applications, find files , why can't I do this and so on. I just do not have the time to be a 24/7 tech support, sure some of it was teething issues coming from Windows, but other stuff is just braindead decisions by Linux and yes, I know Linux is infinitely customisable at least until the next upgrade that breaks everything.
@studioidris the software side of it is miles better than it was even just 5 years ago. An issue that's going to become more of an issue is hardware being forced into obsolescence. I had to upgrade my wifi card in my 2014 hp laptop just To be able to see the campus new network when they changed ISP. Campus IT announced hardware older than 2019 would not be able to use the network anymore...cuz reaso s. The card was so old it did not have wpa3 protocol enabled. Had to upgrade to an ax210 chipset wifi 6 card.
Most corporate and government clients will still use and pay for Microsoft products. The cost and time to move everyone to an alternative system, such as Linux, and then train everyone to use a new ecosystem does not make it worthwhile to switch.
Facing a low W11 base and adoption, it is possible that they extend its lifecycle, like W7, just to avoid migration to linux and other operating systems.
This is the approach I took a few years ago, and I have not needed to go back since. Initially, I used virtualisation software, such as Parallels, to keep the last few (mainly homebrew) apps that were only available on Windows going, but now this is no longer a concern as most of them have been ported to macOS.
IDC, I already end-of-supported it myself by permanently disabling updates since 2022, holy: never had a Bsod, never freezes, never bootloops, never ads, never W11 Microsoft extortion and annoyances and best of all: Not a single driver being downgraded by Microsoft without even telling me until I find out due to problems
Do not do this! You should at least enable security updates if you dont like the feature updates. If you want to do this you can google "Chris Titus Tech Tool", he has an option for disabling feature updates without removing security updates. Otherwise you are open to explotation of vulnerabilities inside of windows!
This was the policy in one company that I am aware of. The computers were locked down, disconnected from the internet and stuck in a time warp, but they worked. However, there is always a weak link and someone infected one PC from a USB drive.
This is a great option if you use your computer for simple office-based tasks such as email and basic word processing. Unlike modern versions of Windows, Linux doesn’t require increasingly higher-spec computers.
This is the distro that I use at home, but it will never be accepted at work due to the steep learning curve and incompatibility with dedicated software.
iPads also have the same problem: they eventually reach the end of support and will stop being compatible with the latest iPadOS version. However, I have noticed that backward compatibility with even very old apps has been good.
I did this, although it is essential to remember that Major macOS versions are now released once a year and usually maintained for three years. Apple usually provides security updates for the latest three releases, but this isn’t consistently applied, and some security fixes aren’t available for the non-latest releases. However, I have found that software tends to be supported for longer on a Mac than on a Windows system.
Short Answer, Switch to linux.
Linux is good in that there is usually an open-source version of most productivity software. However, problems arise when everyone else does not upgrade with you, and you start running into compatibility problems with software.
Good luck if you are a Creator, Gimp is nowhere close to Affinity or Photoshop's capabilities or ease of use, let alone C1 or Lr and many other plug-ins. There is times you still have to 'roll your own' support when compiling drivers or packages, not so common as it was 20 years ago though as driver support is a lot better - as long as you stick to mainstream hardware. No licenced codecs notably AAC which is the most common codec used in professional cameras and tools. Davinci Resolve fails to render your open/close buttons on the pane. I could go on, even Open Office is clunky and just lacks the polish of Office 365 which makes using it painful to use and the font/screen rendering for Open Office is painful to work with for long periods on the eyes (at least to my eyes). This is before I get onto the state of gaming if they use kernel level anti-cheat. There has been plenty of 30 days with Linux videos in the last few months highlighting the issues with Linux.
Linux has a place, but it's not the be all and end all. Realistically a lot of the older hardware is going to be end up in recycling. This is coming from someone who has worked with various *nix variants over several decades and refurbished a lot of old Enterprise kit. I will also add I trialled two people using Linux but even after two months I was still getting inundated on questions on how to run certain applications, find files , why can't I do this and so on. I just do not have the time to be a 24/7 tech support, sure some of it was teething issues coming from Windows, but other stuff is just braindead decisions by Linux and yes, I know Linux is infinitely customisable at least until the next upgrade that breaks everything.
@studioidris the software side of it is miles better than it was even just 5 years ago. An issue that's going to become more of an issue is hardware being forced into obsolescence. I had to upgrade my wifi card in my 2014 hp laptop just To be able to see the campus new network when they changed ISP. Campus IT announced hardware older than 2019 would not be able to use the network anymore...cuz reaso s. The card was so old it did not have wpa3 protocol enabled. Had to upgrade to an ax210 chipset wifi 6 card.
alternative title: the end of Microsoft
Most corporate and government clients will still use and pay for Microsoft products. The cost and time to move everyone to an alternative system, such as Linux, and then train everyone to use a new ecosystem does not make it worthwhile to switch.
Facing a low W11 base and adoption, it is possible that they extend its lifecycle, like W7, just to avoid migration to linux and other operating systems.
They may do this, as with Windows XP, but it will likely be temporary. Migrating to Linux is not a viable option for most corporate users.
An easy solution is to install Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. It has support until January 13, 2032 and activating it is very easy.
Linux, just choose one of the well maintained distros.
Upgrade to Windows 11 instead of crying about it for no reason
switch to linux. end of discussion.
Thinking of going to Apple imac myself
This is the approach I took a few years ago, and I have not needed to go back since. Initially, I used virtualisation software, such as Parallels, to keep the last few (mainly homebrew) apps that were only available on Windows going, but now this is no longer a concern as most of them have been ported to macOS.
Don't Panic!
IDC, I already end-of-supported it myself by permanently disabling updates since 2022, holy: never had a Bsod, never freezes, never bootloops, never ads, never W11 Microsoft extortion and annoyances and best of all: Not a single driver being downgraded by Microsoft without even telling me until I find out due to problems
Do not do this! You should at least enable security updates if you dont like the feature updates. If you want to do this you can google "Chris Titus Tech Tool", he has an option for disabling feature updates without removing security updates. Otherwise you are open to explotation of vulnerabilities inside of windows!
This was the policy in one company that I am aware of. The computers were locked down, disconnected from the internet and stuck in a time warp, but they worked. However, there is always a weak link and someone infected one PC from a USB drive.
I use win7 and haven't gotten an update since like 2017?
wired internet too
Windows 11 is horrible.......How about suggesting, wait for windows 12?
Linux Mint
This is a great option if you use your computer for simple office-based tasks such as email and basic word processing. Unlike modern versions of Windows, Linux doesn’t require increasingly higher-spec computers.
go back to win7
I never left
Meanwhile i'm still on xp
@@CHF_Cars🤥
@@CHF_Cars I play some DRM-free games and use a few programs I prefer or need 7 for, but XP was one of the betterversions too
Linux Mint :)
This is the distro that I use at home, but it will never be accepted at work due to the steep learning curve and incompatibility with dedicated software.
Short Answer. Install Windows 11...
Short Answer, people have unsupported computers.
@@Alexa_mapping ways round that.
Microsoft will likely patch out any ‘hacks’ or workarounds, and you could be left with problems after updates that do this.
Luckily I haven’t had to have a laptop/pc for quite a few years now. I find that my iPad Pro satisfies my needs.
iPads also have the same problem: they eventually reach the end of support and will stop being compatible with the latest iPadOS version. However, I have noticed that backward compatibility with even very old apps has been good.
Switch to Mac
I did this, although it is essential to remember that Major macOS versions are now released once a year and usually maintained for three years. Apple usually provides security updates for the latest three releases, but this isn’t consistently applied, and some security fixes aren’t available for the non-latest releases. However, I have found that software tends to be supported for longer on a Mac than on a Windows system.