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What should you do with Windows 10 machines that aren't Windows 11 compatible?

With the end of support for Windows 10 just a few months away, many users are facing a critical decision: should they upgrade to Windows 11 or consider replacing their machines? The upgrade to Windows 11 is free for Windows 10 users, but even perfectly good machines bought in just the last few years may not meet the Windows 11 minimum compatibility requirements, which means you won't be able to upgrade. Users that can't immediately upgrade will stop receiving Windows 10 updates on Oct 14, 2025 leaving up to 240 million machines worldwide with huge security risks in just a few months from now. When a Windows version stops receiving updates, this leaves you open to an expanded world of viruses, malware, and other vulnerabilities.

Microsoft suggests users buy all new machines that are Windows 11 compatible as a solution, but this may be cost prohibitive for many. So what are your options?

1. Extend your support to 2028 for $30

Microsoft has announced that for the first time, they will allow non-enterprise users to buy an extended support contract until 2028 for $30 per machine for important security updates. This may be a good option for users who expect to buy a newer machine in the next few years, but don't want to right now.

2. Upgrade the hardware in your existing machine

This may not be an option for all machines, like those with soldered components that can't be replaced. Some machines may just need some component upgrades to meet the minimum system requirements, while others may have incompatibilities with major components that are not easily replaced.

3. Buy a new machine and have your data migrated

This may be the most straightforward option for many, but not the cheapest, but obtaining a new machine and having your data and applications migrated is possible.

4. Migrate to Linux

Linux has matured a lot in the past many years, and is now more usable than ever before, and on-par for features available in Windows. For most general users, this is a great option for anyone looking to repurpose their machines with a fully-featured Desktop, while also improving stability and security.

5. Repurpose the machine

Ever wanted to run your own media server, home automation server, or maybe a network backup machine? This can be a great way to repurpose old hardware you have around that may otherwise not be getting used.

Challenges and Considerations for upgrading to Windows 11

Despite your machine being technically able to run Windows 11, there are several reasons why you may not want to:

Privacy concerns: Microsoft is adding more and more "AI" features directly into Windows that collect detailed information about users, which is then sent to Microsoft
Performance concerns: Even though your machine may be able to run Windows 11, many users complain about it's general performance being overall worse than Windows 10
Advertising: Windows 11 shows ads in various places in the desktop, which many users dislike
Usability: Many users have complained about various usability features of Windows 11 that impact things like touch-capable displays, convertible machines, and being "forced" to use the Edge browser

Many of the issues are difficult for average users to work around, but some do have solutions to avoid them. Talk to us about your needs and options today, and find out how we can make your devices work better for you!