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Probably gonna keep my desktop running win10 by then because I'll hopefully have a new desktop by then that I can easily set up Linux on. Got too much on my desktop to move over and I certainly don't know any tools able to make the process any easier.
Probably gonna just use it as an experimental PC that I can test out server related things on.
I'm adding debian to the drive on a ten plus year old laptop as we speak. It's taking forever because I have to do part of it manually but usually it takes less than an hour and is mostly idiot proof (my current project is on its 3rd week so I am just a special kind of idiot) but a small lightweight distro alongside the windows partition is an easy way to give old hardware new life without migrating data.
I would add a small partition, but I'm always anxious about stuff like that because I seemingly always hear things about windows messing with Linux partitions and breaking dual boot. That, and I am running out of space on my 1TB drive it came with. Two or three years of me using it thinking that I'll never fill it up before I upgrade computers and suddenly I have to worry.
You could just add another hard drive, install Linux on it, than access all your files on the old hard drive exactly where they are.
If nothing else, I might look into something like that.
Most likely an unpopular opinion, but I took this opportunity to try something new and made the switch to macOS at home as my daily device. If I do end up gaming, I’ll probably just get myself a Steam Deck.
Which ironically also requires you do buy a new device
The irony isn’t lost on me!
You're already closer to using Linux by doing so. Lots of people are unaware that macOS continues to be Certified UNIX. Many of the command line tools function very similarly to their Linux counterparts.
This is actually why I use macOS at work - I wasn’t able to get a Linux box approved by IT but they happily support macOS and I get to use basically all the same software I do on Linux.
"Learn" linux not even a requirement, a lot of distros work fine as a normal-person-os out of the box (Ubuntu & any of its spin-offs, Manjaro, Deepin, etc), with maybe some minimal youtube/forum troubleshooting, probably comparable with the amount you would do on windows.
Eh, I'd say the biggest learning curve is updates and how they're generally password protected.
It's actually not straightforward to a new Linux user how to bypass entering your password every time there are updates, and with how often Linux updates, this can create headaches and confusion for new users.
Especially with coming from Windows and being used to Microsoft arbitrarily forcing updates in the background. They are confused because Microsoft gave them zero control, while Linux actually gives them full control, and that can be confusing when you're used to updates being forced on you in the background.
Linux expects you to be an adult and handle this shit, and does a lot less hand-holding for the casual user, and this can be overwhelming for some new users, because it's a lot of extra personal responsibility they formerly didn't have to think about. Some people just don't have the extra mental energy to dedicate to it all.
KDE Discover does my updates without passwords just fine
You think the US govt will let MS drop 2/3rds of US citizens laptops from support?
I think some senators will hold a hearing to grandstand about security and forced obsolescence and MS will be shamed into extending the support window a couple more years.
All I need is a native, feature complete, Nvidia GeForce Now Linux client. It is literally the only reason I keep a Windows installation around.
I use O&O ShutUp
I'm waiting for Microsoft to inevitably be forced to keep supporting 10 for free[^1] longer than they planned, because 11 uptake just isn't fast enough.
What happened with 7 will happen with 10, and they'll end up supporting it for another year or two.
Microsoft is trying damn hard to not care about consumers, but the consumer market still matters, so I suspect angry customers will force their hand.
[^1]: They already plan on charging money to keep supporting 10 past it's end-of-life date, but I suspect this will have a lot of angry pushback that will result in at least a year or two of free updates.
to keep Copilot off your desktop or learn Linux
For me it's one year to keep Windows Mixed Reality working. I'm still miffed that they pulled the plug with no alternative other than putting my headset in the bin and get a new one...
If you haven't looked into it Monando might be what you need to keep your headset running. May not work for your headset (doesn't for mine but mines not WMR and is because of my 8kx's driver)
I already did back when Microsoft announced they would drop WMR, but it was (and still is) pretty experimental, with no controller support and 6DoF requiring external tracking.
Win10 gets Copilot as well. Pushed without consent. Likewise if you use a program like InControl to lock W11 to 22H2, you can keep copilot at bay. For a time.
Switching to any other platform is better though. Screw them.
There are many many business customers that can't use copilot. They are not going to tell them to just lock into an old insecure version. You'll be able to disable it, at the very least, on a Pro license using Group Policy.
Like everything else Microsoft does that has legal implications regarding PII.
I’ve used Linux on and off for a long time but I’m stuck with Windows for now because redoing my Plex library would be a huge ball-ache.
Can't you export your library / media settings and only have to change file paths or mnt points?
Why would switching require redoing your Plex library?
Completely bullshit, garbage clickbait title.
Windows 10 is near EoL, however that's for Home/Pro/Enterprise versions, you can move to one of those for more time:
To be fair I don't really believe that Microsoft will kill it when they say they will. And even if they do it, porting security updates from those LTSC versions into the regular ones might be doable.
Now on Windows 11:
You can just disable copilot and all the other garbage using group policy, now that hard and you'll end up with essentially Windows 10. https://www.xda-developers.com/how-disable-microsoft-copilot/
They hated him because he spoke the truth.
porting security updates from those LTSC versions into the regular ones might be doable.
The way will likely be to just adjust some registry keys to force Windows Update to pull from the LTSC update channel. That's been the solution for ages, no "porting" needed.
Group Policy
I've lost count of how many of these articles have been posted on Lemmy screaming that the sky was falling over something you can switch off with three clicks and a scroll (Start, Settings, Personalization, scroll to the bottom and click the final switch). Group policy may be beyond the general skill level, which makes the constant Linux suggestions even more laughable.
Like you, I regularly direct people to group policy (and even how to safely activate Windows with a fake Pro license so they can get Group Policy). Fighting an uphill battle.