I refuse to upgrade to Windows 11, here's what I'm doing instead

At a glance:

• Windows 10 support ends in October 2026, forcing users to choose a new OS or extended‑support options.
• The author dismisses Windows 11 and Windows 10 LTSC, opting instead for Linux Mint on an aging PC.
• Alternatives such as staying on Windows 10 with third‑party security tools or forcing Windows 11 with Rufus are examined.

Why Windows 10’s end‑of‑life matters now

Microsoft has announced that mainstream support for Windows 10 will cease in October 2026. After that date, the operating system will no longer receive security patches or feature updates unless users purchase a three‑year extension or move to a Long‑Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) build. For owners of legacy hardware—like the author’s ten‑year‑old motherboard—this creates a dilemma: continue running an unpatched system, invest in a new Copilot+‑branded PC, or migrate to a different platform altogether.

The author points out that the “ideal” Microsoft narrative is to push users toward newer hardware that ships with Windows 11 and its AI‑driven Copilot features. Yet the reality for many low‑spec machines is that they cannot meet the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements, making a clean upgrade impossible without workarounds.

The three practical paths after October

1. Stay on Windows 10 – Keep the existing installation alive by either paying for Microsoft’s three‑year security‑update extension, switching to a Windows 10 LTSC build (which offers extended support but lacks many consumer features), or relying on third‑party security tools that claim to patch known vulnerabilities.
2. Force Windows 11 with Rufus – The open‑source utility Rufus can create a bootable Windows 11 installer that bypasses Microsoft’s hardware checks. This method technically works, but the author warns that it may lead to instability and future driver incompatibilities on old boards.
3. Leave Microsoft altogether – The author ultimately chooses Linux Mint, a user‑friendly Ubuntu‑based distro that runs smoothly on the aging hardware and provides the customizability that Windows 11 stripped away.

Each option carries trade‑offs: staying on Windows 10 risks security gaps, forcing Windows 11 may void warranty and cause performance issues, while switching to Linux requires a learning curve but offers a fresh, community‑driven experience.

What Windows 11 is missing for power users

Even though Windows 11 turned four on October 8, 2022, the author argues that the OS still feels like a beta. Key grievances include the inability to move the taskbar to any screen edge, the lack of taskbar expansion, and the absence of resizeable Start menu tiles. Start‑menu categories, a long‑requested feature, only arrived recently and remain immutable. These restrictions frustrate long‑time Windows veterans who value deep personalization.

The author’s critique mirrors a broader sentiment among enthusiasts who miss the flexibility of Windows 10’s legacy settings. Microsoft’s design shift toward a more locked‑down interface appears to prioritize a uniform look over user control, a trade‑off that many power users are unwilling to accept.

Linux Mint as a viable refuge

After experimenting with Linux Mint, the author found the distro ran “a ton better” than Windows 10 on the same hardware. Most everyday applications—web browsers, media players, office suites—installed without major hiccups, and the community‑driven ecosystem offered the customizability that Windows 11 lacks. Mint’s long‑term support releases also promise stability without the looming end‑of‑life deadline that Windows 10 faces.

Beyond performance, the author appreciates the transparency of open‑source development and the collaborative nature of the Mint community. Unlike Microsoft’s proprietary roadmap, Mint’s release cadence is predictable, and users can audit the code if they wish. This sense of control is a decisive factor for anyone looking to escape the “Copilot+ PC” narrative.

Looking ahead: what to watch for

While the author has settled on Linux Mint, the broader Windows‑user base will still need to make choices before October 2026. Watch for Microsoft’s pricing on the three‑year security extension, the evolution of Windows 11 LTSC builds, and any third‑party security solutions that claim to keep legacy Windows installations safe. On the Linux side, keep an eye on Mint’s upcoming releases and the continued growth of alternative desktop environments that may further improve hardware compatibility for older machines.

In the end, the decision boils down to personal priorities: security, cost, performance, or freedom to tweak. For the author, freedom wins, and the old PC will live on—just not under a Microsoft banner.