How to get another free year of updates for your Windows 10 PC
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I activated that last week on my last computer not running Linux yet (gaming rig, and I don't really game anymore so I'm just procrastinating until the last minute), but at this point I've been through the effort of moving all of my household off Microsoft, even if they were to offer me 10 more years of Windows 10, I don't see a future in which they make it back into my life. I've been a Microsoft guy since DOS 3.3, we had a good run, but don't call me.
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It probably will help for some use-cases. I just can’t imagine wanting anything to do with a company knows about security defects, has fixes for them, but makes you jump through hoops before they’ll let you apply them. This isn’t the behavior of a company that takes security seriously.
And I mean, the points might be free. But they’ve decided that having people engage with the point system is worth $30, to them. I bet they expect to get at least $30 out of you, somehow or another.
And I mean, the points might be free. But they’ve decided that having people engage with the point system is worth $30, to them. I bet they expect to get at least $30 out of you, somehow or another.
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I imagine the result of all of this unnecessary faff will be that most users will take the fourth option: leave their Windows 10 PC unpatched and vulnerable.
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Really need to get around to installing Mint on my last Windows machine...yeah this doesn't sound like its worth the headache, I don't want anything to do with a M$ account logging into my machine or what other things it may connect to and do without asking later.
And upgrading to 11 isn't an option due to hardware...but I can't see any reason to replace perfectly working systems that easily handle everything I can think of to throw at them.
And upgrading to 11 isn't an option due to hardware...but I can't see any reason to replace perfectly working systems that easily handle everything I can think of to throw at them.
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Jesus Christ, Microsoft, just give everyone an extra year without making them jump through these hoops.
And get out of your AI bubble and fix Windows 11’s feature regressions and performance issues and then maybe people will actually want to upgrade.
And get out of your AI bubble and fix Windows 11’s feature regressions and performance issues and then maybe people will actually want to upgrade.
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Linux-Is-Best
Wise, Aged Ars Veteran
Microsoft has already admitted they cannot stop the U.S. Government from collecting information through them. That is why France is now looking to migrate away from Microsoft products and services.
Earlier today, Microsoft's LinkedIn (Linked In) removed the policy concerning hate speech and discrimination.
Fascism is being promoted within the U.S.A. both on a government and corporate level. It is best to migrate to products and services outside U.S. Jurisdiction. https://codeberg.org/Linux-Is-Best/Outside_US_Jurisdiction/src/branch/main/Index.md
Additionally, to make matters worse Windows 11 will not work on even some new computers still being sold, today. And perfectly good PCs that can still game, cannot even run Windows 11. It is all a money grab.
Now is the time to actually move to something other than Microsoft.
Earlier today, Microsoft's LinkedIn (Linked In) removed the policy concerning hate speech and discrimination.
Fascism is being promoted within the U.S.A. both on a government and corporate level. It is best to migrate to products and services outside U.S. Jurisdiction. https://codeberg.org/Linux-Is-Best/Outside_US_Jurisdiction/src/branch/main/Index.md
Additionally, to make matters worse Windows 11 will not work on even some new computers still being sold, today. And perfectly good PCs that can still game, cannot even run Windows 11. It is all a money grab.
Now is the time to actually move to something other than Microsoft.
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Well, that’s the default path, right? Lots of folks here talking about switching to Linux, but the unpatched Windows experience is going to become really prevalent pretty soon I think.
I dunno. I remember the XP era when Microsoft had a reputation for putting out wildly insecure code. Did it really hurt them? I don’t think so, but it is hard to say. Nowadays Apple is much healthier, and Chromebooks exist, and anyway mostly people prefer to use their phones. Maybe they’ll take a hit.
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That's absolutely my plan. Like many here, mine is basically just for occasional gaming. I refuse to link a Microsoft account to it, ever, for any reason. Refuse to run Windows 11 for that, and all the other reasons it sucks which have been re-hashed to death on this forum.
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I am guessing that forcing you to do backup has something to do with lowering "their" support costs for that last year.
Meanwhile, asking for 1000 points is a way to make siad points worthwhile for something or other.
One has to remmeber that microsoft wants people to move to win11, not to stay on win10. The ESU has always been for enterprises, and reflects that...
Meanwhile, asking for 1000 points is a way to make siad points worthwhile for something or other.
One has to remmeber that microsoft wants people to move to win11, not to stay on win10. The ESU has always been for enterprises, and reflects that...
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Agreed, but it's nice to at least have a simple guide for those without a better option. Doing FSM's work Andrew.
And that horrible start menu. We can disable the ghastly new right click UI, but still need third party tools for the start menu.
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I'm quite looking forward to my Windows 10 HTPC becoming EOL. The box had exactly one purpose: run Kodi (well, two--I do run SyncToy on it against the attached HDD every once in awhile to make sure it's got my backups). Yet despite Kodi barely using any CPU when it's not actively playing something, my poor box usually has the CPU pegged somewhere around 50-90%, entirely due to W10's nearly constant virus scans, Windows updates, and other shit I didn't ask for, like Copilot.
I have long considered just blowing Windows away and throwing Linux Mint or something on it, but momentum and weariness with trying to recreate Kodi's library database has kept it on Windows for far longer than it should be. Nonetheless, with W10 finally getting sunset, I would really enjoy some peace and quiet on the box at last...
I have long considered just blowing Windows away and throwing Linux Mint or something on it, but momentum and weariness with trying to recreate Kodi's library database has kept it on Windows for far longer than it should be. Nonetheless, with W10 finally getting sunset, I would really enjoy some peace and quiet on the box at last...
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I was collecting MS points for a while after I transitioned to WFH. The first time I tried to redeem them was a spectacular failure, because MS is terrible, which ended that experiment. But I do have 1000 points to use for this; I wonder if it will actually work this time?
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Word of warning: I would strongly advise people to be really careful with Windows Backup. I am a (now former) OneDrive user who was dark-patterned into accidentally enabling Windows Backup when I was just quickly logging onto my computer to do something in a hurry a couple weeks ago.
What I came to later find out was that enabling Windows Backup as a OneDrive user meant that it decided, completely unilaterally, to sync everything in my <user> folder (e.g. Desktop, Documents, Downloads, etc) to OneDrive and then remove the files from my hard drive
I had already been in the process of taking stuff off of OneDrive so I can cancel it and never give Microsoft another dime, and then they decided to hijack all of my personal files and sync them so removing something from one drive also deletes it from the hard drive. Now it’s all now just a confusing mess of unfucking this and figuring out what is synced where and if correct, so that I can get this hellish software out of my life for good. Of course there was no “turn this back off and put everything back” option… I had to do it all manually.
And if you let onedrive start up again, it’ll start undoing the work you put it and take files off your machine again. I figured it all out, but it wasn’t so easy, even for someone reasonably technical (though more in the mac/linux world day-to-day)
I’m exhausted, I just want to use my computer as a tool that stays how it was when I last left it, not fight the OS for control of my own personal, private files that have been there unmolested for, oh, 10 years at this point.
So, just be careful: they absolutely are using Windows Backup as a way to harass people into a paying for OneDrive subscription
ETA: as it decided to delete lots of my files, including everything on my Desktop, it left a shortcut on my desktop labeled “Shortcut to Desktop (OneDrive)” In what world would I want my Desktop to consist of only a link to a cloud folder containing everything that used to just be… present and visible on my desktop
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internet2000
Ars Centurion
If you don't need to stay signed in to do this, I'd recommend creating a second throwaway account in windows, doing all that, and deleting the account when done. Less chance of any Microsoft account remnants polluting your main local account.
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Please, anyone, provide guidance on where to find information on extending update support for Windows 10 machines joined to an AD domain (but not part of an ‘enterprise’).
I’m trying to use searches but the results are either useless or other garbage.
I’m trying to use searches but the results are either useless or other garbage.
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That's the route I'm taking. It's just a gaming box on a separate VLAN and it's usually turned off anyway.
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This sounds like they're more interested in making sure everyone using Windows has a Microsoft account.
The third member of our household, and the only one left on a Windows machine, knows it's time to upgrade. Their computer will handle Windows 11, but they have managed (somehow) to not end up with it yet.
Linux is ready for prime time. It's easy to set up, easy to configure, most Windows programs will install on it and run just fine now (with guides that, while not stupid-simple like Windows, aren't difficult to follow) and with a much higher de-emphasis on using the terminal than in times past.
My "I'll never give up Windows!" spouse is happy with her Linux Mint installation. Our roommate needs a new computer (the one she has is about 6 years old, and it runs in a very hot environment), with better cooling solutions and I've already mapped out all of her programs (most of which are Steam-based, which is installed standard on many distros, but not activated unless the user wants it, except for SteamOS, which is the Linux version of it, and is what my roommate will be getting installed on her new build)
Best of all, if you need help, most Linux forums for your flavor aren't filled with a bunch of Linux elitist pricks like it used to be, and they're usually quite sympathetic and helpful in troubleshooting issues.
Windows doesn't need to be anyone's future. They no longer have a lock on gaming, either. And Linux does something Windows can't do: Gives you the power over your computer. They aren't squatters in your property forcing you to dance to their tune. If you don't like what Linux does do, you change it to suit your preferences instead.
If you have a choice that doesn't bind you to Redmond's will, you CAN stop bending knee to Microsoft by changing to Linux. Try a live disk installation and play with that. You just need a 64 GB USB stick and boot from USB. See what it can do. If you like it, but are still not wanting to leave the Redmond womb, and have enough drive space on your system drive, you can install it next to Windows and dual boot (choosing your OS at boot-up).
That way when (not if) Redmond pulls the plug on your ability to boot to Windows 10 (and eventually 11, and then 12, etc), you have an OS ready to go already installed that you control. Not some multinational hell bent on gathering your data unto themselves and controlling your property to their liking.
The third member of our household, and the only one left on a Windows machine, knows it's time to upgrade. Their computer will handle Windows 11, but they have managed (somehow) to not end up with it yet.
The rational option is to not use a Microsoft product. And because Apple is twice as bad as Microsoft in that respect, I'm not talking about THEM, either.
Linux is ready for prime time. It's easy to set up, easy to configure, most Windows programs will install on it and run just fine now (with guides that, while not stupid-simple like Windows, aren't difficult to follow) and with a much higher de-emphasis on using the terminal than in times past.
My "I'll never give up Windows!" spouse is happy with her Linux Mint installation. Our roommate needs a new computer (the one she has is about 6 years old, and it runs in a very hot environment), with better cooling solutions and I've already mapped out all of her programs (most of which are Steam-based, which is installed standard on many distros, but not activated unless the user wants it, except for SteamOS, which is the Linux version of it, and is what my roommate will be getting installed on her new build)
Best of all, if you need help, most Linux forums for your flavor aren't filled with a bunch of Linux elitist pricks like it used to be, and they're usually quite sympathetic and helpful in troubleshooting issues.
Windows doesn't need to be anyone's future. They no longer have a lock on gaming, either. And Linux does something Windows can't do: Gives you the power over your computer. They aren't squatters in your property forcing you to dance to their tune. If you don't like what Linux does do, you change it to suit your preferences instead.
If you have a choice that doesn't bind you to Redmond's will, you CAN stop bending knee to Microsoft by changing to Linux. Try a live disk installation and play with that. You just need a 64 GB USB stick and boot from USB. See what it can do. If you like it, but are still not wanting to leave the Redmond womb, and have enough drive space on your system drive, you can install it next to Windows and dual boot (choosing your OS at boot-up).
That way when (not if) Redmond pulls the plug on your ability to boot to Windows 10 (and eventually 11, and then 12, etc), you have an OS ready to go already installed that you control. Not some multinational hell bent on gathering your data unto themselves and controlling your property to their liking.
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It boggles my mind they STILL haven’t added back the option to stick the taskbar in the top or side. How hard is that, especially since Win 11 has a floating start menu and you don’t even need to tweak the start menu graphics?
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There have been a few times I've felt like microsoft have approached the precipice and stepped away at the last moment.
This is not one of those times. They seem to just be running full tilt at the precipice.
I switched to Bazzite for gaming after Microsoft messed up my Win10 licence and wanted me to pay for a new one. I haven't had an issue yet. And some of my games even work better - Lutris makes it easier to add mods and stuff.
I'm stuck with Windows for university work - the software I need is windows only and doesn't like wine. So I'll be signing up for a throw away account to do this backup trick for the ESU. And as soon as my degree is done I'll be off microsoft for good.
Its a shame. There was a while there when they didn't push ads like google, sell crap like amazon, or hoover up all your data like facebook. They were my favourite tech company. But those days are gone.
So long microsoft, and thanks for all the fish
This is not one of those times. They seem to just be running full tilt at the precipice.
I switched to Bazzite for gaming after Microsoft messed up my Win10 licence and wanted me to pay for a new one. I haven't had an issue yet. And some of my games even work better - Lutris makes it easier to add mods and stuff.
I'm stuck with Windows for university work - the software I need is windows only and doesn't like wine. So I'll be signing up for a throw away account to do this backup trick for the ESU. And as soon as my degree is done I'll be off microsoft for good.
Its a shame. There was a while there when they didn't push ads like google, sell crap like amazon, or hoover up all your data like facebook. They were my favourite tech company. But those days are gone.
So long microsoft, and thanks for all the fish
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Microsoft's mania on getting your login info is getting more suspicious all the time. One of the things keeping me from upgrading to Window 11 has been that I use local accounts for everything and don't feel inclined to give Microsoft information they don't need. Well, that and I have a CPU that's too old to do the update anyway. I only pop into Windows occasionally to run VR games anyway so it's not a big loss.
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This is the way.
Much faster and less complicated.
I set up an MS account for new install only (eg W11 upgrade of unsupported CPU via Rufus), saved the generated encryption backup key, then removed the (empty) account from the PC.
I wouldn't care that it backed up the empty desktop,empty documents and empty browsing history.
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was going to ask if i can just create another admin account and link it with an ms account.. get enrolled and hope it doesn't do weird stuff to my normal admin account.
unfortunately the tpm settings on my skylake is hidden in the bios by asus. and they just ain't going to stick another bios up to reveal it. fiddlying around and edit the bios to reveal the switch doesn't appeal to me..
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The push to get every machine on a Microsoft account is absurd. I usually log in to a Microsoft account to I can take advantage of OneDrive and some other features that work better either an account logged in, but when I was selling my old Surface Pro 7 on Craigslist recently I had to jump through a lot of annoying hoops to get it logged into a local account.
When I’m selling a machine I like to get it all updated, drivers installed, and ready to go for someone so they can try it out to verify it is working properly and I can’t do that without setting up a local account with no password. I just refuse make someone buy a computer off me that is stuck at the beginning of the Windows Setup process, and Microsoft just keeps making it harder to do.
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That’s unfortunate hopefully it goes x better next time. Hmm. I’ve had excellent luck with redeeming mine, mostly for Amazon gift cards or the occasional charitable donation.
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Just create one then toast it afterward.
If you want or need to continue using Microsoft products you'll need an account to exist at key times.
Hopefully it will remain possible to remove it immediately afterwards.
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I agree completely. I don’t mind using Microsoft accounts myself, but I also want to be able to set up a user account on computers to give to other people that doesn’t force them to login to or create a Microsoft account.
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I told a client the other day that I cannot in good conscience recommend Windows 11 to them, despite them having a capable computer. I also pointed out that the user interface changes make migration to 11 difficult (they are elderly), and so it should be a good time to step off from Microsoft altogether, since they'll have to learn a new UI regardless. They don't want to buy new hardware (and I don't think they should), so Mac is not happening. Now I'm exploring Linux distros for them. I've never used Linux for just desktop/web browsing/media consumption, so I have no idea where to begin.
Does anyone here recommend Ubuntu Cinnamon?
Does anyone here recommend Ubuntu Cinnamon?
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I remember a quote sometime in the past where they basically said their metrics say hardly anyone used that feature, therefore they don't care.
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They haven't even managed to make the Settings app a feature complete replacement for Control Panel and they've been working on that since Windows 8 in 2012. They've restyled it and reorganized it who knows how many times and have been trickling in additional functionality, but it still can't quite do everything. It was 17 years between Windows 95 and their first attempt to replace Control Panel, and it's been 13 years since they started trying and they're still not done. It's insane.
And some of the user experience is still so much worse. Try setting a static IP address with it. Ugh.
The problem is that they like to look at those things in percentages. Oh, only 0.5% of users moved the taskbar, so it's not important. But that's 7 million people who they've pissed off. With great market share comes great responsibility.
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I used to do a bunch of Xbox activities to get points I’d then cash in for Xbox gift cards, which I’d use on games and hardware like Elite controllers. They cut way back on the opportunities to earn points a few years ago, so suddenly the cost benefit ratio on the time spent earning them wasn’t there anymore.
It was glorious around 2020ish. You could easily earn get enough points each month to cover the points needed to buy a month of Game Pass Ultimate so I never had to pay for it.
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Why not install LibreElec instead? It's a much better solution than Windows + Kodi. It was designed to be a minimum OS for Kodi and works for most hardware.
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My gaming rig was the first machine to get migrated. The only game I have problems with (I don't play competitive online games) is Fallout 4. But Fallout 4's engine is garbage.
It's my render monster that I'm not looking forward to migrating.
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Now is the time for those of us outside the USA to stop using USAn products to the maximum extent possible.
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