University IT teams and student helpdesks across Europe are quietly launching one of the most practical answers to the Windows 10 end‑of‑support dilemma: if your PC can’t meet Windows 11’s hardware gates, don’t buy a new machine — extend the life of the one you have by switching it to a lightweight, secure Linux desktop such as Linux Mint, and let your campus Helpdesk install it for you for free.
Microsoft’s lifecycle calendar is firm: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, which means free security updates, feature updates and standard technical support for consumer editions stopped on that date. This is official guidance from Microsoft and it’s the immediate driver behind campus programs and community migration projects right now.
Why this matters: without security updates an OS becomes an increasing attack surface over time. For many students and home users the immediate choices are threefold — upgrade to Windows 11 (if the machine is eligible), enroll the device in Microsoft’s short‑term Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, or migrate to a supported alternative OS (ChromeOS Flex or a mainstream Linux distribution). The tradeoffs are cost, compatibility with Windows‑only apps, and the effort required to change platforms.
Windows 11’s hardware baseline is notably stricter than Windows 10’s: Microsoft requires a 64‑bit CPU that meets its supported processor list, TPM 2.0, UEFI with Secure Boot capability, 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage, and a DirectX 12–compatible GPU. Many otherwise perfectly usable machines manufactured before roughly 2018 fail one or more of those checks, most commonly TPM/firmware or CPU family. If your PC is blocked by those requirements, buying new hardware is only one option — repurposing the existing machine with a modern Linux distro is often cheaper and easier.
Note: the announcement text provided outlines the service and claims it is 100% free for Uiège students; the exact contact method (phone number, appointment link or walk‑in policy) was not verifiable in the content fetch attempt and should be confirmed on the university’s official student portal or by contacting the university’s Helpdesk directory. Treat the quoted offering as an accurate summary of the delivered message, but verify scheduling and eligibility details directly with your campus Helpdesk before bringing your machine in.
(For the core technical facts in this article — Windows 10 end of support, Windows 11 hardware gates, Linux Mint features and Timeshift snapshots — authoritative guidance and hands‑on migration guides from Microsoft and major tech outlets were consulted to verify the recommendations and steps discussed above.)
Source: ULiège Is your computer not powerful enough for Windows 11? Don't replace it, extend it!
Background / Overview
Microsoft’s lifecycle calendar is firm: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, which means free security updates, feature updates and standard technical support for consumer editions stopped on that date. This is official guidance from Microsoft and it’s the immediate driver behind campus programs and community migration projects right now. Why this matters: without security updates an OS becomes an increasing attack surface over time. For many students and home users the immediate choices are threefold — upgrade to Windows 11 (if the machine is eligible), enroll the device in Microsoft’s short‑term Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, or migrate to a supported alternative OS (ChromeOS Flex or a mainstream Linux distribution). The tradeoffs are cost, compatibility with Windows‑only apps, and the effort required to change platforms.
Windows 11’s hardware baseline is notably stricter than Windows 10’s: Microsoft requires a 64‑bit CPU that meets its supported processor list, TPM 2.0, UEFI with Secure Boot capability, 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage, and a DirectX 12–compatible GPU. Many otherwise perfectly usable machines manufactured before roughly 2018 fail one or more of those checks, most commonly TPM/firmware or CPU family. If your PC is blocked by those requirements, buying new hardware is only one option — repurposing the existing machine with a modern Linux distro is often cheaper and easier.
What the ULiège Student Helpdesk is offering (summary of the announcement)
ULiège’s Student Helpdesk is offering a free installation service for students who want to convert an ineligible Windows 10 machine into a fully usable Linux desktop running Linux Mint. According to the announcement text provided, the service is staffed by trained Helpdesk technicians who will:- Install the Linux Mint operating system on student PCs.
- Provide a secure, intuitive, and open‑source solution designed to be familiar to Windows users.
- Save students money and reduce unnecessary device replacement.
Note: the announcement text provided outlines the service and claims it is 100% free for Uiège students; the exact contact method (phone number, appointment link or walk‑in policy) was not verifiable in the content fetch attempt and should be confirmed on the university’s official student portal or by contacting the university’s Helpdesk directory. Treat the quoted offering as an accurate summary of the delivered message, but verify scheduling and eligibility details directly with your campus Helpdesk before bringing your machine in.
Why Linux Mint is a practical choice for older student laptops
Linux Mint is one of the friendliest, most migration‑focused Linux desktops available. For students migrating from Windows, three practical strengths stand out:- Familiar desktop metaphor: Cinnamon edition provides a Start‑menu experience and desktop layout that is comfortable for Windows users, reducing the learning curve.
- Low to moderate hardware demands: modern Mint releases run well on machines with modest RAM and an SSD, and Mint supports lighter desktops (MATE, XFCE) for very old hardware. Typical minimum specs are low (1–2 GHz CPU, 2–4 GB RAM, 20 GB disk minimum), though practical use with modern browsers benefits from 4 GB or more.
- Built‑in safety nets: Mint ships with user‑friendly tools and recommended practices such as the Timeshift snapshot system, which creates system restore points so users can roll back after a failed update or a misconfiguration. Timeshift’s design (rsync or BTRFS snapshots, scheduled snapshots, boot snapshots) is intentionally easy to use and very helpful for new Linux adopters.
How the Linux Mint install improves performance and security
Many students report markedly better responsiveness and battery life after migrating older machines from Windows 10 to a modern Linux distribution, for reasons that are both architectural and practical:- Lower baseline resource usage: Linux Mint’s desktop (especially MATE or XFCE) consumes far less RAM and CPU at idle compared with a feature‑heavy Windows 10/11 desktop, leaving more headroom for browsers and apps. This results in snappier windowing, faster application starts, and improved multitasking on modest CPUs.
- Clean software stack: a fresh Linux install removes background telemetry, Windows services and potentially unwanted bundled software that can consume CPU and I/O in older Windows images. That alone often restores perceived performance.
- Frequent security updates from active upstreams: Linux Mint (based on Ubuntu LTS in current releases) receives regular security patches for the kernel, browser, and key system components. The open‑source model and active repositories are a reliable source of fixes even on older hardware. Timeshift lets you apply updates with a simple rollback plan if something goes wrong.
- Hardware fit: swapping an HDD for an SSD and ensuring 4 GB+ RAM (where possible) typically yields outsized performance gains under Linux — and those upgrades are cheaper than a full laptop replacement. Community fix‑a‑thons and campus refurbish programs often include SSD swaps and RAM upgrades as part of the repurposing workflow.
A realistic, step‑by‑step migration workflow (what the Helpdesk will likely do)
When a trained Helpdesk technician installs Linux Mint for a student, the process tends to follow these tried‑and‑true steps. This is a safe checklist you can use whether you book a campus appointment or do the work yourself.- Back up everything (student data first). Copy user documents, browser bookmarks, and essential app data to at least one external drive and a cloud location. Don’t skip this. Professional shops won’t proceed without backups or a signed consent to overwrite disks.
- Verify the machine: model, firmware (UEFI vs legacy), RAM and storage size, and any special peripherals (fingerprint readers, uncommon Wi‑Fi chips). Note any specialized Windows‑only apps you rely on.
- Create a Live USB of Linux Mint (8 GB recommended). Boot the laptop from the USB and test in live mode: confirm Wi‑Fi, audio, display, and external ports work as expected before committing to install. Timeshift and Driver Manager can be checked in live mode.
- Choose install type: dual‑boot (keep Windows) or full disk replacement. For a student who needs Windows apps occasionally, Helpdesks sometimes set up a dual‑boot or install Windows in a VM under Linux (if performance allows). For maximum simplicity/space reclamation the Helpdesk may recommend a clean install.
- Run the installer: set up user account(s), enable automatic updates, and (optionally) enable full‑disk encryption during install for stronger local security. Install multimedia codecs and any proprietary drivers (e.g., NVIDIA) if needed.
- Post‑install hardening and onboarding: configure Timeshift snapshots, enable the Update Manager, demonstrate daily tasks (browsers, email, printing) and hand over a short cheat‑sheet. Create a recovery USB image if requested.
How to do it yourself — a concise DIY recipe
If you want to try this at home first, here’s an abbreviated, practical sequence:- Back up everything (local copy + cloud).
- Download the latest Linux Mint ISO (verify SHA256 if you care about supply‑chain parity).
- Write the ISO to an 8 GB USB using Rufus (Windows) or balenaEtcher (cross‑platform).
- Boot the target machine from the USB and select “Try Linux Mint” to run live.
- Test Wi‑Fi, audio, video, and any special peripherals.
- When ready, run “Install Linux Mint”, choose “Erase disk and install Mint” (or “Install alongside Windows” for dual‑boot).
- After install, open Driver Manager and Update Manager, enable Timeshift snapshot scheduling, and install any proprietary drivers required.
- Restore personal files and reconfigure accounts.
Compatibility and application considerations — what you lose and how to compensate
Moving to Linux Mint is not a literal drop‑in replacement for Windows for every scenario. Key compatibility realities:- Windows‑only engineering, design, or laboratory software may not run natively. Options: use web‑based alternatives, run the software in a Windows VM (requires decent RAM and CPU), or try Wine/Proton for some apps. For many student workflows (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 web apps, LibreOffice), native Linux tooling suffices.
- Certain printers, scanners, and very new Wi‑Fi chips may need extra configuration or proprietary drivers. Test hardware in live mode before committing.
- Some campus services (single sign‑on, specialized kernel‑level security tools) may be Windows‑centric. Check with university IT before wiping a machine used for regulated exams or specialized labs.
Risks, caveats and what to ask the Helpdesk before saying “Yes, install it”
Before you hand your machine to campus IT, get the answers to these questions:- Will you keep a copy of my data or do you require I produce a backup? (Always bring your own verified backup.)
- Do you install proprietary drivers (NVIDIA/Wi‑Fi) and enable firmware updates if available?
- Will you set up Timeshift snapshots and a recovery plan?
- If I later want Windows back, can you restore it from an image or do I need to bring my own recovery media?
- What support level is offered post‑install? Is there a short onboarding session?
Bigger picture: environmental and equity gains
Switching working hardware to Linux instead of buying new devices reduces e‑waste and can help level digital equity. Millions of devices that fail Windows 11 checks are otherwise functional; repurposing them for students extends useful life and reduces disposal pressure. Community refurbish programs and campus Helpdesks that offer free Linux installs are pragmatic, local responses to an industry policy change that would otherwise accelerate hardware turnover.Final assessment: strengths, possible downsides, and pragmatic recommendations
Strengths- Cost‑effective: you avoid the expense of buying a new PC.
- Performance gains: older CPUs and spinning disks will often feel much faster under Linux Mint.
- Security and update cadence: active upstream patches and Timeshift rollback give stability and safety.
- Application compatibility: if you need specialized Windows apps frequently, migration may impose friction.
- Driver edge cases: some modern hardware can be awkward on Linux without extra driver work.
- Support expectations: campus Helpdesks can install and train but will not magically make unsupported Windows‑only software run perfectly.
- If your PC passes Windows 11 checks, upgrade to Windows 11 to preserve vendor support.
- If it doesn’t and you need a fully supported Windows environment, evaluate ESU or budget for a refurbished Windows 11‑capable machine.
- If your needs are primarily web, email, Office documents, and media, take the logical, sustainable route: use your university’s free Linux Mint install service (or do it yourself after testing in a Live USB). Backup first, test hardware, and choose encryption.
How to reach out to ULiège Helpdesk (practical prep for booking)
Because the promotional text indicates ULiège’s Student Helpdesk is providing free installs, prepare this before contacting them:- Back up your personal files to external media and cloud.
- Print or note your device model, current OS version, and any critical Windows‑only software you require.
- Bring power adapter and any campus credentials the Helpdesk may need to verify student status.
- Ask whether the appointment is via ticket system, email or phone and whether the Helpdesk will create a recovery image.
Conclusion
The end of Windows 10 support is a hard deadline that forces a choice: pay to stay in Microsoft’s supported lane, or pivot. For most students with older hardware, switching to Linux Mint via a trained Student Helpdesk is the fastest, cheapest, and most sustainable option to keep a laptop productive and secure. The university‑run install offers the reassurance of trained staff, and Mint’s user‑focused design plus Timeshift snapshots make the change safe and reversible. Confirm appointment and scope with your Helpdesk, back up your data, and give your computer another term — or more — of useful service instead of consigning it to landfill.(For the core technical facts in this article — Windows 10 end of support, Windows 11 hardware gates, Linux Mint features and Timeshift snapshots — authoritative guidance and hands‑on migration guides from Microsoft and major tech outlets were consulted to verify the recommendations and steps discussed above.)
Source: ULiège Is your computer not powerful enough for Windows 11? Don't replace it, extend it!
