As Microsoft approaches the October 2025 end-of-support deadline for Windows 10, many users find themselves at a crossroads. If your PC doesn't meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11, such as TPM 2.0 or newer processors, and you're satisfied with Windows 10, fear not—there are less obvious but viable paths to stay current without forced hardware upgrades or switching to Linux, which, though recommended by some, isn't everyone's cup of tea.
Windows 10 has been a massively popular operating system since its release in 2015, but official support, including security patches and updates, will cease on October 14, 2025. After this date, Windows 10 installations will no longer receive free security updates, leaving systems vulnerable to emerging threats. The stakes are high: continuing to use an unsupported OS exposes you to malware, ransomware, and compatibility issues with new applications and drivers. Microsoft has offered some grace through an Extended Security Update (ESU) program, but this comes at a cost ($30 per year for consumers) and is not a long-term solution .
For those whose machines aren't compatible with Windows 11, the official recommendation is to purchase a new PC. While costly, new hardware ensures ongoing support, access to the latest Windows 11 features, and lengthened device lifespan. This advice unfortunately sidelines users with perfectly serviceable but older PCs, pushing them to costly upgrades or complete replacements .
Currently, Windows 10 LTSC 2021, based on the 21H2 release, remains supported until January 2027 for the standard Enterprise LTSC edition and as late as January 2032 for the IoT Enterprise LTSC edition. The LTSC editions lack most modern consumer apps like the Microsoft Store, OneDrive, or Mail, and don't receive continuous feature updates or version upgrades. What you get is a "frozen" OS version that continues to get security patches, premium classical Windows tools like Defender antivirus, Notepad, and Wordpad, and minimal bloat.
The IoT Enterprise LTSC is fully featured but stripped of consumer apps and is essentially a full Windows client. The main difference from the plainly named LTSC is that IoT versions are more limited in language support but have extended support timelines.
Deploying LTSC requires a volume licensing agreement and an enterprise product key, which is a barrier for casual users but can be affordable for small deployments, e.g., volume licenses for as few as five machines. Some vendors might negotiate smaller licenses, making LTSC a cost-effective alternative to new hardware or Windows 11 upgrades for those who value longevity and stability over frequent feature updates .
While the setup might take some technical savvy, the benefits are significant: a Windows 10 that is actively patched and supported well beyond the normal consumer lifecycle, without the need for new hardware or dealing with frequent OS upgrades. This effectively sidesteps the compatibility issues with Windows 11 on older hardware and delays forced upgrades gracefully .
Moreover, unlike regular Windows 10, LTSC does not receive feature updates, meaning to upgrade to a newer LTSC version (which likely will be based on Windows 10 22H2 when released), you must perform a complete reinstallation. Since the 22H2 update will be the last version of Windows 10 before Microsoft phases out the OS entirely, this is not necessarily a big downside for most. However, managing upgrades requires more effort, akin to how enterprise systems undergo controlled OS deployments.
Additionally, these editions may not be easily accessible via Microsoft's consumer-facing download channels, as they are enterprise products. Windows 10 LTSC can be downloaded as an evaluation via Microsoft's Enterprise ISO files but will be time-limited and require activation afterward.
Users wanting to experiment can find LTSC ISOs on third-party archive sites, although their legality and safety need caution; activating such copies without a proper license violates Microsoft's terms and can pose legal and security risks .
However, these are not officially supported by Microsoft and may violate licensing agreements. There are also potential security risks in using these builds, and they may not receive official security updates. Use them at your own risk after careful consideration. These custom distributions highlight demand for leaner Windows versions but come with significant caveats, and should not be the default recommendation for users concerned about stability and legal compliance .
Windows 10 LTSC offers a compelling alternative, allowing organizations and technically savvy individuals to continue using a supported, secure Windows 10 environment with updates available for years beyond the October deadline. Although it lacks consumer apps and feature updates, LTSC versions provide a stable platform free from forced upgrades.
Users must obtain enterprise licenses to activate LTSC legitimately, but the cost may be significantly less than purchasing a new PC. Since LTSC does not upgrade like mainstream Windows releases, it’s suited to people or businesses prioritizing stability and long-term support over new features.
For those unwilling or unable to adopt LTSC, the Extended Security Update (ESU) program offers a paid, short-term extension of security patches, while hacking workarounds exist but come with risks.
In conclusion, don't despair if your device can't run Windows 11. Windows 10 LTSC stands as a durable, enterprise-grade lifeline for many users, prolonging the life of existing hardware without compromising security for years to come .
This exploration reveals an important truth often overlooked: The binary choice Microsoft promotes—upgrade to Windows 11 or buy new hardware—is not the only path. For those prepared to dig deeper, LTSC editions of Windows 10 offer a strategic compromise between continuity and modernization, keeping systems safe and functional at a fraction of the cost and hassle of replacement.
Source: Windows 10 LTSC – the version that won't expire for years
The Challenge of Windows 10 Support Ending
Windows 10 has been a massively popular operating system since its release in 2015, but official support, including security patches and updates, will cease on October 14, 2025. After this date, Windows 10 installations will no longer receive free security updates, leaving systems vulnerable to emerging threats. The stakes are high: continuing to use an unsupported OS exposes you to malware, ransomware, and compatibility issues with new applications and drivers. Microsoft has offered some grace through an Extended Security Update (ESU) program, but this comes at a cost ($30 per year for consumers) and is not a long-term solution .The Conventional Routes: Upgrade or Buy New Hardware
Microsoft strongly encourages users to upgrade to Windows 11, which boasts enhanced security with TPM 2.0 support, secure boot, and updated encryption capabilities, as well as an improved user interface and performance. The free upgrade is seamless for machines that meet Windows 11's hardware requirements. However, many users face obstacles with older devices lacking compliant processors or TPM 2.0 modules.For those whose machines aren't compatible with Windows 11, the official recommendation is to purchase a new PC. While costly, new hardware ensures ongoing support, access to the latest Windows 11 features, and lengthened device lifespan. This advice unfortunately sidelines users with perfectly serviceable but older PCs, pushing them to costly upgrades or complete replacements .
The Little-Known Alternative: Windows 10 LTSC Editions
Not widely publicized beyond enterprise users, the Windows 10 Enterprise Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) editions present a unique lifeline. LTSC versions receive security updates without feature updates for an extended period, providing a stable and durable Windows 10 environment that’s less disruptive, especially for business and specialized-use cases.Currently, Windows 10 LTSC 2021, based on the 21H2 release, remains supported until January 2027 for the standard Enterprise LTSC edition and as late as January 2032 for the IoT Enterprise LTSC edition. The LTSC editions lack most modern consumer apps like the Microsoft Store, OneDrive, or Mail, and don't receive continuous feature updates or version upgrades. What you get is a "frozen" OS version that continues to get security patches, premium classical Windows tools like Defender antivirus, Notepad, and Wordpad, and minimal bloat.
The IoT Enterprise LTSC is fully featured but stripped of consumer apps and is essentially a full Windows client. The main difference from the plainly named LTSC is that IoT versions are more limited in language support but have extended support timelines.
Deploying LTSC requires a volume licensing agreement and an enterprise product key, which is a barrier for casual users but can be affordable for small deployments, e.g., volume licenses for as few as five machines. Some vendors might negotiate smaller licenses, making LTSC a cost-effective alternative to new hardware or Windows 11 upgrades for those who value longevity and stability over frequent feature updates .
Installation and Activation Notes
LTSC editions attempt to connect to Microsoft's enterprise activation servers and require enterprise licenses for activation. During installation, if unable to connect to an enterprise account, you can opt to create a local account. While activation with ordinary Home or Pro keys won’t suffice, workarounds exist, though these may break Microsoft's licensing terms and are not officially supported.While the setup might take some technical savvy, the benefits are significant: a Windows 10 that is actively patched and supported well beyond the normal consumer lifecycle, without the need for new hardware or dealing with frequent OS upgrades. This effectively sidesteps the compatibility issues with Windows 11 on older hardware and delays forced upgrades gracefully .
The Drawbacks of LTSC Editions
LTSC editions are designed for enterprise and specialized use rather than consumers, and they lack many Windows 10 features targeted at home users. There is no Microsoft Store, no built-in OneDrive, or common modern apps like Weather, Calendar, or Mail. While that removes "bloat" for some users, others may find the environment stark or incompatible with certain everyday software.Moreover, unlike regular Windows 10, LTSC does not receive feature updates, meaning to upgrade to a newer LTSC version (which likely will be based on Windows 10 22H2 when released), you must perform a complete reinstallation. Since the 22H2 update will be the last version of Windows 10 before Microsoft phases out the OS entirely, this is not necessarily a big downside for most. However, managing upgrades requires more effort, akin to how enterprise systems undergo controlled OS deployments.
Additionally, these editions may not be easily accessible via Microsoft's consumer-facing download channels, as they are enterprise products. Windows 10 LTSC can be downloaded as an evaluation via Microsoft's Enterprise ISO files but will be time-limited and require activation afterward.
Users wanting to experiment can find LTSC ISOs on third-party archive sites, although their legality and safety need caution; activating such copies without a proper license violates Microsoft's terms and can pose legal and security risks .
Other Community Solutions: Modified Windows Builds
There is a small ecosystem of unofficial, modified Windows builds such as Tiny11, Atlas OS, ReviOS, and Windows X-Lite, which aim to strip Windows 10 or 11 of non-essential components to improve performance and compatibility on older hardware. These community-driven variants can be attractive for users looking to extend the life of older devices, offering lighter, less resource-intensive Windows experiences.However, these are not officially supported by Microsoft and may violate licensing agreements. There are also potential security risks in using these builds, and they may not receive official security updates. Use them at your own risk after careful consideration. These custom distributions highlight demand for leaner Windows versions but come with significant caveats, and should not be the default recommendation for users concerned about stability and legal compliance .
Summary and Recommendations
For Windows 10 users with hardware incompatible with Windows 11, the approaching October 2025 end of free support presents a dilemma. While upgrading to Windows 11 or buying new hardware is the path Microsoft favors, cost and compatibility barriers mean not everyone can follow this route immediately.Windows 10 LTSC offers a compelling alternative, allowing organizations and technically savvy individuals to continue using a supported, secure Windows 10 environment with updates available for years beyond the October deadline. Although it lacks consumer apps and feature updates, LTSC versions provide a stable platform free from forced upgrades.
Users must obtain enterprise licenses to activate LTSC legitimately, but the cost may be significantly less than purchasing a new PC. Since LTSC does not upgrade like mainstream Windows releases, it’s suited to people or businesses prioritizing stability and long-term support over new features.
For those unwilling or unable to adopt LTSC, the Extended Security Update (ESU) program offers a paid, short-term extension of security patches, while hacking workarounds exist but come with risks.
In conclusion, don't despair if your device can't run Windows 11. Windows 10 LTSC stands as a durable, enterprise-grade lifeline for many users, prolonging the life of existing hardware without compromising security for years to come .
This exploration reveals an important truth often overlooked: The binary choice Microsoft promotes—upgrade to Windows 11 or buy new hardware—is not the only path. For those prepared to dig deeper, LTSC editions of Windows 10 offer a strategic compromise between continuity and modernization, keeping systems safe and functional at a fraction of the cost and hassle of replacement.
Source: Windows 10 LTSC – the version that won't expire for years
