For millions of PC owners, the announcement of Windows 11 brought not a sense of anticipation, but apprehension—and for good reason. Overnight, Microsoft’s new operating system drew a hard line in the sand: unless your machine met strict requirements such as TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, UEFI firmware, and a recent processor (Intel 8th gen, AMD Zen+ or later), your faithful laptop or desktop was now considered obsolete. Estimates peg the number of affected computers worldwide at around 240 million, a staggering figure that reflects how deeply Windows 11’s hardware demands have cut. But where corporate policy might consign functioning devices to e-waste, many users are discovering a more empowering path—one paved by Linux.
To understand the current exodus from Windows, it’s worth examining Microsoft’s motivations and the resulting fallout. Ostensibly, the tougher requirements—like insisting on TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot—are designed to improve security and future-proof systems. However, these standards exclude countless machines from an upgrade path, even if the hardware is otherwise perfectly capable of running modern productivity or gaming workloads.
Consider a laptop running a 7th-generation Intel Core i7, packed with RAM and sporting a discrete GPU. In benchmark after benchmark, such a computer continues to keep pace with mainstream tasks and even entry-level gaming. Yet, because of an arbitrary cutoff, these devices are barred from Windows 11, pressing users to buy new hardware years before they otherwise would.
Research by Canalys and independent industry groups confirms that roughly 240 million computers globally are incompatible with Windows 11. With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, this leaves a legion of users at a crossroads: invest in a new PC, remain on an unsupported OS, or seek alternatives.
Linux Mint, in particular, has carved a niche as the “gateway” distro for newcomers. Its Cinnamon desktop mimics the familiar look and feel of classic Windows environments (think Windows 7 or even XP), greatly easing the learning curve for defectors. Bundled with applications like LibreOffice and Firefox out of the box, Mint is more or less ready to go on first boot, a big plus for anyone who dreads lengthy setup procedures.
After installation, users routinely report snappier boot times, more responsive system behavior, and a noticeable reduction in resource-hogging background processes. Crucially, Linux gives you control over updates: no more forced reboots in the middle of a project, no more waiting for patch cycles to finish before you can shut down.
Linux, by contrast, extends the life of existing hardware, taking pressure off landfills and supply chains alike. The open-source community has long advocated for “right to repair” and reduced e-waste as core values, positioning Linux not just as a technical solution, but as a philosophical stance.
Here’s what switching unlocks for users:
Thankfully, modern Linux distributions have made the testing process safe and straightforward:
For example, a 10-year-old laptop might boot in under 30 seconds with Linux Mint, compared to a minute or more on Windows 10. Lightweight window managers like Xfce or LXQt can squeeze even more life from limited hardware, making web browsing and office work enjoyable rather than painful.
It’s not just lighter systems; even higher-end machines benefit from Linux’s leaner resource profile and efficient file system (such as ext4 or Btrfs, compared to NTFS). And with fewer processes running in the background, battery life on laptops often improves slightly.
Valve’s introduction of Steam Proton, a compatibility layer based on Wine, has changed the landscape. Proton allows thousands of Windows games to run on Linux, often with performance and compatibility that rivals native Windows. The success of the Steam Deck—a Linux-based handheld console—demonstrates just how far the ecosystem has come.
Metrics from ProtonDB show that over 70% of the top 1,000 Steam games run “gold” or better on Linux. While anti-cheat engines and niche titles still pose occasional problems, casual and indie games, as well as many mainstream hits, are now fully playable.
For edge cases, tools like Lutris and Heroic Games Launcher provide even more options for managing Epic Games Store, GOG.com, and other launchers.
Should something not work out of the box, chances are high that a solution exists on forums such as Ask Ubuntu, the Linux Mint Community, or Arch Wiki. The open nature of Linux development means drivers for even obscure hardware gradually improve with community feedback.
Linux Mint, Ubuntu, elementary OS, and Zorin OS are just a few of the leading options, but the ecosystem is vast; users can “distro hop” until they find the perfect fit.
As Windows 10 nears its sunset, consider whether your next “upgrade” might mean stepping away from Microsoft entirely. Whether for ideological reasons, practical necessity, or simple curiosity, Linux is easier to try—and more rewarding—than ever before. For many, it’s not a fallback, but a revelation: computing as it should be, on your terms.
Source: How-To Geek My Laptop Couldn't Upgrade to Windows 11, So I Switched to Linux
The Windows 11 Hardware Divide: Outdated by Policy, Not by Performance
To understand the current exodus from Windows, it’s worth examining Microsoft’s motivations and the resulting fallout. Ostensibly, the tougher requirements—like insisting on TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot—are designed to improve security and future-proof systems. However, these standards exclude countless machines from an upgrade path, even if the hardware is otherwise perfectly capable of running modern productivity or gaming workloads.Consider a laptop running a 7th-generation Intel Core i7, packed with RAM and sporting a discrete GPU. In benchmark after benchmark, such a computer continues to keep pace with mainstream tasks and even entry-level gaming. Yet, because of an arbitrary cutoff, these devices are barred from Windows 11, pressing users to buy new hardware years before they otherwise would.
Research by Canalys and independent industry groups confirms that roughly 240 million computers globally are incompatible with Windows 11. With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, this leaves a legion of users at a crossroads: invest in a new PC, remain on an unsupported OS, or seek alternatives.
The Linux Alternative: Breathing New Life Into "Obsolete" Hardware
The appeal of Linux in this context is undeniable. As a family of open-source operating systems built on the Linux kernel, these distros are celebrated for their efficiency, flexibility, and minimal system requirements. Where Windows 11 turns up its nose at your aging laptop, a distribution like Linux Mint welcomes it with open arms—and can make it faster than ever.Linux Mint, in particular, has carved a niche as the “gateway” distro for newcomers. Its Cinnamon desktop mimics the familiar look and feel of classic Windows environments (think Windows 7 or even XP), greatly easing the learning curve for defectors. Bundled with applications like LibreOffice and Firefox out of the box, Mint is more or less ready to go on first boot, a big plus for anyone who dreads lengthy setup procedures.
After installation, users routinely report snappier boot times, more responsive system behavior, and a noticeable reduction in resource-hogging background processes. Crucially, Linux gives you control over updates: no more forced reboots in the middle of a project, no more waiting for patch cycles to finish before you can shut down.
The Cost of Compliance: Is Forced Obsolescence Sustainable?
Microsoft’s move to enforce stricter hardware requirements underlines a long-standing business model: planned obsolescence. By tying new features to new hardware, the company ensures a steady market for PC manufacturers, but at the expense of users and the environment. According to the Global E-Waste Monitor, over 53 million metric tons of electronic waste were generated worldwide in 2019, a figure projected to climb steadily as tech refresh rates accelerate. When hundreds of millions of perfectly serviceable computers are nudged towards retirement, the environmental implications are dire.Linux, by contrast, extends the life of existing hardware, taking pressure off landfills and supply chains alike. The open-source community has long advocated for “right to repair” and reduced e-waste as core values, positioning Linux not just as a technical solution, but as a philosophical stance.
Privacy, Control, and Community: The Linux Promise
Beyond questions of compatibility and sustainability, Linux offers a different vision of computing—one centered around privacy and personal agency. Unlike Windows, which has increasingly come under fire for aggressive telemetry, advertising, and (most recently) controversial AI features like Microsoft Recall, Linux distributions typically refrain from tracking user activity or pushing ads into the OS.Here’s what switching unlocks for users:
- Full control over updates: Choose when (or if) to install OS and application updates.
- No forced telemetry: Data collection is opt-in, not mandatory or hidden.
- No built-in advertising: The system remains uncluttered and distraction-free.
- Wide choice of customization: Hundreds of Linux distributions and desktops allow you to tailor the system to your needs.
Testing Linux: Dual-Boot, Live USB, or Virtual Machine?
One reason potential switchers hesitate is the fear of the unknown. Will my hardware work? What about Wi-Fi, printers, or graphics cards? Will it feel too alien, or can I dip my toes in first?Thankfully, modern Linux distributions have made the testing process safe and straightforward:
- Live USBs: Most popular distros offer “live” images you can boot from a USB stick. This lets you run Linux on your PC without touching your installed Windows system, perfect for checking driver compatibility and sampling the interface.
- Virtual machines: Platforms like VirtualBox or VMware let you install Linux as a “guest” OS, running it in a sandboxed window inside Windows. While this is ideal for experimentation, performance may not reflect a full install, especially on systems with less than 4GB of RAM.
- Dual-boot setups: If you want a foot in both worlds, you can install Linux side-by-side with Windows, choosing which to start at boot. Guides and installers like Mint’s help simplify the partitioning process, although backing up data beforehand remains critical.
The Installation Experience: Easier Than Ever
While Linux once had a reputation for intimidating installation procedures, today’s distros have refined the process to a few logical steps:- Back up your data: Always safeguard important files to an external drive or cloud storage before major changes.
- Download a suitable distro: For beginners, Linux Mint (Cinnamon edition) remains a prime choice. Other options include Ubuntu, elementary OS, or Zorin OS.
- Prepare a bootable USB: Tools like Rufus (for Windows users) make creating a Linux USB stick as simple as selecting the ISO image and your flash drive.
- Boot into Linux: Restart your PC and open the boot menu (usually by pressing F12, Escape, or another key during startup). Select your USB drive, and sample Linux in live mode.
- Install when ready: The installer will guide you through partitioning and setup. Choose between wiping Windows, installing alongside it (dual-boot), or customizing your disk layout.
Benchmarks and Performance: Does Linux Really Run Faster?
User anecdotes about Linux’s speed advantage aren’t just wishful thinking. Multiple independent benchmarks confirm that, especially on older or lower-spec systems, Linux Mint, Ubuntu, and other mainstream distros often outperform Windows 10 and 11 in responsiveness, boot times, and memory usage.For example, a 10-year-old laptop might boot in under 30 seconds with Linux Mint, compared to a minute or more on Windows 10. Lightweight window managers like Xfce or LXQt can squeeze even more life from limited hardware, making web browsing and office work enjoyable rather than painful.
It’s not just lighter systems; even higher-end machines benefit from Linux’s leaner resource profile and efficient file system (such as ext4 or Btrfs, compared to NTFS). And with fewer processes running in the background, battery life on laptops often improves slightly.
Gaming on Linux: The Proton Revolution
Perhaps the biggest historical barrier to Linux adoption was gaming. With the majority of AAA titles built exclusively for Windows’ DirectX ecosystem, gamers had little incentive to switch—until recently.Valve’s introduction of Steam Proton, a compatibility layer based on Wine, has changed the landscape. Proton allows thousands of Windows games to run on Linux, often with performance and compatibility that rivals native Windows. The success of the Steam Deck—a Linux-based handheld console—demonstrates just how far the ecosystem has come.
Metrics from ProtonDB show that over 70% of the top 1,000 Steam games run “gold” or better on Linux. While anti-cheat engines and niche titles still pose occasional problems, casual and indie games, as well as many mainstream hits, are now fully playable.
For edge cases, tools like Lutris and Heroic Games Launcher provide even more options for managing Epic Games Store, GOG.com, and other launchers.
Hardware Support: Rare Hiccups, Strong Community Fixes
No platform is perfect, and Linux is no exception. A fresh installation may sometimes miss a driver for a built-in Wi-Fi chip or proprietary graphics card. Yet modern distributions include graphical driver managers that allow users to install or update hardware drivers with a click, drawing on community and manufacturer-provided repositories.Should something not work out of the box, chances are high that a solution exists on forums such as Ask Ubuntu, the Linux Mint Community, or Arch Wiki. The open nature of Linux development means drivers for even obscure hardware gradually improve with community feedback.
The Trade-Offs: Is Linux Right for Everyone?
Despite its many advantages, Linux is not a panacea. New converts should be aware of a few potential drawbacks:- Learning curve: While distros like Mint and Ubuntu are user-friendly, some interface changes will require adjustment.
- Specialized Windows-only apps: Programs like Adobe Creative Suite or some professional accounting software may not have Linux equivalents. Wine, PlayOnLinux, or virtual machines can help, but results can vary.
- Peripheral and printer compatibility: Most devices are supported, but very new or very old devices may require extra setup.
- Commercial support: Unlike Windows, direct commercial support for Linux may be limited unless using distributions like Red Hat or SUSE.
Linux in 2025: Not Just For Geeks Anymore
The prospect of Windows 10’s end-of-support has catalyzed Linux growth in a way not seen in decades. Governments, schools, and small businesses are adopting Linux to avoid costly hardware refreshes. Consumer-friendly distros continue to lower the barrier to entry, providing interfaces and workflows that feel comfortably familiar while offering new freedoms.Linux Mint, Ubuntu, elementary OS, and Zorin OS are just a few of the leading options, but the ecosystem is vast; users can “distro hop” until they find the perfect fit.
Final Thoughts: Regaining Ownership Over Your PC
For users locked out of the Windows 11 party, the story isn’t one of loss—but of opportunity. By switching to Linux, you don’t just sidestep planned obsolescence; you take back control of your hardware, your data, and your digital life. You gain speed, privacy, and flexibility, along with the satisfaction of keeping a still-vital device out of the landfill.As Windows 10 nears its sunset, consider whether your next “upgrade” might mean stepping away from Microsoft entirely. Whether for ideological reasons, practical necessity, or simple curiosity, Linux is easier to try—and more rewarding—than ever before. For many, it’s not a fallback, but a revelation: computing as it should be, on your terms.
Source: How-To Geek My Laptop Couldn't Upgrade to Windows 11, So I Switched to Linux
