Besides the fact that Windows is ending support for Windows 10 and Windows 11 will not support many systems (systems without a TPM or do not have a recent CPU). This will cause great harm to many businesses and people that can’t really afford to change all their computers (especially if they just recently upgraded but not to systems meeting Windows 11 specs). Not to mention the harm to the environment as many will believe they have to dump their systems for new systems. Yes, they could be sold off, however, once the market is flooded with used computers with a dysfunctional OS, it will be difficult to sell or even give away.
Read on there is a solution!
Another reason is Windows 11, rather Microsoft did something that really upset me and it was the ‘last straw’. I was in the middle of a big project (multiple days) and Windows did a forced update and broke my system just to add their AI and other bloatware to my desktop. Not only did I lose my work, I had to waist time to bring my system back to where it was before the interruption.
Now I did not totally dump Windows, I setup my system as a dual boot (have Windows 11 and Linux installed on the same machine). Now most of the time I just use Linux Mint, however, if I ever needed to, I have the option to boot into Windows 11. Also, I have Windows 10 Pro (the original OS that my system came with) setup as a virtual machine on my Linux desktop. Because Linux has way less overhead than Windows 11, I can run any other PC OS in a virtual machine on my Linux desktop which is great for the work I do.
I realize not everyone can jump ship as I did, and that is why I am not going to dis Windows users. Sometimes it is just not their choice to make. If upgrading your existing hardware is not a viable option and have to buy a new system because you have to use Windows 11. Please do the responsible thing and change the OS on your old system to Linux (which BTW is free) and keep it around as an alternative when you don’t need to use Windows 11. If you don’t want an extra machine taking up space, another option is to sell it (recoup some of your money) or donate it after installing Linux (a computer system is more desirable if it has a functional OS on it).
Are you worried about data on the computer hard drive before selling or giving away the system?
Boot into Linux using the USB live boot, do a full format of the drive, it will take a bit of time but it will erase everything off the drive partition, then install Linux.
By keeping systems out of the landfill or recycling streams, not only are you saving the environment, you are upgrading the lives of others that otherwise are unable to have access to a computer system. Access to technology is no-longer a luxury, but is essential to modern living.
– PCsavant