Last Friday, we reported on an issue in Windows 11 where Google Chrome would simply refuse to launch. Chrome’s support manager, Ellen T., confirmed that the team had investigated the problem and pinned it on Microsoft's Family Safety feature, but users were provided with a quick workaround instead of an official fix.

The workaround? Either disable the “Filter inappropriate websites” option under Family Safety or, oddly enough, rename the Chrome.exe file to Chrome1.exe.

Microsoft still hasn’t rolled out an official fix, but it has finally acknowledged the issue while confirming another bug impacting Chrome users, too.

Chrome’s still the main target in Microsoft’s latest bug

As reported by Neowin, Microsoft confirmed one more issue affecting Google Chrome users on Windows via a new Microsoft Learn entry. The entry was opened on Tuesday, June 24, and it hasn’t been updated since.

The new bug Microsoft has identified also has to do with the Family Safety feature that caused the issue we reported on earlier. However, instead of the feature causing Chrome to crash entirely, the feature just… doesn’t work.

The Redmond-based giant explains that the Web Content Filtering system relies on a block list to prevent browsers from accessing inappropriate search results and websites.

Unless a browser version is added to the block list, it won’t be, well, blocked — even if content filtering is turned on for the account. Something that, in the Microsoft Learn entry, the tech giant admitted to not having done with the latest version of Chrome and several other browsers.

Due to this mistake on Microsoft’s end, the browsers not added to the list might temporarily appear unblocked. Thankfully, Microsoft confirmed that it’s currently working on updating the block list.

The Redmond-based giant also touched on the issue we’ve already talked about in our previous article, which is causing Google Chrome and “some browsers” to shut down unexpectedly. PCs with Parental Controls enabled typically receive a parental approval message: “You’ll need to ask to use this app.”

Once a parent approves, the child gains access to the browser. However, this bug is causing the browser to shut down immediately without the prompt even appearing. Microsoft has pinpointed that this issue is only observed when the Activity reporting feature is disabled.

The suggested workaround is to enable Activity reporting under Windows settings in Family Safety. Once the feature is enabled, parents will begin to receive approval requests as usual.

The issues discussed above are affecting Windows 10 version 22H2 and Windows 11 versions 22H2, 23H2, and 24H2.

Is this another sneaky push toward Microsoft Edge?

Microsoft’s confirmed that it’s actively working on resolving both the above issues, and will update the support document when it has more information. What’s great is that the tech giant has finally acknowledged the issue and provided a workaround to the Google Chrome crashing problem.

Considering Microsoft has had quite the rocky history with Google Chrome, it’s frankly a bit odd that both issues seem to primarily be affecting Chrome.

Microsoft has a history of targeting Chrome (the world's most popular web browser) directly in various ways, including publishing a guide on “how to uninstall Google Chrome,” displaying pop-up ads promoting Edge in the Chrome app, and interrupting users who search for Google Chrome using its Edge browser, just to name a few.

Are both bugs genuine, or are they simply another attempt by Microsoft to push users toward Edge instead of Chrome? In this instance, I guess we’ll never know.

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By now, I know it, you know it, and most of the Wi-Fi accessible world knows it: Windows 10 is on the chopping block, with an end-of-support date set for October 14, later this year — and some users are not happy about it.

Whether unwilling or unable, a large portion of Windows 10 users feel caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to Microsoft's looming deadline to upgrade to Windows 11. Not only do the increased hardware requirements for Windows 11 render a large number of functioning computers unfit for purpose, but Microsoft's flagship operating system has something of a soured reputation, leaving even those with viable machines hesitant to adopt it.

For those users, time is the enemy. Time, and Microsoft. However, the latter is at least offering them a hand in compromise. One more year of additional year of support through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program (previously costing $30 for individuals), at no monetary cost. Please note: I didn't use the word "free" for a reason.

Three ways to stay on Windows 10 until 2026: Bucks, backups, and Bing

Microsoft's ESU is nothing new, and we've known about its availability for individual Windows users since November 2024. For businesses, even earlier. And we know that signing up for this program will cost the average Windows 10 user $30 for a single year of additional support.

However, in a recent post to the Windows Experience Blog, Microsoft has provided a few additional ways for Windows 10 users to gain this additional support, without needing to pay Microsoft a single dime.

In the blog, Microsoft shares the following alternative ways to gain ESU for Windows 10:

• Gain ESU for Windows 10 by using Windows Backup to sync your settings to the cloud

Windows Backup is a new free tool from Microsoft that aims to make switching from your older Windows 10 machine to an upgraded Windows 11 machine a whole lot easier. It's not the only purpose though, users can also backup files and folders to external drives similarly to any other backup tool.

So, great. Download Windows Backup, transfer a few files to a USB storage device, and claim an extra year of support. Right? Well, no.

To become eligible for free ESU, you'll need to upload a copy of your Windows Settings to the cloud. Specifically OneDrive. Meaning you'll also need a free Microsoft Account. Which is, once again, another hurdle some Windows 10 users refuse to clear.

• Redeem ESU for Windows 10 with 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points

Microsoft Reward points are Microsoft's own Monopoly money you can earn through shopping at its store; completing challenges on Xbox Game Pass; referring friends to sign up for a Microsoft Account and also earn Reward points (not a pyramid scheme); willingly trading your information through polls, quizzes, and trivia; or helping Microsoft to artificially inflate engagement by watching certain videos online.

Of course. There is one other way of earning Microsoft Reward points, but it'll test your loyalty in ways you never thought. You'll need to start using Bing Search.

Yes, simply searching on Bing can score you some of that lucrative Microsoft Monopoly moolah, though earning 1000 points may take you some time. If you start now, I'm sure you'll make it in time for October 14.

Frustratingly, for those who want to avoid signing up for a Microsoft Account, this is yet another method of attaining ESU for free that leaves you no choice.

What's next

So, are you ready to backup your settings or switch to Bing to save a few bucks and gain an additional year of support for Windows 10? The ball's in your court.

Some would say that this method is simply delaying the inevitable. And I'm sure that anyone hoping for a savior in a potential release of Windows 12 will be sorely disappointed.

However, if you need a little longer to secure your next device, or a few more months to pluck up the courage to give Linux a shot, Microsoft's newest incentive might be ideal. Well, almost ideal. You might have to use Bing, after all.

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For Windows users rocking Western Digital SSDs, we've got some good news and some bad news.

The bad news: Windows version 11 24H2 is still failing to install on systems with specific Western Digital SSDs. When users encounter this error, Microsoft does not advise a fix.

The good news is that a firmware patch will solve the issue.

Here's what you need to know.

What SSDs are impacted and what version of Windows is causing trouble?

The SSDs affected all belong to Western Digital (now SanDisk). In particular, the issue seems to be cropping up with the popular SN770 model.

The troublesome update is Windows 11 24H2, which was released in October 2024.

If you happen to own a WD SN770 SSD and try to update to the 24H2 version of Windows 11, you'll get an obscure pop-up that reads:

Your PC has a hardware that isn't ready for this version of Windows. Windows Update will automatically offer you this version of Windows once the issue has been resolved.

This error code appears after Windows scans your computer's hardware and indicates a mismatch between your SSD and Windows 11 24H2's requirements.

But don't run back to Best Buy to pick up a new solid-state drive. You have options.

What should you do if your SSD isn't compatible with Windows 11 24H2?

If you take the nuclear option, you can revert your SSD to a Windows 10 image and rock the better version of Microsoft's OS for a little longer.

Alternatively, you could go the grumpy route and switch to Linux.

But if you'd rather not nuke your entire SSD just for one measly Windows update, there's a simple firmware patch that should get you back on track with all the new features and security updates from Microsoft's latest annual update.

Windows aficionados on Reddit have already devised a quick fix for the issue with version 24H2. You can use the SanDisk Dashboard to update your WD SSD to the latest firmware.

The updated firmware should get your system safely through the Windows 11 hardware scan, and onto the download process for the October 2024 Windows feature update.

Is this finally the push Linux needs to win the OS wars?

Okay, look: I did mention installing Linux on your hardware because that is one surefire way to avoid upgrading your computer when Windows 10 is finally kicked to the curb.

Since Linux is an open-source platform, you don't run into many hardware requirements for the various Linux distributions. So if it's more than just a WD Black SN770 holding you back from the latest Windows 11 update, it might be worth checking out Ubuntu before buying a new laptop or desktop.

But for all of Linux's benefits, there is a pretty high barrier to entry for many people. Some programs won't run on Linux, while others require work with translation layers to get them up and running as expected from a Windows machine.

So it may be similar to using one of these routes to hold on to Windows 10 for a while longer.

Or you can hold out hope for Windows 12.

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Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. We've been singing the requiem of Windows 10 for quite some time now.

This past March, Asus published a blog post that makes one thing clear: You should update to Windows 11. "With a mandatory Windows update on the horizon, there are essential steps you should take to ensure a smooth upgrade experience."

That same month, Microsoft updated its Windows 11 system requirements (as reported by Neowin, the Microsoft-focused tech news site). Those updated requirements are to support Windows 11 24H2, which will enable the generative AI tool Microsoft Copilot+. AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm now all make silicon that supports Copilot+.

All of which is to say: The forces urging you to update to Windows 11 are growing — but are things as dire as they appear?

Microsoft's end of support for most versions of Windows 10 means the operating system won't get any feature updates, technical support, or security updates. That doesn't mean the operating system will just stop working, but it will put systems running Windows 10 at higher risk for viruses and malware than systems upgraded to Windows 11.

Laptop Mag has examined several workarounds for the End of Windows 10, but they all have steep disadvantages.

So, should you just bite the bullet and upgrade to Windows 11? Let's recap a bit.

The Windows 11 update isn't strictly mandatory

There are currently several ways to stay on Windows 10 past October 14, including Microsoft's own Extended Support Updates program and Windows 10 Long-Term Service Channel, which can offer full security updates until 2032.

While both the ESU and LTSC options will let you keep running Windows 10, both options come at a price, fiscally and in terms of stripped-down features. So they may not be the most attractive solution.

Alternatively, you could switch to Linux and enjoy all the perks of an open-source operating system while learning a lot about translation layers and software emulation to get some of your favorite applications running.

However, Linux is a lighter-weight operating system that can help keep older hardware running smoothly. So it's a worthwhile option if your current laptop or desktop is rocking hardware too old to meet the stringent Windows 11 upgrade requirements.

If you don't like the idea of having to custom-bootstrap your operating system into working the way you need it to, that's fair. While there are certainly reasons why Linux has a dedicated following, the operating system isn't quite as easy to use out of the box compared to Windows or macOS.

This brings us back to either keeping your version of Windows 10 limping along or caving to the Windows 11 update, which, honestly, may not be as big a deal as the hype suggests.

Windows 11 isn't even that bad

Look, all software eventually becomes old and outdated and gets replaced by a new version. That's just the tech lifecycle.

While Windows 11 is not a perfect operating system, it's pretty easy to use and set up out of the box. It looks more Apple-y than Windows 10, but all your necessary Windows 10 features made the jump, though some have found new homes. But it doesn't take long to get oriented with the new operating system.

You can also opt out of or uninstall any Microsoft programs you don't want to tangle with, like OneDrive or the controversial Recall system on Copilot+ PCs. And you never need to use the Copilot chatbot if you don't want to.

The problem most have with Windows 11 is the strict hardware requirements. You need a GPU capable of running Microsoft's DirectX 12 API and a CPU that runs at 1GHz or faster, with more than two cores, and compatible with a 64-bit operating system.

This essentially means you need an Intel chip that's newer than the 10th generation or an AMD processor that's newer than the 3000 generation.

Should you upgrade anyway?

Given the Windows 11 hardware requirements, a lot of folks will need newer hardware to upgrade.

However, the CPU requirements only really make an impact on hardware that's five to seven years old. While that's not a great look for Microsoft, that older hardware has aged past the usual tech hardware upgrade cycle of about four years.

So maybe you just need a new laptop or desktop, and you've been putting it off for too long.

Even if you don't want all the AI features of a Copilot+ PC, plenty of non-AI options would still get you all the benefits of Windows 11 without the hassle of trying to hold on to Windows 10 for another decade.

Plus, there are rumors that Windows 12 is around the corner. So maybe this whole discussion will be redundant in a few months, anyway.

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Microsoft won't advertise it, and you're highly unlikely to stumble across it by accident, but there's a version of Windows 10 that drops the ads, the AI, and will be officially supported for years to come — long after most are forced to upgrade to Windows 11.

For those unaware, Windows 10 is due to be retired by Microsoft on October 14, 2025. Beyond this date, the operating system will lose access to any technical support, future feature drops, and vital security updates.

While your computer will run as normal, and you don't actually need to leave Windows 10 behind, any potential system vulnerabilities discovered after the end-of-support date will remain exploitable forevermore. It'll be open season on your data, hardware, and privacy, and your copy of Windows will be about as secure as a piñata at a party packed with sugar-lusting Little Leaguers.

Microsoft's ideal solution is for Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11. Those whose devices don't meet the operating system's minimum specs can alternatively opt into the company's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which offers regular consumers an extra year of security updates for $30.

However, there's one group of Windows 10 users this doesn't apply to. In fact, those running this particular version of Windows 10 might be among the happiest of all. At a glance, it appears to be the operating system that dreams are made of.

• A near-stock version of Windows 10, without the ads or bloat.
• No Copilot, no AI, not even Cortana.
• And up to seven more years of official security updates, ending in 2032.

This version of Windows 10 sounds like the one many have been wishing for, but in true monkey's paw fashion, the real cost of that wish isn't immediately clear.

Getting it isn't easy. Running it comes with its own consequences. And using it means stepping into a sealed room where time stopped ticking in 2021 — for better or worse.

I'm talking, of course, about Windows 10 21H2 LTSC.

What is Windows 10 LTSC?

Windows 10 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a special, stripped-down version of Windows 10 designed primarily for embedded systems that don't need the usual array of features found in the typical desktop experience.

Think hospital equipment, factory machines, ATMs, and even those touchscreen kiosks at McDonald's. LTSC versions of Windows 10 are typically installed on machines that serve a single purpose and can't afford any software surprises that might throw a sudden wrench in the works.

To that end, Windows 10 LTSC doesn't receive any feature updates or flashy redesigns — just a quiet stream of security and stability fixes.

It's the version of Windows 10 Microsoft never wanted you to use, and, even though it's entirely capable, it was never designed to run your laptop or desktop machine. Still, that doesn't mean you can't do it anyway.

Windows 10 LTSC: The price of "perfection"

Windows 10 LTSC offers a streamlined experience that many users might find deeply appealing. No ads, no Microsoft Store, and no Copilot in sight.

It's a pure, undiluted shot of Windows 10 — a snapshot of the operating system before Microsoft began meddling with how users liked it.

Factor in the platform's extended support, running until January 12, 2027 for the 2021 LTSC release; and up to January 13, 2032 for the 2021 IoT Enterprise LTSC, and you've got a shimmering beacon of hope for those seeking a secure way to continue using Windows 10 long after its mainstream October 14 end-of-support date.

But not all that glitters is gold.

The first hurdle? You'll need to get your hands on it. LTSC editions aren't available through standard retail channels like Home and Pro editions. They typically require a volume licensing agreement with a minimum purchase of five licenses, which can push the price of switching through the roof.

That said, ISOs are readily available online, and OEM keys for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC can be found through grey market retailers, completely cutting out the middleman at a fraction of the price (albeit with the usual risks).

Compatibility is another looming issue. While versions of Windows 10 LTSC have years of official support ahead of them, Windows 10 is still approaching its mainstream end-of-support date, and support for the regular Windows 10 21H2 edition ended years ago, meaning certain software or drivers may drop support for the operating system in future updates, leaving your longer-lasting operating system to slowly decay through digital attrition.

Windows 10 LTSC: Is it worth it?

On paper, Windows 10 LTSC is everything users could ask for. It's a safe haven to continue using their favored operating system with peace of mind, a bloat-free experience that does away with all but the basics, and a restore point positioned right before Microsoft dove into AI with both feet first and never looked back.

But it's also a version of Windows you were never really supposed to have, perhaps for a reason.

Yes, you can use it. But it comes with caveats: a frozen feature set, a licensing process that can range from ludicrously expensive to ethically murky, and the knowledge that while Microsoft is obliged to support the platform with updates for several years, third-party developers aren't. Compatibility headaches could lie further down the road.

Still, for aging hardware that doesn't fit the Windows 11 mould, securing a Windows 10 LTSC key could be the difference between longer life and landfill.

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Microsoft just launched a new tool that makes it easier and safer to upgrade your Windows 10 laptop to Windows 11, but will it be enough to get reluctant users to finally say goodbye to Windows 10 ahead of its October 14 end-of-support deadline?

While there are some hardware hurdles for regular Windows 10 users to clear as they prepare to upgrade, the switch isn't so easy for business and enterprise users who need to consider vital security and data backups before changing their OS.

Microsoft is finally addressing this issue through a new tool designed to make it easier and more secure for businesses to switch to Windows 11: Windows Backup.

The question is, will it be enough to finally win over business users reluctant to bid Windows 10 farewell, or even win over users considering leaving Windows altogether?

See also: Best laptop deals in May 2025

Microsoft launches Windows Backup for Organizations

On Tuesday, Microsoft launched Windows Backup for Organizations, a tool that allows organizations to easily and securely back up and restore their Windows settings.

That can come in handy in situations where an employee needs a new work laptop or, in this case, where a business wants to switch to Windows 11 without losing all of the settings they have established on Windows 10.

Switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is fairly straightforward for individual users, especially if your laptop already qualifies for the free upgrade. It's not as simple for businesses, though, partly due to the sheer scale of upgrading dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of laptops.

Windows Backup for Organizations can help mitigate that issue by giving organizations a way to quickly configure Windows 11 without needing to manually tinker with every device.

Will that added convenience be enough to get reluctant users to finally make the switch to Windows 11? It's a high bar to clear. Surveys show that as of April 2025, 52.9% of Windows users are still on Windows 10. Windows 11 is close behind at 43.7%, after steadily gaining on Windows 10 over the past several months.

Microsoft effectively needs to get about half of its entire userbase to upgrade to Windows 11 by October, or at the very least sell those who remain on subscribing to the company's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.

Windows Backup might not be enough to get all of those people to switch, but it will be a big help to business users looking for a simpler solution.

Switching to Windows 11 is easier now, but it's not your only option

While Windows Backup for Organizations is only available to businesses, there's another version of it that individual users can similarly take advantage of when switching to Windows 11.

We strongly suggest you take the time to backup your data before swapping operating systems, but keep in mind that Windows 11 isn't your only option.

If you're reluctant to switch to Windows 11, it may be worth considering Linux as an alternative. It's not necessarily an option for everyone (Linux probably isn't a good fit for business users, for instance), but it can be a great alternative to Windows for certain people.

I've been using Linux on my main PC for months now with little to no issues. I can customize it to make it look and feel however I want (including just like Windows 10, or even macOS), and most versions of Linux are free and open-source. I've even had a good experience gaming on Linux, including with modern AAA games.

Linux can be an especially good option if you have an older Windows 10 laptop that isn't eligible for Windows 11. I revived an 8-year-old HP laptop by installing Fedora Linux on it and not only got it up and running again, but more than doubled the battery life. So, it might be worth it to consider Linux before making the leap to Windows 11 — it might just save your laptop from the landfill.

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As the clock ticks down on Windows 10's October 14 finale, Microsoft just pushed some updates that got the community fired up.

My PC is carrying on with Windows 10, and I plan to keep it that way until I possibly switch to Linux. Reservations around Windows 11 for folks like me are that the operating system seemingly takes one step forward and two steps back.

For example, Windows 11 only recently added the function to instantly view all apps, a feature that existed before but never got rolled over from Windows 10.

But taking the opposite approach and shoving streamlined Windows 11 features into Windows 10 is a step too far for many. And, while I don't feel it’s a big deal, there are many who do — and they're none-too-happy about it.

Of course, the feature I’m talking about is the clock.

Tsk, tock: Microsoft, return our clock

Back in January, Microsoft stripped the clock that counted seconds out of the Calendar Flyout on the taskbar. Let’s just say people had a… totally normal reaction to this. Exemplified by one user commenting, “Their plan is to make Windows 10 mirror Windows 11 in hopes that people finally downgrade.”

There are definitely worse comments (that I won’t share here), but the point is: people were upset.

While I am not so hung up on the seconds portion of this, the Calendar does look weird without the clock there. Why is this UI element reduced to such a small portion on the screen?

Well, you can’t say yelling never got anyone anywhere because Microsoft pivoted pretty hard, revealing on May 15 that it’s now bringing the Calendar Flyout's real clock, seconds included, back to Windows 10.

The change will be reverted as part of the Windows 10 Build 19045.5912 update, which is available right now in preview, and will be pushed as an optional update in the last week of May, and then finally available for everyone next month on Tuesday, June 10.

However, there is a slight change in the new Calendar Flyout, which includes a little image in the top right corner that represents the holiday for the day.

That is a neat little addition, but of course, not all that glitters is golden. If you click on it, it’ll take you straight to Microsoft's Bing.com search engine.

Listen, I’m all for giving Google some competition, but Bing ain’t it. I mean, it’s already tough to beat a search engine with a name that’s become synonymous with search itself.

Regardless of whether or not you think this is a small thing, Windows 10 folks didn’t mess around. Microsoft hasn’t commented on the removal or return of seconds, but it certainly got the message.

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Though Microsoft has already warned users that update support for Windows 10 will be sunsetted in October 2025, the operating system is still getting new patches.

But that’s not always a good thing, as some users around the web discovered after the latest KB5058379 cumulative update was released on May 13.

What is BitLocker, and how is it related to the buggy Windows update?

The reported problem involves the BitLocker function, native to most desktop and laptop builds of Windows 10.

BitLocker is designed as a security measure that encrypts entire drives at once, and often works in tandem with an internal chip called a Trusted Platform Module to verify the PIN, password, USB key, or 48-digit recovery key necessary to unlock the machine.

When a user sets this up on their own, they’re given a number of ways to regain access to their PC. The problem with this update is that BitLocker seems to get activated without any user input, and it will, therefore, lock them out of their machines on a system restart without any passwords or PIN numbers to get back in.

Who is affected by the bad update?

So far, there hasn’t been a consistent enough thread to lock down who may or may not be vulnerable to the bug present in KB5058379. BleepingComputer has narrowed things to devices manufactured by either Dell, Lenovo, or HP, but others outside that circle have also reported issues of their own.

Microsoft employees have already responded to several users who reported their findings on Reddit. Though the bug has yet to be patched as of this writing on May 16th, the company has provided a workaround for the time being.

How do you get around the BitLocker bug and unlock your machine?

"According to Microsoft Support, these are the steps you should take if your machine has been affected by the BitLocker bug:

1. Disable Secure Boot

Access the system’s BIOS/Firmware settings.

Locate the Secure Boot option and set it to Disabled.

Save the changes and reboot the device.

2. Disable Virtualization Technologies (if issue persists)

Re-enter BIOS/Firmware settings.

Disable all virtualization options, including:

Intel VT-d (VTD)

Intel VT-x (VTX)

Note: This action may prompt for the BitLocker recovery key, so please ensure the key is available.

3. Check Microsoft Defender System Guard Firmware Protection Status

You can verify this in one of two ways:

Registry Method

Open Registry Editor (regedit).

Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\SystemGuard

Check the Enabled DWORD value:

1 → Firmware protection is enabled

0 or missing → Firmware protection is disabled or not configured

GUI Method (if available)

Open Windows Security > Device Security, and look under Core Isolation or Firmware Protection.

4. Disable Firmware Protection via Group Policy (if restricted by policy)

If firmware protection settings are hidden due to Group Policy, follow these steps:

Using Group Policy Editor

Open gpedit.msc.

Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard > Turn On Virtualization Based Security

Under Secure Launch Configuration, set the option to Disabled.

Or via Registry Editor

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\SystemGuard]

"Enabled"=dword:00000000

Important: A system restart is required for this change to take effect.”

It’s also important to mention that you should only implement this workaround until Microsoft pushes a patched update. Disabling TXT in the BIOS could leave you or your administration’s systems much less secure than usual, so it should only be deployed if you absolutely need to access a machine affected by the bug.

Otherwise, the best bet is to wait until Microsoft resolves the issue and download anything recommended by Windows Update within the next few days.

Now, whether or not this coding cock up is the result of Microsoft's move to code upwards of 30% of Windows repositories using AI...who can say?

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Microsoft's Windows operating system has a trail of mysteries that people are eager to see solved, and they're not limited to Google searches for Blue Screen of Death error codes, either.

From "Whatever happened to Windows 9?" to "How did we get an artificial intelligence, before decent Windows Search performance?" Everybody is looking to Microsoft for answers.

But according to one Microsoft employee manning the official Windows account on X, one question looms larger than most, humorously posting earlier this week: "It's always 'when is Windows 12 coming' and never 'how are you doing person who runs the Windows account."

Shockingly, this might count as the first official mention of Windows 12 by the Redmond-based company, even if it was only used to spice up a social media post.

When I saw it, I could only mutter "Don't do that." And not in a Hawkeye crying in the Tokyo rain, Marvel's Avengers Endgame, "Don't give me hope" way either.

I was happy when people weren't talking about Windows 12. Microsoft, especially. Nobody should be talking about Windows 12. That path only leads to disappointment. Here's why.

Holding out for a hero? Windows 12 isn't your savior

I've heard it time and time again from Windows 10 holdouts who refuse to upgrade to Windows 11, even as its October 14, 2025, end-of-support date rapidly approaches: "No thanks, I'll wait for Windows 12."

No doubt, those people are old enough to recognize a peculiar pattern. One where every other Windows release stumbles before being replaced by a supposedly superior alternative.

It all feels a little superstitious, but the evidence is undeniable: Windows 95, good. Windows 98, bad. Windows 98 SE, good. Windows ME, bad. Windows XP, good. Windows Vista, bad. Windows 7, good. Windows 8, bad. Windows 10, good. Windows 11, kill it with fire.

Logically, the next major milestone release, presumably Windows 12, is destined for greatness — except it isn't. If you're unhappy with the direction of Windows 11, I can guarantee that if Windows 12 exists, and whenever it arrives, you'll be equally as unhappy still.

Be careful what you wish for

Thankfully, I won't, based on a single post by one bored social media manager, that this is some dog-whistle for the supposed future operating system's imminent arrival. There's been no official-official word of Windows 12 from anybody in a position of authority at Microsoft so far, and I hope it stays that way.

If Windows 12 arrives — and I do stress the if — it'll bring with it the kind of hardware requirements that make TPM 2.0 look as trivial as insisting a keyboard includes a spacebar.

Microsoft's multi-billion-dollar AI push all but guarantees that the next milestone Windows release will be designed for the Copilot+ PC experience, demanding hefty investments from users to adopt the latest NPU-equipped hardware.

Given the operating system's current heading, Windows 12 wouldn't simply lean on AI, it would practically collapse into it, leaving hundreds of thousands of Windows 10 users wishing they'd have been more careful about what they asked for as their previously dated hardware is left looking like it should be gathering dust on a museum shelf next to the Antikythera mechanism.

If you're not happy with Windows 11, the last thing you want to be doing is haranguing Microsoft to release Windows 12. In my opinion, not even playfully.

Let's keep Windows 12 well and truly out of the discourse, at least until Microsoft is finished with its experimental AI phase and starts setting its sights on fixing what has turned so many away from its current flagship operating system in the first place..

In the meantime, there's always Linux.

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The death of Windows 10 has been signaled for years. Come October 14, 2025, the current, most-popular version of Windows will be no more — at least when it comes to technical support, new features, and vital security patches. You know, all of the things that are somewhat vital to the operating aspect of an everyday operating system.

Despite aesthetic aversions and a lingering performance stigma, the only available lifeboat for Windows 10 users now is Windows 11. And it appears many are eager to hop aboard.

Estimates from StatCounter analysts suggests more users than ever are made the switch to Microsoft's flagship operation system, dragging Windows 10's near 70% global desktop market share down to ~53% over the last 12 months — with Windows 11 seemingly destined to overshadow Windows 10's userbase for the first time since its October 2021 release over the next few months.

However, for many, the upgrade to Windows 11 is less of a smooth transition and more of an obstacle course of hardware hurdles, software snags, and wallet woes in the wake of Trump-era tariffs.

Thankfully, Windows 10 users have a temporary "Get Out Of Jail Free" card available to them — for a price: Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.

But a quiet change to Microsoft's post-end-of-support plans has made the deal unexpectedly sweeter for some Windows 10 holdouts.

Moving the goalposts on Windows 10's end-of-support

Originally, Microsoft insisted that both Windows 10 and its Microsoft 365 apps would lose support in lockstep on October 14, 2025. That's no longer the case.

A recently updated Tech Community blog post indicates that Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 (including Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and OneDrive) will continue to receive security updates up until October 2028 (as spotted by Neowin), stealthily turning tail on a January announcement that claimed otherwise.

Does this moving of the goalposts suggest that Windows 10's end-of-support may get the same delayed treatment? Sadly, that seems incredibly unlikely.

Instead, Microsoft's sudden change of heart is likely to have more to do with the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program — an offer of a slow and steady descent into unfamiliar waters, rather than the immediate walking of the plank proposed by the impeding October shutdown.

Microsoft's ESU is an optional, paid service to keep Windows 10 on life support for business and home users by providing much-needed security patches after the operating system is sun-downed later this year.

Home users can secure a single year of extended security for just $30. However, businesses are expected to pay $61 per device, rising to $122 and then $244 over consecutive years.

The news of continued support for Microsoft 365 apps is likely to pair with businesses opting for the full three years of ESU support, and not a suggestion of any impeding u-turn on Windows 10's end-of-support date.

Consider it a stay of execution, not a pardon. The noose may have loosened, but the trapdoor is still very much oiled and ready.

What's next

Microsoft has given Windows 10 users a temporary lifeline, but whether they stay or delay, they'll be expected to pay.

The surprise turnaround on Microsoft 365 app security updates is a welcome one, but it won't stop the inevitability of an eventual upgrade to Windows 11 — which could mean a costly upgrade in hardware amid troubling tariff-induced upticks in hardware prices for machines that don't measure up to Microsoft's inflated minimum specs.

There's always the option to leave Windows behind entirely. Perhaps you're ready to switch to macOS, or the "End of 10" could be your invitation to explore a Linux alternative.

That said, you could also ignore the warnings entirely, white knuckle Windows 10's end-of-support while clutching your aging hardware in a death grip, and see just how long you can outrun the operating system's obsolescence before your device is riddled with spyware, your credit cards are cloned, your machine is slowly assimilated into a Chinese state-sponsored botnet, and your best form of protection is naught but a ramshackle homemade Faraday cage.

But that seems like a lot of strife just to avoid a UI with more rounded corners.

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In news unlikely to surprise anybody, Windows 10 is rapidly approaching its October 14 expiration date. That doesn't mean you'll be waking up on October 15 to a computer that no longer functions, but it does mean you'll miss out on Microsoft's technical support, feature updates, and security patches.

You can probably make do with the former, but the latter will leave you, your data, your hardware, and your system integrity completely exposed to every ne'er-do-well netizen with a willingness to exploit legacy machines (of which, there are a lot).

The official solution? Upgrade to Windows 11, obviously. And if your hardware doesn't meet Windows 11's stricter requirements? According to Microsoft, it's time to scrap your hardware and invest in one of the best laptops that comes pre-installed with Windows 11, instead.

However, the official path isn't the only path, and a new project called End of 10 is offering a different solution — one that doesn't involve tossing out your perfectly good hardware, surrendering to Windows 11's centrally-aligned, ad-laced Start Menu, or being constantly harangued about the spiritual benefits of owning a Microsoft Account.

In fact, it doesn't involve Windows at all. It's guiding people towards a different platform entirely: Linux.

The "End of 10" but a fresh, Linux-based start for your brand-new, old computer

Yes, I'm well aware that suggesting Windows 10 users migrate to Linux may sound a bit like suggesting you start living in a van, under a bridge, and down by the river. It's free, it's liberating, but you might need to write a Bash script every time you want to start the engine.

At least, that's how Linux used to be seen.

Modern Linux is a different beast entirely, and it's perhaps in its most accessible state ever. That said, with only a 4% share of the desktop OS market (as per StatCounter estimates), Linux may rival Apple's macOS in terms of popularity, but it's vastly overshadowed by Windows' presence as the "standard" operating system.

Still, it's often that 4% who are the most vocal about their operating system of choice. They may be just as evangelical as your local Mormons, but they also have good reason to be. Even I, a lifelong Windows user, have been enjoying dabbling in Linux thanks to Valve's Steam Deck and its Arch Linux-based SteamOS platform.

Gaming with Proton? Surprisingly excellent. General computing? Seamless.

End of 10 seeks to promote Linux adoption, not by challenging Windows 11 with any particular distro, but instead by educating users with a mix of online or in-person guidance on how to make the switch with confidence.

It's less about the cold suggestion to "download this ISO" and more "let's walk you through it."

If you've ever debated giving Linux a shot, but have been scared off by its "experts only" reputation, End of 10's global network of repair cafes, independent shops, organizations, and Linux-familiar groups, could have you up and running on a fresh install in no time at all — breathing new life into older hardware, and letting you enjoy a brand-new, old computer.

What's next

Let's be fair. Windows 11 isn't terrible. It's (relatively) stable, secure, and very much the definition of a modern operating system with its growing AI-backed feature set. Most of what works in Windows 10 carries over to Windows 11 pretty smoothly.

For every problematic switching to Windows 11 story you come across, there are probably a dozen or more silently satisfied upgraders now residing on Microsoft's flagship operating system.

But when it comes to hardware requirements, there are a lot of computer owners who don't even have the opportunity to give it a chance, even if they wanted to.

End of 10 isn't just about keeping older hardware out of landfills, it's a project that reminds people that, in the shadow of Windows' dominance, they still have a choice.

Linux isn't perfect, either. It has its quirks, and it's not going to be suited for every workflow, especially if you rely on currently unsupported programs like Adobe's suite of tools, for example.

However, for those with aging hardware, those who don't want to be forced onto Windows 11, or those who've already made the jump and are regretting it, Linux stands as a more than viable alternative in 2025.

While I can say that Windows 11 probably isn't the horror show that it's made out to be, I can also admit that it didn't get off to the best of starts, and its AI-focused future isn't appealing to everybody.

Windows 11 is probably in its best shape to date, but the one thing Microsoft still can't patch out of its operating system is the stigma.

Maybe the End of 10 can be the start of something new for you.

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For Windows 11 users, it's time to update, whether you want to or not.

Microsoft announced on Friday on its Windows 11 update blog that "Windows 11, version 24H2," will not be optional, using the term "rollout" for the update. For everyone less-than-pleased with Windows 11 updates, this news may cause some annoyance. This auto-update applies to Windows 11 Home and Professional editions.

However annoying the news might be, the rollout of this Windows 11 update, which includes all previous updates if you’ve not been updating, comes just a few months before Windows 11 25H2 debuts, which should occur in September or October of this year. (Windows 11 24H2 first debuted in October 2024.)

This sort of forced update isn’t new; it’s just the annual “final” feature update, minus the monthly security updates. The number – “24” – is for this year, and the H2 means “second half” because the annual feature updates are debuted in the second half of the calendar year.

To see if your Windows machine can download this update, go to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.

Windows Latest, the first outlet to report this news, also notes there is a measure of control over this update, though: “The Windows 11 2024 Update is offered immediately when you check for updates, but it will not download unless you click ‘Download and install.’”

With this update, Microsoft states that users can “choose the time to restart your device or postpone the update.” But you cannot cancel this update.

As our colleagues at Tech Radar observe: “In short, it’s time to get ready for version 24H2 on your Windows 11 PC before too long – which might be a worry for some folks given the amount of bugs and complaints of all sorts of oddities that have been associated with this particular feature upgrade. Microsoft must be confident enough that it’s been hammered into better shape at this point, though, to open the 24H2 update to this broad general deployment.”

If you haven’t updated to Windows 24H2 yet — say you’re still running 23H2, 22H2, or 21H2 — you will also receive the update automatically. The only caveat is if your company’s IT department manages your Windows machine.

There is a way to stop the download once it has begun — Windows Latest helpfully offers a step-by-step guide — but that might only be delaying the inevitable.

If you’re still on Windows 10, none of this news may matter much to you. However, the days of Windows 10 are numbered, as well: Support for the OS from Microsoft ends on October 14.

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Maybe not precisely on October 14, 2025, but at some point soon, Windows 10 will become a security risk.

That date is when Microsoft will stop supporting the operating system, and it will not patch any new vulnerabilities. If you’re still using Windows 10 at work, your IT department will most likely not allow you to use the OS any longer.

All of this will hasten the death of Windows 10, which has been slowly dying since Windows 11 debuted in October 2021.

The death of Windows 10 has been slow because, as Laptop Mag has reported often over the years, Windows 10 users are raging against the dying of the light.

There are myriad reasons for keeping Windows 10 instead of Windows 11, and in the words of Laptop Reviews Editor Rami Tabari, “You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who isn’t displeased with Windows 11 in some shape or form.”

But with each new update, Windows 11 gets better and better, and the data shows that more people are making the switch. StatCounter, a site that tracks various data, showed that in April 2024, Windows 10 usage accounted for 70% of Windows users. A year later, it accounted for just 54% of Windows users.

And this week, Microsoft revealed a statistic that demonstrates just how bold the change to Windows 11 has been in the past year.

“We continue to see increased commercial traction as we approach end of support for Windows 10. Windows 11 commercial deployments increased nearly 75% year over year,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said Tuesday. ("Commercial deployment" is finance-speak for "units sold and switched on," essentially.)

The comments came during Nadella’s remarks to investment analysts after Microsoft released its earnings report for the third quarter of its 2025 fiscal year.

While Windows is top of mind for many PC users, as a revenue earner for Microsoft, it's pretty small. In the 2024 fiscal year, Windows revenue made up just 9% of the company's $245 billion.

The growth of Windows 11 has been steady since its launch in October 2021. In its 2023 annual financial report, released in July 2023, Microsoft noted that the number of devices running Windows 11 had doubled in the previous year.

Wait — what does Copilot think about Windows 10?

If you ask Copilot, Microsoft’s generative AI app that comes included with many Windows 11-enabled laptops, why Windows 10 hangs on for so many so close to its end-of-support date, the reasons are apparent.

For one, if you have an older computer, it may not run as efficiently or at all with the Windows 11 operating system.

Other, more OS-focused reasons – such as quibbles about the Start menu and control over system updates – keep people on Windows 10.

What's next for Windows 11?

If you haven't upgraded or it’s your first time with Windows, know that it's free to upgrade to Windows 11 if you have Windows 10. However, there's a non-monetary cost: it will require more of your RAM and memory.

Your system requirements, if not up to spec, will put a choice in your hands: stick with Windows 10 and risk a security vulnerability, or buy a new laptop.

Windows 11 rolls out updates to features in the second half of every calendar year and monthly security updates.

Each new update includes information from all previous updates. Microsoft released the most recent security update on April 25, and, as the name suggests, the 24H2 version of Windows 11 was released in the second half of 2024, specifically in October 2024.

The Windows 11 25H2 release window is rumored to be between September and October. As reported by Windows Central, Microsoft started testing 26200 series builds in March, a precursor to 25H2, with developers.

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When mysterious folders appear within your system directory, it's typically a warning sign that something might be afoot regarding your device's security.

So, when many Windows users stumbled upon a mysterious new "inetpub" folder on their computers (myself included), it's no wonder that eyebrows were raised.

The folder, which is the default directory of Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS), wasn't a documented change and was initially presumed to be a harmless artifact left behind by April's Windows 11 24H2 (KB5055523) update.

However, a recent security vulnerability update to the Microsoft Knowledge Base (as reported by Windows Latest) reveals that the folder serves a vital purpose in protecting users against a harmful exploit that could see attackers granted elevated local privileges.

Phew! Panic over, right? Well, as long as you're not one of the people who deleted the seemingly empty folder when it appeared last week (like me), yes.

Well, don't I feel silly now? Thankfully, there's an easy fix to restore the "inetpub" folder back to its duties, and it only takes a moment. Let's take a closer look at the exploit in question and how to make sure you're protected.

"Inetpub": Why you don't want to delete that mysterious Windows folder

According to the Microsoft Knowledge Base, April's KB5055523 security patch was, in part, attempting to solve a security vulnerability (CVE-2025-21204) relating to attackers gaining elevated local privileges.

In a nutshell, the exploit allowed somebody with limited access to your computer to trick the system into giving them advanced control through special shortcut-like files called symbolic links.

This exploit manipulates Windows Update's elevated privileges to follow a symbolic link without the usual protections, giving an attacker access to parts of a system they normally wouldn't be allowed to touch.

The patch borrows certain safeguards from Microsoft's IIS to prevent this kind of behaviour (known as "link following"), ensuring your system now checks where a symbolic link leads to before allowing processes like Windows Update to make changes — effectively cutting off would-be attackers at the knees.

What to do if you did delete Windows' "Inetpub" folder

If you already pulled the trigger on deleting the "inetpub" folder from your system drive, you might now be left with egg on your face. Don't worry, so was I. However, a fix is at hand, and it doesn't take long to perform.

The folder, and presumably the related security patch can be restored by activating Internet Information Services manually, before performing a system restart.

Here are the steps to make it happen:

1. Open the Control Panel in Windows.
2. Navigate to Programs, then to Programs and Features.
3. Select Turn Windows features on or off.
4. Check the box next to the Internet Information Services option.
5. Click OK.
6. Restart your device from the Start Menu.

Once your device is back up and running, check your system folder to ensure the "inetpub" folder has returned successfully. Following this, you should be protected from the CVE-2025-21204 security vulnerability as intended.

Make sure you then disable IIS following these steps, by repeating the process above, but unchecking the box next to Internet Information Services.

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Another day, another Windows update. Another Windows update, another unfortunate error.

Post-update blues are practically a rite of passage for Windows users, as any patch applied to such an all-encompassing pool of hardware is sure to have its hiccups post-release.

One of the latest relates to the Windows 10 21H2 and 22H2 April update (KB5057589), which began rolling out to users on April 8. This patch is focused on the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), applying the Safe OS Dynamic update to improve Windows recovery features.

However, in typical fashion, not everything is going smoothly. Users have been greeted with a foreboding 0x80070643 error on install, where an "ERROR_INSTALL_FAILURE" message would indicate something has gone awry.

If you're an affected user feeling a little on edge over the potential failed installation of one of Windows 10's most invaluable tools for protecting your data, should you ever find your system has become unbootable, worry not.

Microsoft has a bold new approach to this bug: Ignore it until it goes away.

Error 0x80070643: Have you tried turning it off and on again?

In an official support post for the KB5057589 update, Microsoft highlights the WinRE error alongside several other priority issues, including a now resolved issue that saw USB printers spitting out random text and a mitigated fault that was impacting Windows and Linux dual-boot setups.

Typically, an issue with a vital tool like Windows Recovery would ring alarm bells, but Microsoft seems nonplussed. While the company admits that it's working on a resolution to the issue, in the meantime, Microsoft suggests the IT classic of turning your machine off and on again and calling back later if the problem persists.

With Windows 10 rapidly nearing its October 14, 2025, end-of-support, it's tempting to frame Microsoft's advice as coming from somebody already mentally clocked out on the tail-end of a Friday afternoon at the office — having worked in technical support, I know my own tricks when I see them.

However, in this instance, that appears to be all it takes.

According to Microsoft, the 0x80070643 - ERROR_INSTALL_FAILURE message is "not accurate" and won't impact the functionality of Windows Repair. The error is primarily observed when there is "another update in the pending reboot state," and the update will "typically" show as complete following a successful restart of affected devices.

For the atypical moments when this doesn't resolve the error message, Microsoft says not to worry. It'll work itself out. Within the support documentation, Microsoft recommends putting your faith in the age-old physician of all wounds: time.

Microsoft offers some final assurances to those encountering the bug with the following clarification:

"Windows Update might continue to display the update as failed until the next daily scan, at which point the update is no longer offered and the failure message is cleared automatically."

What's next

While Microsoft's technical support for this issue feels comically cliche, it would appear to be right on the money.

Say what you will about each Windows update bringing with it a fresh set of problems, but you can't fault Microsoft for constantly engaging with those issues and seeking solutions.

However, for Windows 10 users, the availability of that support is drawing to a close as the platform nears its October 14, 2025, end-of-support date.

Beyond that point, Windows 10 users will no longer receive important security patches, features, or technical support from Microsoft unless they opt in to the company's Extended Security Updates program, covering one additional year of support for $30.

If users want to continue receiving the latest features, security patches, and technical support from Microsoft, it's advised that they upgrade to Windows 11 ahead of October's shutdown.

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Windows users just can't catch a break — unless the break in question is a myriad of routine update-related BSoD errors.

First, Microsoft gatekept Windows 10 users from upgrading to Windows 11 through its controversial hardware requirements, insisting on previously non-standard TPM 2.0 modules and a strict cut-off for particular processors.

Then, after years of pretending not to understand why people with perfectly good PCs chose to avoid Windows 11 like it had the plague, Microsoft announced Windows 10's end-of-support date of October 14, 2025.

The news was an indicator that Microsoft was effectively preparing to strong-arm holdouts into upgrading or going turncoat on their operating system under the duress of no more security updates, technical support, or feature drops.

Now, Microsoft has let the mask slip even further, recently publishing an update checklist for Windows 10 users that spends more time suggesting they prepare their computers for the scrap heap than emphasizing how to upgrade to Windows 11.

And that's all because, while many Windows 10 users have the hardware to accommodate Windows 11's hardware requirements, Windows 11's minimum specifications are something of a red herring.

New AI-backed additions to the platform, like Copilot, Recall, Cocreator, Restyle, Super Resolution, and more, are either exclusively available to or vastly superior on a new wave of Copilot+ PCs that depend on modern processors outfitted with dedicated NPUs (Neural processing units).

Make no mistake about it. These aren't just features, they're a fork. Microsoft is splitting the Windows 11 userbase down a clear hardware divide. And if it's going to do that, it might as well cut the cord entirely and call it Windows 12.

Copilot+ isn't a feature set, it's a fork

Microsoft touts Copilot+ features as a bold step into an exciting AI-powered operating system frontier. And sure, it is. But it's not a feature drop, it's a platform fork hiding behind the Windows 11 nametag.

The requirements for running Microsoft's modern vision of Windows 11 dwarf the old TPM 2.0 module complaints, requiring modern Intel Core Ultra, Qualcomm Snapdragon X, or AMD Ryzen AI processors to make use of many exclusive Copilot+ PC tools.

That's a benchmark the vast majority of Windows 11 users are yet to meet, effectively holding these newer features to ransom under hardware requirements that turn Microsoft's official minimum specs into a joke.

That's because Microsoft's scope for Windows 11 has exploded in recent years alongside the AI boom, and what was once intended to be a prettier, more secure, and more "modern" operating system is morphing into something else entirely — something that perhaps isn't all that fitting.

After all, you don't need a Copilot for a vessel originally designed to be helmed by one. Perhaps it's time that Microsoft christened an entirely new ship for its AI-driven expedition.

Let's just get to Windows 12 already

After spending years trying to bring Windows users together under the banner of Windows 11, Microsoft has now effectively placed a hardware divider among its userbase once again.

It's time Microsoft bit the bullet and stopped trying to wedge its next-gen operating system ambitions into Windows 11's framework and started forging the road ahead with Windows 12.

This makes hardware expectations clear from the get-go, gives developers a clear milestone to move on from, and gives Windows users peace of mind that they won't once again be left chasing further hardware requirements to access the latest Windows features when Microsoft inevitably moves the goalposts on their 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS) NPU recommendation.

If Microsoft is going to split its userbase, raise the hardware bar, and launch a fleet of AI-first features that only work on the latest chips, then fine — but at least do it properly.

Just as Windows 10 never panned out to be the "final version of Windows" that Microsoft claimed it to be, neither will Windows 11. It's time for Windows 12.

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Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few years, it's been nigh impossible to avoid Microsoft's relentless push to bring Windows 10 users to Windows 11 ahead of the older operating system's October 14, 2025, end-of-support date.

And while that strategy is starting to pay off — with Windows 11 now claiming an all-time high Windows market share of 42.69% on desktops and rapidly closing in on Windows 10's 54.2% lead — Microsoft still has plenty of work to do in the months ahead to cater to those yet to upgrade.

Attempting to convince Windows 10 users that the grass is greener on the other side, Windows 11 is marketed as a more secure, smoother, and feature-rich experience.

However, a recently published end-of-support checklist perhaps says the quiet part out loud: reading less like a guide on getting ready to transition and more like funeral arrangements for your favored hardware.

It's hardly subliminal; in fact, it's barely even subtle. The truth of the matter is that Windows 11's minimum hardware requirements only paint half the picture of what you'll need to experience the operating system in full.

In my opinion, this checklist all but confirms that Microsoft doesn't want you to upgrade to Windows 11. It wants you to upgrade your laptop or PC entirely — preferably to something of the Copilot+ PC variety.

Upgrading to Windows 11: It's about the hardware, not the software

Cynics (read: most Windows users) have long claimed that Microsoft's stricter hardware requirements for Windows 11 were less about security and more about sales.

Given the contents of the company's Windows 10 end-of-support checklist, that suggestion feels less like conspiracy and more like clairvoyance.

By default, Microsoft's checklist automatically assumes that your hardware is fit for the scrap. The checklist's first three steps suggest that users update Windows, make a backup of their files, and then promptly erase everything.

Immediately following this, Microsoft suggests recycling your PC responsibly — or trading it in "for money you can use toward a faster, more secure, new Windows 11 PC."

Any mention of upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 is an afterthought, with Microsoft failing to even state its operating system's minimum requirements or indicate to readers that their current hardware may be up to par.

While not explicitly stated, Microsoft's true message is easy enough to decipher. It's time to part ways with your PC, preferably in a way that frees up shelf space at your local Best Buy.

Windows 11's minimum requirements are a problem for Microsoft

Officially, the most divisive aspect of Windows 11's minimum hardware requirements has historically been its hard-line demand for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip. However, while not explicitly commonplace at the time of Windows 11's 2021 launch, this module is now a standard offering of modern hardware.

Unofficially, Windows 11's evolution into an evermore AI-backed platform has raised that bar considerably — and it has "Copilot+" written all over it.

Microsoft's checklist isn't about ensuring users can run Windows 11. It's about ensuring that users can run Microsoft's vision of Windows 11. And the operating system's own minimum requirements aren't enough to ensure that will be the case. I just don't think Microsoft is willing to face the backlash if it were to state so openly.

The company's big gamble on AI has seen a growing suite of features and tools emerge on Windows 11 that increasingly benefit from an on-board NPU offered in newer processors from Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD through Snapdragon X, Core Ultra, and Strix Point chipsets.

Just because your system can upgrade to Windows 11 doesn't mean you'll have access to several of these features. In a sense, your hardware might get you through the door, but you'll have a hard time finding a space at the bar without the latest hardware.

For many, upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 will be a temporary band-aid and a gateway to a sub-par experience as a member of the crowd that Microsoft isn't primarily looking to cater to anymore.

What's next

In all honesty, this is likely the path Microsoft has to take. Windows 11's minimum requirements have slowly transitioned from controversial to obsolete, at least when compared to the operating system's current scope.

With Windows 10's end-of-support date rapidly approaching, there's still time to stretch your current hardware to its limits or see it reborn as a Linux machine if you're content enough.

However, it's clear that Windows' future is both AI-powered and hardware-dependent. If your laptop or PC isn't up to spec (and I'm not just talking about minimum requirements), then it's perhaps time to say your goodbyes. Clearly, Microsoft already has.

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Windows 10 is coming to an end. Microsoft set the date of October 14, 2025, as the day when support for Windows 10 comes to an end. Still, a lot of Windows 10 users are sticking with it.

Windows 10 users represent 58.7% of all Windows desktop users, while Windows 11 is at 38.1% according to StatCounter. This is a slight improvement from last month when the gap between the two Windows versions was at its narrowest.

Microsoft wants its users to make the switch to Windows 11, and in a new message about the upgrade, the company suggested a radical idea: Just get a new computer.

Microsoft sent an email titled "End of support for Windows 10 is approaching" to Windows 10 users and along with giving info about the upgrade to Windows 11, there was also a link to buy a new computer, according to a report from Windows Latest.

Included with the link to get a new PC, the email has a FAQ explaining what it means when Microsoft ends support for Windows 10, what users can do with an old computer, and some of the benefits of Windows 11.

This email is part of Microsoft's approach to get Windows 10 users to make the jump before support ends on October 14.

Do I need a new computer for Windows 11?

It's very unlikely that Windows 10 users will need a new computer to run Windows 11.

The minimum specs required to run Windows 11, according to Microsoft, are a 1 GHz or faster processor with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor, 4GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.

A thread on the Windows 11 subreddit from 2022 asked what the oldest computers were that users were able to install Windows 11 on. Multiple posters said they have computers from the mid-2000s running Windows 11.

Even though most Windows 10 computers should be able to upgrade without any issue, there are lesser-known hardware requirements that could cause an error requiring users to stay with Windows 10.

For those who insist on staying with Windows 10, Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates (ESU) for a price. There is a one-time fee of $30 to get Windows 10 updates for another year. After that, anyone on Windows 10 will be completely on their own.

How to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10

Fortunately, Microsoft is making it very easy to upgrade a PC from Windows 11.

If you're on the old operating system, you're likely already seeing messages about the upgrade. Microsoft is giving away the upgrade to Windows 11 for free, although a blog post from the company went up back in January claiming that this would be a "limited time deal." Microsoft has since deleted that post, confirming with Windows Latest that the upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 will remain free.

Microsoft claims Windows 11 is safer, has better performance, more functionality and better features such as the controversial Microsoft Recall, which takes snapshots of the computer allowing users to do a search for actions they've done in the past.

The eternal tug of war between keeping Windows 11 as up-to-date as possible and avoiding the potential chaos behind every step in that direction continues.

Microsoft's latest fix, part of the Windows 11 24H2 (KB5053598) update, resolves a peculiar Copilot issue that will divide its userbase into two camps:

Those happy to see things righted and those who thought of this particular bug as a long-overdue feature.

For a company so hell-bent on converting the world's most popular operating system into an AI-powered platform of the future, the original KB5053598 update included one of the more embarrassing gaffes in Microsoft's recent history.

Originally intended to offer several miscellaneous security improvements to internal OS functionality, the update also completely uninstalled the company's flagship AI assistant, Copilot.

More embarrassingly for Microsoft, some users saw it as a blessing, with one user even referring to it as "the greatest bug in living history."

Copilot returns to side-stick Windows 11

Following a few days of Windows users flying solo, Microsoft's AI has returned to its side-stick position.

Microsoft has since quietly admitted that the issue has been resolved within the comments of its KB5053598 update support page (as spotted by Windows Latest).

According to the support page, the bug both uninstalled and unpinned Copilot from the Windows taskbar on affected devices.

Thankfully (depending on who you ask), the bug didn't affect all Copilot-related services, as Microsoft 365 Copilot, the AI-powered office suite, wasn't affected.

The fix will automatically attempt to reinstate the AI assistant, though any still missing the tool can re-install it from the Microsoft Store and manually repin it to the taskbar.

Microsoft Copilot still receiving flak

Microsoft was quick to find a solution to the problem posed by its most recent Windows update. However, not all users found it to be an issue in the first place.

Since its launch in September 2023, Copilot (along with several other AI-powered tools Microsoft has brought to the Windows operating system) has faced criticism from users who find it intrusive, or think of it as unnecessary "bloat."

Following initial reports of Copilot's accidental deletion, some users took to social media to celebrate.

"I wish this wasn't a bug," one Reddit user hoped in vain. With similar sentiments shared by many others.

Copilot can't stick the landing with some users

Given the amount of importance that Microsoft has placed on Copilot, it's shocking to see just how celebrated its accidental dismissal from the platform has been.

Dive into any discussion about the AI assistant online and you'll be hard-pressed to find many users saying anything positive.

The animosity towards features like Copilot may ultimately boil down to users feeling that Microsoft is neglecting several aspects of Windows to focus on its AI push.

Platform instability (especially surrounding updates), platform bloat, intrusive ads, and issues with the New Outlook app all appear to be issues the Windows community sees as a higher priority than broader Copilot integration.

Still, Microsoft's vision for an AI-powered Windows platform comes first, and the company seems ultimately unswayed by online reaction to its AI assistant or similarly AI-backed tools like Recall.

The recent Windows update blunder appears to have reinforced skepticism surrounding these tools. Instead of users realizing that you don't know what you've got until it's gone, many simply enjoyed a short-lived vacation from what they see as one of Microsoft's biggest missteps in recent years.

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I'm once again repeating a phrase that you've no doubt come across so much that it's burnt into your retinas like the Halo HUD on a cheap plasma TV: Microsoft will be ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.

In other unsurprising news, not everybody is all that keen on the enforced switchover to Windows 11.

So, what are your options? macOS? I've been a Windows user my entire life, and I just can't wrap my brain around those weird traffic light window controls. ChromeOS? Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face.

How about clinging to Windows 10 past its expiry and falling foul to every security pitfall possible? No thanks. Considering all of my passwords are just the word "Password," I'm already walking enough of a tightrope of trouble every time I venture online.

Then, of course, there's switching to Linux — or as I like to refer to it, the hardware driver hellscape whose reputation paints it as so unapproachable it might as well adopt hieroglyphics as its system font.

But, what if, hidden among all of those various Linux distros, there was some lightweight, easy-to-install, bloat-free, alternative to Windows that doesn't require a degree in computer science to handle?

Well, there is. It's Valve's SteamOS, and its latest preview build (SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview) is opening the doors for its adoption on "non-Steam Deck handhelds" and potentially opening up a new lane for disgruntled Windows gamers looking for a genuine off-ramp from Microsoft's ecosystem.

SteamOS: Linux for people who fear Linux

Yes, SteamOS is Linux, but it's not that Linux — or it certainly doesn't feel like it, anyway.

Having spent some time with the OS through my use of the Steam Deck, I have to say that this is one of the most accessible versions of Linux I've come across to date. To power users, yes, this is very much baby's first Linux gaming platform, but to the average gamer, what more do you need?

Built on Arch Linux, SteamOS is a painless gaming companion through its Proton compatibility layer and isolated Gamescope micro-compositor that offers a console-like gaming experience reminiscent of Steam's Big Picture mode.

If the bulk of your computing consists of media, browsing, and gaming, SteamOS has you covered, and there's very little you'll need to do to get the ball rolling.

SteamOS is simple enough that even your grandma could effortlessly launch her way into a game of Stardew Valley, yet flexible enough to accommodate more enthusiast demands for plugins, mods, and more.

SteamOS: What's the catch?

As nicely as I may have presented SteamOS, it's not without its drawbacks. SteamOS wouldn't be for everyone. If your computing itinerary consists of more than YouTube, Steam gaming, and Discord, you're likely going to run into the same hurdle most first-time Linux users do: limited compatibility.

Love your Adobe products or heavily rely on that Microsoft Office suite? Bad news, champ. Beyond web-based versions, you're not going to have a good time when looking to lean on your favorite apps.

Instead, you'll likely have to rely on Linux-compatible alternatives like GIMP and LibreOffice.

That's not to say SteamOS' desktop mode isn't capable of handling a lot of your daily driving on productivity tasks, just that it wouldn't be a frictionless experience.

Factor in Linux's anti-cheat software struggles (effectively locking gamers out of certain titles), typical Linux hardware driver woes, and SteamOS' double-edged immutable system (great for stability, but painful for customization), and you can begin to see where headaches could form.

However, the potential SteamOS still offers, remains.

The underdog option that might be crazy enough to work

Originally designed for Valve's gone-too-soon Steam Machines in 2013, the Arch Linux-based SteamOS has gone on to act as the backbone to one of the most popular handheld gaming PCs to date, the Steam Deck.

Current rumors suggest that SteamOS will return to Valve hardware to handle the company's upcoming standalone Deckard VR headset.

However, later this year, SteamOS will be stepping away from Valve hardware for the first time, with Lenovo's Legion Go S and the GPD WIN 4 among the first third-party devices to adopt the platform — and you'd be fooling yourself to think it will be the last.

SteamOS clearly has potential beyond handhelds, and users (including yours truly) have been eagerly awaiting its broader release to see how it handles desktop and laptop computers. Some have already managed to get SteamOS running on non-Valve hardware, transforming their devices into modern quasi-Steam Machines.

For gamers who don't need to drag around all of the baggage that Windows carries with it, SteamOS might be exactly what a clean break from Microsoft's operating system looks like.

It's an OS designed by gamers, for gamers — a streamlined approach that lets you focus on playing rather than wrestling with bloat, AI, and Microsoft's complexities.

According to Valve's own Steam Hardware & Software Survey for February 2025, only 0.14% of the platform's users make use of "Arch Linux" at the moment, only fractionally more than the number of users still running Windows 7 (0.10%), and leagues below those running Windows 10 or Windows 11 (53.34%, 44.1% respectively).

It'd take some surge in popularity for SteamOS to challenge Microsoft on that front. Windows is still the home of PC gaming, and Valve's primary position is still as the pipeline to accessing those games, not in providing the operating system with which to play them.

However, knowing that the quirky, risky, and oddly compelling SteamOS exists as an alternative is quite exciting — and I look forward to the day I get to take it for a full test drive on hardware of my own.

There's a long road ahead until Windows 10's end-of-support date, and plenty of time for Valve's OS to shape up. When it's time for Microsoft to finally pull the plug, I think I'm ready to take the gamble on this underdog alternative. The question is: are you?

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I revived a nearly decade-old laptop in 20 minutes by installing Linux on it, saving myself hundreds of dollars and sparing a laptop from the landfill. You can save your old laptop with Linux, too, and it's easier than you might think.

If you have an aging laptop, you might find yourself in a tight spot this year as laptop prices go up with the end of Windows 10 looming in the background. Depending on how old your Windows 10 laptop is, you might not even have the option to upgrade to Windows 11, leaving you with no choice but to buy a new laptop — at least, that's how it might seem.

Luckily, there's an alternative. If you have an old laptop that's one crash away from the trash, you might be able to breathe new life into it by installing Linux. I tried it and was surprised at how quick and easy it was... and even more surprised at how well my 8-year-old laptop ran afterward.

Why I installed Linux on my old Windows 10 laptop (and you should, too)

Much like food has a best-by date, laptops typically run best within the first five or so years after they're released. So, there inevitably comes a time when any laptop starts to suffer from more frequent crashes, faster overheating, worse battery life, and slower overall performance.

That's been the case for my 2017 HP EliteBook x360 1030 G2 for the past few years. Physically, there's nothing wrong with it since I've always taken good care of it.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to use it for a while since it was running so poorly that it was borderline impossible to get anything done. The battery would overheat and die within an hour or two while doing basic things like word processing or web browsing. Forget gaming, editing photos, or running apps like Discord and Spotify in the background.

Luckily, I have my desktop gaming PC to work on most of the time, however, I missed having a laptop, and after installing Linux on my desktop, I decided I'd give it a try on my old HP EliteBook.

While there are many versions ("distributions") of Linux, the vast majority are much lighter operating systems than Windows.

There's little to no bloatware, which not only saves storage space but also means Linux isn't constantly running dozens of background apps that eat up valuable processing power. There are ways to remove some bloatware from your Windows laptop, but Linux is still generally a less resource-intensive operating system.

Of course, Linux isn't for everyone. I already knew what I was getting into since I installed Linux on my desktop gaming PC, but it's worth considering some pros and cons before making the leap.

The great news is, if you decide to go ahead and take the plunge, the process is a lot easier than you think.

How to revive your old laptop with Linux

The first step is to back up everything on your laptop that you want to save, like important documents and pictures. The most straightforward way to install Linux on your Windows laptop requires wiping everything off your SSD, but if you back up everything you want to keep access to, you can just copy those files back onto your laptop after getting Linux up and running. I backed up my files on my WD Black Passport external hard drive, but you can also use a USB thumb drive or even cloud storage.

Next, you'll need to choose which version of Linux you want to install and create a bootable USB, which is simply a USB thumb drive with the installation files for your operating system. I chose Fedora Workstation, a popular general-purpose Linux distribution, but there are plenty of other options like Ubuntu or Mint. Most are free, as well.

Once you decide which version of Linux is right for you, it's time to make your bootable USB. I recommend a USB thumb drive with 16GB or more of storage. Make sure nothing is on it then head over to the download instructions for your version of Linux. Here you should find a guide, like this Ubuntu guide, that will walk you through exactly how to make your bootable USB.

It only takes a few minutes and usually involves downloading the installation file for your Linux distribution of choice then "flashing" it onto your USB thumb drive, a process that's totally automated with free tools like balenaEtcher or Fedora Media Writer.

Once your bootable USB stick is ready to go, it's time to install Linux. Double check you have everything you want to save backed up in the cloud or on an external hard drive! Before getting started, you'll also need to find out what the BIOS key is on your laptop. You'll need to jump into the BIOS to tell your laptop to boot up into your USB drive. On my HP laptop it was the F10 key.

Plug your laptop in, power it off, plug in your USB thumb drive, then power back on. Right after you hit that power button, start repeatedly pressing your BIOS key and your laptop should load up its BIOS menu instead of booting into Windows 10.

There are a lot of settings in the BIOS, but the only one you need to pay attention to right now is "Boot" or "Boot Order." I found it under the "Advanced" settings in my BIOS. In this menu, move your bootable USB stick up so it's first in the boot order (above Windows 10).

Next, hit the escape key to save and exit your BIOS, which should trigger your laptop's normal startup process. The only difference is, now it will boot into a minimal screen that should have a few simple text options including one to "Try or Install" your Linux distribution. Select it from the list and it will walk you through the installation process to get Linux running on your revived Windows laptop.

Do I regret installing Linux on my outdated laptop?

Installing Linux on my ancient Windows laptop took less than half an hour and the result was exactly what I hoped — a functional, faster laptop that even had better battery life. I figured I might get a bit more battery life on Linux, but I was surprised to see my laptop lasting two or even three times longer than it did on Windows. Four to six hours of battery life still isn't ideal, but it's a lot better than one to two hours.

I can now continue using my aging HP laptop for another year or two, saving hundreds of dollars and keeping my laptop from the landfill. E-waste is a serious and worsening problem, so it's always a good idea to try to get as much use out of your tech as possible, which could mean saving a failing Windows laptop by installing Linux on it.

I can safely say I don't regret installing Linux on my old HP EliteBook. In fact, I wrote this article on that very laptop, now running cooler and longer than before, thanks to Linux. I didn't have much to lose since it was effectively unusable with Windows 10, which is losing support at the end of the year anyway. If you have a similar old laptop lying around, consider giving it a second life with Linux.

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With Microsoft planning to pull the plug on one of its most popular operating systems to date on October 14, 2025, Windows 10 is living on borrowed time — but it's not going down without a fight.

Over the last month, the aging operating system has made a surprising comeback in one key battlefield, countering the slow but widespread migration of users to Windows 11.

Windows 10's impending end-of-support has been widely known since Microsoft's Windows client roadmap announcement in April 2023. At that time, Statcounter figures suggest that the operating system had a global market share among desktop users of 71.6%. A year on, in April 2024, that market share fluctuated, but ultimately only dropped by 1.7%

However, as of February 2024, updated Statcounter figures suggest that Windows 10's global market share has fallen to its lowest share of the market (58.7%) since August 2019 (59.8%) — a point in time when the then four-year-old operating system was still involved in its own drawn-out switchover from Windows 7. On the flipside of those stats, Windows 11 has climbed to its highest peak so far, claiming 38.1% of the desktop market.

By the numbers, Windows 11 adoption is healthily on the uptick. That said, one corner of the computing world seemingly isn't willing to follow suit: gaming. According to the latest Steam Hardware and Software Survey for February 2025, Windows 11 isn't on the rise. In fact, it's on the decline — and not by mere fractions of a percent, either.

Do gamers still favor Windows 10?

There are plenty of reasons for gamers to upgrade to Windows 11, including DirectX 12 Ultimate which unlocks ray tracing and variable rate shading, Auto HDR which offers older games a graphical facelift, better optimized DirectStorage for loading games faster, Dynamic Lighting control to bring all your RGB peripherals under one umbrella, and improved gaming performance in windowed mode.

However, perhaps the two most important features of that list, DirectX 12 Ultimate and DirectStorage, are also available on Windows 10. Factor in Windows 10's reputation as the more stable platform of the two, and you can understand why gamers might prefer Microsoft's previous operating system.

While the last few months of Steam's Hardware and Software Survey (a monthly survey that collects data on the platform's 132 million monthly active users) have seen Windows 11 on the rise — securing 54.9% of Steam users as of December 2024 — February's survey has flipped the script on its head entirely.

According to the most recent Steam survey, the number of Windows 10 64-bit users has shot up by 10.4%, while Windows 11 64-bit is down 9.3%, practically reversing December's figures and giving Windows 10 the majority 53.3% lead.

The shift is one of the biggest we've seen for some time and could indicate that gamers aren't quitting on Windows 10 just yet. However, with the wider trajectory of Windows 11 adoption pointing in the opposite direction, what's the real cause of this Windows 10 resurgence among gamers?

Could it be that new hardware owners have downgraded from pre-installed versions of Windows 11 following the holiday period en masse, or is there more to consider?

What caused Windows 10's comeback?

Looking elsewhere in the Steam survey, there's an even more impressive shift in Steam user's demographics when it comes to one key area: language.

Over the past month, there has been a more than 20% rise in the number of Steam users selecting Simplified Chinese as their language. This pushes the total population of Simplified Chinese users up to 50% of the platform, with English trailing at 23.8% ahead of Russian at 6.7%.

This influx of Chinese users may be the cause of the sharp uptick in reported Windows 10 users on the platform, with Statcounter data specifically relating to China estimating that only 26.4% of users are operating on Windows 11 systems, compared to nearly 40-42% of European and North American users.

Is Windows 11's dominance an inevitability?

Ultimately, the closer we get to Windows 10's October 14 end-of-support date, the more clear it will become: the Windows 11 take-over is an inevitability.

While China's Windows 10 adoption is still relatively low, Chinese users are seemingly more willing to stand by older operating systems, with Windows 7 still estimated to be run by 16.5% of desktop PCs.

However, with Windows 11 adoption steadily progressing elsewhere, it seems as if all things are going to plan for Microsoft as it seeks to unify its users under its flagship operating system.

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I hate to sound like a broken record to those in the know, but, if you aren't already aware, Windows 10 will be retired by Microsoft later this year — with its official end-of-support date billed for October 12, 2025. That means no more security updates, no more fixes, no more features, and no more technical support.

The obvious and clearly pushed solution? Upgrade to Windows 11. However, for some, that's easier said than done. Microsoft's current flagship operating system is something of a mixed bag to many. With its divisive design choices, stricter hardware requirements, and questionable stability, it hasn't won everybody over. In fact, it hasn't even won most people over. Currently, estimates provided by StatCounter suggest that Windows 11 has only a 36.6% share of the Windows desktop market, compared to the 60.3% share held by Windows 10.

'Lo, a chorus of angels rings out to honor the emergence of Windows 12, suspended on a beam of light, cascading directly from Heaven — or at least, the hope of it. The savior of Windows 10 users is naught but whispers from the lips of tech tipsters, with Microsoft having not said a thing about a new milestone Windows release officially. Still, many are hoping it'll right the perceived wrongs of Windows 11, following Microsoft's near-tradition of providing good-again, bad-again operating system releases.

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but even if Windows 12 is coming, it may not be the beacon of light many are hoping for. In fact, to those crossing their fingers, toes, and eyes, as they wish for a chance to skip Windows 11 entirely — you may be manifesting a journey that sends you out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Could Microsoft's next OS fix Windows 11's biggest failings, or could Windows 12 double down on two of the most contentious issues users are struggling with: stricter hardware requirements and AI overload?

If I was a betting man, my money would be on the latter.

Windows users, Microsoft Copilot is your ride or die (whether you like it or not)

Microsoft invested $1 billion in ChatGPT makers OpenAI in 2019. By late 2024, that figure had reportedly climbed to nearly $14 billion — and it's almost certainly grown since.

Even to a company with a $3 trillion valuation like Microsoft, that's hardly chump change. Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI, granting it access to several cutting-edge models, has given the company a clear edge in AI integration. Like it or not, the fact that even Microsoft Paint boasts generative AI proves that AI isn't just a fancy add-on, it's the new default for Windows. From this moment on, it's Copilot all the way down.

Microsoft isn't pushing AI tools, it's on a quest to turn Windows into an AI operating system, and won't let a few controversial hurdles slow it down. Whether that means weathering privacy concerns with Microsoft Recall or routinely cleaning up the mistakes of Windows' AI assistant, Copilot — as with its most recent blunder: helping users illegally activate copies of Windows 11.

Windows 12 could bring about a hard time for hardware

Windows 11's hardware demands left many users sitting in front of perfectly functional computers that Microsoft had no problem labeling as e-waste.

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chips are standard now, but in 2021, when Windows 11 launched, they weren't. Microsoft's insistence on this hardware inclusion left many users stranded on Windows 10, unwilling to overhaul their hardware to meet an arbitrary requirement. Some even see it as something of a forced maneuver by Microsoft to get people to buy new computers.

If you think that's bad, just wait. Microsoft's clear desire to cram more AI into Windows makes me think it's not out of pocket to suggest that if and when Windows 12 arrives, it'll flat-out refuse to run on anything that's not an AI PC, complete with a new NPU-embracing processor that meets the Copilot+ PC standard.

The lesser of two evils? Windows 11 might not be so bad after all

To those eagerly awaiting Windows 12's grand debut, I say this: be careful what you wish for. Microsoft's next big leap could leave you feeling further behind than ever.

Suddenly, Windows 11 doesn't look so bad. Sure, it's only winning against a strawman of speculation, but it might just be the lesser of two evils. Yes, it still has its problems — ask anyone stung by the recent Windows update that borked the operating system's vital File Explorer. However, it sure beats the hypothetical alternative.

Of course, you could always avoid all of these headaches entirely and jump ship. I hear macOS is nice this time of year. Or, for the adventurous (and nerdy), there's always the strange and interesting world of Linux — as did Laptop Mag contributing writer Stevie Bonifield. But for life-long Windows familiars like myself, that's a leap that may cost both time and money.

If you're wishing upon a star that Windows 12 can swoop in and fix everything wrong with Windows 11, you might want to steady your expectations. If Microsoft's new AI-fueled direction is anything to go by, Windows 12 won't be the savior you're hoping for.

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Microsoft has a piracy problem, and it's had it for some time. In 2006, the LA Times reported that software piracy had caused the company a loss of around $14 billion that year alone, despite the millions Microsoft spent trying to prevent the copying and distribution of its software and Windows operating system.

While losses like this would send most companies headfirst into a legal crusade, Microsoft has historically taken a more calculated approach to piracy. While publicly maintaining a zero-tolerance stance, Microsoft is aware of the potential benefits.

During a public talk at the University of Washington in 1998, Microsoft founder Bill Gates admitted, "Although about three million computers get sold every year in China, people don't pay for the software. Someday they will, though. And as long as they're going to steal it, we want them to steal ours. They'll get sort of addicted, and then we'll somehow figure out how to collect sometime in the next decade."

Microsoft, or at the very least Gates, viewed piracy as a short-term loss that could lead to long-term dominance in Windows adoption and familiarity among users. It's a tactic the company potentially played into once again in 2015 when Microsoft confirmed to Reuters that it would allow non-genuine Windows PCs to freely upgrade to Windows 10.

However, being aware of piracy and offering instructions on how to do it are two different things. The latter is something Microsoft's AI, Copilot, appears to be doing, unwittingly handing out methods to illegally activate copies of Windows to users with reckless abandon.

That's not hearsay, either — we tested it ourselves, and the results are alarming.

Microsoft has a new piracy problem: Copilot

A previously tactical approach to piracy may have been a pragmatic means to an end for Microsoft. The company could either spend an ever-increasing fortune fighting illegal distribution of its software or take advantage of an influx of Windows users, hoping to secure a loyal userbase for decades to come.

However, at no point has Microsoft directly facilitated piracy of any kind. That said, its Copilot AI is skirting dangerously close to doing so after guiding users with step-by-step instructions on how to illegally activate copies of Windows using a simple PowerShell command.

The PowerShell one-liner itself isn't new (this method of activating Windows has been available since at least November 2022). However, a Copilot reply is the last place you'd have expected to find it. Yet, that's exactly what happened on Tuesday when Reddit user "loozerr" asked Microsoft's AI if there was a script to activate Windows 11.

Not only did Copilot provide the requested script, but it also gave clear instructions on how to run it in PowerShell, linked to external sources for the tool, and offered only a meager token warning about the potential security risks of using third-party scripts.

Since the Redditor only partially shared their conversation with Copilot (noted by the lack of the conversation header in the screenshot), there was no guarantee that some form of jailbreaking hadn't taken place. So we tested it ourselves (shown above).

Shockingly, not only was Copilot's response reproducible, but it required no pre-prompting or jailbreaking to achieve. In fact, we were even able to access the PowerShell script just by asking, "Is there a script to activate Windows 11?"

Making matters worse, an immediate follow-up to Copilot's PowerShell-containing response saw the AI explicitly state that using the script is both against Microsoft's terms of service and considered illegal.

Questioning Copilot, and the potential harm at hand

Laptop Mag reached out to Microsoft for comment but did not receive a reply ahead of publication.

Copilot's ability to repeatedly provide the same illicit activation methods suggests that this fumble isn't a rare loophole caused by hallucination or wily jailbreaking attempts, but a major oversight in Microsoft's AI safety measures.

The implications are serious, with Copilot clearly able to provide access and instructions on how to perform actions that are both illegal and potentially harmful to the end user.

Beyond the legal risks, third-party activation scripts that download code from external servers pose a genuine risk of infection from malware, keyloggers, or remote access trojans (RATs). Using these tools, attackers may be able to disable Windows Defender or modify system files to prevent detection before stealing personal data, injecting backdoors, or compromising system integrity.

In total, Copilot's willingness to instruct users on executing these scripts stands as a serious legal and cybersecurity concern, if not a disaster.

While we await acknowledgment from Microsoft on this issue, Copilot's actions raise several questions: What safeguards does Microsoft typically have in place to prevent Copilot from potentially assisting in software piracy? Why did those safeguards fail? And how can software developers trust that Copilot won't provide similar activation workarounds or exploits for their own products?

Perhaps more importantly, is Copilot truly capable of responsibly determining what is and isn't potentially harmful information to share with its users?

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Microsoft already set the date of October 14, 2025, for the end of Windows 10 support, and it's serious. The company has spent the past three years telling Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11, and so far, it's been a slow process to get people to make the jump.

Only in January did the gap between the number of Windows 10 and 11 users tighten, with the older operating system still in the lead with 60.7% of the market share while the new OS was sitting at 36.6%, according to StatCounter.

That gap between the two operating systems is almost flipped when it comes to Steam users.

Valve released its "Steam Hardware & Software Survey" for January 2025, and it appears that PC gamers have been quicker to adopt the new version of Windows.

PCs using Windows 11 accounted for just over 53% of Windows users while 10 made up almost 43%. Coming in at a very, very distant third place were Windows 7 users at 0.15%.

What are Steam gamers waiting for?

While the number of Windows 10 users is fewer than 11, at 40% that is a lot of gamers who are still riding an older version of the operating system, which will stop being supported in less than a year.

After the October 14 date, Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 after a decade since its release. That means no more updates, security fixes, or technical support. Anyone still on Windows 10 after that October is going to be on their own. This could be incredibly risky for those who keep using the old operating system as gaming on PC can be a bit risky.

One of the latest hacks to show up is in the popular hero shooter, Marvel Rivals. There appears to be a new vulnerability uncovered that could be exploited to let some hacker take over another player's PC, according to a report from PC Gamer. Just upgrading to Windows 11 won't solve this hack, but having an operating system with continued support will likely help stop these kinds of vulnerabilities in the future.

For those who insist on keeping Windows 10, Microsoft will offer a year of extra support, but there's a price for this service. Extended Security Updates (ESU) will cost users an extra $30 for the year. After that, they will truly be on their own.

How do I upgrade my gaming PC to Windows 11?

Fortunately, Microsoft is making it very easy to upgrade a PC from Windows 11.

If you're on the old operating system, you're likely already seeing messages about the upgrade. Microsoft is giving away the upgrade to Windows 11 for free, although a blog post from the company went up back in January claiming that this would be a "limited-time deal." Microsoft has since deleted that post, confirming with Windows Latest that the upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 will remain free.

Microsoft claims Windows 11 is safer, has better performance, more functionality, and better features such as the controversial Microsoft Recall, which takes snapshots of the computer allowing users to do a search for actions they've done in the past.

While upgrading to Windows 11 from 10 is easy as it's just a click of the upgrade option, the PC still has to meet the requirements to run it. Most Windows 10 PCs should be able to upgrade without issue, but there are lesser-known hardware requirements that could cause an error requiring users to stay with Windows 10.

Having spent the last three-and-change years beating Windows 10 users over the head with the same "Upgrade to Windows 11" spiel, a recent message from Microsoft to Windows 11 users is a bit surprising.

Why would Microsoft advise that Windows 11 users return to its aging Windows 10 operating system — especially with its October 14, 2025 end-of-support date rapidly approaching? Normally, it wouldn't.

However, on Tuesday of last week, the company found itself doing exactly that.

Via a recent update to the official "Ways to install Windows 11" Microsoft support page, the company urges, "If you installed Windows 11 on a device not meeting Windows 11 system requirements, Microsoft recommends you roll back to Windows 10 immediately."

Unfortunately, this doesn't indicate that Microsoft is getting cold feet about its decision to shutter Windows 10. Instead, it's part of a scrambling effort to clamp down on wily Windows users who upgraded to Windows 11 by defiantly bypassing the operating system's controversial minimum hardware requirements.

Windows 11's most controversial system requirement

While many initial grumbles about Windows 11 were due to its UI overhaul, changes to familiar navigation elements, and lack of stability, those problems have been slowly patched over the last three years. The operating system's unflappable hardware requirements have caused the most friction.

Beyond the typical need for a certain amount of RAM or storage space, Windows 11 users are expected to own a PC or laptop outfitted with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip, a hardware-based security layer that helps encrypt and store sensitive data.

While this hardware addition is now a widely standardized feature of motherboards and processors, it wasn't at the time of Windows 11's October 5, 2021 release, making it one of the more controversial requirements of the operating system.

Microsoft closes Windows 11 installation loopholes

As you'd expect, this led many crafty users to bypass this requirement through third-party tools. In a support article initially published in September 2021, even Microsoft offered a seemingly official way of sidestepping these requirements with a registry tweak.

However, Microsoft retracted this method at the start of February. It began soft-blocking the installation of tools that aided this process, such as Flyby11, which mimicked the Windows Server installation method to "fly by" the Windows 11 TMP 2.0 hardware requirement.

Users attempting to install Flyby11 were met with a daunting message from Microsoft Defender that flagged the utility as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA), which it claims has a "poor reputation" and "can affect the quality of your computing experience."

Speaking with The Register, the developer of Flyby11, Belim Hasano, revealed that Microsoft had escalated the flagging of version 1.1 of the utility from PUA to a hacking tool. However, Hasano points out, "The current release (v1.2) doesn't seem to be flagged anymore, at least for now."

What's next

Microsoft's official stance on unsupported hardware, taken from the Microsoft support page for "Windows 11 on devices that don't meet minimum system requirements," is without recommendation (or support), stating:

"If Windows 11 is installed on ineligible hardware, your device won't receive support from Microsoft, and you should be comfortable assuming the risk of running into compatibility issues.

"Devices that don't meet these system requirements might malfunction due to compatibility or other issues. Additionally, these devices aren't guaranteed to receive updates, including but not limited to security updates."

Still, the popularity of utilities like Flyby11 and Rufus, another tool used to bypass Windows 11's TMP 2.0 hardware requirement, would suggest that users are willing to take that risk if it means avoiding upgrading their hardware for what many see as a minor missing component.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is increasingly pressuring Windows 10 holdouts to upgrade to Windows 11. At one point, it stressed the " limited-time" availability of a free upgrade offer (which has since been retracted).

Users deadset on remaining with Windows 10 beyond the October 14 end-of-support date will be left without vital security updates or technical support unless they subscribe to Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) for $30.

However, this will only provide a single year of additional security patches, unlike the expanded (and much more expensive to fulfill) three-year ESU program offered to businesses.

With Windows 10 in its final year of support, Windows 11 has finally begun to climb to new heights in terms of market share on Windows machines. With tech tariffs potentially pushing up the cost of computers and computing components by up to 46%, users have at least two undeniable reasons to update to Windows 11 or invest in new hardware that could accommodate it.

More from Laptop Mag

• Microsoft 365 Office didn't need a rebrand but Windows 11 desperately does
• Windows 11 may have just kickstarted 2025's biggest comeback story
• Two undeniable reasons to upgrade to Windows 11 now (or buy a new Windows laptop)

My friends and family know me as a tech journalist, so they always ask me for advice when buying a budget laptop. However, I have noticed that many of them are clueless about what specifications to choose and often buy the cheapest model a salesperson shows them.

While the laptop they get would often be okay for a year or two, they’d usually come to me complaining that their PC is slow and unresponsive after that.

On the other hand, my laptops often last me five years or more without problems, even though I use them at least eight hours per day (or more) for nearly six days a week.

Aside from regular maintenance, what makes my PC work great over the years is the specifications that I choose when I buy it. So, if you want a laptop that still feels fast after a couple of years — especially if it's a great budget laptop — these are the minimum specifications that you should get.

Avoid entry-level processors

Some of the cheapest laptops on Amazon often come with an Intel Pentium or Intel Celeron processor. While these chips are good enough for basic PC use, like checking the internet or streaming movies, I wouldn’t recommend them for much more than that. If you want to do even some basic multitasking, these will likely stutter and lag, making for a frustrating experience. At the very least, I would often recommend getting an Intel Core i3 or higher chip.

Although Intel has since rebranded the Pentium and Celeron processors to just Intel Processor, you should still avoid them if you don’t like to get exasperated with their sluggish performance while using your computer.

That’s because even the latest, most powerful versions of these chips only have five cores — one performance and four efficiency cores. On the other hand, mid-range Intel Core chips have at least six cores, while the higher-end Intel Core Ultra starts at eight cores. You will appreciate these additional cores' performance, even in mundane day-to-day tasks like running multiple spreadsheets.

If you’re looking at an AMD-powered laptop, it’s best to stick with Ryzen processors. Like Intel, you want to avoid its entry-level Athlon chips except for the most basic uses. Aside from avoiding entry-level models, you’d also like to buy the latest processor in your price range. Most new-generation CPUs deliver at least a slight power bump, so getting the newest released chip for your laptop adds more performance and life to it.

How much RAM do you really need?

Apple once said that 8 GB of RAM is enough for its laptop, but that is no longer true. If you visit an Apple Store today, the cheapest, entry-level MacBook Airs now have at least 16 GB of memory. But if you’re buying a Windows laptop, you’ll still find models that offer 4 GB and 8 GB of RAM.

While Windows 11’s minimum requirement is 4 GB of RAM, you shouldn’t stick with that. Even 8 GB of memory would barely be enough for most tasks, with Google Chrome already using around 2 GB of memory when you open 20 tabs (on top of all the other apps that use RAM on your computer). Web-based apps, like Trello and Slack, also use up a lot of memory, so if you plan to use your laptop for some productivity, you should have at least 16 GB of RAM or more.

If you don’t have the budget right now to get a computer with this amount of RAM, at least make sure that your PC comes with upgradeable memory. Some laptops have soldered RAM, meaning you can’t add more memory later down the road and you’ll be stuck with what you have right now.

Don’t rely on cloud storage for your data

Some laptops offer less storage space to save on costs. While this might save you a buck or two, it will likely cause you trouble in the long run. Some of the cheaper models come with just 64 GB of storage, which is nowhere near enough if you want to install an app or two and store your personal files on your device.

A few argue that you could use cloud storage instead to store your data, but this will entail an additional subscription cost and always need to connect. Alternatively, you could get an external SSD to save your files, but this will still limit the apps you can install on your device, as having them on a removable drive will be inconvenient.

At the very least, I recommend getting at least a 512 GB SSD to store your files, but 1 TB is ideal. While you can get by with 256 GB, you’ll have to pick and choose between the apps you can install and the files you can keep on your laptop. This is an issue I’m facing myself with my 15-inch M2 MacBook Air, but since it’s just a backup device, I don’t need (nor do I want to spend for) larger storage space on it.

Stick with Windows 11 if you're not getting a Mac

You might find a few cheap laptops on sale, but if its operating system is Windows 10, then you should avoid it like the plague. While it’s true that Windows 11 isn’t perfect, Microsoft is ending support for the older operating system in October 2025. While your device will not be bricked after that date, you’re going to lose updates on it, especially critical security updates, meaning your system will be vulnerable.

Furthermore, a new computer that still has Windows 10 today might not have TPM 2.0, which is a core requirement for Windows 11 and probably why its manufacturer still hasn’t upgraded it. So, even if you decide to upgrade the laptop to Windows 11, you might not be able to do so officially, and you’ll just end up with a brand-new, outdated laptop.

Maintenance and proper use are essential, but basic specs help a lot, too.

Of course, you should still take proper care and maintain your computer if you want it to last as long as possible. That means cleaning it frequently and keeping dust out to prevent it from overheating, and you should also avoid installing sketchy software. However, it is the unfortunate truth that as newer, more powerful hardware is released annually, apps and programs are slowly but surely catching up with them.

While getting the fastest, most powerful PC money can buy will help it last longer, not everyone can afford it. But if you find that your budget for a new laptop will limit you to specifications that fall below these, consider getting a used or refurbished laptop instead. While it may not have the latest and greatest hardware, you can at least avoid future headaches and frustrations.

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With Windows 10's October 14 end-of-support date approaching, its impressive popularity may finally be waning after market share estimations by StatCounter have seen Windows 11 climb to its highest point since its October 5, 2021 launch.

Now sitting pretty with a 36.65% share of Windows desktop users, Windows 11 appears to be on the up, after overturning a spell of negative growth toward the end of 2024.

However, Windows 11's adoption still pales compared to Windows 10's — which, despite Microsoft's efforts to push users to upgrade, maintains a 60.33% share of Windows desktop users.

What caused Windows 11's user growth?

While the information from StatCounter is a good estimation of how market share is split among desktop Windows operating systems, it doesn't give any explanation as to why Windows 11 has suddenly managed to reverse a two-month drop in users.

For that, we'll need to make a few educated guesses of our own, backed by historical data collected by StatCounter. With this turnaround taking place between December 2024 and January 2025, the most likely cause of Windows 11's rise in adoption is new purchases of desktop, laptop, and handheld gaming PCs over the Christmas/Holiday period.

A similar bump in Windows 11 adoption took place between December 2022 and January 2023, with Microsoft's operating system jumping in market share from 16.97% to 18.12%.

Again, between December 2023 and January 2024, Windows 11's market share rose from 26.54% to 27.83%.

While these increases seem small, they're often accompanied by similar, if not larger, increases between January and February.

What's next

Windows 11 adoption has been slowly ramping up since its October 5, 2021 launch. However, 2024 was the first year that saw the operating system take several sharp downturns in users. First between the months of February and April, and then again between October and December.

It's likely that Windows 11 market share will continue to grow in February and, with Windows 10's end-of-support date looming, continue to grow throughout 2025 as individuals and companies complete the jump to Microsoft's latest operating system.

While Windows 10 users will be able to keep using the operating system beyond the October 2025 end-of-support date, it will mean they'll be left without access to important security updates and technical support — unless they subscribe to Microsoft's ESU (Extended Security Updates), available for only a single year at a price of $30.

Alternatively, businesses can subscribe to Microsoft's ESU for up to three years. However, the price is much steeper, starting at $61 for the first year, $122 for the second, and $244 for the third and final year.

Once you factor in the potential increase in prices for computing hardware due to Trump's planned tariffs on overseas tech, it makes sense that users and businesses will be more open to upgrading their devices to meet Windows 11's expanded minimum hardware requirements before it becomes more expensive to do so at a later date.

More from Laptop Mag

• Two undeniable reasons to upgrade to Windows 11 now (or buy a new Windows laptop)
• "Truly magical" ChatGPT feature comes to Microsoft Copilot — and it's completely free
• Microsoft reveals new Surface and Surface Pro laptops with up to 22 hours of battery life

Windows 10 is in its last stages, and users have just over eight months to leave before Microsoft ends support for its popular operating system on October 14, 2025.

Many Windows 10 users feel up against the wall when it comes to upgrading to Windows 11 — be it through personal preference, an attachment to the familiar, or aging hardware.

I get that; I do. I've been a Windows user my entire life, and this isn't my first rodeo of having Microsoft pry one of its better operating systems out of my hands and push me onto its latest platform.

However, the stars are somewhat aligning at this very moment, and upgrading to Windows 11 now could be the smartest move you can make in 2025, especially if you don't want to pay hand over fist come October — even if that means buying new hardware. Let me explain.

Upgrading to Windows 11 is free (for now)

Microsoft might be a bit pushy about getting Windows 10 users to switch to Windows 11, but it also doesn't place many hurdles in their way.

Windows 10 users have had access to a free upgrade to Windows 11 for some time now. Despite similar pathways typically expiring a year or so after the release of a new version of Windows, this option is still available over four years later.

However, while Microsoft has seemingly backtracked over a recently deleted blog post that labeled this upgrade as a "limited-time" offer, it stands to reason that this proposal (like the others that came before it) will have an expiry date.

Precisely what that date is remains unknown. However, failing to take advantage of the free upgrade in time could cost as much as $139 for a Windows 11 Home license or $199 for a Windows 11 Pro license.

Given such prices, "free" sounds like an attractive alternative. That said, users running Windows 10 on older hardware may have issues meeting Windows 11's stricter minimum requirements, particularly its demand that devices feature a Trusted Platform Module (TMP) 2.0 module.

Still, if you need to upgrade your hardware for Windows 11, now might be the best time to do so.

Trump's tech tariffs could spell trouble for laptops and PCs in 2025

During a House GOP Issues Conference on Monday, President Donald Trump reasserted his plans to promote American manufacturing by luring companies to produce in-country, stating, "In the very near future, we're going to be placing tariffs on foreign production of computer chips, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals to return production of these essential goods to the United States of America."

In the long run, should Trump's tariffs succeed in promoting companies to produce within U.S. borders, then the cost of computers and computing components could be lower for Americans.

However, in the meantime, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) predicts that tariffs proposed by Trump could make Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm-powered laptops up to 46% more expensive due to their reliance on overseas fabrication.

Given the rate and speed of Trump's actions since his second inauguration earlier this month, there's no telling when these tariffs may be applied. This lends a sense of urgency to securing new hardware early in 2025.

Luckily, the best Windows laptops are experiencing a renaissance lately. They boast excellent new chipsets that offer high performance and impressive efficiency. They also feature Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to aid in AI computing tasks and measure up to AI PC and Copilot+ PC standards.

Bottom line

To put it plainly, whether you're a desktop or laptop user, 2025 could potentially be an expensive year in computing.

If you want to make the smartest financial steps, then now is the time to snatch that free upgrade from Microsoft, or better still, invest in a new Windows laptop and clear the platform's minimum requirements with ease and without worry of falling short on performance over the coming years.

More from Laptop Mag

• Best Windows laptops for January 2025: Tested, reviewed, and ranked
• Microsoft 365 Office didn't need a rebrand but Windows 11 desperately does
• Report: A smaller Microsoft Surface Pro, Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X are coming

If you thought the biggest challenge for Microsoft in 2025 would be ferrying the world away from Windows 10 before its October end-of-support deadline, guess again.

While millions cling to the company's aging operating system like a safety blanket in a Peanuts comic strip, Microsoft has turned its attention to a more pressing matter: confusing its users with yet another classic and unnecessary rebrand.

This time around, it's the turn of the already terribly branded Microsoft 365 Office (formerly the Microsoft Office of old), which will now be known as Microsoft 365 Copilot — a name that not only fails to communicate what the software does but also adds a further layer of confusion by adopting an almost identical icon to Copilot itself, save for a small "M365" label.

Microsoft 365 Office is just another victim of the Copilot branding spree, which sees the Windows 11 platform now potentially outfitted with more Copilots than actual pilots, sitting in the shadow of Windows 10's estimated 62.7% market share according to a December StatCounter report — a number that, despite the platform's forthcoming rug-pull, has been on the rise since October 2024.

If these figures highlight anything, it's the elephant in the room and a rebrand Microsoft actually needs to focus on: Windows 11.

It's Copilots all the way down

When luxury British car manufacturer Jaguar announced its modern rebranding in November with the now infamous "Copy Nothing" video, I was sure I'd witnessed the worst marketing disaster since New Coke.

"Copy nothing," was the central message behind Jaguar's vignette, which bravely decided not to show an actual car, instead opting for flourishes of models that look dressed to audition for my fever dream remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, helmed by Nothing CEO Carl Pei.

If Jaguar's "Copy nothing" campaign represents the pinnacle of marketing pretentiousness through the lens of claiming to be "unique," Microsoft's Copilot 'rebrandathon' is sitting on the opposite end of the spectrum — a relentless exercise in derivative overuse potentially steamrolling its way to a similarly negative outcome.

Everything from apps to new Copilot+ PCs is labeled with the same name, leaving many users confused as to whether Copilot is a product, a feature, or Microsoft's desperate way to convince the world it's the first and best AI operating system after it invested over $13 billion to get its foot in the door early with OpenAI, only for CEO Sam Altman to give away the farm for free to Apple in exchange for exposure.

Spoiler: It's all of the above.

Windows 11's image crisis is the only rebrand Microsoft needs to focus on

Distracted by the fun of confusing its user base when they can no longer locate the office suite they've been using for the last few decades, Microsoft is overlooking a far more critical issue: getting users to upgrade to Windows 11.

While an influx of businesses making the transition throughout 2025 will undoubtedly buoy Windows 11's market share, many individual users are willing to fight it out, likely in the hopes that Windows 12 is waiting in the wings to make its grand entrance.

Especially if Microsoft's now almost historically dependable pattern of providing on-again-off-again versions of the Windows operating system continues (e.g., Windows Vista bad, Windows 7 good, Windows 8 bad, Windows 9 MIA, Windows 10 good, you get the drift).

However, even thoughts of Windows 12 are beginning to sour, as it's becoming plainly obvious that Microsoft's generative AI modding of core Windows apps will be something that's carried over (in turn dragging the same list of complaints about Windows 11's hardware requirements and AI bloat along with it) — assuming the fabled operating system ever actually materializes.

Microsoft simply isn't giving the average user much reason to leave Windows 10 behind. Instead of loosening hardware restrictions, positioning its AI features as an optional addition to and not the core experience, developing a lightweight game-friendly mode for laptops and handheld gaming PCs to benefit from, or even allowing users to position the taskbar wherever they like, Microsoft seems dead-set on finding out the hard way that people don't appreciate being bullied into compliance.

Strong-arming your user base into doing what you want by restricting features, enforcing deadlines, and revoking support for popular apps isn't a winning pitch.

While Windows 10's end-of-support, which coincidentally will also revoke support for Microsoft 365 apps on older systems, will push users to Windows 11, it will do so begrudgingly. In its present state, at least regarding its image, Windows 11 will be an operating system most people tolerate but never fully embrace.

If there's any Microsoft product in dire need of a rebrand, it's Windows 11.

What's next

Contrary to the perceived thought behind Microsoft's actions, slapping the word Copilot onto everything you can in Windows does not make a cohesive ecosystem.

It's a bit like straightening the bow tie of a waiter and restocking his supply of vol-au-vents as you send them off to see if anybody feels slightly peckish across the deck of a sinking Titanic.

Suppose Microsoft wants people to adopt its Copilot-centric operating system. In that case, its best bet is to make Windows 11 a platform people actually want to use, not to bank on the fact that Windows users will have no other option come October 14, 2025.

To many Windows 10 users, the leap to Windows 11 is alien enough, making alternative operating systems equally as alien an option to go with. As the idiom goes, "Don't count your chickens before they've hatched," or the only platform stealing market share from Windows 10 could be macOS or Linux.

More from Laptop Mag

• Best Windows laptops for January 2025: Tested, reviewed, and ranked
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At the end of every school year, one or two graduating seniors in my class will ask me to recommend one of the best laptops for students before they head off to college. Some of them decide to major in science, engineering, or business, but if they've spent the last four years with a Chromebook (or a circa 2016 MacBook losing its keycaps), figuring out the best college laptop to get them through another four years of school can be overwhelming.

Most humanities majors just need one of the best laptops for writers (with a great keyboard and long battery life), but most STEM and business majors learn how to use special programs to complete their coursework — programs that need a lot of processing power to run efficiently. But if you don't want to make the first day of class a more nerve-wracking experience by sitting far away from a wall outlet, there are plenty of laptops with the best battery life that can still run demanding programs.

Beyond that, any student looking for one of the best laptops should also take portability into consideration. I've had the misfortune of lugging a heavy laptop across campus multiple times a day and trust me — it gets tiring! Although, I went to college in what feels like the stone age, and it's much easier to find a fantastic, thin and light laptop that's a half-inch thick and weighs less than 3 pounds these days.

This page is regularly updated with our latest reviews to reflect Laptop Mag’s top picks for 2025.

Update Log

6/4/25: Revised FAQs section, fully updated Recently Reviewed section.

The Quick List

Best overall

The MacBook Air 13 M4 is the most well-rounded and affordable premium laptop you can get for college. Its starting price is back down to $999, $100 less than the Air M3 and M2 — and Apple (finally) increased the RAM on the Air M4’s base model from 8GB to 16GB. The MacBook Air was still a great laptop for students in years past, but those two changes make it an even better one.

The 13-inch model “feels like the return of the original M1 Air,” Laptop Mag managing editor Sean Riley said in his review. It offers many of the same benefits for students as the pricier Pro M4, and its performance and battery life are still unparalleled compared to many of its budget competitors.

Its CPU multicore performance is nearly 38% faster than the Air M3, according to our testing. In our real-world video transcoding test, the Air M4 converted a 4K video to 1080p in just under 5 minutes — 2 minutes faster than the Air M3. With double the RAM, the Air M4 handles heavy multitasking better, too.

The display isn't the most vibrant or color-accurate screen you can get, but it covers a larger portion of the DCI-P3 color gamut than last year's Air M3 (83.5% versus 77.8%). For film or graphic design majors on a budget, that's less of a compromise between the Air M4 and 14-inch M4 Pro — assuming you don’t need a larger screen. But you still get Apple's True Tone technology, which adjusts how colors are displayed depending on the lighting. Its max brightness is 476 nits, just like last year's model.

The Air M4's other features have mostly stayed the same or improved compared to last year’s model (Its battery still lasts 15 hours.) If you currently have an Air M1 or earlier, you're in the best position to get the most out of your money by upgrading.

See our full Apple MacBook Air 13 M4 review.

Best under $1,000

Inside the Acer Swift Go 14’s minimalist yet stylish aluminum chassis lies productivity power. It’s a “great pick for people with a need for speed,” as Laptop Mag’s Claire Tabari said in her review. There are plenty of other features that make this an A+ laptop for students, too.

Compared to its main competitors that we’ve reviewed, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor comes within 1% of their multicore speed — a minuscule difference when it comes to web browsing, word processing, and other tasks that don’t take a lot of resources to run. But more demanding tasks like video conversion don’t slow it down, either. In our Handbrake test, the Swift Go 14 took a little over 5 minutes to convert a 4K video to 1080p, on par with its competitors.

Its SSD storage speed helps with that process, too. In our tests, it duplicated 25GB of multimedia files up to 31% faster than its main competitors.

The Swift Go 14’s biggest drawback is its battery life: 8 hours and 25 minutes. Not only is that shorter than the 9-10 hour minimum we recommend, but it’s also between 2-7 hours shorter than competing laptops at its price point. (It’s also important to keep in mind that battery life can shorten over time.) If you’re a student who likes or needs to take their laptop with them to every class, you might have to call dibs on a seat next to a coveted wall outlet.

See our full Acer Swift Go 14 review.

Best under $500

As I mentioned in my review, budget Chromebooks have become better-value laptops in the last several years. Acer’s new Chromebook Spin 312 is the stand-out example of how much they’ve improved.

Design-wise, its silver colorway and black keyboard, along with a lightweight chassis, make it look more like a Windows laptop. The keyboard does have a strange clicky-squishy feel that makes the thinness of the plastic keycaps really noticeable, but it’s not the worst keyboard I’ve ever tried. However, the trackpad is the smoothest I’ve ever felt on a budget laptop — even compared to some expensive Windows laptops.

Despite Laptop Mag’s tests showing the IPS display has low color gamut coverage, its images are still vivid and clear, likely due to the Corning Gorilla Glass coating. This is great for a $450 Chromebook. But the coating does make it more reflective than the average IPS, and the Spin 312’s max display brightness of 277 nits isn’t always enough to mask reflections. (You will definitely need to watch horror movies in the dark, as they are meant to be watched.)

The Spin 312’s 128GB of storage space might seem like a lot, but for students who want to run Linux on their Chromebook, it’s necessary for installing standard desktop applications and saving larger files. However, this laptop comes with only 8GB of RAM. That’s fine for a light workload (a dozen or fewer open browser tabs and one or two applications), but a minimum of 16GB is ideal for any laptop, especially if you are a heavy multitasker.

See our full Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review.

Best battery life

For fans of powerful, thin and light laptops, Dell’s XPS 13 takes on the MacBook Air M4 in size, performance, and battery life at a similar price. And now that its Snapdragon X Elite has been out for a year, there’s way more programs (even some niche ones) with native Windows on ARM support.

The Snapdragon X Elite also still one of the fastest chips for heavy multitasking you can get in a premium laptop. It outpaces many laptops with an Intel Core Ultra 7 200V series or 100H series, according to Laptop Mag’s testing, and comes within 1.5% of Apple’s new MacBook Air M4. Its battery lasts longer than than the Air M4, too: 19 hours compared to 15 hours.

However, its graphics capabilities is among the slowest we’ve tested in a laptop in this price range, and its display isn’t as colorful as other laptops on this. That could turn some potential buyers away from the XPS 13, but it’s not as problematic as other parts of the laptop.

Rami Tabari, Laptop Mag’s review editor mentioned in his review that the XPS 13’s “thin-and-light chassis forces compromises you’ll be sure to notice.” Unfortunately for this gorgeous laptop, you’ll find most of those compromises in the keyboard and touchpad.

The keyboard could feel cramped for anyone with extra large hands. It runs from edge to edge on the bottom chassis, so the keys are packed closer together than they would be on a 13-inch laptop with a larger footprint. The touch function row doesn’t give haptic feedback, which felt unsatisfying to Tabari (and having used this laptop myself, I agree.) But thank goodness the touchpad has haptics — it’s hard enough figuring out where it begins and ends since it completely blends in with the deck.

But the XPS 13 is close in size and weight to the MacBook Air M4. It’s chassis is a little thicker (0.6 inches versus 0.44 inches), but it’s a touch lighter (2.6 pounds versus 2.7 pounds).

See our full Dell XPS 13 9345 review.

Best 2-in-1

This might Laptop Mag staff writer Madeline Ricchiuto’s favorite 2-in-1 laptop. As she said in her review, it’s a “compelling combination” of solid performance, power efficiency, a stunning OLED display, and smooth iGPU gaming performance. Coupled with a reasonable price tag, the Asus Vivobook 16 Flip is an excellent choice for students who want a highly versatile laptop.

Even with a speedy Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor and 32GB of RAM, this laptop's battery life doesn't suffer for all the multicore performance it cranks out. In our battery rundown test, it surfed the web for nearly 14 hours before it needed a charge — 3 hours longer than our previous pick, the HP Spectre x360 16. And in our Handbrake transcoding test, it converted a 4K video to 1080p in under 8 minutes. That's not the fastest we've ever seen, but for a 2-in-1 laptop that's not primarily designed to be a video editing laptop, that's good!

But if you could use it as one if you wanted to; its OLED display covers 84.4% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, which is enough to capture the slightest of differences between most color shades. The display also gets surprisingly bright for an OLED laptop. Not the brightest Laptop Mag has ever tested, but a max 356 nits of brightness is enough to ward off all but the most intrusive glare.

To add yet another positive to the Asus Vivobook 16 Flip's long list of features, the integrated graphics makes most games playable (at least 30 fps) on Medium graphics at 1080p — even Baldur’s Gate III.

See our full Asus Vivobook 16 Flip review.

Best for business majors

The Asus ExpertBook P5 has all the essentials to get you through your business classes: a fast Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, a well-spaced and comfortable keyboard, battery life, a 144Hz display, tons of RAM, tons of ports, and even surprisingly good speakers. Its looks are nothing to gawk at, but it provides so much at such a great value it doesn't matter that it lacks panache.

This laptop is a multitasking champ, handling dozens of open Chrome tabs with spreadsheets, music, video, and emails with stutter-free performance. It also shines in two other crucial areas: the webcam and thermals. In a well-lit environment, its color accuracy is on-point, whether what's on screen is the foreground or background.

The ExpertBook P5 also effectively manages the heat it puts out. Our managing editor, Sean Riley, said it's "one of the coolest laptops" he's ever encountered when he reviewed it. All but one spot on the laptop stayed well below Laptop Mag's 95-degree threshold — and the spot that didn't only spiked to 95.4 degrees.

See our full Asus ExpertBook P5 review.

Best for engineering students

Gaming laptops have become a more popular choice among high school and college students in recent years. Some have gotten smaller and lighter, which makes them much easier to carry around campus all day. But it’s their discrete graphics cards that make them a standout choice for engineering majors. The Asus TUF Gaming A14, with an RTX 4060, has the right amount of performance for that kind of coursework — and playing games after class.

In Laptop Mag’s gaming tests, this laptop averaged 77 frames per second in Far Cry 6, which is a mildly-demanding game. Games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 that push the system harder, it averaged less than half that. Enabling DLSS and Frame Generation can help get the laptop past 60 fps, but that’s the level of performance we’d expect to see from an RTX 4060 laptop GPU. It’s respectable for a machine as thin and as light as this one.

We’ve yet to test another gaming laptop with battery life as long as this one, too. They generally aren't known for having long battery lives, but the TUF Gaming A14 shatters that stereotype. Where the average gaming laptop lasts around five hours (and some can't even last that long), this one gets twice the amount of battery power: 10 hours!

To quote our reviewer, Claire Tabari, this is the "longest-lasting gaming laptop we've seen in over four years." The last time we saw this much battery life in a gaming laptop was when we reviewed the 2020 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (11 hours and 32 minutes).

See our full Asus TUF Gaming A14 review.

Benchmark comparisons

Recently reviewed

Not every laptop can be admitted into the prestigious best laptops for college page. (We wouldn't be doing you that much good if that were the case!) We review new laptops every week and over 100 laptops yearly, so here's a look at our most recently reviewed laptops that didn't make this page either due to their battery life, performance, keyboard, price, or something else.

How to choose the best college laptop

There are several factors students should consider before buying a laptop for college.

The first is portability, which goes hand in hand with screen size. Thirteen- and 14-inch laptops are popular among college students because they balance screen real estate and portability well. Ideally, you'll stay below 3 pounds as well, although budget or more powerful systems may have you go higher.

Battery life is another critical component of any good college laptop. If you plan to take the notebook to class or the library, don't count on there being an outlet! Choose a laptop with at least 10 hours of battery life, which should be enough to get you through a couple of classes with enough juice to hit the library, too.

Regarding specs, I recommend buying a laptop with an Intel Core Ultra (100 or 200 series), AMD Ryzen 8000 series (or AMD Ryzen AI), Qualcomm Snapdragon Plus, or Apple M4 CPU. You should also look for at least 16GB of RAM and a minimum of 256GB of storage.

Don't be afraid to go with a Chromebook if you want to keep things affordable and don't have specific Windows or macOS software requirements. Chrome OS can handle typical tasks for university students, and Chromebooks tend to be cheaper and require less support.

A comfy keyboard and a sensitive touchpad will also help you punch up a successful report or research complex topics. And when it's time to relax, get a laptop with a vivid and bright display.

FAQs

Q: Does Best Buy have student discounts?

A: No, unfortunately. Best Buy ended its student discount program in 2022 and revamped its membership plans instead. While you might not see the same spectacular savings as years past, you can sign up for a basic, $0 a month My Best Buy membership to qualify for free shipping without a minimum purchase.

We keep track of other manufactures and retailers that offer the best student discounts.

Q: Are budget laptops good for college?

A: Plenty of excellent budget options exist, but they all might not be suitable for your college major. If the bulk of your studies involves working in Microsoft's 365 Suite, or using Google's Workspace applications, you can absolutely survive with an affordable Windows laptop or Chromebook.

However, if you're video editing, audio editing, coding, graphic designing, photo editing, or anything along those lines, you'll probably need something with faster processing performance, over 16GB of RAM, and possibly a discrete GPU. These laptops usually cost well over $1,000 — but sometimes they are on sale for less.

Q: Can a college laptop be used as a tablet for artists?

A: Yes! College laptops come in many shapes and sizes, but 2-in-1s can be used as a clamshell laptop or a tablet. They even sometimes come with a stylus and have additional features that can assist your creative process, like a stunning OLED display. Some examples include the Lenovo Yoga 9i (Gen 9), which comes with the Lenovo Slim Pen that has tilt detection and up to 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity.

However, if you're looking at another 2-in-1 laptop that doesn't come with its own stylus, check out our best stylus page to see if you find something right for your creative process.

Q: What are the best laptops for remote learning?

A: Remote learning comes with its fair share of challenges, but is often quite forgiving on the hardware-side. Most students only need a laptop that works well enough, supports video calls, and can handle basic productivity tasks. With that said, depending on your major, you might need something more powerful, such as one of the best video editing laptops.

Any of the laptops on our list should be sufficient for most remote students, including budget options like Chromebooks.

Q: What are the best laptops for kids?

A: The best laptops for kids include basic, budget options for remote studies and learning computer literacy. You'll want something with solid battery life and enough performance to support studying and entertainment. Kids who are also gamers might benefit from getting something more powerful, such as one of the best gaming laptops.

How we test the best laptops for students

Student laptops get the same intensive testing as any other laptop that comes across our desks. We put each laptop through extensive benchmark testing—both synthetic and real-world—before we send it to our reviewers. We evaluate each aspect of the laptop, including its performance, battery life, display, speakers, and heat management.

Because students will likely use their laptops in bright spaces, we use a Klein K10 colorimeter to detect the brightness and the sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamut of the laptop's display. Anything over 300 nits should be able to handle a well-lit room, but you'll need anywhere from 400 to 500 or more nits for it to handle sunlight.

For performance testing, we run the laptop through a gauntlet of benchmarks, including Geekbench 6 and 3DMark professional graphics tests. The performance you'll need depends entirely on your major.

To determine real-world performance, we task the laptop with converting a 4K video to 1080p resolution and duplicate a 4.97GB multimedia file. Our real-world graphics test is Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm benchmark with medium settings at 1080p and 4K resolution. If it's a gaming laptop, we'll run it through other games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and more.

For our battery test, we continuously web surfing over WiFi at 150 nits of brightness. For MacBooks and premium Windows 11 laptops, we prefer an ideal of 10 hours, but 9 hours is the bare minimum. Gaming laptops and workstations that can stay powered longer than 5 hours deserve an A.

We also run heat tests by playing a 15-minute full-screen video, then measuring temperatures in different areas of the laptop.

After completing lab tests, each laptop is handed off to our expert reviewers for in-depth, hands-on evaluation. Our reviewers integrate the laptop into their daily workflows, using it extensively to gauge real-world performance and gain a deeper understanding of the hardware and software experience. This combination of rigorous lab analysis and practical use enables us to deliver a clear, comprehensive perspective on every laptop we review at Laptop Mag.

Why Trust Laptop Mag

Laptop Mag reviews over one hundred laptops yearly, from paperweight ultralights to everyday workhorses to lumbering gaming notebooks that scorch the frame rates of even the hottest AAA games. We're not just experts in the laptop field, as we go one step further by meticulously testing smartphones, tablets, headphones, PC accessories, software, and even the latest in gaming.

We are 100 percent independent and have decades of experience to help you buy with confidence. Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing products for three decades and continues to deliver trustworthy reviews you can rely on.

Our experienced team of writers and editors scour the available information about the laptop and put it through its paces to determine which is best for you. But before they start, the testing team subjects each system to a rigorous regimen of synthetic and real-world tests to see how a system handles the type of work and games you’re most likely to throw at it.

Future Publishing, one of the world's largest technology publishers, enforces our editorial trustworthiness. As a company, we have unrivaled experience across every tech sector — and we're the group's specialist for all things mobile tech.

We're nine months out from Windows 10 reaching its October 14 end-of-support date, and Microsoft is kickstarting 2025 by piling the pressure on those yet to make the jump to Windows 11.

Despite being the current most popular version of Microsoft's operating system, with StatCounter estimating that Windows 10 holds a 62.7% market share among Windows computers as of December 2024, it holds no place in the company's future plans. This was reaffirmed in a recent move-it-or-lose-it-themed blog post stressing that users should upgrade to Windows 11 for free, while they can.

Microsoft's gentle reminder of the impending end of Windows 10 feels less like the generous "limited-time" offer it's framed as, and much more like a Godfather-style proposition — you know, the kind you typically can't refuse.

Use it or lose it: Microsoft's "limited-time" Windows 11 offer

Windows 10 holdouts have plenty of reasons behind their hesitation, ranging from increased hardware requirements that may require several upgrades (if not an entirely new PC or laptop altogether) to disagreeable UI changes, including the death of the vertical taskbar.

While Microsoft claims that Windows 11 is safer, sleeker, and future-proof, it has at times proven to be somewhat more unstable, and a recent shift in focus to implementing AI across the board isn't to everyone's taste, especially features like Microsoft Recall.

In China, the phenomenon of a dīngzihù — or "nail house" — refers to the property of a person who refuses to vacate in the face of surrounding development.

The keyboard warrior spirit inside me wants to become my very own nail house, defiantly residing in Casa Redstone (the original codename for Windows 10) while the Windows 11 superhighway continues its construction around me.

However, the most compelling reason to upgrade to Windows 11 might be to avoid nine more months of passive-aggressive psy-ops from Microsoft about my choice of operating system.

An offer you could refuse, but probably shouldn't

Of course, the world of Windows 10 won't come crashing to a halt overnight, but it'll be the start of a rapid decline for the popular operating system. Following October 14, 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive vulnerability fixes, feature updates, or technical support.

While I can happily hold out on Windows 10 until its end-of-support date (and beyond if I'm willing to pay the $30 ESU subscription fee for an additional year of security updates), perhaps now is the best time to upgrade — especially when faced with the inevitable outcome of having to pay Microsoft up to $139 for Windows 11 due to my own stubbornness.

I like Windows 10 as much as the next person. However, knowing that a lot of the stigma surrounding Windows 11 is the result of long-fixed issues and having had plenty of hands-on time with the operating system, I know that whatever our gripes with Microsoft's latest operating system are, they're certainly not worth eventually being put out of pocket over them.

More from Laptop Mag

• How to upgrade to Windows 11
• Windows 11 Home vs. Pro: Which one is right for you?
• Life with Microsoft Recall: I spent weeks testing Windows 11’s most controversial feature

Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. This means the company will no longer provide technical support or security updates for its operating system.

Microsoft will continue to support businesses using Windows 10 beyond its 2025 end-of-support date through Extended Security Updates (ESU).

However, Microsoft has recently revealed that regular consumers will also have access to vital ESU too — for a price.

Windows 10 Extended Security Updates: What you need to know

For the first time, consumer laptops and PCs can enroll in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to receive major security updates throughout 2025 and into 2026.

While this will help to keep many machines secure for another year of use, this program is seen as a "last resort option" by Microsoft and won't offer the complete level of support Windows 10 users have previously had access to.

Sadly, Microsoft's ESU will only cover critical and important security updates. Those enrolled in the plan will still lose out on technical support, general bug fixes, and feature updates.

At this moment, Microsoft plans to offer consumer PCs a single year of ESU for a one-time $30 fee with the option to enroll becoming available closer to Windows 10's end-of-support date.

Windows 10 Extended Security Updates for business

Alternatively, businesses can enroll in Microsoft's ESU for up to three years, providing vital security fixes well into 2028. That said, the cost to businesses is much higher and will exponentially increase year-over-year.

• $61 for first year of Windows 10 ESU
• $122 for second year of Windows 10 ESU
• $244 for third year of Windows 10 ESU

Unfortunately, savvy business users looking to save money by purchasing only a single year of Microsoft's ESU will still be required to pay for prior updates.

If a business enrolls a machine for Windows 10 ESU in year two of the program (at a cost of $122), it will also be required to pay for the first year of updates ($61), raising the cumulative price to $183.

What to do when Windows 10 support ends

Whether you're a consumer or a business that opts for Microsoft's ESU or not, the fact remains that Windows 10 is slowly approaching its end of life.

While the ESU offered by Microsoft may add 1-3 years of additional support to your operating system, you will eventually need to make a decision on what to do when Windows 10 support ends.

Thankfully, there are plenty of options on the table that don't involve hoping and praying on Microsoft releasing Windows 12 within the next 12-months.

If your machine meets the hardware requirements, then upgrading to Windows 11 is the most obvious choice.

If your machine doesn't meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11, then it may be time to invest in a new laptop. To help you on that path, Laptop Mag reviews laptops year-round to identify the best laptops and offers expert recommendations on how to choose your next notebook.

If you're dead set against Microsoft's latest operating system, then there's always the option of switching to an alternative operating system like Linux (which isn't as scary as you think).

Alternatively, you may wish leave behind Windows entirely, making the jump to macOS by investing in a new MacBook Pro or MacBook Air laptop, or using a more lightweight operating system in ChromeOS with one of the best Chromebooks.

More from Laptop Mag

• What to do when Windows 10 support ends
• Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: The biggest upgrades you need to know
• Windows 10 isn't as good as you think — fight me

Earlier this week, Microsoft announced it was opening the Windows 10 Beta Channel for Windows insiders. The news follows a November 2023 announcement that Microsoft intends to maximize the value of Windows 10 by "revisiting" a previous decision to not release any larger updates for the operating system beyond version 22H2.

It seems that Microsoft still has plans for Windows 10, despite wanting to migrate as many users of the operating system to Windows 11 as possible ahead of its end-of-support date in 2025. But what does this news really mean for Windows 10 users, and how much more life can they expect to squeeze out of Microsoft's aging operating system? Let's find out.

Windows 10 Beta Channel opens: What does it mean?

Does Microsoft's reversal on bringing further updates to Windows 11 mean we can expect a 24H2 update to coincide with Windows 11 24H2? That's unlikely. Microsoft's Windows Insider Blog states that the Beta Channel will allow them to "Try out new features for Windows 10, version 22H2."

Windows 10 version 22H2 was the last major update for the operating system and was released on October 18, 2022. Despite Microsoft's openness to bringing new features to Windows 10, the platform will likely remain on this version for the foreseeable future.

However, this does allow Microsoft to at least profit from Windows 10's sizable user base — while those running Windows 10 are unlikely to have the hardware available to test some of Microsoft's on-device AI-focused features, they could be of great use for testing and trialing cloud-based AI applications like Copilot.

We don't have any specific details to share about what kinds of features Microsoft is looking to bring to Windows 10 users through the Beta Channel program as of yet. However, it would be interesting to see several Windows 11 features make their way to the platform — which would align with Microsoft's goal to "maximize the value" of its aging operating system.

If you want to sign up for the Windows 10 Beta Channel and learn about how to set up your system to receive the latest updates as they arrive, head to the Windows Blog for full instructions and further information about system requirements.

Is there a future for Windows 10?

Although Microsoft has opened the Windows 10 Beta Channel, meaning new features will at the very least be tested in the future, there doesn't appear to be any plans for the company to push back Windows 10's end-of-support date of October 14, 2025. After this date, Windows 10 will no longer receive free software updates, and security fixes, or be covered for technical assistance.

Despite Windows 10's overwhelming popularity with Windows users, Microsoft is unlikely to end its staunch push to get customers to upgrade to Windows 11.

While Windows 10 has faithfully served a large portion of PC and laptop owners since July 2015, its relatively low hardware requirements have left it out of the loop for some of Microsoft's more impressive updates to the Windows platform in recent years.

There are now more reasons to upgrade to Windows 11 than ever, especially as Microsoft continues to push forward with the popularization of AI and Copilot+ PCs. However, for those who want to remain on Windows 10 beyond the operating system's end-of-support date, Microsoft will offer continued security updates — for a price.

Windows 10 Extended Security Updates

A Microsoft Tech Community post earlier in the year revealed that business users will be able to sign up for an extended support program that costs $61 per device for the first year. However, that initial pricing doubles annually, reaching $122 in year two and $244 in year three of support.

A word of warning to those interested: signing up for the extended support program will also need to pay for any previous years, as Microsoft sees its extended support updates as "cumulative." This means that jumping in on year three's security updates wouldn't cost you $244, but $427.

Microsoft has yet to reveal end-of-support extended security support prices for non-business customers.

More from Laptop Mag

• What to do when Windows 10 support ends
• Windows 10 isn't as good as you think — fight me
• How to block built-in ads on Windows 10: No, I don't want to upgrade to Windows 11 or make a Microsoft Account

With its days numbered, you might be thinking about life after Windows 10.

Microsoft marketers are clearly thinking about the Windows 10 expiration date — or at least when it stops benefiting from system updates. They recently published a website dedicated to reiterating its demise. The operating system will officially stop receiving security updates and technical support on October 14, 2025.

This isn't the end of the world, though: Windows 10 will still function on your PC or laptop. It simply means you won't get any benefits from Microsoft's latest software updates. 

For some, this might seem like a win. Windows updates can cause frustration and might even break things, with users often sharing issues running games and other applications due to automatic driver updates. 

But if you don't want to be kept out of the loop on Windows updates and are searching for the best next step, here are some things you can do to move on from the soon-to-be-abandoned Windows 10.

Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11

New Microsoft operating systems never have the best reputation; some might be less than keen to upgrade to Windows 11. But if you don't want to be left in the dust as Windows 10 approaches its inevitable abandonment, you should reconsider.

The most important question to ask at this point is: Will Windows 11 even work on my PC or laptop? 

Windows 11's specification requirements start simple, needing a processor at 1 gigahertz or faster with 2 or more cores on a 64-bit processor. 

Microsoft keeps a full list of compatible Intel processors, AMD processors, and Qualcomm processors that can run the operating system. If you're unsure, go to About your PC and check under Processor to see what you're running. If it's on the list, you're good to go.

Some other requirements include 4GB of RAM, 64GB of more of storage space, and a graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 with Windows Display Driver Module 2.0 available. 

There's also a strange requirement of at least a 9-inch or larger 720p display with 8 bits per color channel, which sounds fine on paper. However, considering the Asus ROG Ally runs Windows 11 and has a 7-inch screen, that requirement might be more of a suggestion. It's unlikely that a small screen will create a problem.

These last two requirements are where things get a little tricky. Most users shouldn't have to worry about these, but if you have everything above and have never been given the option to update to Windows 11, you might need to do some extra work.

Windows 11 requires a trusted platform module (TPM) with a specification version 2.0 installed on the device. You can check if one is available by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Device Security. Once on this page, you should have a security processor available.

The text should read, "Your security processor, called the trusted platform module (TPM), is providing additional encryption for your device." Click Security processor details below that text. Underneath specifications, it should say Specification version 2.0. 

If it isn't at 2.0 or doesn't list a security processor, we should now check if your PC is even compatible. If you're using a specific laptop, Google whether or not that model has a TPM 2.0. If you're using a desktop, you'll need to check if your motherboard is compatible. Some useful links for doing so are available for motherboards from Asus or MSI.

You can find out your exact motherboard model by pressing Windows + R, typing msinfo32, and looking under Baseboard Manufacturer and Baseboard Product. Search for your motherboard online and see if it's TPM 2.0 compatible. If it is, you may have to go to your BIOS settings to turn it on manually. As listed on Microsoft's website, the option in your BIOS might be listed as any one of these:

1. Security Device
2. Security Device Support
3. TPM State
4. AMD fTPM switch
5. AMD PSP fTPM
6. Intel PTT
7. Intel Platform Trust Technology

If you don't have TPM 2.0, you'd need a new motherboard to upgrade to Windows 11.

If you go through all this and still have trouble, the final step is ensuring your PC is UEFI-capable. Doing so is as simple as pressing Windows + R again, typing msinfo32, and looking under BIOS Mode, which should read UEFI. To enable this, you'll once again have to enter the BIOS and change boot mode from Legacy to UEFI/BIOS. Doing so will make your PC Windows 11 compatible.

By the end, your PC is Windows 11 ready. You might have to perform a couple of computer restarts before it realizes that you're ready to upgrade, but it should happen eventually.

Buy a new Windows 11 laptop or give up?

If you're sporting a laptop and don't meet the system requirements, you can purchase a Windows 11-capable laptop or deal with what you've got. If this is your situation, it's not worth investing in a whole new multi-thousand-dollar piece of hardware just because you want to keep up with Windows 11's security and software updates. 

If you're seeing solid performance and don't have an issue with Windows 10 on your laptop, there's no point rushing into Windows 11. It's better to upgrade when the hardware itself becomes clunky or outdated. Otherwise, Windows 10 is more than acceptable, and its lack of support won't mean it suddenly stops working.

Windows 10 might not be the best version of Microsoft’s operating system, but it’ll undoubtedly register among people’s top three, alongside XP and the much-adored Windows 7. This is likely why so many cling to the veteran platform like the last lifeboat on the Titanic — even in the wake of Windows 11, a more modern and better-outfitted operating system.

That’s right, I said it. In the great war of Windows 10 vs Windows 11, propaganda has played a key role, leading many to judge Microsoft’s latest operating system on hearsay or long-dated first, second, or even third-hand accounts of early adopters.

While you’re busy dodging that Windows 11 upgrade path like it’s infected with a full-blown case of the cooties, you’re actually laboring yourself with an operating system that’s lacking in features and rapidly approaching the elephant’s graveyard.

Don’t get me wrong, some Windows 10 features have their advantages, even in the face of impressive Windows 11 benefits, but is it really all it’s cracked up to be?

Design and user interface

Windows has never been much of a looker. If it was your partner, let’s just say you fell in love with them for their practicality. However, the platform has a long history of providing solid user interfaces.

Yet look at the Windows 10 Start menu, what do you see? Tiles! Ugh, what is this, a laptop or a Lumia? It takes a solid amount of mental discipline and daily meditation to scrub my brain clean of Windows 8 residue, yet here I am, vacantly staring a thousand miles ahead as my soul leaves my body to search for Windows 9.

While everything else looks pretty crisp, it pales when compared to Windows 11’s modern aesthetics. Which, gosh, bears a striking resemblance to your partner’s more attractive friend, macOS.

Thanks to smoother animations and more intuitive and simplistic layouts, its interface is more pleasing to the eye and less taxing on the mind. Better still, by tweaking just a few settings, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a familiar Windows 10 design with all of the modern Windows 11 trimmings.

If changing those settings sounds like hard work, look over here — I have a MacBook with your name all over it. In the same way Android finds itself superior to the iOS platform, the customization and fine-tuning of Windows is one of its key strengths. Being able to make these adjustments is one of the reasons so many love the platform in the first place — and quite frankly, Windows 11 offers more options.

Compatibility and requirements 

Just like George Washington, I cannot tell a lie. As such, I cannot deny Windows 10 its moniker of "old reliable.” But that’s exactly what it is — old and best suited for older hardware. What was once intended to be the last version of Windows has settled in front of the fireplace with a warm blanket on its legs and accepted its fate as just that last version of Windows.

There’s a lot of fuss linked to Windows 11’s hardware requirements, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a modern laptop incapable of leaping over this bar for entry as if wired up like a NASA astronaut on a Hollywood sound stage. And if you’re running a system with less than 4GB of RAM and a single-core 1Ghz processor, I promise you, your operating system isn’t the only thing in dire need of an upgrade. 

Features and security 

Sure, Windows 10 is stable, but that’s only because it’s now treated like Microsoft’s red-headed stepchild — fed only scraps from the table when it comes to the more impressive updates released. As it stands, Windows 10 gets the watered-down versions of key features like virtual desktops, DirectStorage, and Snap Layouts.

If you own a 2-in-1 laptop, you owe it to yourself to shed Windows 10 and adopt Windows 11’s improved touch and gesture capabilities. And if you want to enjoy the latest AI-backed features like Copilot, CoCreator for Paint, ClipChamp AI video editor, and even tabbed Notepad, Windows 11 is a no-brainer.

But Windows 10 lacks not only features but also security, or at least it will do soon. While nothing is stopping Windows 10 users from using TPM 2.0 or hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), these options are enforced by default on Windows 11.

Moreover, Windows 10 is creeping towards its end-of-life date of October 14, 2025, which means there will be no more security updates keeping your system protected.

Outlook

I won’t take anything away from Windows 10 being a great operating system. There’s a reason it maintained ~70 percent of PC users as of April 2024. It’s no Vista, that’s for certain. However, it’s slowing down in its old age, and soon, it’ll be rendered obsolete entirely. You can hate it, but outside of holding out hope for Windows 12, wherever it is, you’d better begin to embrace Windows 11.

You might even find plenty to enjoy in the process. After all, Windows 10 isn’t as good as you think. Not anymore, anyway.

More from Laptop Mag

• How to upgrade to Windows 11
• Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: The biggest upgrades you need to know
• Where is Windows 12 and can we expect it in 2024?

Although Windows 11 offers some big upgrades over Windows 10, Microsoft's previous-gen OS continues to be the favorite for many users.

According to recent market share figures from Statcounter (first reported by UK tech publication The Register), Windows 11 isn't becoming the crowd-pleaser Microsoft hoped it would be. Instead, it's losing market share to Windows 10.

With tracking code installed on over 1.5 million global sites to access data from over 5 billion page views, Statcounter's data set is large enough to appreciate the suggestion that Windows 11 is slipping.

As it stands, Statcounter asserts that Windows 10 has 70.03 percent of the market share, while Windows 11 only has 25.65 percent. And the gap is widening.

Why is Windows 11 losing market share to Windows 10?

Windows 10 dipped to a low for the year at 66.47 percent in January 2024, while Windows 11 increased slightly a month later to 28.16 percent. But instead of these trends continuing — that is, Windows 10 continuing to lose market share and Windows 11 continuing to gain — the opposite happened.

Windows 11 kept dipping, going from that 28.16 percent peak in February 2024 to 26.68 percent in March and 25.65 percent today, and there's likely one huge reason for that: the strict hardware requirements for Windows 11. 

While there's no doubt a contingent of users who think Windows 10 is better than Windows 11, there are likely just as many who would upgrade to Windows 11 — only if they could. But because their PC, purchased a few years ago, doesn't meet the lofty system requirements for Windows 11, they can't. No compatible 64-bit CPU or a TPM 2.0 chip? No Windows 11.

Despite pushback, Microsoft seemingly plans to continue ending Windows 10 support in October 2025. The company is also getting pushier about Windows 11 upgrades, encouraging people with PCs that don't meet the upgrade requirements to buy a new laptop with Windows 11.

There are always workarounds, though: Windows 10 users can bypass Windows 11 hardware requirements, but doing so risks major incompatibility issues and could result in missing important security and performance updates. 

The only official paths a Windows 10 user with "outdated" hardware can take include buying a new Windows 11 PC, paying the absurd $427 for three years of extended updates, or continuing to use their Windows 10 PC without potentially crucial security updates.

If the Windows 11 market share continues trending downward and that of Windows 10 continues to rise, would it be enough for Microsoft to make some significant changes? It seems unlikely. Between lowering hardware requirements for Windows 11 or extending support for Windows 10, Microsoft might choose the former. It's just as likely that the company would choose neither.

Thanks to Microsoft, Windows 10 is slowly morphing into a billboard designed to pester you from all angles about various products and services. Are you tired of Windows 10's constant prompting to "Sign in to your Microsoft Account," or offering you to start "A new journey with Windows" as it tries to sell you on Windows 11? Us too!

Microsoft refuses to give up the hard sell on OneDrive and Windows 11, bashing users over the head with full-screen ads or pop-ups wherever it can. In the Windows 10 Build 19045.4353, a new banner once again pushes users to link their Microsoft Account to Windows to gain access to OneDrive's cloud storage. It never ends.

Thankfully, getting rid of these pop-ups for good is far easier than you'd think. It's just not as easy to find the options to do so if you don't know where you're looking. Let's dive into it to ditch those OneDrive and Windows 11 ads.

• Are you a Windows 11 user? Here’s how to block ads on your system too!

How to block built-in ads on Windows 10

Pop-ups, banners, full-screen ads! Windows 10 is constantly trying to give you the hard sell in one way or another. While they're not exactly the end of the world, they are intrusive and can be a pain to put up with as you go about your daily computing.

Thankfully, these ads can be turned off. Unfortunately, Microsoft likes to make it a little more fiddly than it needs to be — likely to keep hitting you with them for as long as possible.

Here's how to disable built-in ads on Windows 10 to keep your desktop free from Microsoft's hard sell.

How to block ads in Start Menu on Windows 10

• Step 1. Click the "Start" (or Windows) button and choose "Settings" (or click the image of a cog).
• Step 2. Now click "Personalization."
• Step 3. In the sidebar, look for and click on "Start."
• Step 4. Turn the toggle box saying "Show suggestions occasionally in Start" to "Off."

How to block ads in File Explorer on Windows 10

• Step 1. Click the "Start" (or Windows) button and choose "Documents" (or click the image of a document).
• Step 2. In the File Explorer window that opens, click the "View" tab at the top of the window.
• Step 3. Find and click the "Options" button in the ribbon below.
• Step 4. In the Folder Options window, click the "View" tab.
• Step 5. Scroll through the "Advanced Settings" until you find "Show sync provider notifications."
• Step 6. Uncheck this box, click "Apply" to save the changes, and then click "OK" to close the Folder Options window.

How to block ads in Settings on Windows 10

• Step 1. Click the "Start" (or Windows) button and choose "Settings" (or click the image of a cog).
• Step 2. Now click "Privacy."
• Step 3. Finally, turn the toggle box saying "Show me suggested content in the Settings app" to "Off."

Optionally, turn the toggle box saying "Let apps use advertising ID to make ads more interesting to you based on your app activity (turning this off will reset your ID.)" to prevent Windows apps from tracking your activity.

How to block ads from Notifications on Windows 10

• Step 1. Click the "Start" (or Windows) button and choose "Settings" (or click the image of a cog).
• Step 2. Now click "System."
• Step 3. In the sidebar, look for and click on "Notifications & actions."
• Step 4. Uncheck the box saying "Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what's new and suggested."
• Step 5. Uncheck the box saying "Suggest ways I can finish setting up my device to get the most out of Windows."
• Step 6. Finally, uncheck the box saying "Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows."

Before you go: A mild defense of Windows 11

While Microsoft's constant haranguing of users to upgrade to its latest operating system isn't winning it any fans, Windows 11, for its flaws, isn't quite the comic book villain it's made out to be.

While initially, the platform had its fair share of problems, a lot has changed since then. There are several key upgrades on the table, plus, many tweaks that will upgrade your Windows experience, and several options you can turn off to make the transition less annoying.

This is all string and sellotape solution for many, and likely won't prevent you from muttering "I never should have upgraded to Windows 11" at some point or another if change is not your thing. However, the operating system has come a long way since 2021, and there could be some benefits to giving it another shot in 2024.

Windows 11's ailing adoption rate is a problem. Not for you or me, of course. But it is a massive issue for Microsoft. This could explain why it gets pushy when it comes to ads on Windows 10. Especially as the company wants to continue in its efforts to bring AI to the desktop and popularize the AI PC, much of both being heavily interlinked with the Windows 11 operating system. 

Our most pressing matter, as Windows 10 holdouts, is the impending end of support judgment day on October 14, 2025. If, by then, Windows 12 hasn't descended from the heavens—offering us refuge in a desktop environment that's historically likely to be, at least, better—we'll be forced to concede defeat and grant Microsoft the Windows 11 market share it so craves. 

More from Laptop Mag

• Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: The biggest upgrades you need to know
• Tired of ads in Windows 11? Here’s how to block every last one of them
• 11 hidden Windows 11 settings that will upgrade your Windows experience

Connecting a second display to your setup is an underrated way to increase productivity for work and make playing games more enjoyable. So when that second monitor is not detected in Windows 10 automatically, it's incredibly frustrating.

Usually, pairing an external monitor with Windows is a seamless process. But if there's an issue with your hardware or display driver, it can prevent the monitor from being detected — even if this second monitor has been in your setup for years. 

Luckily, there are several ways to troubleshoot this pesky issue. Here are all the hardware- and software-related fixes for your undetected second monitor.

Start with hardware troubleshooting to fix external monitor connection issues

Fixing the issue of your second monitor not being detected could be as simple as checking that it's plugged in and powered on. That's not always the case, but it's such a quick fix that it's worth checking before diving into software troubleshooting.

Here are a few specific things to check for: 

• Make sure the display is connected to a power source and that your monitor is powered on. 
• Try a different port if your monitor and/or graphics card offer multiple ports.
• Disconnect the signal cable from your monitor and graphics card or laptop, wait for at least one minute, and then reconnect the cable at both ends. 
• If you have another DisplayPort or HDMI cable, try that cable to see if there's a problem with your existing cable. 
• Try connecting your problem monitor to another device to determine whether the issue is with your monitor. 
• Use this Windows keyboard shortcut to try and wake your PC from a blank or black screen: Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B
• Try the classic comprehensive solution of restarting your PC. Sometimes, turning it off and on again is truly all it takes.

If none of these basic troubleshooting steps fix your undetected second monitor or point you in the right direction, there are a few software-related solutions you can try.

Try to manually detect your second monitor

Using the Settings app, you can sometimes force the system to detect your second monitor — here's how. 

1. From the Settings app, select System from the menu. 

2. Click on Display. 

3. Under the Multiple displays heading, click the Detect button to find and connect to an external monitor.

Roll back or update your display driver

If you've recently updated your PC or display driver, there could be something that's now not compatible with your second monitor. Rolling back, or returning, to the previous version of your display driver may fix the issue.

1. Push the Windows key + X key and select Device Manager from the menu that pops up. Alternatively, use the search bar to type "Device Manager" and pull up the app that way.

2. Find Display adapters in the menu and click the arrow next to it to expand the section.

3. Right-click your display adapter — which will likely say either Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD — and click Properties. 

4. Click on the Driver tab, and select Roll Back Driver.

Note: If this isn't an option, you can try to click Update Driver instead and then Search automatically for drivers to see if Windows can find any new available drivers.

5. Continue through the on-screen prompts and restart your device.

If neither rolling back or updating your display driver works, it's time to try reinstalling your display driver.

Reinstall your display driver

1. From the Device Manager window we opened in the previous section, locate Display adapters again in the menu and make sure the section is expanded.

2. Right-click your display adapter — which again, will usually say Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA — and choose Uninstall device from the menu options. 

3. Check the box next to Delete the driver software for this device and click Uninstall.

4. Restart your computer.

5. Open Device Manager again (via Windows key + X or the search bar) and expand the Display adapters section using the arrow next to it.

6. Right-click your display adapter and select Update driver from the menu.

7. Choose Search automatically for update driver software and follow the rest of the on-screen instructions.

Your second monitor should automatically be detected once the display driver is reinstalled if the issue is related.

If your second monitor is still undetected at this point, the monitor itself might be the issue. Check out our picks for best monitors if you need help deciding on a new display.

In 2021, Microsoft set an end-of-support date for Windows 10 of October 2025. As we hit the halfway mark to October 2025 last year, Microsoft announced a way to continue getting security updates for Windows 10: a paid extended support program. And thanks to a Microsoft Tech Community post (via Windows Central), we know how much it'll cost — and it's pretty expensive.

The extended support program can give you an extra three years of security updates for Windows 10, but it costs $61 per device for the first year. This price doubles for the next two years ($122 in Year Two, $244 in Year Three), and if you opt in during year two or three, you'll have to pay for any update years you'd missed because the "ESUs are cumulative." 

Traditionally, an extended support program from Microsoft is reserved for businesses and enterprise customers who have a lot of PCs to upgrade. But for the first time, Microsoft is allowing individuals to opt into these three years of extended security updates. But is holding onto Windows 10 for three more years worth a collective $427 per device?

Is it time to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11?

Right now, Windows 10 users have three options. One, you upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free before Windows 10 support ends. Two, you decide to pay the ridiculously high fee for extended support to squeeze out three more years of secure Windows 10 use. Or three, you choose to skip upgrading or extending support and use an insecure version of Windows 10.

Because regular Windows security updates protect your device from any threatening bugs or vulnerabilities, we wouldn't recommend the third option. But at the end of the day, it's your device to do with what you will.

Until October 2025, you'll get monthly security updates for Windows 10 like normal. So you don't have to decide right now whether you'll pay $427 over three years to keep Windows 10 or upgrade to Windows 11 for free, but the obvious choice for most people will be a free upgrade — and Microsoft likely knew this when pricing the extended support program.

There are a ton of ways Windows 10 is objectively better than Windows 11, but even the most devout Windows 10 fans will have to eventually upgrade to Windows 11. It's just a matter of deciding whether that time is right before October 2025 or in October 2028 after shelling out $427.

Technology is constantly evolving, and with it, software must follow. While Apple’s approach towards pushing a new update every year in MacOS and iOS is a bit much, Microsoft’s six-year gap between Windows 10 (2015) and Windows 11 (2016) is much more reasonable. Yet even then, the company cannot escape the constant scrutiny regarding the shortcomings of its latest operating system.

Windows 11 makes some great changes, like its revamped notepad or easy-to-use snap window feature, but it also removes functionality in some areas and unnecessarily complicates things. Please Microsoft, listen to our complaints and fix the mistakes of this generation. Without further ado, here are five reasons I hate Windows 11.

1. File Explorer Address Bar barely works

When it comes to how I use Windows, I’m a bit of a tinkerer. Beyond just having deep libraries of game downloads strewn across five different storage devices inside my computer, I’m also a frequent modder, and whether it’s for “Dragon Ball FighterZ” or “Lethal Company,” I enjoy the convenience of quickly moving files between folders.

Unfortunately, the Windows 11 File Explorer makes this impossible. Whereas in Windows 10, being several files deep inside of the Address Bar allows me to grab a file from within a folder and move it into any one of the previous folders located in its string, Windows 11 straight up does not have this functionality. Hovering a file over this section doesn’t do anything. I cannot think of a single reason why this was removed.

2. Important File Explorer options are buried 

Windows 11 made a controversial change by incorporating a new menu when users right-click on an item inside File Explorer (or on the Desktop). Rather than immediately listing all of the available options, a minimalistic version of what Microsoft believes would be the most popular options is shown in the initial menu. To view more of these items, the user must click “Show More Options” at the bottom to reveal the original menu from Windows 10.

Not only does this reduce the number of visible options, but a good few of those options, including Cut, Delete, Rename, Share, and Copy are now just icons. New users to Windows 11 might not even notice their presence, and for the first few weeks, you might have to hover over them to see their name pop up before knowing what you’re clicking.

Microsoft’s striving for a more approachable, minimalist user experience is understandable, but fracturing options into two different menus will only confuse users more, especially if they’re not aware of the secondary menu and can’t find the option they need.

3. Inconvenient Volume Mixer 

Windows 10 featured a separate volume button easily accessible through the taskbar. Right-clicking it and selecting the volume mixer brought up a convenient group of audio sources. Windows 11 removes that dedicated button and instead couples it into Quick Settings, which feels like nothing more than a pointless removal of functionality.

Now the user has to click the Quick Settings menu, go to “Select a Sound Output,” and then scroll all the way down through the available outputs before reaching a horizontal volume mixer. 

4. Default apps is a mess 

The Default Apps page is used to make certain file extensions automatically open through a user’s desired application. For example, making Google Chrome the default browser is something many people do when first opening Windows.

But Windows 11 makes this process far more complicated than it used to be. The default applications page now features a massive list of all the user’s downloaded apps, and when clicking on the apps themselves, an enormous collection of file extension types becomes visible.

While this level of minute detail is useful for some, having it be the main screen most users encounter is bizarre. The simplicity of selecting the default application for general Photos, Music, Maps, and more was user-friendly, whereas this is nightmarishly complex. The existing Windows 11 menu should be part of some “Advanced” section rather than the default way of handling it.

5. Still no handled gaming mode 

While not necessarily a criticism of Windows 11 compared to Windows 10, I have to express my displeasure towards Windows’ lack of navigability on a gamepad. With the recent launch, and quickly heightening popularity, of systems like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, with the MSI Claw coming out relatively soon, it’s time for Windows to accommodate these systems beyond just forcing us to use a joystick to control a cursor.

Windows having a separate launchable operating mode that behaves like a game console’s UX sounds delightful, and considering that Xbox already has years upon years of experience in developing UI, it would be great if they could work with the Windows team.

As much as I love my Asus ROG Ally, it’s a constant battle against Windows 11 when I’m not gaming. And even while gaming, the occasional slowdowns, bugged functionality, and progress-eliminating freezes that happen when putting the device to sleep happens more often than you’d think.

In this hypothetical gamepad-friendly mode, Windows cannot just be presented to the user differently. If it’s built upon the same fundamental system, the lack of necessary features will keep it far below the expectations of a traditional game console. The most important would be the seamless ability to resume games even after the handheld is put to sleep.

When it was first released in October 2021, Windows 11 sparked praise from some and outrage from others for its new design and features. Microsoft deviated from the Windows 10 UI and went with a streamlined, simpler UI in Windows 11 that closely resembles Apple's macOS.

For some, the new UI was surprisingly too simple and harder to navigate than the Windows 10 UI. But thanks to multiple design and performance updates since 2021, the Windows 11 you can upgrade to now is a more well-rounded operating system. 

Whether you love it or hate it (or love to hate it), Microsoft's current operating system offers quite a few upgrades over Windows 10. 

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Performance

One of the most basic ways Windows 11 improves upon Windows 10 is in overall performance. While both operating systems perform relatively well, Windows 11 has a few performance upgrades that put it ahead of Windows 10.

Your computer’s performance is largely dictated by the amount and type of RAM inside and its CPU, but its operating system can also play a part. Windows 11 directs RAM and CPU usage towards the app window you’re actively working in, rather than evenly distributing performance power between every open window. As a result, your laptop battery will last longer when running Windows 11 instead of Windows 10.

Since the initial Windows 11 launch, Microsoft has also patched through a few updates to further increase performance. One update boosted SSD speeds, and another made it possible to suspend some data in RAM while your computer was in sleep mode, which made the wake-up process faster.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Multitasking

In addition to performance boosts, Windows 11 makes multitasking a breeze with Snap Layouts, Virtual Desktops, and an easier experience when moving from a multi-monitor setup to just your laptop.

You can snap windows in Windows 10 by dragging them to the side or corner of your screen, but Windows 11 offers enhanced snap functionality. In Windows 11, there are more Snap Layout configurations to choose from to accommodate larger screens, and you can hover over the maximize icon to quickly click on a few suggested Snap Layout options.

Along with updated Snap Layouts, Windows 11 makes using multiple screens easier for laptop users. When you disconnect a docked laptop using Windows 11, it’ll automatically bring over the windows from your monitor and minimize them on your laptop. When you reconnect your laptop, it’ll return the windows to the monitor just like they were before.

While Snap Layouts and a smoother docked laptop experience are top-notch multitasking features, the enhanced virtual desktop support in Windows 11 is even better. Virtual Desktop support lets you quickly set up multiple desktops for different uses, like work, school, or personal hobbies, and it’s super easy to switch between them using the Task View icon in the Taskbar.

Windows 10 allows users to have multiple desktops as well, but using this feature in Windows 10 is clunkier and not as intuitive.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Microsoft Copilot

If you’re at all interested in using AI to help you summarize documents, rewrite sentences, or carry out simple or complex tasks on your computer, you might want to upgrade to Windows 11 just for Microsoft Copilot.

Initially, Copilot was planned to only release on Windows 11. Microsoft has altered its plans, and now, Copilot is available in preview on select Windows 10 devices—with limited functionality and specific system requirements.

According to Microsoft, Copilot in Windows 10 is currently “unable to perform common Windows tasks, like changing settings, or launching troubleshooters.”

Upgrading to Windows 11 is the only way to get the full Copilot experience right now. It’s possible that Microsoft could bring extra Copilot features to Windows 10 in the future, but considering support for Windows 10 is slated to end in 2025, it’s not likely.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Android apps

One of the biggest upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is the ability to run Android apps natively on your computer. Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a Microsoft Store to download apps from (and it’s possible to download Android apps on Windows 10 with an emulator or separate app), but only Windows 11 has native Android app integration via Amazon’s Appstore.

There’s also support for more app types in Windows 11, including .NET, PWAs, and Win32 apps. You can download Android app versions of Spotify, Firefox, the Epic Games Store, and more. Some apps offer additional features that can only be utilized in Windows 11, like the Microsoft Teams app and its background blur or automatic framing features.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Design and UI

Visually, Windows 11 is wildly different compared to Windows 10. Some see this new look as a streamlined upgrade, while others see it as an unnecessary, Mac-like downgrade. The new UI in Windows 11 features rounded corners, a centered Taskbar, a redesigned Start Menu, and transparent elements.

The new center-aligned position of the Taskbar and Start Menu in Windows 11 is probably one of the most controversial design changes. But luckily, you can move the Taskbar and Start Menu back to the left if you hate its new position.

Aside from its controversial position change, the Start Menu received a visual upgrade in Windows 11 as well. By removing Live Tiles and only showing a static list of apps and Recommended documents you’ve recently opened, the Start Menu looks more simplistic and easier to navigate.

Windows 11 also features new widgets with improved widget controls that make them easier to organize and view, Focus Sessions to prevent procrastination, and improved touch controls and pen support that make compatible laptops easier to use in tablet mode.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Gaming

If you play games, Windows 11 features multiple gaming-specific improvements over Windows 10 that make it worth upgrading. 

Microsoft added support for dynamic refresh rates and Auto-HDR, which can automatically boost the color range and brightness of your game on a monitor. By default, Windows 11 now comes with DirectStorage, a feature that lets PC games load in less than a second.

This feature is also available to Windows 10 users, but Windows 11 users have access to additional optimizations and more performance bug fixes for DirectStorage.

Plus, Xbox Game Pass is built into Windows 11 via the Xbox app. You’ll still need to be an Xbox Game Pass subscriber to access all the games, but the default integration makes the experience much smoother.

Bottom line

Windows 11 might not have the comfortable look and feel of Windows 10, but objectively, there aren't many downsides to upgrading. You'll have to learn a new operating system, but for those who regularly use their computer, it'll only take a couple of days to get used to Windows 11's new design and features.

Plus, Microsoft is planning to end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, at which point you'd be required to upgrade for security and performance updates and bug fixes. And if you try out Windows 11 and absolutely hate it, there are ways to make Windows 11 look and feel more like Windows 10.

More from Laptop Mag

• Windows 11 'Show Desktop' button missing? Here's how to fix it
• How to turn off Copilot in Windows 11 — keep it AI-free
• How to uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows 11

Finding a laptop with a touchscreen used to be a more difficult task. You’d have to seek out an awesome 2-in-1 laptop or search for the best touchscreen laptop among a slew of more traditional laptops that only respond to input from a mouse and keyboard. Now, many laptops come equipped with touch functionality, but it doesn’t always work properly or people find out they don’t like touchscreen laptops after buying a touchscreen laptop. 

Luckily, Windows 11 allows you to disable touch input for your laptop, and you can just as easily enable it again if you change your mind. Whether your laptop’s touchscreen is malfunctioning or you’re just plain sick of it, we’ve got you covered with these five simple steps.

How to disable touchscreen on Windows 11 and Windows 10

Disabling your laptop’s touchscreen on Windows 11 takes only a few easy steps, and it’s easy to reverse the process if you ever decide you want a touchscreen again. 

1. Head to the taskbar at the bottom of your screen, type “Device Manager” in your Windows 11 search box, and open the Device Manager. Alternatively, you can right-click the Start button or use the Windows + X keyboard shortcut, and select Device Manager from the menu that pops up. 

2. Once the Device Manager box is open, find Human Interface Devices in the alphabetical list and click the arrow icon on the left to expand the menu. 

3. With the menu under Human Interface Devices expanded, scroll down until you find HID-compliant touch screen.

4. Right-click on HID-compliant touch screen to bring up an option menu. Select Disable device from this menu to disable your laptop's touchscreen.

5. A confirmation window will pop up once you select Disable device. Select Yes to confirm, and your laptop's touchscreen will no longer respond to touch input.

If you ever want to bring your laptop's touchscreen back to life, follow this same process and select Enable device instead of Disable device. Within seconds, your laptop's touchscreen functionality will be restored. 

Windows 11 receives a lot of hate because, well, it could use some tweaks. That said, you might not be using some of the best features Windows 11 has to offer. Check out these Windows 11 tricks that'll change the way you work, or this tip that makes your Windows 11 laptop faster and more secure. 

No matter what your default browser is set to in Windows 11, clicking a link in the Windows Widget panel or search results sends you into Microsoft Edge. This annoying feature is finally being removed, but only for countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). 

Anyone who lives in the EEA and has the recent Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23531 installed will finally see links from search results or the Windows Widget panel go to their default browser instead of Edge. This change could eventually make its way to countries outside the EEA, but there’s no clear indication right now that it will. 

Possible reasons behind this positive change

At the moment, it appears Microsoft may be making this change in preparation for the EU’s Digital Markets Act that goes into effect in March 2024. The EU is also using the Digital Markets Act to address the duopoly Apple and Google hold over third-party app stores, as well as approving some quality-of-life improvements like the common charging directive that’s forcing Apple to put a USB-C on future iPhones.

Additionally, Microsoft is under a formal antitrust investigation by the European Commission to address the company’s bundling of Microsoft Teams with the Office productivity suite. Around the same time of announcing that “Windows system components use the default browser to open links” in the EEA, Microsoft also announced it would begin unbundling the Teams program from its Microsoft 365 and Office 365 productivity suites.

If Microsoft isn’t disabling this annoying feature in response to the Digital Markets Act or to scrutiny by the European Commission, it’s a strange choice to only disable the feature in the EEA. After all, having Windows 11 ignore your default browser and open search links in Microsoft Edge is an annoyance that plagues people globally—and this annoying feature has been around since Windows 10. 

There used to be a third-party app, EdgeDeflector, that allowed users to bypass the system default of opening all search links in Microsoft Edge and open these links in their default browser instead. Microsoft clearly didn’t like this workaround, and chose to oust EdgeDeflector from Windows 11 rather than listen to user complaints. 

Recently, Microsoft has been testing a few changes that make Windows 11 more customizable, like removing pre-installed bloatware apps that some people never use. If Microsoft sees a positive response to deflating bloatware or opening search links in the default browser instead of Edge, one would hope that we’d see more of these helpful features implemented. It’s not likely, but these quality-of-life improvements would definitely make Windows 11 more palatable. 

Shocker. The latest Windows 10 update is breaking PC games for people. Apparently, Windows 10 is causing lag and other performance issues. 

Let's get to the bottom of what's actually happening.

Is Windows 10 update causing PC gaming issues?

Windows update KB5028166 is apparently responsible for slowing down PCs.

On a Reddit Thread (via Windows Latest / Tech Radar), one user asked, "Did somebody experience after updating, game and apps became laggy?"

A string of comments replied and confirmed, one stating, "Yes! I can't do anything, it takes forever. Everything is slow." 

Another claimed that the latest update slowed down their PC, causing Chrome and other apps to take minutes to open. The user also complained about webpages being delayed or displaying a "page not responding" message.

One user in particular complained about Cyberpunk 2077, and how before the update it was running smoothly, but now it frequently stops to load and there are even some in-game icons missing.

Microsoft hasn't come forward with the issues relating to the KB5028166 update, but we do know that gamers aren't the only one experiencing the issue.

Apparently, enterprises have been experiencing network issues, specifically one that breaks the SMB Secure Channel communication between Synology Directory Server (SAMBA/AD) and Windows 10’s latest updates. In not so many words, their internet cuts out.

All we can recommend is that you don't update to Windows KB5028166. If you already have and are looking for a solution to your problems, you can either risk being a Windows insider and get a new update, or try to uninstall a Windows update.

To roll back the latest Windows 10 update to an earlier version, click on the Start button, then click the "Settings." Navigate to "Update & Security." From there, scroll down to "View update history" and click on it.  

A "View update history" window will show up, and you'll then be given the option to "Uninstall updates." Select KB5028166 and uninstall it. Problem solved, probably.

In a vast sea of curved monitors, which are the best for you to tackle and vanquish all foes? Which ones will help you take your content creation to the next level without breaking your bank? The great thing about curved monitors is that they create the feeling of being immersed within the games you’re playing, the content you’re creating, or the media you’re consuming. Curved monitors have become all the rage with their immersive, palpable visual user experience. Once an oddity, they’re starting to become a selection of choice not only for gamers but for productivity and content creation. Also, let’s be honest here, the curve is sexy, delicious, and inviting. 

When someone enters your work area, gaming area, or home, their eyes immediately spot your curvy visual mistress and start asking questions. Design teams at every major company seem to put a little extra into their curved monitor creations. 

We just got in some new curved monitors and can't wait to bring the reviews to you and update our list of the best curved monitors of 2023. 

Why buy a curved monitor? 

You may question why you would want or need a curved monitor, especially if you take into consideration some smaller-sized curved monitors that don't offer many advantages to flat panels. This is why so many curved monitors are 30 inches and above where the curvature makes the most difference. The curvature of these monitors is most advantageous for gamers, graphic artists, and video content creators. Because the entirety of the display faces the user, it grants them a panoramic view of their work, and gaming experience. Also, due to the larger, wider dimensions of most curved monitors, you can use more windows and apps at once. And some OEMs offer software that simultaneously supports different operating systems. 

The best-curved monitors you can buy today

The HP S430c brings a lot to the table. With 43.4 inches of bright, vivid, stunning 4k display replacing the need for multiple monitors, you shouldn’t need more. And yet, the monitor has more to give. The HP S430c also adds a pop-up wide-angle HD IR webcam, which uses Windows hello software to provide extra security with facial recognition technology.  

The HP S430c also comes with the company’s proprietary device bridge software, allowing you to simultaneously connect a  PC or Mac to share the massive screen. That’s a marvel in itself, but HP takes things further and lets you control the two systems with a single cursor and keyboard. You can even transfer data from one to the other using copy/paste or drag-and-drop, and share files, making the HP S430c a multi-taskers dream come true. 

See our full HP S430c Curved Monitor review.

The 32-inch Samsung CF391 is our pick for the best budget curved monitor. If you’re looking for a more immersive experience but are on a budget, this is a great entry-level monitor. Although inexpensive, the Samsung does a solid job of offering a 4-millisecond response rate at 1080p thanks to AMD FreeSync technology. 

And despite its price, the Samsung CF391 delivers a crystal clear image and solid color reproduction. There are some compromises to contend with, such as only having a 60Hz refresh rate. It’s not meant for super heavy gaming but will do a very nice job as an everyday home office workhorse monitor with the ability to enjoy your everyday multimedia endeavors.

The Dell U3818DW 38-inch monitor is sturdy and known for its color accuracy, solid picture quality, and decent motion handling, making it an office workhorse It also has excellent multitasking capabilities that include picture-in-picture, picture-by-picture, and a USB hub that allows you to connect two computers.

The Dell U3818DW comes with the InfinityEdge design, meaning there is almost no bezel to speak of and with the curvature of the monitor, the display is meant to feel endless. Due to its excellent out-of-the-box color accuracy, it’s a great choice for graphic artists and photographers alike. Adding to the feature set are two 9-watt speakers that reproduce audio solidly.

The gorgeous Acer Predator X34 curved monitor is a well-designed curvaceous beast that you will lose yourself in while either gaming or watching movies. Due to its 1900R curve, it gives you a movie theater vibe even when you’re sitting in your office.

When gaming, the Acer Predator X34’s ability to overclock its refresh rate up to 180Hz means faster, buttery-smooth image reproduction. Covering 98% of the PCI-P3 color gamut means games and video will have accurate color reproduction with nice saturation. 

The Predator X34 also comes with a pair of 7-watt speakers that use DTS Sound technology to deliver excellent audio output with a solid amount of bass response. Although you only get two video inputs (DisplayPort and HDMI), the monitor does come with a five-port USB 3.0 hub (4 downstream, 1 upstream) and a headphone jack. 

The Acer Predator X34 checks off all the boxes you want in a curved monitor, but you have to be prepared to pay a premium price.

The stylish Alienware AW3420DW 34-inch curved monitor with its beautiful design, RGB lighting, fantastic image quality and color reproduction is definitely a favorite. With a speedy 120Hz refresh rate to go with a 2ms response rate, from gaming to video editing, there will be nary a dropped frame or any screen tearing.

The Alienware 34-inch AW3420DW is one of the best performing curved monitors on the market. Thanks to its 1900R curved display, the AW3420DW provides a fully immersive viewing experience thanks to its 1900R curved display that takes you deeper into the game or whatever project you’re working on. 

The screen’s curvature maximizes your field of vision, reducing eye movement, so you can stay comfortably focused on your game or work. This 3440 X 1440 WQHD resolution display delivers sharp, crystal-clear graphics with excellent brightness while covering DCI- P3 98% color gamut.

HP’s E34m G4 WQHD Curved USB-C Conference monitor is a do-it-all, 34-inch immersive productivity beast that's bright, colorful, crisp, and brings along some nifty port options. When you add the built-in 5MP pop-up camera that also sports a tilt adjustment, some snazzy microphones, and speakers, the E34m is an ideal work companion.

The E34m G4 measures 31.8 x 4.3 x 15.3 inches and weighs 26.4 pounds. The HP E34m G4 is a 34-inch, 60Hz, 3440 x 1440-pixel VA curved panel with a 21:9 widescreen aspect ratio that's perfect for most office productivity work. The E34m’s display is bright with excellent color richness and saturation. 

To learn more about the HP E34m G4 WQHD curved conference monitor check out our full review.

Windows 10 is plagued by plenty of issues, but one of its most frustrating foibles involve Microsoft’s insistence on repeatedly advertising its software and programs. “Oh, you just launched Edge in the hopes of downloading another browser? Well, PLEASE give our browser a chance; we’re BEGGING you!”

While we don’t have a solution to fix that specific problem, there’s another issue that occasionally springs up: Have you ever started up your Windows PC to find yourself at a screen that says “Let’s finish setting up your device?” And as you scroll through the available options, you realize this is simply Microsoft’s attempt to force its software down your throat?

With language like “enhance your web browsing experience” right next to “restore Microsoft recommended web browsing settings,” it can’t be more obvious that the company is on its knees begging you to use Microsoft Edge. This process will also encourage you to “achieve more” by beginning a Microsoft 365 subscription for a price as low as $69.99 a year.

This is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt at advertising the company’s products to consumers. Throwing a screen in our face saying “buy this program” would be too blunt, so Microsoft is pretending these occasionally displayed slides are to “help” the user get the “most” out of their Windows 10 OS experience.

But through a quick setting shift, did you know you never have to see this screen again? There is a way to get Windows 10 to shut up, so let us get that done for you quickly.

How to get Windows 10 to shut up! 

Believe it or not, turning this setting off is pretty simple. Microsoft didn’t hide it too far within a confusing maze of menus; it’s easily accessible through notifications options.

1: Click the Windows button and type Settings in the search bar. 

2: Select System. 

3: Select Notifications & actions. 

4: Uncheck Suggest ways I can finish setting up my device to get the most out of Windows. You can also uncheck Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what’s new and suggested and Get tips, tricks and suggestions as you use Windows to prevent Windows from bothering you about other things as well. 

And it’s as simple as that. Who knew getting Windows to shut up would be that easy? Now you don’t have to worry about opening up your computer to that obnoxious slideshow of advertisements presented as “recommendations” ever again. 

Knowing how to check laptop battery health in Windows 11 is a handy trick as it will tell you whether your laptop's flagging battery life is the rest of a hardware or software problem. 

The lithium-ion batteries in most of our electronics wear down and become less effective over time, but in order to check just how much of your battery capacity is gone you need to dig a little deeper than the battery menu in the settings, but follow our instructions and you'll have a full battery health checkup complete in less than a minute.

Laptop battery health check in Windows 10 or 11

The screenshots are from Windows 11, but this exact same process works on Windows 10.

Step 1. Right-click on the Start icon in your taskbar.

Step 2. Select Terminal (Admin) (Windows 10 users select "Windows PowerShell (Admin))

Step 3. Click "Yes" on the pop-up box asking if you want to allow the app to make changes to your system.

Step 4. Type or copy and paste the following text onto the command line: powercfg /batteryreport /output "C:\battery-report.html"

Step 5. Press Enter

Step 6. Open File Explorer > This PC > Windows (C:) and double-click on the "battery-report" file.

Step 7. Select your web browser of choice to open the file.

Now you have your battery health report, but how do you read it? There are two sections to focus on. The first is "Battery capacity history." 

Here you will see a breakdown of the original capacity of your battery listed as "Design Capacity" and then the "Full Charge Capacity" that represents what the battery now tops out at when full. The first entry will be your first usage, scroll down to the end for the current peak, for the nearly two-year-old ThinkPad that I'm using the full charge capacity is now 36,480 mWh down from 44,540 mWh, so my battery has lost about 18% of its total capacity.

The other section of interest is "Battery life estimates." This is laid out similarly to battery capacity history but shows the battery life estimate with the current capacity of your laptop compared to the original capacity of your battery. 

Again scroll to the bottom and you'll see an overall estimate of battery life on a single charge based on your usage both with your current battery capacity and the original battery capacity of your laptop. 

Hopefully armed with this knowledge you can make an informed decision on whether your battery capacity has dwindled far enough that it's time for a new laptop. If laptop longevity is a primary concern for you then we would recommend taking a look at the laptops with the best battery life, so you are starting with the largest capacity possible.

We all have computer files we'd like to protect and keep completely private, but not everyone knows how to password-protect a file folder in Windows 10. Whether you're hiding notes from someone (spouse, child, co-worker) with access to your computer or (hopefully) something less drastic, you're allowed to have some privacy. 

Fortunately, in Windows 10, you can securely protect your private documents or files in a secret folder that is password protected, and you can do it without buying any additional software. Once you've created a new folder in Windows 10, here's how to password-protect it. You can never be too careful when it comes to privacy. 

A note before you start:

We've received comments about issues people have run into with this how-to. So, we went back and performed multiple rounds of testing internally and can now confirm that following this process closely, step-by-step, works — at least on our end.

But to be safe, you should try this how-to using files you can afford to lose, just in case the method doesn't work for you. Also, ensure you're keeping some record of the exact password you're using to lock your folder. 

Please Note: If you lose the password, your files are gone, and since every computer is different, we can't deduce exactly what went wrong on your end.

Also, yes, the FolderLocker file can be reverse-engineered by someone who understands the process, but this isn't meant to keep tech-savvy folks out, just nosy family members who you don't trust.

Tips from readers: 

• Do not use a password with a space, as this may create an issue with the batch file.
• Yes, files placed in your locked folder can appear in Recent Files list in various apps, such as Microsoft Word. 
• Back up your backups! Here's how to change your password in Windows 10

Here's how to password protect a folder in Windows 10, so you can fill it with files you want to keep secret — and how to lock it, open it and repeat.

How to lock a folder with a password in Windows 10

1. Right-click inside the folder where the files you want to protect are located. The folder you want to hide can even be on your desktop.

2. Select "New" from the contextual menu. 

3. Click on "Text Document."

4. Hit Enter. It doesn't matter what the file will be named. You can delete this text file once the lockable folder has been made.

5. Double-click the text file to open it.

6. Paste the below text into the new document:

cls

@ECHO OFF

title Folder Locker

if EXIST "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" goto UNLOCK

if NOT EXIST Locker goto MDLOCKER

:CONFIRM

echo Are you sure u want to Lock the folder(Y/N)

set/p "cho=>"

if %cho%==Y goto LOCK

if %cho%==y goto LOCK

if %cho%==n goto END

if %cho%==N goto END

echo Invalid choice.

goto CONFIRM

:LOCK

ren Locker "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"

attrib +h +s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"

echo Folder locked

goto End

:UNLOCK

echo Enter password to Unlock folder

set/p "pass=>"

if NOT %pass%==Your-Password-Here goto FAIL

attrib -h -s "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}"

ren "Control Panel.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}" Locker

echo Folder Unlocked successfully

goto End

:FAIL

echo Invalid password

goto end

:MDLOCKER

md Locker

echo Locker created successfully

goto End

:End

7. Find where it says "Your-Password-Here" in the document.

 8. Replace "Your-Password-Here" with the password you want to lock the folder with.

9. Click File.

10. Select "Save As..."

11. Click on the "Text Documents (*.txt)" menu bar that's next to "Save as type:"

12. Select "All Files"

13. Change the file name to "FolderLocker.bat"

14. Click "Save."

15. Double-click FolderLocker.

The Locker folder has been generated!

16. Fill the Locker folder with the items you want to protect.

17. Open the FolderLocker file, because it's time to lock that folder up!

18. Type "Y" into the screen.

19. Click Enter, and the Folder Locker window will disappear, along with the Locker folder itself. Your secrets are now safe.

To unlock the folder, double-click "FolderLocker" to open it.

Enter the password you entered in Step 8, and click Enter.

The Locker folder is back. You can open it to find your hidden files. Repeat Steps 17, 18 and 19 to lock the folder again.

To learn more about how to make use of your laptop, check out our guide for what to do as you set up your new laptop. We've also got instructions if you're trying to figure out how to reset Windows 10 PCs and how to reset your password in Windows 10. Lastly, tired of Windows? We've got a guide that answers the relatively new question of "Should I Buy a Chromebook?"

If you find yourself running into serious Windows issues, you might need to take advantage of that extended warranty and give tech support a jingle. Check out our Tech Support Showdown to see how each laptop manufacturer stacks up on the back end.

Windows 10 Security and Networking

• Previous Tip
• Next Tip

• Use the Windows 10 parental controls
• Find your MAC address
• Turn your Windows PC into a Wi-Fi hotspot
• Password protect a folder
• Create a guest account in Windows 10
• Enable windows Hello fingerprint login
• Set up Windows Hello facial recognition
• How to restrict Cortana's ever-present listening in Windows 10
• Automatically lock your PC with Dynamic Lock
• Blacklist non-Windows Store apps
• Find saved Wi-Fi passwords
• Set up a metered Internet connection
• Use Find My Device
• Stream XBox One games
• All Windows 10 tips
• Map a network drive
• Create limited user accounts
• Set time limits for kids
• Pin people to your taskbar

System Restore, Startup Repair, and System File Checker are three vital built-in Windows 10 tools for fixing software issues that cause slow performance, crashes, or solving errors that prevent your computer from starting up normally.

If your computer is encountering problems after updating or installing an app, System Restore can quickly revert your device to working order by restoring a previous image of your operating system prior to any recent changes.

If you're plagued with errors or sluggish load times when trying to start your machine, Startup Repair is a simple tool that can correct many boot-up bugs that get in your way.

Additionally, the built-in System File Checker tool for Windows 10 can find and repair (or replace) potentially corrupted or missing system files that may be impacting your laptop or desktop PC's performance or operation.

Before we begin, it's important to remind or inform our readers that Microsoft is planning to end support for Windows 10 in October 2025.Beyond this date, your system will no longer receive security and feature updates or technical support without enrolling in Microsoft's paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.If you'd like to know more, read Laptop Mag's article on what to do when Windows 10 support ends or learn how to upgrade to Windows 11.

The following guide will focus on how you can use each tool within Windows 10, hopefully solving any issues you may be encountering with Microsoft's operating system. Read on to learn how to repair and restore Windows 10, or jump to the relevant topic using the links below.

• How to repair and restore Windows 10: Windows Startup Repair
• How to repair and restore Windows 10: Windows Restore
• How to repair and restore Windows 10: Windows System File Checker
• How to repair and restore Windows 10: Perform a reset
• How to repair and restore Windows 10: Reinstalling Windows 10

How to repair and restore Windows 10

Method 1: Using Windows Startup Repair

If Windows 10 is unable to boot up and takes you to the login screen or the desktop, your first step should be to use Startup Repair. Here's how:

Step 1: Navigate to the Windows 10 Advanced Startup Options menu. On many laptops, hitting F11 as soon as you power on the machine will get you to the Windows 10 Advanced Startup Options.

Step 2: Once your computer has booted into the startup options menu, select Troubleshoot.

Step 3: Then click Advanced options.

Step 4: From here, click Startup Repair.

Windows will take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes to attempt to fix the problem. (It may not be able to.) If you don't actually have a startup problem, it will also say it can't fix the problem.

Method 2: Using Windows Restore

Step 1: Complete step 1 from the previous method to get to Windows 10's Advanced Startup Options menu.

Step 2: Click System Restore.

Step 3: Following an automated reboot, select your username and enter your password (if you use one).

Step 4: Select a restore point from the menu and follow the remaining prompts. If you find that you have no restore points, you can't use this method.

Method 3: Using Disk Scan (System File Checker)

Your Windows 10 problems may stem from a corrupt file. If you can boot into the operating system — even if you have to boot into safe mode — you should perform a file scan to check for problems.

Step 1: Type "cmd" (without quotations) into the main search box.

Step 2: Right click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

Step 3: Type "sfc /scannow" (without quotations) at the command prompt and hit Enter. The scan will take a while; but it should fix any corrupted files it finds.

Method 4: Reset Windows 10

If you want to get a clean start, free from rogue software and drivers, you usually don't need to do a full install. Instead, Windows 10 provides a built-in reset feature that takes your computer back to the way it was before you had any software, special devices, or data preloaded. (On a side note, if you're giving your computer to someone else, resetting is a good way to wipe it.)

See our more detailed tutorial on how to reset Windows 10 to refresh your PC.

Method 5: Reinstall Windows 10

If all else fails and you can't even reset your Windows computer, you can reinstall the operating system entirely. You won't even need an activation number or any proof of purchase, either.

Just make sure you have more than 4GB of space available, as that's how much space the file you'll download takes up. Here's how to reinstall Windows 10:

Step 1: Visit this page and click Download now.

Step 2: Once the file has downloaded, open the Media Creation Tool from your download folder.

Step 3: Click Accept on the Microsoft software license terms.

Step 4: Select Create installation media for another PC and click Next.

Step 5: Follow the on screen instructions and, when prompted, select ISO file and click Next.

Step 6: Save the ISO file to an easy to access folder and follow the on screen instructions until you can click Finish.

Step 7: Open the Windows ISO file you downloaded.

Step 8: Within the ISO file, open Setup.

Step 9: Once the setup begins, choose Download and install updates and click Next.

Step 10: Click Accept to agree to the Microsoft software license terms. Be prepared to wait; this next part may take a while.

Step 11: When prompted, click Install. Again, this will take a moment while your system restarts.

Step 12: Wait for your system to restart and install Windows 10.

You've reinstalled Windows 10! We hope this guide fixed your problems. Check out the table of contents below for more fixes.

Windows 10 annoyances and problems

• Repair Windows 10
• Remove the Lock Screen
• Disable or Enable Grayscale Mode
• Set Compatibility Mode for Apps
• Access the BIOS on a Windows 10 PC
• Stop Windows Update from Automatically Restarting Your PC
• Turn Off App Notifications
• Fix a Slow-Opening Windows Downloads Folder
• Disable Personalized Ads on Microsoft Sites and Apps
• Stop Skype’s Annoying Auto Updates
• Fix a 'Boot Configuration Data File is Missing' Error
• Clear the Run Command's History
• Disable Cortana
• Uninstall and Restore Built-in Apps
• Restore a Missing Battery Icon
• Fix a Boot Configuration File Error
• Get to the Advanced Startup Options Menu
• Delete a Locked File
• Restart without Rebooting
• Roll Back Windows 10 to an Earlier Version
• Disable Automatic Driver Downloads
• Disable Internet Explorer
• Pause Windows Updates for Up to 35 Days
• Use Battery Saver
• Downgrade to Windows 10 S
• Save Netflix Videos for Offline Viewing
• All Windows 10 Tips
• Worst Windows 10 Annoyances
• Disable Password Prompt on Wake