What is the best option to continue with Windows 10?

[Dario]

Sorry to open another tread about WIndows 10 or 11.

 

I have scoured through the many messages posted on the other thread and have learned one thing: to continue with Windows 10 as most viewers wouldn't upgrade to Windows 11. BUT: if I want to continue with Windows 10, what is the very best option? Can anyone give me links to purchase an upgrade for W10? Thanks for any help.

 

If anyone believes that it is OK to upgrade to W11, please send me a link to a legitimate version. Thanks. 

[Ralf001]

You can keep using 10, it just wont recieve security updates after October.

 

If you want to upgrade to 11 follow this guide.

 

https://www.pcworld.com/article/2639634/windows-10-support-ends-soon-heres-how-to-upgrade-to-windows-11.html

 

[KhunLA]

If you are on Win 10 now, like myself, you get constant reminders that support will end, and to upgrade to 11.  With clickable link to do just that.

 

I won't be 'down grading' my free features by upgrading to 11.

 

If you stay off sketchy sites, you shouldn't have any issues.  Or, simply use a non Windows security app after support expires.  I used to be a Trend fan, years ago, when Windows security sucked.  Much improved and can't remember last time I had Trend.  A couple version of Windows ago.

 

There's always a few free security apps available.  Better than none, if you think you need one.

[topt]

11 hours ago, Dario said:

BUT: if I want to continue with Windows 10,

Here is a link discussing one option - note that at the moment you can't do anything about it unless you go to Opatch

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/microsoft-extends-windows-10-life-for-consumers-if-they-pay-30/

 

I mentioned another option in one of the threads - moving to the Win 10 Enterprise LTSC IOT version which will receive security updates until 2032

 

https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/22/windows_10_ltsc/

 

Quote

They are not quite the same as the ordinary consumer editions of Windows 10. They don't include the Windows Store or any "modern" apps. Apart from the Edge browser, they have almost nothing else: no OneDrive, no Weather or Contacts apps, and no Windows Mail or whatever it's called this week. For this vulture, all these things sound like significant advantages, although you may disagree. They do include the usual Windows Defender antivirus, though, and the classic accessories such as Notepad and Wordpad.

 

 

[CallumWK]

34 minutes ago, topt said:

They don't include the Windows Store or any "modern" apps. Apart from the Edge browser, they have almost nothing else: no OneDrive, no Weather or Contacts apps, and no Windows Mail or whatever it's called this week.

 

Looks like the way to go. A "clean" version of windows without all the useless Microsoft sh!te

[jacnl2000]

Don't forget a clean install is usually required when moving to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 🥲

 

The official Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 ISO available for download from Microsoft's Evaluation Center is the IoT Enterprise edition. This version is intended for specialized, embedded devices and offers a 10-year support lifecycle (5 years mainstream + 5 years extended), compared to the standard Enterprise LTSC's 5-year support.

 

IoT stands for Internet of Things.

 

While both editions are functionally identical, the IoT version includes additional features tailored for embedded systems, such as support for smaller storage devices and enhanced device lockdown capabilities. These features are beneficial for devices like ATMs, kiosks, and industrial controllers which need to keep running as stable as possible.

 

ISO = IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 (from Microsoft’s evaluation/download site)

 

Key = determines if it’s IoT Enterprise or regular Enterprise LTSC

 

For a normal PC and full 10-year support, just use the ISO + a standard Enterprise LTSC key.

 

Warning:

For Windows 11, it's a little bit different. Windows 11 Enterprise evaluation ISOs are designed specifically for testing and evaluation, not for direct upgrade or activation. Unlike Windows 10 LTSC evaluation editions, which support a direct key-based activation upgrade, the Windows 11 Enterprise evaluation is more locked down. After the Windows 11 Enterprise evaluation period (typically 90 days) ends, you cannot simply activate it with a product key to make it a permanent installation. Hopefully, the internet shop where you bought the product key provides you also with a proper download link for obtaining a full (non-evaluation) Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC IoT ISO. I was not that lucky.

 

 

 

 

[riclag]

Op i was wondering the same thing!

I had purchased a new hp Win10 with a processor AMD A6 9225 back in 2019 at Walmart . I took it to Thailand, put it in my closet waiting for  the existing one I had to die. That happened a year ago. Its a shame the cpu doesn’t meet

the requirement to run Win 11.

 

I would buy the $ 30  ESU( extended security updates) subscription in a heart beat , but can’t find it.

I’m going to the states next year and I’ll buy another Hp with win 11 , it would be nice to have that extension .

 

 

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, riclag said:

 

 

I would buy the $ 30  ESU( extended security updates) subscription in a heart beat , but can’t find it.

 

 

 

[JakeC]

ESU for individual consumers has not yet been released. Take it easy.

 

AMD A6-9225 is a relatively poor CPU, but that doesn't preclude one from installing Windows 11. Just get rid of the HDD if one is installed, replacing it with an SSD. Cost around US$15 to US$20.

Then you can use RUFUS or FlyBy11 to install Windows 11. That will keep you going until October 2026; possibly longer. If you don't want to do that, then scrap it. 

 

[JakeC]

Don't forget a clean install is usually required when moving to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC is incorrect. You can upgrade from your normal Home or Pro edition, whilst keeping your files and applications.

[topt]

7 hours ago, JakeC said:

Don't forget a clean install is usually required when moving to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC is incorrect. You can upgrade from your normal Home or Pro edition, whilst keeping your files and applications.

The Massgrave site linked to in the Register article I posted earlier explains it all very clearly -

https://massgrave.dev/windows10_eol

[jacnl2000]

12 hours ago, JakeC said:

Don't forget a clean install is usually required when moving to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC is incorrect. You can upgrade from your normal Home or Pro edition, whilst keeping your files and applications.

 

The Massgrave site @topt shared (and yep—thanks for setting me straight!) actually shows a real, though unofficial, way to upgrade Windows 10 Home or Pro to IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 without wiping your files or apps. That falls under the “Reality (with workarounds)” column below. Earlier, I was talking about what’s officially supported by Microsoft—the other column:

 

 

[bendejo]

I guess MS was expecting a more enthusiastic response from users eager to ditch their old hardware.  My Win 10 Home installation seems a bit slower, and the updates are clumsier and more erratic.  It's like they are trying annoy users into making the change.

About a year ago MS made a mess of the Win 10 upgrades, with them sending out faulty updates that were not remedied by the following month's updates.  Got a system message that some of my Win components were missing: I spent an hour or two chasing down possible remedies then gave up and didn't update until a few days ago.  Much to my surprise it was pretty straight forward with no error messages.

When I tried a web search an AI chat produced this, take it as you will:

As of March 2025, it is estimated that around 1.4 billion PCs are running Windows, with more than 70% of those using Windows 10. However, many of these computers will no longer receive security updates after October 14, 2025.

 

Looks like Linux will emerge as the plebian OS. 

I still think there should be a move backwards to the XP model, where the OS takes less than 1 gig of disk space.

 

[lungbing]

Or have a look at Windows X-lite.  They have Windows 10 and 11 and you can set up a dual-boot system to try it out.