10/15/25

Windows 10 End of Support is finally here! A lot of people have been dreading this day. What are the next steps? Switch to Windows 11? Buy a new computer? This article explores many options that are available for a Windows 10 computer. There are many out there options that are possible.  We have only listed 16 options for your convenience. 

First, ask yourself why do you want to transition to Windows 11. Is it for the security updates? A better experience? Need a new computer anyway? No matter the answer there are options available.  Now, let's say that you have a Windows 10 PC that came pre-built for you from a brand like DELL or HP. Microsoft's PC Health Check results say that it's not compatible with Windows 11.  Look at the reasons why it isn't compatible.  Is it missing a TPM? Is it the CPU? Doesn't support secure boot? Too little memory or space? No matter what, there might be a solution.

TPM 

If the TPM is missing. Look in the motherboard or documentation, e.g., user manual or specifications on the website to see if there are pins for the TPM, TPM label or any mention of TPM. It could be that the module or chip is just not there but the TPM pins exist. In this case, you can buy a TPM and place it on the pins. Custom build PCs have more documentation available.  

If it doesn't have TPM pins, you can get a FIDO USB smart card or hardware security key/token instead. There are Yubico YubiKey, BIO-key FIDO-key, GoTrust Idem Key & Idem Key Plus, Theris FIDO2, Kensington Verimark, Solokey Solo2, NitroKey 3, CryptoTrust OnlyKey, Deepnet safeKey, etc. Windows 11 will accept them as valid TPM subsitutes. If that is the only reason Windows won't upgrade from 10 to 11, buy the key. Insert them into the computer. Now , Windows 10 will upgrade to 11.

CPU

If the processor or number of cores are incompatible with Windows 11, look at the brand website to see if they have CPU upgrades available. You can also ask their customer support representatives. They might just try to sell you a new PC instead. If the motherboard can handle an upgrade, you can buy a new processor. Take out the old processor and replace it with the new one. 

Finding a processor is harder to do on a brand PC than a custom build PC. Brands do not manufacture their own motherboards. They get motherboards from motherboard manufactures, e.g., GIGABYTE. Brand PCs have tighter control over what components can be upgraded & the type of components used to upgrade. For example, the motherboard can handle 10 processor models but the brand has limited it to only the processor installed. There are websites online with databases on the components that can be upgraded for a computer model but be careful of inaccurate information.

Other Hardware

If there is not enough memory, the PC might be able to be upgraded depending on the number of memory slots available and the size & speed of each memory module or stick. Look inside to see how many slots are available & what is already there to determine if an upgrade is an option. Check the brand website, brand customer support, & other websites with databases for compatibility. 

If the size of the drive, e.g., HDD or SSD is too small then getting a new drive is simple. Hard Drives are easier to upgrade. They also are bigger, faster and cheaper than when you first bought the PC. As simple as it is you still should check for compatibility. Is your PC so old that it has SATA I or SATA II? You can still get a SATA III drive but with slower performance.

PC Not Upgradable 

Let's say you are unable to upgrade your PC. What are your options?

1) If you aren't concerned about the security updates. 

a) Keep using Windows 10 as it is.

b) Tighten security. This includes but not limited to access controls, firewall, local security policies, auditing & encryption (for drives, logging, etc.).

c) Connect it to a Windows Server that will handle authentication and security related events. This can be on the cloud or in your physical location.

2) If you care about the security updates. Microsoft has a program called Extended Security Updates that you can enroll in for up to 3 years. Check out the Microsoft website for more information.

3) Install a Linux Operating Systems, e.g., Ubuntu, Arch, Debian or their variants. There are many user friendly Linux variants like Ubuntu which area as easy to use as Windows. There are less user friendly Linux variants like Arch. There are many different types of distributions of Linux. A quick search on your favorite search engine for Linux distros can help you select one.

4) Install a BSD variant, e.g., FreeBSD. There are user friendly BSD variantes, e.g., TrueOS, GhostBSD. A quick search for user friendly BSD distros will be helpful in selecting one.

5) Install Oracle Solaris. 

6) Buy a new PC. What do you do with the old one?

a)  Turn it into a data backup system. 

b) Turn it into a RAID system 

c) Turn it into a centralized data storage system, e.g., NAS or SAN

d) Turn it into a DNS cache server to improve network performance like Pi-hole

e) Use it without internet for other tasks.

f) Donate it. Make sure you destroy the data by overwriting the entire drive before donations.

g) Trade In Programs via Microsoft or your computer's brand. For example, if it is a Dell computer you can go to the Dell website or Dell customer support and ask them if they have a trade in program.  Lear about Microsoft Trade In Program here. Make sure to destroy the data by overwriting the drive or destroy the drive.

h) Recycle it. Make sure you degauss the HDD before recycling it. If you have SSD consider other forms of destruction.

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