Look, I’m as annoyed as you about the imminent end of support for Windows 10. Even though I switched to Mac a couple of years ago, we still use Windows PCs in my home and, yes, a couple of them are aging Windows 10 machines.
Not too long ago, I got these messages.
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I tried not to be annoyed as Microsoft helpfully peddled new Windows 11 machines to replace the perfectly working Windows 10 one. My Asus All-in-one doesn’t support Windows 11 because it wasn’t built with TPM 2.0 support.
Yes, I know that if I pay, I can continue to receive security upgrades after October 24, 2025. I could also use some complicated workarounds to try and install Windows 11 on my incompatible PC. I honestly do not know what I’ll do.
Look, the PC will still work just fine after October 24, but, over time, without system and security updates, it may start to fail or succumb to an unforeseen cyber attack. What’s more, the system might stop working with new hardware. Instead of an immediate operational disruption, it will be a slow and painful technical decline, with me cursing Microsoft every step of the way.
In Microsoft’s defense, it has been a decade. That’s a long time for any product, even platform software that can accept slip-stream updates. The system I’m running Windows 10 Home on is also a decade old and has had one major hard drive replacement. So maybe its time is nearing an end anyway. Also, I have nothing against Windows 11. I like the centered taskbar, Microsoft Edge, and am even getting used to all that embedded AI via Copilot.
Still, no one enjoys being forced to do anything. So, as I weigh my opinions and begin the mourning process for Windows 10, please enjoy this Microsoft crossword puzzle we made just for you.