Win-10 End of Life coming in 2025... options?!

PC General Discussion
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Win 10’s end of life is coming in Oct. 2025. This will affect lots of gamers including those who still play/enjoy D3 and other Blizzard games. Now is the time to prepare. Some of you, like me, have hardware that does not meet the requirements for Windows 11, thus moving to Win 11 with FULL support is NOT an option. Technically I have more than 1 PC, but my original Ryzen 7 1700x PC does not meet Windows 11’s requirements. Yes its stupid. Even on my 5800x PC, which meets the Win 11’s requirements, I will not be installing Windows 11.

So what can you do if you have hardware that does not meet Win 11’s requirements for FULL SUPPORT?

  1. Upgrade to newer hardware that meets Win 11’s requirements aka shell out those dollars.
  2. Stay on Win 10 and pray that Microsoft doesn’t cripple the OS like it did with Windows XP (in a single update on my very old PC, XP went from recognizing the 16GB RAM that is in the PC, to ONLY recognizing 2GB RAM regardless of the physical amount installed).
  3. Switch to Linux.
  4. Switch to a Mac

I don’t really consider option #4 as a legit option because Macs aren’t really focused with gaming in mind. Yes one can game on a Mac and there is some fancy external graphics card hardware for Macs. However, generally speaking there is very limited gaming support on the Mac platform

Option #3 is what I did many years ago. I game Linux and have no issues. For those who play games with anti-cheat software you might have problems with those games on Linux or could face a ban of your game account for those games if you attempt to run those anti-cheat enabled games on Linux. For most of everything else, Linux works great, and in some cases there is higher FPS performance on Linux compared to Windows for some Windows native games.

IF ANYONE IS CONSIDERING A SWITCH TO LINUX:

  1. You are NOT alone.
  2. Yes you can play D3, D2, D2R, D4, War3, SC-BW, SC-2, WoW, and a ton of other games on Linux without fear of bans.
  3. No Blizzard will not help you with your Linux install (this is where the Linux community comes in)
  4. There is a vast and rapidly growing Linux community
  5. You must accept that moving to Linux in some ways is like moving to a foreign country (lots of new stuff to learn, explore, experience)
  6. Before you attempt to do anything you should prepare starting with a backup of your data
  7. Be willing to read and google search. Spending 5-15 mins reading could save you dozens of hours of headache/frustration

There are lots of resources. Below are a few to get one started:

  • Newbie Linux user/Newbie Linux Gamer guide ==> https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/189rian/newbies_looking_for_distro_advice_andor_gaming/
  • I generally recommend newbies pick Linux Mint or Pop_OS as their first distro, and advise them to avoid raw Ubuntu. Mint and Pop are more polished than raw Ubuntu and are better IMO than Kubuntu and KDE Neon (if you don’t know what these are, don’t worry)
  • Dedicate Linux Gaming subreddit ==> https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/new/
  • Dedicated Linux Newbie subreddit ==> https://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/new/

The above is plenty of sources. I’m going to recommend that newbies dual boot Windows and Linux, if space allows, to ease the transition. There is plenty things to consider and choices to make. For now start with backing up your data, and go through the newbie guide linked above. The guide will help you plan your move to Linux. For many of you, you’ve got questions. I have answers, and for the answers I can’t provide, there is someone in the community that can. I’ve advised and helped a few hundred gamers make their move to Linux.

As of right now it would be best to use the link to the dedicated linux newbie subreddit to pose your questions. I don’t mind responses here, but again to get tailored and detailed info. that addresses your situation and goals, its best to use the link above and create a new thread. Don’t worry about asking questions like:

  • I’m looking to switch to Linux… need guidance
  • How do I switch to Linux
  • Which Linux should I switch to

There is a steady stream of those threads on the dedicated linux newbie subreddit EVERYDAY. Questions are posed and answers are given.

For those who like Windows 10/11 and prefer Windows, keep on enjoying your platform of choice. The Linux gamers aren’t exiting the planet. We play the same games are part of the same player communities.

Adding some youtube links an info. that are part of one of my replies way down in the discussion. This is to un-bury the info. and make it immediately accessible with a lot of searching/digging.

Excerpt below:
To dispell misinformation and misrepresentation, I’m going to suggest a few youtube videos so that folks can see what a Linux desktop looks like in the out of the box default state in 2024. Some of these videos are several years old but they are still relevant to the discussion:
A. Install Linux instead of Windows 11 - Here’s how ==> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ua-d9OeUOg
B. Is Linux Mint BETTER Than Windows? ==> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=499jqHWZ-Ts
C. What’s New with Linux Mint 22 “Wilma”? ==> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBPG_9CsUoE
D. Exploring Pop!_OS 22.04: The Ultimate Linux Experience for Creators ==> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4lBxud4njE
E. How To Set Up Pop!_OS Linux for Gaming - Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial ==> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r5rQwdPbf0
F. How To Set Up Linux Mint For Gaming - Step-by-Step Guide ==> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CyCQdPhPYU
G. Linux Mint 22 “Wilma” RELEASED with MIND BLOWING Features! - See What’s New ==> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nmhr9Jp_9Y
H. Rise of the Tomb Raider Benchmark - DXVK vs VKD3D vs Native vs Windows ==> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnoFdNpfiEM
I. How To Make Linux Mint Cinnamon Look Like Windows 7! UPDATED Tutorial w/Aero Glass & Start Menu ==> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_a_8e_zPQ0

Both Linux Mint and Pop_OS support RTX 2000, 3000, and 4000 series graphics hardware, as well AMD Vega and RX 5000, 6000, and 7000 series graphics hardware. Support for pre-RTX Nvidia GPUs is based on Nvidia’s proprietary drivers or lack there of. This is not a Linux thing. It is a Nvidia thing. Both distros support the latest Intel and AMD CPUs as well many older CPUs. Some of the older videos might say that the latest hardware is not or might not be supported but obviously Linux has evolved and the latest hardware is supported. Items C and D show the install process which is simple, point and click, and quick. Item H is an old benchmark video but shows the side by side comparison. The videos are short and the end user can judge for themselves.

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post title made it seem like you were looking for options
post text made it obvious that you already made your choice some time ago, and offered no actual options other than linux… ok then

the whole thing reads like a linux advertisement lmao

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I’m pretty sure they are just going to stop updating it that does mean it’s going to stop working

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You forgot talking about fail, format and retry :stuck_out_tongue:

But as @FFSnipe said, it’s just an ad toward linux

True, but you’ll lack many updates regarding DirectX at least. Hardware vendor might also drop support too. For a game that doesn’t get updated, it’s not a big deal, if it worked before, it will still work, but for game that are updated to use newer tech, there will be a point where they will stop working in the future.

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I still play D3 on switch :slight_smile:

Nintendo is never a bad choice! Plus, switch lite still plays it like a charm, and is pretty cheap compared to most options out there.

I wonder if they’ll finally just shut down the servers. D4 is very close to what D3 was at this point. With Switch2 coming out eventually I’m sure we’ll see D4 there also.

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Commodore 64 or bust.

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This will be the day that I pack up my PC, put it in the closet, and go off-grid. I will never be able to afford an upgrade, and I don’t want to learn a new OS.

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DOS is king, let me know if you need help putting together a few floppy boot discs.

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Microsoft is actually, for the first time, offering normal end users the option to buy a continuation license for Windows 10. Normally these extended lifetime deals are only available to corporate licenses… so a company with 1000 computers running Windows 10 might not want to upgrade yet…

Basically you pay Microsoft a fee and you get another year on your Windows 10. Then you can do it again the next year. Typically this can be dragged out for another 3-5 years. There’s a sliding scale on the cost and IIRC it goes up each year. Last I saw the consumer version of the ESU was $30.

So that’s a fairly low risk solution, you won’t have to buy Mac versions of your software or try to get a Windows emulator to play all your existing games, etc. But it is just kicking the can down the road. Eventually the end of service will happen and apart from massive security exploits getting patches you’ll be on a non-supported OS.

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This isn’t quite correct unless M$ changes their mind.

The ESU program is being extended to consumers, including the Home build for 1 year only for $30. The Enterprise ESU program will go 3 years and double in cost every year and only applies to Pro builds. The restriction is completely artificial but that’s the way it was with the ESU program for Windows 7. The bone being thrown is the 1 year for Home builds.

ETA:
If we really want to get into the whole “artificial” aspect, the 2021 LTSC IoT build of Windows 10 has support from M$ until 2032… Unfortunately it is not easy for the average small business or consumer to acquire a legit license for this version.

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Hissss. Sorry - reflex.

Don’t mind the haters. I appreciate you.

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Bring back win 7 it was near perfect.

Win 10 ui was bad win 11 takes it to the next lvl

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Sorry but it seems window 10 is not being shut down, windows have said this below …

"That’s followed by a short message advising users: “After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.”

so ,just carry on with windows 10 until you can afford an upgrade

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Well, we now know BossDogg#1898 and GhoulTek#1664 are the same person. Way to expose the alt account by posting the exact same thing on at least three different fora.

Protip: Don’t spam the same thing across different fora - it’s a great way to get your posts nuked.

For reference:

On the D3 side: Win-10 End of Life coming in 2025... options?! - General Discussion - Diablo 3 Forums

On the D2R side: Win-10 End of Life coming in 2025... options?! - General Discussion - Diablo 2 Resurrected Forums

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lol, you had paid some good attention there =P

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@TheTias:
BossDogg is my brother’s account. He plays D3, D2R. Ghoultek is my account which allows me to play post in the D4 forum. Nothing to hide. I copied the text of his post in D3 forum and posted it here.

@dimboolahero:
I did not say “shutdown”. The title says end of life, which is correct and coming from Microsoft.

@Gurki:
You are almost funny… just not quite yet. Keep your day job. By the way good job at spreading misinformation.

@FFSnipe:
I made nothing seem like anything. It was your interpretation which colored your response. I didn’t post bible verses, I used plain language, thus there is nothing for you to interpret. There was no miscommunication on my part. I stated clearly that my choice of Linux was made a while ago. The options were listed. It seems you may have only skimmed my post.

Linux needs no adverts, and I’m not advertising anything. The Linux option gets better over time as hardware ages. Dual booting win and Linux allows for a soft and easy transition at the end user’s pace. Here are the options presented again.

  1. Upgrade to newer hardware that meets Win 11’s requirements aka shell out those dollars.
  2. Stay on Win 10 and pray that Microsoft doesn’t cripple the OS like it did with Windows XP (in a single update on my very old PC, XP went from recognizing the 16GB RAM that is in the PC, to ONLY recognizing 2GB RAM regardless of the physical amount installed).
  3. Switch to Linux.
  4. Switch to a Mac

Just a small FYI, my brother played the D4 open beta on Linux. This was before D4 was released on Steam. Now that its on Steam, D4 is just install, check a box in the settings for the game in the Steam launcher, and click play. There is performance parody between Windows and Steam/Proton on Linux.

Based on the options quoted above, is option #4 available for Diablo 4? Nope. Options 1-3 allow for Diablo 4 game play. Option #1 means the user pays cash and may throw away hardware (e-waste). Option #2 involves prayer. Option #3 gets better over time as hardware ages, but requires a time investment. There is a time investment requirement anytime one moves to a new platform. Option #3 preserves the users existing hardware investment for a much longer period of time.

Not everyone likes Win 10 or Win 11. Not everyone likes the Mac or has the $$$ to buy Mac hardware and software to make such a switch. Some folks pref the look/feel of Win XP or Win 7. With Linux one can theme the desktop to look/feel like Win 98/XP/7 and the Mac OS. There are short youtube guides on how to quickly and easily do this.

If my post was an advert, was it convincing? Are you considering a switch to Linux?

@rambo:
You want the look/feel of Win 7, then get Linux and theme your desktop to look the way you want it too.

@ontheleft:
Paying money for a free OS? Paying to delay the inevitable? Paying to procrastinate? Win 10 was released in 2015 for free. Even pirates of prior Windows versions could get Win10 for free. It is an option for those who want it, but it feels like robbery.

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What misinformation ? :thinking:

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So much tech and you don’t know you can set up win11 on any PC?
I got it setup and running on a HP Z230 for more than 2 years…

And running every game i have, even D1 (1997) and X-wing (1993), so there’s no issue there!!!

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you can bypass win 11 requirements and install it just fine, this is just linux propaganda lel

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TANSTAAFL

Nothing is ever “free”. You end up paying for it one way or another in time, money, or both. Pick your poison, pay for it, and get on with your life. The problem I’ve always had with Linux evangelists is they never want to admit there’s a cost to Linux in all the fiddling around required to keep things working properly. That’s fine for some folks but my time is worth more to me than the cost of a new computer.

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