Alternative to Windows 11

[Ihavenojob]

I'm currently running Windows 10 on my PC, my PC doesn't support Windows 11. Is there an alternative OS to use instead of Windows which will run everything on my PC as it is? I want to try and avoid anything with AI. Ideally I would like it to be installed as easily as upgrading Windows.

 

[foxhole]

Linux is super fast on a pc, depends what you want to do with it.

 

[Ihavenojob]

Linux is super fast on a pc, depends what you want to do with it.

No gaming, just browsing, here, ebay facebook, emails, youtube etc. Can it just be downloaded and installed over Windows?

 

[Old Salt]

There is a way around the check that win 11 carries out. Currently on youtube it shows how to load win11 on a win10 pc. It still has some requirements that need to be met but may be worth a look. I shall see if I can find a link and post here.

 

[foxhole]

No gaming, just browsing, here, ebay facebook, emails, youtube etc. Can it just be downloaded and installed over Windows?

You can run it from a memory stick , no need to install .

 

[Koolpc]

Linux....very worthy.

 

[davelx]

But why would you want to clog up your machine with W11 when you can run Ubuntu. which will give you a familiar feeling GUI, with Thunderbird email client. Libre Office and either Firefox or Chromium browser are zero cost?

You can download Ubuntu, then you will need to create a bootable usb stick from the downloaded ISO file, using one of the many free tools. Eg Rufus. and then boot from that to try it out without installing and then install either over the top of or alongside your existing W10. If you don't install it then you won't get the updates without redowloading and applying them every time you boot up.

Whatever you do BACKUP all your files first!!!

I gave up on windows as my main OS back in 2016.

 

[JBR]

Although I am happily running Windows 11 without any problems, this discussion has alerted me to possible future problems with Windows. Although I am not intending to make any changes yet, perhaps some time in the future if things change, I am grateful for all the suggestions offered here. Certainly, Linux sounds a good option should it prove necessary, but can I run all of my existing third-party software using Linux?

 

[davelx]

Although I am happily running Windows 11 without any problems, this discussion has alerted me to& possible future problems with Windows. Although I am not intending to make any changes yet, perhaps some time in the future if things change, I am grateful for all the suggestions offered here. Certainly, Linux sounds a good option should it prove necessary, but can I run all of my existing third-party software using Linux?

For that, I run virtual Windoze machines under VirtualBox (VB), isolated from the internet in the case of W2000, XP & 7. I still have apps that require XP & 7 , and I have a W10 VM with Office 2010 which lets me get round the odd Libre Office/ MS Office compatibility issue, of which there are fewer with each Libre update, when people send me MSO documents in editable format. I use Libre exclusively for creating new content.

I am running Adobe Audition, SCS, Quicken, and a few other specialist sw products very successfully.

VB is pretty easy to set up and there is a very good user forum.

 

[evdamadiynot]

Linux Mint.
Very easy transition from microsoft product.
Free,no licence agreements so you can run it on multiple machines.
Preinstalled with software that most people find useful
Excellent security update regime and not overloaded with unnecessary applications.
You can try it run from a dvd or usb stick before you install it.
I switched to linux when they nobbled XP and never looked back
With the "Wine" installed you can run windows software if you really insist but there is a software installer that provides alternatives.

 

[flameport]

I want to try and avoid anything with AI.

That rules out pretty much anything recent, and not just operating systems either - vast swathes of all kinds of other software is rushing to include AI, spyware and who knows what else in the name of 'progress'.

 

[davelx]

Yes, Mint is a lightweight OS based on Ubuntu with all the basic software pre installed. I run it on my 13 year old ThinkPad.

Not all Windoze software will run under Wine, but it's a good place to start and you can run VB on Mint if needed.

 

[evdamadiynot]

I used to deliver animal feeds and one poultry farm we always had to go and find the site manger to tell us which bin to pump the feed into.
The doors were always open and the noise and stench of the creatures in the cages was overwhelming.
But there were always a few birds stood loose inside the doorways and they just didnt have the will or sense to step outside to freedom in the sunshine and fresh air.
I now know them as Microsoft Users.

 

[screamer]

If your computer is working fine, just keep using it with win 10