Windows 10 Support Ended - What Are Your Options Now?

Peeter Altpere
Oct 19
9 min read

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10. No more security updates. No more bug fixes. No more technical support.

For millions of laptop users in Kenya — and across the world — this creates a real problem. Your Windows 10 machine still works. Your files are still there. Everything looks normal. But underneath, the system is now frozen in time, getting more vulnerable with each passing month.

So what do you actually do?

The answer depends on one simple question: Can your laptop run Windows 11?

Why End of Support Windows 10 Matters

When Microsoft stops supporting an operating system, three critical things happen:

No more security updates → Your system becomes vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and cyberattacks
No compatibility updates → New apps, printers, and browsers may stop working properly
No official help → Driver issues or system errors are now your problem to solve

For schools, NGOs, and businesses handling sensitive data, staying on Windows 10 is a growing risk. Unsupported systems become easy entry points for security breaches.

Step 1: Check If Your Laptop Can Run Windows 11

Before making any decisions, you need to know if your hardware is compatible with Windows 11. Microsoft set strict requirements, and many older laptops — especially those bought before 2018 — don't meet them.

Windows 11 System Requirements

Component	Requirement
Processor	Intel 8th Gen (2018) or newer, AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer
Architecture	64-bit processor, 1 GHz+ with 2+ cores
Memory	4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB recommended)
Storage	64 GB minimum (256 GB recommended)
Firmware	UEFI with Secure Boot capability
TPM	Version 2.0 required
Graphics	DirectX 12 compatible, WDDM 2.0 driver
Display	9 inches or larger, 720p minimum resolution
Internet	Required for initial setup and updates

The biggest blocker for most people? TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module). This security chip wasn't standard in laptops until around 2016-2018, and many budget machines still don't have it.

How to Check if Your Laptop is Ready for Windows 11

Option 1: Use Microsoft's PC Health Check tool

Download it from Microsoft's website. It will scan your system and tell you immediately whether Windows 11 is compatible.

Option 2: Check TPM manually

Press Windows + R
Type tpm.msc and hit Enter
If you see "Compatible TPM cannot be found," your laptop doesn't have TPM 2.0

If your laptop passes these checks, you have a clear upgrade path. If it doesn't, you have a different — but still workable — solution.

Option 1: Upgrade to Windows 11 (If Your Laptop Qualifies)

If your hardware meets the requirements, upgrading to Windows 11 is the most straightforward option.

Why Windows 11?

Security FirstWindows 11 is built around Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, protecting against firmware attacks, ransomware, and modern security threats that Windows 10 can no longer defend against.

Optimized PerformanceDesigned for modern hardware (2018 and newer), it's faster, runs cooler, and delivers better battery efficiency than Windows 10.

Better User ExperienceA cleaner interface, improved window snapping, virtual desktops, and better multitasking tools improve productivity for office workers, teachers, and students.

Microsoft 365 ReadySeamless integration with Teams, OneDrive, and Office apps — no version conflicts or compatibility issues.

About Genuine Licensing

If you have a legitimate Windows 10 license, the Windows 11 upgrade is free. However, if your Windows 10 installation wasn't properly licensed, you'll need a genuine Windows 11 license.

Important: Kolm Solutions is a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR) and Microsoft Partner in Kenya. This means we can provide genuine Windows 11 Pro licenses at locally affordable prices — fully legal, audit-proof, and backed by Microsoft. These are not gray-market keys. We work with schools, NGOs, and companies to ensure safe, compliant upgrades.

Unofficial or "cracked" activations expose your network to legal and cybersecurity risks. Working with authorized sources ensures long-term compliance and security.

What You Keep

All your files and documents
All your installed programs (if compatible with Windows 11)
Familiar Windows interface and workflow
Compatibility with Windows-specific software

What Changes

New interface (centered taskbar, rounded corners, redesigned menus)
Some older programs may not work
Slightly higher system resource usage

How to Upgrade

Back up your important files (always do this first)
Go to Settings → Windows Update
If Windows 11 is available, you'll see an option to upgrade
Follow the installation steps
The process takes 1-3 hours depending on your system

This path makes sense if:

Your laptop is relatively recent (2018 or newer)
You rely on Windows-specific software (Adobe Suite, AutoCAD, specialized business apps)
You're comfortable with the Windows ecosystem
You don't want to learn a new operating system

Option 2: Switch to Linux (If Your Laptop Doesn't Qualify for Windows 11 Upgrade)

If your laptop can't run Windows 11 — or if you simply don't want to deal with Windows licensing anymore — Linux is a practical, free alternative.

Linux isn't some obscure "hacker operating system." It's a mature, user-friendly system that millions of people use daily for work, education, and personal computing. Most of the world's servers, smartphones (Android is based on Linux), and even government systems run on Linux.

Why Linux Makes Sense Now

It's completely free.No license fees. No subscriptions. No hidden costs. Download it, install it, use it forever.

It runs on older hardware.That laptop from 2015 that can't run Windows 11? Linux will make it feel fast again. No TPM required. No UEFI requirement. Just a working computer.

It's secure.Linux is built with security in mind. Because permissions are separated by design, even if one user account gets infected, the rest of the system remains protected. Open-source code means vulnerabilities are identified and fixed faster than in closed systems.

It's familiar.Modern Linux distributions look and feel similar to Windows. You get a desktop, a taskbar, a file manager, and familiar applications. The learning curve is smaller than you think.

Fast on older hardware.Linux uses far less memory and CPU power than Windows. A 2014-era laptop can run modern apps smoothly on Linux while struggling under Windows 11.

What You Can (and Can't) Do on Linux

Let's be realistic. Linux isn't Windows. Some things work differently. Some software won't run. But for most office work, education, and general computing? Linux handles it just fine.

Linux Software Alternatives

Purpose	Windows Software	Linux Alternative	Notes
Office Suite	Microsoft Office	LibreOffice, OnlyOffice	Opens and saves Word, Excel, PowerPoint files
Email	Outlook Desktop	Thunderbird, Evolution	Works with Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo
Web Browser	Chrome, Edge	Firefox, Brave, Chromium	Identical experience to Windows versions
PDF Viewer	Adobe Reader	Built-in PDF readers	View, edit, and sign PDFs
Video Calls	Zoom, Teams	Zoom (native), Teams (web), Jitsi	Full video conferencing support
Media Player	Windows Media Player	VLC Media Player	Plays all video and audio formats
Photo Editing	Photoshop	GIMP, Krita	Not identical, but powerful alternatives
Vector Design	Illustrator	Inkscape	Full vector graphics editing
Development	VS Code	VS Code, Eclipse, JetBrains	Same tools, often better performance
Music Streaming	Spotify	Spotify (native app)	Full desktop experience

What works perfectly:

Office work: LibreOffice and OnlyOffice read and save Microsoft formats. Google Docs and Microsoft 365 (web versions) work flawlessly in browsers.
Email: Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo — all work in browsers. Thunderbird is a powerful desktop client.
Browsing: Chrome, Firefox, Brave, Edge — all available and identical to Windows versions.
Video calls: Zoom has a native Linux version. Google Meet and Microsoft Teams work perfectly in browsers.
Media: VLC plays everything. Spotify has a native Linux app. Netflix and YouTube work in browsers.
Development: If you code, Linux is often better than Windows. Python, Node.js, Git, VS Code — everything runs smoothly.

What doesn't work (or is limited):

Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro don't run on Linux. Alternatives exist (GIMP, Inkscape, Kdenlive), but they're not identical.
AutoCAD and specialized engineering software: Most Windows-only CAD programs don't run on Linux. Some alternatives exist (FreeCAD), but if your work depends on AutoCAD specifically, you need Windows.
Gaming: Linux gaming has improved dramatically (thanks to Steam), but many games still don't work or perform worse than on Windows.
Specific business software: If your organization uses proprietary Windows-only software, Linux may not be an option.

Which Linux Should You Use?

There are hundreds of Linux "distributions" (different versions of Linux). For most people, especially those coming from Windows, these are the best choices:

Linux Mint (Recommended)

Looks and feels like Windows
Extremely stable and reliable
Huge community support (easy to find help online)
Pre-installed with essential software
Low system requirements (runs smoothly on 2GB RAM, though 4GB is better)

Ubuntu

Very popular with massive community
Slightly different interface but still user-friendly
Excellent hardware compatibility

Zorin OS

Designed specifically to look and feel like Windows
Beautiful, modern interface
Great for Windows refugees

Ideal for Schools & NGOs

Linux helps schools and community projects avoid software piracy while keeping computers useful for years longer. No licensing fees, no activation codes, no unexpected pop-ups — just stable, productive computing.

How to Switch to Linux (Without Losing Your Data)

You don't have to delete Windows immediately. You can try Linux first.

Option A: Try Linux from a USB (No Installation)

Before installing anything, you can run Linux directly from a USB stick without changing your hard drive.

How:

Download Linux Mint ISO file from the official website
Use a tool like Rufus (on Windows) or Etcher to create a bootable USB
Restart your laptop and boot from USB (usually by pressing F12, F2, or Del during startup)
Try Linux — everything works, but nothing is permanently installed
If you like it, you can install it properly from within the live session

This is the safest way to test. Nothing on your hard drive changes.

Option B: Dual Boot (Keep Both Systems)

Install Linux alongside Windows. When your laptop starts, you choose which operating system to use.

Pros:

You keep Windows as a backup
Test Linux without full commitment
Switch back to Windows if something doesn't work

Cons:

Takes up storage space for both systems
Slightly more complex setup

Option C: Full Switch (Replace Windows)

Back up your files and replace Windows 10 with Linux completely.

Pros:

Reclaim all your storage
Simpler setup
Forces you to fully adapt (sometimes this is good)

Cons:

No going back without reinstalling Windows
Make sure Linux works for all your needs first

Scenarios at a Glance

User Type	Situation	Recommended Path	Why
School / NGO	Many old laptops (pre-2018)	Switch to Linux	Free, secure, sustainable
Business	Uses Microsoft 365 daily	Upgrade to Windows 11	Full integration + security
Student / Freelancer	Light office work + internet	Try Linux Mint	Familiar interface + speed
IT Team	Needs both ecosystems	Dual Boot	Flexible testing setup
Creative Professional	Uses Adobe Suite	Upgrade to Windows 11	Required software compatibility

Transition Checklist

Whether you're upgrading to Windows 11 or switching to Linux, follow these steps:

Before You Start:

✅ Back up all important data (external drive, cloud storage, or both)
✅ Make a list of programs you use daily (check if they work on your chosen system)
✅ Check your hardware compatibility (PC Health Check for Windows 11, or just try Linux from USB)

For Windows 11 Upgrades:

✅ Ensure BIOS/UEFI is set to UEFI mode
✅ Enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS settings
✅ Enable Secure Boot
✅ Run Windows Update and install

For Linux:

✅ Download your chosen Linux distribution (Linux Mint recommended)
✅ Create a bootable USB drive
✅ Test it in live mode first (no installation required)
✅ Watch a quick installation tutorial (takes about 15-20 minutes)
✅ Install once you're comfortable

What Happens If You Just... Do Nothing?

Let's be honest: millions of people will do nothing. They'll keep using Windows 10 because it still works, and change is inconvenient.

Here's what that actually means:

Short term (next 6 months):

Everything feels normal
No immediate problems
Your laptop still works fine

Medium term (6-18 months):

New malware and viruses start targeting unpatched Windows 10 systems
Software companies begin dropping Windows 10 support
Some websites and apps may stop working properly
Security vulnerabilities pile up with no fixes

Long term (18+ months):

Major security risks
Increasingly incompatible with modern software
Higher chance of ransomware, data theft, system compromise
Organizations may block outdated systems from their networks

It's like leaving your front door unlocked. Nothing might happen today. But the risk grows every single day.

For personal use, that's your choice to make. But for businesses, schools, or any organization handling other people's data? Staying on Windows 10 isn't just risky — it's irresponsible.

Digital Sustainability Matters

Every year, thousands of usable laptops in Kenya are discarded simply because they can't install the newest Windows version. That's avoidable waste.

Linux keeps these machines productive for another 5-7 years. Combined with genuine licensing for systems that do qualify for Windows 11, this creates a smarter, more sustainable approach — better for budgets, better for productivity, and better

Making the Decision

Here's a simple guide:

Choose Windows 11 if:

Your laptop meets the hardware requirements
You use Windows-specific software (Adobe Suite, AutoCAD, specialized business apps)
You work in an organization that requires Windows
You don't want to learn anything new
You value seamless Microsoft 365 integration

Choose Linux if:

Your laptop can't run Windows 11
Your work is primarily browser-based, documents, and communication
You want a free, secure, long-term solution
You're willing to adapt to some changes
You're curious and open to learning something new

Don't stay on Windows 10 if:

You connect to the internet regularly
You handle sensitive data (personal info, finances, work documents)
You care about security and compliance

What You Should Do Now

Don't wait until something breaks. Make a decision while you still have control over the situation.

Now :

Check if your laptop can run Windows 11 (use Microsoft's PC Health Check tool)
Back up your important files (external drive, cloud storage, or both)
Decide which path makes sense (Windows 11 or Linux)
If choosing Linux: Download Linux Mint, create a bootable USB, and test it
If choosing Windows 11: Start the upgrade process, ensuring you have proper licensing

Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. But your laptop's useful life doesn't have to end with it.

You have options. You have time. Now you just need to pick a path and take the first step.

The computers that power Kenya's digital economy — in schools, businesses, homes, and NGOs — don't need to be replaced. They just need to be modernized.

Whether that's through a secure Windows 11 upgrade or an efficient Linux setup, the goal is the same: keep Kenya's digital ecosystem productive, secure, and sustainable.

You can check our our MS software page https://www.kolmsolutions.com/software-and-services