Windows 10: Windows 10: With one week of support left, here are your options

Microsoft launched Windows 10 almost 10 years ago and it plans to end support for the operating system next week, on October 14th, 2025.

End of support means that Microsoft won't deliver updates to your devices anymore for the operating system. That is a problem, as security issues won't get fixed anymore. If you connect your PC to the Internet, this affects the security of the device and is in most cases better avoided.

This guide reveals the options that you have to keep the PC up and running, and secured.

Option 1: Extend the life by joining ESU


Extended Security Updates are at this time probably the best option. They extend life by a year for consumer PCs and by up to three years for business PCs.

For consumers, it is easy to join.

• Check Settings > Update / Security for enrollment information. Check this guide for additional details on enrolling in Windows 10 ESU.
• Use this handy open source script to join, even if you use a local account.

Users from the European Economic Area may join for free. Everyone else has three options (pay money, pay with Rewards points, allow cloud backups).

Takeaway: Extends support by a year, giving you time to think about the next step.

Option 2: Upgrade to Windows 11


The upgrade to Windows 11 should be free for most Windows 10 devices. However, not all Windows 10 devices are compatible with Windows 10, as Microsoft changed the system requirements.

You can use Microsoft's official PC Health Check app to find out if your PC is compatible.

If your PC is compatible, you should be able to upgrade to Windows 11 via Settings > Update & Security.

If your PC is not compatible, there is still a good chance that you can install Windows 11 on the device. My suggestion is to use the open source Flyoobe for that. It does all of the heavy lifting for you so that you can install Windows 11 without having to tinker with Registry settings or manipulating installation media manually.

Another option comes in the form of the open source tool Rufus. Either way, most Windows 10 PCs should be able to upgrade to Windows 11 using these tools.

Option 3: Sign up for 0Patch


The third-party 0Patch will provide critical security updates for Windows 10 once it goes out of support. You install an agent on the system that patches the issues in memory. It costs about $30 per year, but you also get support for other Microsoft products, such as Office versions that Microsoft no longer supports.

0Patch plans to support Windows 10 until 2030 at the very least. The company has a solid track record of pushing out patches, some even before Microsoft.

Option 4: Switch to Linux


Linux Mint is an option

This is the most daunting option, as it will take quite some time and learning. Linux is free and open source, and you can switch for free.

However, there are some caveats:

• You need to migrate the data from your Windows 10 PC.
• Not all apps or games that you worked with may be available, but there are usually alternatives.
• You need to learn using a new operating system.

It is probably the best option, if you plan to use the PC for a long time. However, it is not the best course of action when you are in a hurry. Better option: join ESU, use the year to prepare, then migrate.

Option 5: Buy a new PC


This is Microsoft's recommended option. If your Windows 10 PC is not compatible with Windows 11, just buy a new one. This works out well if you needed a new PC anyway and have the money to do so.

This is not as easy as picking the first PC with Windows 11 that you encounter. You need to make several decisions.

1. Do you need AI functionality or want the option to use it in the future? Then you should pay attention to the Copilot+ PCs label, as this guarantees support for now.
2. Do you have special requirements, for instance for gaming or work that requires plenty of horse power?
3. Do you just need a PC to browse the Internet, do some shopping, watch a few streams? A mini PC may be an option.

Now You: have another option that I missed or did you pick one of the listed options already? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

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Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

Unlocked Realtek HD Audio Drivers Windows 7 & 8 (With Dolby Digital Live and DTS Interactive)

DTS supported natively by Windows 8/8.1 and it should work on windows 10 too just DDL require to unlock your driver .

 

Bluetooth device is not supported in windows 10 installed a week ago

Hello,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

For a specific piece of hardware, it is up to the hardware manufacturer/provider to provide driver support. There are general drivers that are available in the Windows operating system, but for best performance/functionality the
driver for that specific piece of hardware should be installed. I would suggest you to contact the manufacturer to know whether they have drivers or not.

I would suggest you to follow the below methods and check if it helps.

Update the Bluetooth drivers.

Step 1: Check for the latest driver update through Windows Updates.

• At the Start screen, type Windows Update.
• Click or tap Settings on the right side of the screen, and then select
  Install optional updates from the left results.
• When the Windows Update control panel opens, click on “Check for Updates” on the top left corner to receive a fresh list of updates.

Incompatible or not properly installed sound card drivers are the most common cause of this issue.

Step 2: Follow the steps below to update the sound drivers.

• Press Windows + X key on the keyboard.
• Go to device manager.
• Right-click your Bluetooth devices.
• Click Update Driver Software and then follow the steps in the wizard that appears.

Restart the computer and check.

Step 3: Check in
compatibility mode.

Download the Bluetooth drivers from the manufacture's website for Windows 10, if not available.

Follow these steps to install the drivers in compatibility mode and check if that helps.

a. Download the driver from the manufacturer’s website.

b. Right-click on the driver setup file and click on
‘properties’.

c. Click on the ‘compatibility’ tab and check the box
‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’ and select Windows 8 operating system from the drop down menu and proceed with the installation.

d. Once this is done, restart the computer and check if the issue persists.

You may also refer: Make older
programs compatible with this version of Windows (Steps applies to Windows 10)

You can get back to us if you have any difficulties in doing the same. We are always here to help you.