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What to do with PCs that are Not Windows 11 compatible?

ByJorge Pereira
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Part of a series: Windows 10 end-of-life

The race has started…. Many small and large organization have began the process of updating their PC fleet to Windows 11, but the minimum requirements of it leave behind a lot of PC hardware. Over the next couple of years (Windows 10 end of life is October 14, 2025) will force millions of computers (both at home and at work) to be “retired” — I myself have 3 computes here at home that use Windows 10 and will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11.

So the question becomes:

What to do with these devices?

You cannot give those to a friend, family member or even donate them to a charity, but they will face the same issue you do — Windows 10 is no longer a supported operating system.

The hardware you have on those devices may be very good (maybe you have a 32G RAM, i5 3340 Processor, Good GPU and large hard drive, so what options do you have to continue to use the HARDWARE?

  • Side note: Continuing to use Windows 10 after October 2025 may still be a valid scenario for some, but it is a risky one, as no more security updates will be made beyond that date. Side note: , I wrote this article: Staying with Windows 10 past October 2025

So what do we do this these machines?

No matter what, Windows 10 has to go. So a few alternative options to consider are:

  • Although unsupported, and very much discouraged, you can also upgrade to Windows 11, bypassing the system requirements check in the process.( See videos in resources below)
  • Switch the Operating system a Linux-based distribution (there are MANY)
  • If you are technical enough you may want to convert that device into a Virtual Machine Server with a hypervisor like PROXMOX, VMWare, Microsoft Hyper-V Server, Citrix, and many others. I myself love PROXMOX!!
    • The funny thing about hypervisors is that you can place one or more virtual Windows 11 in them and still run Windows 11 on it.

Any others you can think of? Leaving a comment below !

Resources:

Accomplished Information Technology services professional with over 25 years of experience performing technical pre-sales, solution selling, public speaking / presentations, consulting, project delivery and program management. Over the past few years, Jorge has focused on customers solutions in the areas of: Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Workforce Transformation, End-User-Computing (EUC) Lifecycle Management, Modern Device Management, and Cybersecurity.
Additionally, Jorge is also an artist known for his whimsical doodle art and captivating fantasy stories. More on his creative side here

Disclaimer:  I work for Dell Technology Services as a Workforce Transformation Solutions Principal.    It is my passion to help guide organizations through the current technology transition specifically as it relates to Workforce Transformation.  Visit Dell Technologies site for more information.  Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

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