Is This a Better Alternative to Windows 11?
Recently I wrote about the Windows 10 "end of life" situation, and gave some tips on how to move forward. One of those ideas was to move on to Windows 11, but many PCs don't meet the strict hardware requirements that Microsoft has imposed. Now they say you CAN install Windows 11 on your older PC, with a few caveats, of course. Let's look at that, and another idea that might work even better for you. Read on! |
Microsoft Ditches Windows 11 Hardware Requirements
Despite several years of warnings to the contrary, Microsoft has finally relented. After emphasizing just a few days ago that your PC absolutely MUST have an officially supported CPU and a TPM 2.0 chip to run Windows 11, now the boys in Redmond say those strict requirements were just to "help ensure a more reliable and higher quality experience." (See also What Will Happen to Windows 10?)
Instead of blocking your Windows 10 to Windows 11 upgrade, Microsoft will now allow you to go forward, but warns that “Installing Windows 11 on a device that doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements isn’t recommended.” It might work just fine. But... your PC will no longer be supported, you might run into compatibility issues, and you will not be guaranteed to receive updates.
Microsoft further warns that “Any damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren't covered under the manufacturer warranty,” and a watermark will be added to the Windows 11 desktop, reminding you that your PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements that Microsoft just told you were not that important after all. Rumors that Windows 11 will recalibrate your refrigerator's coolness setting so all your icecream goes melty, demagnetize the strips on all your credit cards, screw up the tracking on your television and use subspace field harmonics to scratch any CD's you try to play, could not be confirmed at this time.
Gee, all that makes me wonder if Windows 11 is all that and a bag of microchips.
Enter Wubuntu - Linux That Looks Like Windows
Wubuntu Linux is designed to closely mimic the look and feel of Microsoft Windows 11, making it an ideal choice for users looking to transition from Windows 10. The operating system offers a highly Windows-like desktop environment, using the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution as its base. It includes pre-installed Microsoft apps such as the Edge browser, OneDrive, PowerShell, Teams, links to Office 365 apps, as well as integration with Copilot AI.
You'll find a familiar desktop menu, weather app, sidebar, run command launcher, and system tray. It also comes with Google Chrome, VLC media player, Thunderbird email client, and Steam gaming platform. Many native Windows applications can be run with the Wine/Winetricks utility.
Ubuntu Linux has a reputation for user-friendliness, security and strong hardware support. Wubuntu strikes a balance between familiarity for Windows users and the freedom of Linux. All of that, in my opinion, makes Wubuntu Linux a worthy alternative to Microsoft Windows, especially for users facing the October 2025 "end of life" for Windows 10.
Why Choose Wubuntu Over Microsoft Windows?
One of the most significant advantages of Wubuntu is that it’s completely free to download and use. There are no licensing fees. Most importantly, Wubuntu does not require the latest CPU, TPM chip, Secure Boot, or any other special hardware.
You may have noticed that Windows performance can degrade over time. Wubuntu, on the other hand, is designed to be lean and efficient. It uses fewer system resources, allowing applications to run faster and more smoothly.
While Windows relies heavily on proprietary software, Wubuntu supports a vast library of free and open-source applications. Popular tools like LibreOffice, GIMP, and Firefox are available, and compatibility tools such as Wine enable users to run many Windows applications on Wubuntu.
Compared to Windows, Linux computers are less vulnerable to malware and viruses. Because Linux is community-driven, vulnerabilities are quickly found and fixed, providing users with a more secure computing environment.
Because of Windows' telemetry and data collection methods, privacy issues have arisen. Wubuntu gives people who care about their privacy peace of mind by not gathering personal information without their authorization.
In summary, Wubuntu is a great option for routine computer activities including browsing, editing documents, and watching media. Because of its lightweight architecture, it works well with older technology and prolongs the life of computers that could have trouble running more recent versions of Windows.
Let me know in the comments if you think Wubuntu might be worth a try!
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This article was posted by Bob Rankin on 11 Dec 2024
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Most recent comments on "Is This a Better Alternative to Windows 11?"
(See all 22 comments for this article.)Posted by:
Richard
11 Dec 2024
I wonder if Wubuntu would work well on an older laptop that used Vista? If so, it might bring some of my older favorite games back to life. Or at least make the laptop more useable for everyday tasks.
Posted by:
Ken H
11 Dec 2024
Maybe next time. My computer guy installed Win 11 when I upgraded to my NUC a few years back. No problems with either.
Posted by:
RonFry
11 Dec 2024
Wish I knew about Wubuntu before I bought my daughter a new computer since she loves her old one and it is working so well for her.
Posted by:
Ernest N. Wilcox Jr. (Oldster)
11 Dec 2024
I won't be trying out Wubuntu any time soon, at least until Ubuntu and its derivatives are no longer developed/distributed by a commercial company. In the late 1990s, I became curious about all the hype I was hearing/reading about GNU/Linux, so I decided to try to install a distribution, just to learn what it was all about. Following several failed attempts with the likes of Debian, Slackware, RedHat, and several others, I found Mandrake, which began distribution in 1998, and it installed/booted up successfully, so I was overjoyed. In 2005, following a merger with another distribution, it evolved into Mandriva, and continued until the company stopped development/distribution in about 2010. I did some research, and found Mageia (a fork of Mandriva), which was being developed by several members of the former Mandrake/Mandriva development team, so I switched to it until I encountered a few insurmountable issues with version 8. That launched me on a period of distro-hopping, which included the likes of Debian, LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition), Fedora, and several others, until I found Garuda-KDE-Lite GNU/Linux, my current distribution of choice.
The point of all this is that, as a result of my experience with Mandrake/Mandriva, I have no confidence in any distribution that's developed by a commercial company because what can happen once can happen again, so since Ubuntu and its derivatives are developed by Canonical, a commercial company, I'll avoid using any of them. That leaves me with community-based distributions that have developed a good track record. This includes the likes of Debian, LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition), Arch GNU/Linux, and several others. This has been my experience, but YMMV,
Ernie
Posted by:
Robert van Ruyssevelt
11 Dec 2024
Sounds interesting - hopefully you an easily remove
Microsoft Edge.
Posted by:
Bruce
11 Dec 2024
One of my main, always running programs is my security camera program Sighthound. Before I even think about switching to Wubuntu I would have to talk with the Sighthound Support techs. Has anyone else using Sighthound been able to switch over with no problems. Has anyone else talked with the Sighthound support techs? Thanks for any info that you may have re Sighthound running on Linux.
Posted by:
Bengt
11 Dec 2024
IMHO Windows 11 will work (if you bypass TPM and CPU requirements) for practically any PC running Windows 10 64-bit as long as it has SSD and >=8 GB RAM.
I have run Windows 11 on Dell 6220 from 2011, Dell 5530 from 2014 (?) and Intel NUC gen 6 from 2017. Note that I have not used the PCs for gaming or heavy video editing but they have worked just as fine with W11 as they did with W10.
Posted by:
Charley
11 Dec 2024
I have some apps that won't run on Linux. So that isn't an option for me, at least for some things.
If you don't mind the performance hit, you can install Windows 11 in a virtual machine on non-compliant hardware. There are virtual machine environments that will support a virtual TPM. I haven't tried it, but I am told you can still run into compatibility issues.
My computers are old enough now (2014) that I will probably just get new Windows 11 PCs when the time comes next year.
Posted by:
Ray Thompson
11 Dec 2024
Due to my Laptop not complying with Microsoft's harsh restrictions I switched to Linux a year ago and have had no regrets, I can confirm it runs much quicker including boot and shutdown. very satisfied.
Posted by:
Cork
11 Dec 2024
Much like Ernest, I've gone down many Linux distribution paths; in fact, I lost count. Unlike Ernest, I'm not too worried about Canonical cutting off Ubuntu and stranding its derivatives, so if people try and like Wubuntu more power to them. Ubuntu and its many versions are not my cup of tea, but several of my friends have used them for many years. Getting started in Linux with a friendly version is a great pathway into the very robust set of operating systems Linux offers. I personally run Macs, WinPCs, and Linux PCs - none are perfect, but the Macs (Unix-based) and Linux boxes are definitely more reliable.
Posted by:
Don Casebier
11 Dec 2024
I have a Lenevo laptop that came with Win 11 installed. I have never liked Win 11. Is there a way I can change my OS back to Win 10 or change to Ubuntu . I get devotionals from different pastors and Win 11 does not allow me to post them to my feed on Facebook. My Android cell phone with Google Chrome allows all these things. Also , Microsoft Bing is useless. It doesn't give answers to questions asked. It directs you to where it wants you to go.
Posted by:
Barbara
11 Dec 2024
Thanks for this article. I've done a little research and find myself terrified to change anything! Just too scary for me. So, I'll probably wait for next summer and upgrade to Windows 11. But, I'll continue to read your column and take all the tips I can!
Posted by:
Otto
11 Dec 2024
Bengt wrote -
"I have run Windows 11 on Dell 6220 from 2011,..."
Win 11 has been around since 2011? Where is Win 12 then?
Posted by:
Doc
12 Dec 2024
re: Wubuntu --> I run World Community Grid 24/7 on every computer I have and it's backbone is/(was?) BOINC. I THINK I read that WCG is going to be ditching BOINC because their new server(s) can't/don't want to run BOINC --
1) does anyone know if Wubuntu will run BOINC?
2) WCG is down for migration, anyone know if they are going to be ditching BOINC? I KNOW I read something in the last couple of days, but have NO clue where. WCG is down, so they are gonna be absolutely black until after 3 january 2025.
Answer to either question is welcome - mostly worried about WCG but if they don't ditch BOINC, then I NEED to know about BOINC.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, then none of this would affect you anyway. I just worry about my Service to Humankind - and BOINC is, right now, one of few good gateways for that Service -
THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE! --- Doc ---
Posted by:
Michael
12 Dec 2024
A couple of years back I got Linux installed on my old laptop and it has been running quite well. The only disadvantage is the installation which isn't so easy for an older guy like me..
The old laptop is gone but my current one is approaching it's lifespan after 12 years and I am sure that a new one won't run with windows and paying for their license.
Unfortunately almost all new laptop are coming with windows and when you remove it the warranty is lost.
The only option is to build a desktop of your choice.
Posted by:
Desmond
12 Dec 2024
Is this for America only? I have everything except Direct X 12, but my dxdiag.exe says I have Direct X 12 - What gives? Can't find a link anywhere to download Windows 11 :(
Posted by:
OC
12 Dec 2024
Linux is an excellent replacement for Windows however there are some programs that don't come in Linux packages so, because we've drank the Windows coolaide, we're stuck maintaining an old Win PC (or Virtual PC) just to keep those functional.
Posted by:
hifi5000
12 Dec 2024
I never heard of Wubuntu Linux,but I am familiar with Ubuntu as I have been using it and its brethren for many years.Until I check it out,I would rather stick with the better known Ubuntu flavors.
Posted by:
Ernie F.
12 Dec 2024
To Ray Thompson:
Which version/distro of Linux are you using? Thanks.
Posted by:
Susan
12 Dec 2024
So Microsoft waited until many Win10 users made the switch, maybe trashing their computer and buying a new one with Win11 before making their feeble announcement. That's another reason to quit Windows/MS altogether.