The 2026 context
Windows 10 lost its free support in October 2025. Microsoft offers a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program through 2028. Many PCs bought before 2018 fail Windows 11 requirements (TPM 2.0, UEFI, compatible CPU).
Three options: pay for Windows 10 ESU, force Windows 11 install (not recommended, unstable), or move to Linux Mint (free, stable, modern).
Honest comparison
| Criterion | Windows 11 (forced) | Linux Mint Cinnamon |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Windows licence + ESU risk | 100 % free |
| Install | Rufus hack, fragile | Official, 30 min |
| Updates | Blocked on unsupported PCs | Guaranteed 5 years (LTS) |
| Microsoft Office | Native | Web or LibreOffice |
| Steam games | All | ~80 % via Proton |
| Adobe Creative | Native | No (alternatives: Krita, GIMP, DaVinci) |
| Learning curve | Same as Windows 10 | 1-2 sessions to adapt |
| Performance on old PCs | Heavy | Very light |
When to pick Windows 11 (forced)
Only if:
- You use Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere (Adobe) daily
- You play competitive anti-cheat games (Valorant, Fortnite, CoD)
- Your job requires Windows-only pro software (Crésus, some CAD)
I'll then help you bypass the requirements and do a clean install.
When to pick Linux Mint
Linux Mint Cinnamon is surprisingly close to Windows visually (start menu, taskbar, file manager). In 30 minutes you are up and running for:
- Web browsing (Firefox, Chrome, Brave work)
- Email (Thunderbird, or Gmail/Outlook web)
- Office (LibreOffice = Word/Excel/PowerPoint compatible)
- Video calls (Zoom, Teams, Meet, Skype)
- Photos (Shotwell, GIMP, Darktable)
- Media (VLC, Spotify, Netflix web)
Immediate benefit on a 2015-2018 PC: 15-20 s boot, snappy again, no more Microsoft ads in the start menu.
My Cluses experience
I install Linux Mint for 5 to 10 clients per month in Cluses — mostly seniors and students who want to keep their old PC. Satisfaction is very high after 2-3 coaching sessions.
Returns to Windows are rare: only when a critical proprietary app is mandatory.
Cluses pricing
- Diagnosis + compatibility check: free
- Linux Mint install with data migration: € 120 flat-rate
- Initial lesson (1-hour session post-install): € 80
- Total: ~€ 200, equal to 2 years of Microsoft ESU but sustainable
Call +33 7 83 44 65 99 for honest advice on your PC in Cluses.