When your old PC goes over the Windows 10 update cliff, can Windows 11 save it?
    • kescusay@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      7 months ago

      I only ever use Windows on my work computer, and only when I need access to a resource that requires our Windows-only VPN.

      But seriously, “just use linux” is worthless advice. Lots of people use Windows for specific applications that don’t exist in the Linux ecosystem. For example, there are no Linux applications that come close to AutoCAD, and it simply doesn’t work on Linux.

      Better advice would be to get new (or newer used) hardware if possible, if you absolutely need to use Windows, since this workaround will inevitably be “corrected” by Microsoft. Then you can do whatever you like with the old hardware, such as install and learn Linux at your own pace.

            • dufkm@lemmy.worldEnglish
              0·
              7 months ago

              As an engineer, all my jobs so far have used niche internal corporate software which would only be available for Windows. This would be Document Management Systems (DMS’s), internal reporting tools (progress and hour keeping), software distribution programs etc.

              And of course the engineering tools themselves are often only built for Windows, whether it’s proprietary PLC programming environments or CAD software.

              That said, I can run both WSL and a corporate-approved Debian VM on the same work laptop as a compromise, for whatever makes sense for the task. Still sucks though! At home I’m a Debian fanboy 4 lyfe.

                • dufkm@lemmy.worldEnglish
                  0·
                  7 months ago

                  Interesting, how would that work if your corporate IT department uses an (Azure/Entra) active directory system? Can you use a bare metal Linux OS on a Microsoft-based domain service? Asking out of ignorance and curiosity.