End of Windows 10: An Era Closes, But Alternatives Remain Available

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10. This means that no more security updates will be released, leaving millions of computers that are technically still functioning well vulnerable to security risks. For many users, this could pose a problem, especially if their hardware is not compatible with the latest versions of Windows. Fortunately, there are robust and versatile alternatives: Debian 12 and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

Why Debian 12?

Debian 12 is a lightweight yet powerful Linux distribution that works on a wide range of hardware. It offers a secure and stable operating system without the need for frequent hardware upgrades. Debian 12 can run seamlessly on both older computers and modern laptops and MacBooks with Intel processors.

Minimum System Requirements for Debian 12

RAM: 2 GB or more
CPU: Dual-core processor with a minimum clock speed of 1GHz
Storage: At least 20GB of disk space
USB drive: 8 GB or larger for installation

Supported Hardware

Debian 12 is particularly suitable for older systems that might otherwise become unusable. For example:

Laptops and Desktops: Compatible with systems from early 2010 and later.
MacBooks: Compatible with MacBooks with Intel processors from model year 2006 onwards.

Why Choose Ubuntu 24.04 LTS?

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Long Term Support) is a popular choice for both beginners and advanced users. It offers a user-friendly interface, a wide range of pre-installed software, and excellent community support. While Ubuntu has slightly higher system requirements than Debian, it remains accessible for most computers.

Minimum System Requirements for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

RAM: 4 GB or more (2 GB possible for lightweight versions like Ubuntu MATE or Lubuntu)
CPU: Dual-core processor of 2 GHz or higher
Storage: At least 25 GB of disk space
USB Drive: 8 GB or larger for installation

Supported Hardware

Ubuntu is known for its broad hardware support and is often recommended for both modern and older systems:

Laptops and Desktops: Compatible with systems dating back to around 2010.
MacBooks: Supports both Intel and Apple Silicon processors with additional configuration.

Software Alternatives for Popular Windows Applications

One of the biggest concerns when switching to a new operating system is finding replacement software for the applications people are used to. Fortunately, both Debian 12 and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS offer excellent alternatives for the most commonly used programs on Windows:

Mail

Thunderbird

A powerful, open-source email program with extensive features such as calendar integration, contact management, and support for multiple email accounts.
Download Thunderbird

Photoshop

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

A free, open-source image editing program that offers many of the same features as Adobe Photoshop, including layers, filters, and extensive editing tools.
Download GIMP

Illustrator

Inkscape

An open-source vector graphics tool that offers a wide range of features for graphic design and illustration, similar to Adobe Illustrator.
Download Inkscape

PowerPoint

LibreOffice Impress

Part of the LibreOffice suite, Impress offers extensive features for creating and editing presentations, similar to Microsoft PowerPoint.
Download LibreOffice

Word

LibreOffice Writer

LibreOffice Writer is a powerful word processing program that is fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents and offers a wide range of formatting and editing tools.
Download LibreOffice

Excel

LibreOffice Calc

A comprehensive spreadsheet application that is compatible with Microsoft Excel files and offers numerous features for data analysis and visualization.
Download LibreOffice

Audio - Wavelab

Audacity

A free, open-source audio editor and recording application that offers a wide range of editing capabilities for both beginners and professionals.
Download Audacity

Video Editing

DaVinci Resolve

A powerful, free video editing software that offers professional features for editing, color correction, audio post-production, and visual effects.
Download DaVinci Resolve

Programming

Visual Studio Code (VSCode)

A free, powerful code editor from Microsoft with support for many programming languages and extensions.
Download VSCode

Antivirus

ClamAV

An open-source antivirus program for Linux, suitable for detecting various types of malware.
Download ClamAV

Media Player

VLC Media Player

A free, open-source media player that supports virtually all audio and video formats.
Offers capabilities for playing and converting DVDs, streaming media over a network, and adding subtitles.
Download VLC

Conclusion

The end of support for Windows 10 in October 2025 doesn’t have to mean the end of the usability of your current hardware. By switching to Debian 12 or Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, you can give your computer a new lease on life without sacrificing functionality or security. Both operating systems offer a wide range of open-source software, allowing you to perform virtually all the tasks you’re accustomed to on Windows. Whether you choose the stability of Debian or the user-friendly experience of Ubuntu, you’ll benefit from a safer, more efficient, and future-proof operating system.

Switch to Debian 12 or Ubuntu 24.04 LTS today and discover a world of possibilities!

With this transition, you ensure that your system remains secure, stable, up-to-date, and significantly faster. The major advantage compared to Windows 10 is that these systems perform much more efficiently and quickly, even on older hardware.