In today’s digital world, where remote work and distributed infrastructure are becoming the norm, secure access to network resources is not so much a luxury as an absolute necessity. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have long been the answer to these needs, yet traditional solutions can be complicated and slow. Enter WireGuard—a modern VPN protocol that is revolutionising the way we think about secure tunnels. Combined with the power of the TrueNAS Scale system and the simplicity of the WG-Easy application, we can create an exceptionally efficient and easy-to-manage solution.
This article is a comprehensive guide that will walk you through the process of configuring a secure WireGuard VPN tunnel step by step. We will connect a TrueNAS Scale server, running on your home or company network, with a fleet of public VPS servers. Our goal is to create intelligent “split-tunnel” communication, ensuring that only necessary traffic is routed through the VPN, thereby maintaining maximum internet connection performance.
What Is WireGuard and Why Is It a Game-Changer?
Before we delve into the technical configuration, it’s worth understanding why WireGuard is gaining such immense popularity. Designed from the ground up with simplicity and performance in mind, it represents a breath of fresh air compared to older, more cumbersome protocols like OpenVPN or IPsec.
The main advantages of WireGuard include:
Minimalism and Simplicity: The WireGuard source code consists of just a few thousand lines, in contrast to the hundreds of thousands for its competitors. This not only facilitates security audits but also significantly reduces the potential attack surface.
Unmatched Performance: By operating at the kernel level of the operating system and utilising modern cryptography, WireGuard offers significantly higher transfer speeds and lower latency. In practice, this means smoother access to files and services.
Modern Cryptography: WireGuard uses the latest, proven cryptographic algorithms such as ChaCha20, Poly1305, Curve25519, BLAKE2s, and SipHash24, ensuring the highest level of security.
Ease of Configuration: The model, based on the exchange of public keys similar to SSH, is far more intuitive than the complicated certificate management found in other VPN systems.
The Power of TrueNAS Scale and the Convenience of WG-Easy
TrueNAS Scale is a modern, free operating system for building network-attached storage (NAS) servers, based on the solid foundations of Linux. Its greatest advantage is its support for containerised applications (Docker/Kubernetes), which allows for easy expansion of its functionality. Running a WireGuard server directly on a device that is already operating 24/7 and storing our data is an extremely energy- and cost-effective solution.
This is where the WG-Easy application comes in—a graphical user interface that transforms the process of managing a WireGuard server from editing configuration files in a terminal to simple clicks in a web browser. Thanks to WG-Easy, we can create profiles for new devices in moments, generate their configurations, and monitor the status of connections.
Step 1: Designing the Network Architecture – The Foundation of Stability
Before we launch any software, we must create a solid plan. Correctly designing the topology and IP addressing is the key to a stable and secure solution.
The “Hub-and-Spoke” Model: Your Command Centre
Our network will operate based on a “hub-and-spoke” model.
Hub: The central point (server) of our network will be TrueNAS Scale. All other devices will connect to it.
Spokes: Our VPS servers will be the clients (peers), or the “spokes” connected to the central hub.
In this model, all communication flows through the TrueNAS server by default. This means that for one VPS to communicate with another, the traffic must pass through the central hub.
To avoid chaos, we will create a dedicated subnet for our virtual network. In this guide, we will use 10.8.0.0/24.
Device Role
Host Identifier
VPN IP Address
Server (Hub)
TrueNAS-Scale
10.8.0.1
Client 1 (Spoke)
VPS1
10.8.0.2
Client 2 (Spoke)
VPS2
10.8.0.3
Client 3 (Spoke)
VPS3
10.8.0.4
The Fundamental Rule: One Client, One Identity
A tempting thought arises: is it possible to create a single configuration file for all VPS servers? Absolutely not. This would be a breach of a fundamental WireGuard security principle. Identity in this network is not based on a username and password, but on a unique pair of cryptographic keys. Using the same configuration on multiple machines is like giving the same house key to many different people—the server would be unable to distinguish between them, which would lead to routing chaos and a security breakdown.
Step 2: Prerequisite – Opening the Gateway to the World
The most common pitfall when configuring a home server is forgetting about the router. Your TrueNAS server is on a local area network (LAN) and has a private IP address (e.g., 192.168.0.13), which makes it invisible from the internet. For the VPS servers to connect to it, you must configure port forwarding on your router.
You need to create a rule that directs packets arriving from the internet on a specific port straight to your TrueNAS server.
Protocol: UDP (WireGuard uses UDP exclusively)
External Port: 51820 (the standard WireGuard port)
Internal IP Address: The IP address of your TrueNAS server on the LAN
Internal Port: 51820
Without this rule, your VPN server will never work.
Step 3: Hub Configuration – Launching the Server on TrueNAS
Launch the WG-Easy application on your TrueNAS server. The configuration process boils down to creating a separate profile for each client (each VPS server).
Click “New” and fill in the form for the first VPS, paying special attention to the fields below:
Field Name in WG-Easy
Example Value (for VPS1)
Explanation
Name
VPS1-Public
A readable label to help you identify the client.
IPv4 Address
10.8.0.2
A unique IP address for this VPS within the VPN, according to our plan.
Allowed IPs
192.168.0.0/24, 10.8.0.0/24
This is the heart of the “split-tunnel” configuration. It tells the client (VPS) that only traffic to your local network (LAN) and to other devices on the VPN should be sent through the tunnel. All other traffic (e.g., to Google) will take the standard route.
Server Allowed IPs
10.8.0.2/32
A critical security setting. It informs the TrueNAS server to only accept packets from this specific client from its assigned IP address. The /32 mask prevents IP spoofing.
Persistent Keepalive
25
An instruction for the client to send a small “keep-alive” packet every 25 seconds. This is necessary to prevent the connection from being terminated by routers and firewalls along the way.
After filling in the fields, save the configuration. Repeat this process for each subsequent VPS server, remembering to assign them consecutive IP addresses (10.8.0.3, 10.8.0.4, etc.).
Once you save the profile, WG-Easy will generate a .conf configuration file for you. Treat this file like a password—it contains the client’s private key! Download it and prepare to upload it to the VPS server.
Step 4: Spoke Configuration – Activating Clients on the VPS Servers
Now it’s time to bring our “spokes” to life. Assuming your VPS servers are running Linux (e.g., Debian/Ubuntu), the process is very straightforward.
Upload and secure the configuration file: Copy the previously downloaded wg0.conf file to the /etc/wireguard/ directory on the VPS server. Then, change its permissions so that only the administrator can read it: # On the VPS server: sudo mv /path/to/your/wg0.conf /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf sudo chmod 600 /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf
Start the tunnel: Use a simple command to activate the connection. The interface name (wg0) is derived from the configuration file name. sudo wg-quick up wg0
Ensure automatic start-up: To have the VPN tunnel start automatically after every server reboot, enable the corresponding system service: sudo systemctl enable wg-quick@wg0.service
Repeat these steps on each VPS server, using the unique configuration file generated for each one.
Step 5: Verification and Diagnostics – Checking if Everything Works
After completing the configuration, it’s time for the final test.
Checking the Connection Status
On both the TrueNAS server and each VPS, execute the command:
sudo wg show
Look for two key pieces of information in the output:
latest handshake: This should show a recent time (e.g., “a few seconds ago”). This is proof that the client and server have successfully connected.
transfer: received and sent values greater than zero indicate that data is actually flowing through the tunnel.
The Final Test: Validating the “Split-Tunnel”
This is the test that will confirm we have achieved our main goal. Log in to one of the VPS servers and perform the following tests:
Test connectivity within the VPN: Try to ping the TrueNAS server using its VPN and LAN addresses. ping 10.8.0.1 # VPN address of the TrueNAS server ping 192.168.0.13 # LAN address of the TrueNAS server (use your own)
If you receive replies, it means that traffic to your local network is being correctly routed through the tunnel.
Test the path to the internet: Use the traceroute tool to check the route packets take to a public website. traceroute google.com
The result of this command is crucial. The first “hop” on the route must be the default gateway address of your VPS hosting provider, not the address of your VPN server (10.8.0.1). If this is the case—congratulations! Your “split-tunnel” configuration is working perfectly.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
No “handshake”: The most common cause is a connection issue. Double-check the UDP port 51820 forwarding configuration on your router, as well as any firewalls in the path (on TrueNAS, on the VPS, and in your cloud provider’s panel).
There is a “handshake”, but ping doesn’t work: The problem usually lies in the Allowed IPs configuration. Ensure the server has the correct client VPN address entered (e.g., 10.8.0.2/32), and the client has the networks it’s trying to reach in its configuration (e.g., 192.168.0.0/24).
All traffic is going through the VPN (full-tunnel): This means that in the client’s configuration file, under the [Peer] section, the Allowed IPs field is set to 0.0.0.0/0. Correct this setting in the WG-Easy interface, download the new configuration file, and update it on the client.
Creating your own secure and efficient VPN server based on TrueNAS Scale and WireGuard is well within reach. It is a powerful solution that not only enhances security but also gives you complete control over your network infrastructure.
A Permanent IP Blacklist with Fail2ban, UFW, and Ipset
Introduction: Beyond Temporary Protection
In the digital world, where server attacks are a daily occurrence, merely reacting is not enough. Although tools like Fail2ban provide a basic line of defence, their temporary blocks leave a loophole—persistent attackers can return and try again after the ban expires. This article provides a detailed guide to building a fully automated, two-layer system that turns ephemeral bans into permanent, global blocks. The combination of Fail2ban, UFW, and the powerful Ipset tool creates a mechanism that permanently protects your server from known repeat offenders.
Layer One: Reaction with Fail2ban
At the start of every attack is Fail2ban. This daemon monitors log files (e.g., sshd.log, apache.log) for patterns indicating break-in attempts, such as multiple failed login attempts. When it detects such activity, it immediately blocks the attacker’s IP address by adding it to the firewall rules for a defined period (e.g., 10 minutes, 30 days). This is an effective but short-term response.
Layer Two: Persistence with UFW and Ipset
For a ban to become permanent, we need a more robust, centralised method of managing IP addresses. This is where UFW and Ipset come in.
What is Ipset?
Ipset is a Linux kernel extension that allows you to manage sets of IP addresses, networks, or ports. It is a much more efficient solution than adding thousands of individual rules to a firewall. Instead, the firewall can refer to an entire set with a single rule.
Ipset Installation and Configuration
The first step is to install Ipset on your system. We use standard package managers for this.
sudo apt update sudo apt install ipset
Next, we create two sets: blacklist for IPv4 addresses and blacklist_v6 for IPv6.
The hashsize parameter determines the maximum number of entries, which is crucial for performance.
Integrating Ipset with the UFW Firewall
For UFW to start using our sets, we must add the appropriate commands to its rules. We edit the UFW configuration files, adding rules that block traffic originating from addresses contained in our Ipset sets. For IPv4, we edit /etc/ufw/before.rules:
sudo nano /etc/ufw/before.rules
Immediately after *filter and :ufw-before-input [0:0], add:
# Rules for the permanent blacklist (ipset) # Block any incoming traffic from IP addresses in the ‘blacklist’ set (IPv4) -A ufw-before-input -m set –match-set blacklist src -j DROP
For IPv6, we edit /etc/ufw/before6.rules:
sudo nano /etc/ufw/before6.rules
Immediately after *filter and :ufw6-before-input [0:0], add:
# Rules for the permanent blacklist (ipset) IPv6 # Block any incoming traffic from IP addresses in the ‘blacklist_v6’ set -A ufw6-before-input -m set –match-set blacklist_v6 src -j DROP
After adding the rules, we reload UFW for them to take effect:
sudo ufw reload
Script for Automatic Blacklist Updates
The core of the system is a script that acts as a bridge between Fail2ban and Ipset. Its job is to collect banned addresses, ensure they are unique, and synchronise them with the Ipset sets.
Create the script file:
sudo nano /usr/local/bin/update-blacklist.sh
Below is the content of the script. It works in several steps:
Creates a temporary, unique list of IP addresses from Fail2ban logs and the existing blacklist.
Creates temporary Ipset sets.
Reads addresses from the unique list and adds them to the appropriate temporary sets (distinguishing between IPv4 and IPv6).
Atomically swaps the old Ipset sets with the new, temporary ones, minimising the risk of protection gaps.
Destroys the old, temporary sets.
Returns a summary of the number of blocked addresses.
# Create a unique list of banned IPs from the log and the existing blacklist file (grep ‘Ban’ /var/log/fail2ban.log | awk ‘{print $(NF)}’ && cat “$BLACKLIST_FILE”) | sort -u > “$BLACKLIST_FILE.tmp” mv “$BLACKLIST_FILE.tmp” “$BLACKLIST_FILE”
# Add IPs to the temporary sets while IFS= read -r ip; do if [[ “$ip” == *”:”* ]]; then sudo ipset add “${IPSET_NAME_V6}_tmp” “$ip” else sudo ipset add “${IPSET_NAME_V4}_tmp” “$ip” fi done < “$BLACKLIST_FILE”
# Atomically swap the temporary sets with the active ones sudo ipset swap “${IPSET_NAME_V4}_tmp” “$IPSET_NAME_V4” sudo ipset swap “${IPSET_NAME_V6}_tmp” “$IPSET_NAME_V6”
After creating the script, give it execute permissions:
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/update-blacklist.sh
Automation and Persistence After a Reboot
To run the script without intervention, we use a cron schedule. Open the crontab editor for the root user and add a rule to run the script every hour:
sudo crontab -e
Add this line:
0 * * * * /usr/local/bin/update-blacklist.sh
Or to run it once a day at 6 a.m.:
0 6 * * * /usr/local/bin/update-blacklist.sh
The final, crucial step is to ensure the Ipset sets survive a reboot, as they are stored in RAM by default. We create a systemd service that will save their state before the server shuts down and load it again on startup.
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/ipset-persistent.service “`ini [Unit] Description=Saves and restores ipset sets on boot/shutdown Before=network-pre.target ConditionFileNotEmpty=/etc/ipset.rules
The entire system is an automated chain of events that works in the background to protect your server from attacks. Here is the flow of information and actions:
Attack Response (Fail2ban):
Someone tries to break into the server (e.g., by repeatedly entering the wrong password via SSH).
Fail2ban, monitoring system logs (/var/log/fail2ban.log), detects this pattern.
It immediately adds the attacker’s IP address to a temporary firewall rule, blocking their access for a specified time.
Permanent Banning (Script and Cron):
Every hour (as set in cron), the system runs the update-blacklist.sh script.
The script reads the Fail2ban logs, finds all addresses that have been banned (lines containing “Ban”), and then compares them with the existing local blacklist (/etc/fail2ban/blacklist.local).
It creates a unique list of all banned addresses.
It then creates temporary ipset sets (blacklist_tmp and blacklist_v6_tmp) and adds all addresses from the unique list to them.
It performs an ipset swap operation, which atomically replaces the old, active sets with the new, updated ones.
UFW, thanks to the previously defined rules, immediately starts blocking the new addresses that have appeared in the updated ipset sets.
Persistence After Reboot (systemd Service):
Ipset’s operation is volatile—the sets only exist in memory. The ipset-persistent.service solves this problem.
Before shutdown/reboot: systemd runs the ExecStop=/sbin/ipset save -f /etc/ipset.rules command. This saves the current state of all ipset sets to a file on the disk.
After power-on/reboot: systemd runs the ExecStart command, which restores the sets. It reads all blocked addresses from the /etc/ipset.rules file and automatically recreates the ipset sets in memory.
Thanks to this, even if the server is rebooted, the IP blacklist remains intact, and protection is active from the first moments after the system starts.
Summary and Verification
The system you have built is a fully automated, multi-layered protection mechanism. Attackers are temporarily banned by Fail2ban, and their addresses are automatically added to a permanent blacklist, which is instantly blocked by UFW and Ipset. The systemd service ensures that the blacklist survives server reboots, protecting against repeat offenders permanently. To verify its operation, you can use the following commands:
sudo ufw status verbose sudo ipset list blacklist sudo ipset list blacklist_v6 sudo systemctl status ipset-persistent.service
How to Create a Reliable IP Whitelist in UFW and Ipset
Introduction: Why a Whitelist is Crucial
When configuring advanced firewall rules, especially those that automatically block IP addresses (like in systems with Fail2ban), there is a risk of accidentally blocking yourself or key services. A whitelist is a mechanism that acts like a VIP pass for your firewall—IP addresses on this list will always have access, regardless of other, more restrictive blocking rules.
This guide will show you, step-by-step, how to create a robust and persistent whitelist using UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) and ipset. As an example, we will use the IP address 111.222.333.444, which we want to add as trusted.
Step 1: Create a Dedicated Ipset Set for the Whitelist
The first step is to create a separate “container” for our trusted IP addresses. Using ipset is much more efficient than adding many individual rules to iptables.
Open a terminal and enter the following command:
sudo ipset create whitelist hash:ip
What did we do?
ipset create: The command to create a new set.
whitelist: The name of our set. It’s short and unambiguous.
hash:ip: The type of set. hash:ip is optimised for storing and very quickly looking up single IPv4 addresses.
Step 2: Add a Trusted IP Address
Now that we have the container ready, let’s add our example trusted IP address to it.
sudo ipset add whitelist 111.222.333.444
You can repeat this command for every address you want to add to the whitelist. To check the contents of the list, use the command:
sudo ipset list whitelist
Step 3: Modify the Firewall – Giving Priority to the Whitelist
This is the most important step. We need to modify the UFW rules so that connections from addresses on the whitelist are accepted immediately, before the firewall starts processing any blocking rules (including those from the ipset blacklist or Fail2ban).
Open the before.rules configuration file. This is the file where rules processed before the main UFW rules are located.
sudo nano /etc/ufw/before.rules
Go to the beginning of the file and find the *filter section. Just below the :ufw-before-input [0:0] line, add our new snippet. Placing it at the very top ensures it will be processed first.
*filter :ufw-before-input [0:0] # Rule for the whitelist (ipset) ALWAYS HAS PRIORITY # Accept any traffic from IP addresses in the ‘whitelist’ set -A ufw-before-input -m set –match-set whitelist src -j ACCEPT
-A ufw-before-input: We add the rule to the ufw-before-input chain.
-m set –match-set whitelist src: Condition: if the source (src) IP address matches the whitelist set…
-j ACCEPT: Action: “immediately accept (ACCEPT) the packet and stop processing further rules for this packet.”
Save the file and reload UFW:
sudo ufw reload
From this point on, any connection from the address 111.222.333.444 will be accepted immediately.
Step 4: Ensuring Whitelist Persistence
Ipset sets are stored in memory and disappear after a server reboot. To make our whitelist persistent, we need to ensure it is automatically loaded every time the system starts. We will use our previously created ipset-persistent.service for this.
Update the systemd service to “teach” it about the existence of the new whitelist set.
Find the ExecStart line and add the create command for whitelist. If you already have other sets, simply add whitelist to the line. An example of an updated line:
Save the current state of all sets to the file. This command will overwrite the old /etc/ipset.rules file with a new version that includes information about your whitelist.
sudo ipset save > /etc/ipset.rules
Restart the service to ensure it is running with the new configuration:
sudo systemctl restart ipset-persistent.service
Summary
Congratulations! You have created a solid and reliable whitelist mechanism. With it, you can securely manage your server, confident that trusted IP addresses like 111.222.333.444 will never be accidentally blocked. Remember to only add fully trusted addresses to this list, such as your home or office IP address.
How to Effectively Block IP Addresses and Subnets on a Linux Server
Blocking single IP addresses is easy, but what if attackers use multiple addresses from the same network? Manually banning each one is inefficient and time-consuming.
In this article, you will learn how to use ipset and iptables to effectively block entire subnets, automating the process and saving valuable time.
Why is Blocking Entire Subnets Better?
Many attacks, especially brute-force types, are carried out from multiple IP addresses belonging to the same operator or from the same pool of addresses (subnet). Blocking just one of them is like patching a small hole in a large dam—the rest of the traffic can still get through.
Instead, you can block an entire subnet, for example, 45.148.10.0/24. This notation means you are blocking 256 addresses at once, which is much more effective.
Script for Automatic Subnet Blocking
To automate the process, you can use the following bash script. This script is interactive—it asks you to provide the subnet to block, then adds it to an ipset list and saves it to a file, making the block persistent.
Let’s analyse the script step-by-step:
#!/bin/bash
# The name of the ipset list to which subnets will be added BLACKLIST_NAME=”blacklist_nets” # The file where blocked subnets will be appended BLACKLIST_FILE=”/etc/fail2ban/blacklist_net.local”
# 1. Create the blacklist file if it doesn’t exist touch “$BLACKLIST_FILE”
# 2. Check if the ipset list already exists. If not, create it. # Using “hash:net” allows for storing subnets, which is key. if ! sudo ipset list $BLACKLIST_NAME >/dev/null 2>&1; then sudo ipset create $BLACKLIST_NAME hash:net maxelem 65536 fi
# 3. Loop to prompt the user for subnets to block. # The loop ends when the user types “exit”. while true; do read -p “Enter the subnet address to block (e.g., 192.168.1.0/24) or type ‘exit’: ” subnet if [ “$subnet” == “exit” ]; then break elif [[ “$subnet” =~ ^([0-9]{1,3}\.){3}[0-9]{1,3}\/[0-9]{1,2}$ ]]; then # Check if the subnet is not already in the file to avoid duplicates if ! grep -q “^$subnet$” “$BLACKLIST_FILE”; then echo “$subnet” | sudo tee -a “$BLACKLIST_FILE” > /dev/null # Add the subnet to the ipset list sudo ipset add $BLACKLIST_NAME $subnet echo “Subnet $subnet added.” else echo “Subnet $subnet is already on the list.” fi else # Check if the entered format is correct echo “Error: Invalid format. Please provide the address in ‘X.X.X.X/Y’ format.” fi done
# 4. Add a rule in iptables that blocks all traffic from addresses on the ipset list. # This ensures the rule is added only once. if ! sudo iptables -C INPUT -m set –match-set $BLACKLIST_NAME src -j DROP >/dev/null 2>&1; then sudo iptables -I INPUT -m set –match-set $BLACKLIST_NAME src -j DROP fi
# 5. Save the iptables rules to survive a reboot. # This part checks which tool the system uses. if command -v netfilter-persistent &> /dev/null; then sudo netfilter-persistent save elif command -v service &> /dev/null && service iptables status >/dev/null 2>&1; then sudo service iptables save fi
echo “Script finished. The ‘$BLACKLIST_NAME’ list has been updated, and the iptables rules are active.”
How to Use the Script
Save the script: Save the code above into a file, e.g., block_nets.sh.
Give permissions: Make sure the file has execute permissions: chmod +x block_nets.sh.
Run the script: Execute the script with root privileges: sudo ./block_nets.sh.
Provide subnets: The script will prompt you to enter subnet addresses. Simply type them in the X.X.X.X/Y format and press Enter. When you are finished, type exit.
Ensuring Persistence After a Server Reboot
Ipset sets are stored in RAM by default and disappear after a server restart. For the blocked addresses to remain active, you must use a systemd service that will load them at system startup.
If you already have such a service (e.g., ipset-persistent.service), you must update it to include the new blacklist_nets list.
Edit the service file: Open your service’s configuration file. sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/ipset-persistent.service
Update the ExecStart line: Find the ExecStart line and add the create command for the blacklist_nets set. An example updated ExecStart line should look like this (including previous sets): ExecStart=/bin/bash -c “/sbin/ipset create whitelist hash:ip –exist; /sbin/ipset create blacklist hash:ip –exist; /sbin/ipset create blacklist_v6 hash:net family inet6 –exist; /sbin/ipset create blacklist_nets hash:net –exist; /sbin/ipset restore -f /etc/ipset.rules”
Reload the systemd configuration: sudo systemctl daemon-reload
Save the current state of all sets to the file: This command will overwrite the old /etc/ipset.rules file with a new version that contains information about all your lists, including blacklist_nets. sudo ipset save > /etc/ipset.rules
Restart the service: sudo systemctl restart ipset-persistent.service
With this method, you can simply and efficiently manage your server’s security, effectively blocking entire subnets that show suspicious activity, and be sure that these rules will remain active after every reboot.
Canonical, the company behind the world’s most popular Linux distribution, offers an extended subscription called Ubuntu Pro. This service, available for free for individual users on up to five machines, elevates the standard Ubuntu experience to the level of corporate security, compliance, and extended technical support. What exactly does this offer include, and is it worth using?
Ubuntu Pro is the answer to the growing demands for cybersecurity and stability of operating systems, both in commercial and home environments. The subscription integrates a range of advanced services that were previously reserved mainly for large enterprises, making them available to a wide audience. A key benefit is the extension of the system’s life cycle (LTS) from 5 to 10 years, which provides critical security updates for thousands of software packages.
A Detailed Review of the Services Offered with Ubuntu Pro
To fully understand the value of the subscription, you should look at its individual components. After activating Pro, the user gains access to a services panel that can be freely enabled and disabled depending on their needs.
1. ESM-Infra & ESM-Apps: Ten Years of Peace of Mind
The core of the Pro offering is the Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM) service, divided into two pillars:
esm-infra (Infrastructure): Guarantees security patches for over 2,300 packages from the Ubuntu main repository for 10 years. This means the operating system and its key components are protected against newly discovered vulnerabilities (CVEs) for much longer than in the standard LTS version.
esm-apps (Applications): Extends protection to over 23,000 packages from the community-supported universe repository. This is a huge advantage, as many popular applications, programming libraries, and tools we install every day come from there. Thanks to esm-apps, they also receive critical security updates for a decade.
In practice, this means that a production server or workstation with an LTS version of the system can run safely and stably for 10 years without the need for a major system upgrade.
2. Livepatch: Kernel Updates Without a Restart
The Canonical Livepatch service is one of the most appreciated tools in environments requiring maximum uptime. It allows the installation of critical and high-risk security patches for the Linux kernel while it is running, without the need to reboot the computer. For server administrators running key services, this is a game-changing feature – it eliminates downtime and allows for an immediate response to threats.
End of server restarts. The Livepatch service revolutionises Linux updates
Updating the operating system’s kernel without having to reboot the machine is becoming the standard in environments requiring continuous availability. The Canonical Livepatch service allows critical security patches to be installed in real-time, eliminating downtime and revolutionising the work of system administrators.
In a digital world where every minute of service unavailability can generate enormous losses, planned downtime for system updates is becoming an ever greater challenge. The answer to this problem is the Livepatch technology, offered by Canonical, the creators of the popular Ubuntu distribution. It allows for the deployment of the most important Linux kernel security patches without the need to restart the server.
How does Livepatch work?
The service runs in the background, monitoring for available security updates marked as critical or high priority. When such a patch is released, Livepatch applies it directly to the running kernel. This process is invisible to users and applications, which can operate without any interruptions.
“For administrators managing a fleet of servers on which a company’s business depends, this is a game-changing feature,” a cybersecurity expert comments. “Instead of planning maintenance windows in the middle of the night and risking complications, we can respond instantly to newly discovered threats, maintaining one hundred percent business continuity.”
Who benefits most?
This solution is particularly valuable in sectors such as finance, e-commerce, telecommunications, and healthcare, where systems must operate 24/7. With Livepatch, companies can meet rigorous service level agreements (SLAs) while maintaining the highest standard of security.
Eliminating the need to restart not only saves time but also minimises the risk associated with restarting complex application environments.
Technology such as Canonical Livepatch sets a new direction in IT infrastructure management. It shifts the focus from reactive problem-solving to proactive, continuous system protection. In an age of growing cyber threats, the ability to instantly patch vulnerabilities, without affecting service availability, is no longer a convenience, but a necessity.
3. Landscape: Central Management of a Fleet of Systems
Landscape is a powerful tool for managing and administering multiple Ubuntu systems from a single, central dashboard. It enables remote updates, machine status monitoring, user and permission management, and task automation. Although its functionality may be limited in the free plan, in commercial environments it can save administrators hundreds of hours of work.
Landscape: How to Master a Fleet of Ubuntu Systems from One Place?
In today’s IT environments, where the number of servers and workstations can reach hundreds or even thousands, manually managing each system separately is not only inefficient but virtually impossible. Canonical, the company behind the most popular Linux distribution – Ubuntu, provides a solution to this problem: Landscape. It’s a powerful tool that allows administrators to centrally manage an entire fleet of machines, saving time and minimising the risk of errors.
What is Landscape?
Landscape is a system management platform that acts as a central command centre for all Ubuntu machines in your organisation. Regardless of whether they are physical servers in a server room, virtual machines in the cloud, or employees’ desktop computers, Landscape enables remote monitoring, management, and automation of key administrative tasks from a single, clear web browser.
The main goal of the tool is to simplify and automate repetitive tasks that consume most of administrators’ time. Instead of logging into each server separately to perform updates, you can do so for an entire group of machines with a few clicks.
Key Features in Practice
The strength of Landscape lies in its versatility. The most important functions include:
Remote Updates and Package Management: Landscape allows for the mass deployment of security and software updates on all connected systems. An administrator can create update profiles for different groups of servers (e.g., production, test) and schedule their installation at a convenient time, minimising the risk of downtime.
Real-time Monitoring and Alerts: The platform continuously monitors key system parameters, such as processor load, RAM usage, disk space availability, and component temperature. If predefined thresholds are exceeded, the system automatically sends alerts, allowing for a quick response before a problem escalates into a serious failure.
User and Permission Management: Creating, modifying, and deleting user accounts on multiple machines simultaneously becomes trivially simple. Landscape enables central management of permissions, which significantly increases the level of security and facilitates audits.
Task Automation: One of the most powerful features is the ability to remotely run scripts on any number of machines. This allows you to automate almost any task – from routine backups and the installation of specific software to comprehensive configuration audits.
Free Plan vs. Commercial Environments
Canonical offers Landscape on a subscription basis, but also provides a free “Landscape On-Premises” plan that allows you to manage up to 10 machines at no cost. This is an excellent option for small businesses, enthusiasts, or for testing purposes. Although the functionality in this plan may be limited compared to the full commercial versions, it provides a solid insight into the platform’s capabilities.
However, it is in large commercial environments that Landscape shows its true power. For companies managing dozens or hundreds of servers, investing in a license quickly pays for itself. Reducing the time needed for routine tasks from days to minutes translates into real financial savings and allows administrators to focus on more strategic projects. Experts estimate that implementing central management can save hundreds of hours of work per year.
Landscape is an indispensable tool for any organisation that takes the management of its Ubuntu-based infrastructure seriously. Centralisation, automation, and proactive monitoring are key elements that not only increase efficiency and security but also allow for scaling operations without a proportional increase in costs and human resources. In an age of digital transformation, effective management of a fleet of systems is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
4. Real-time Kernel: Real-time Precision
For specific applications, such as industrial automation, robotics, telecommunications, or stock trading systems, predictability and determinism are crucial. The Real-time Kernel is a special version of the Ubuntu kernel with integrated PREEMPT_RT patches, which minimises delays and guarantees that the highest priority tasks are executed within strictly defined time frames.
In a world where machine decisions must be made in fractions of a second, standard operating systems are often unable to meet strict timing requirements. The answer to these challenges is the real-time operating system kernel (RTOS). Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions, is entering this highly specialised market with a new product: the Real-time Kernel.
What is it and why is it important?
The Real-time Kernel is a special version of the Ubuntu kernel in which a set of patches called PREEMPT_RT have been implemented. Their main task is to modify how the kernel manages tasks, so that the highest priority processes can pre-empt (interrupt) lower-priority ones almost immediately. In practice, this eliminates unpredictable delays (so-called latency) and guarantees that critical operations will be executed within a strictly defined, repeatable time window.
“The Ubuntu real-time kernel provides industrial-grade performance and resilience for software-defined manufacturing, monitoring, and operational technologies,” said Mark Shuttleworth, CEO of Canonical.
For sectors such as industrial automation, this means that PLC controllers on the assembly line can process data with absolute precision, ensuring continuity and integrity of production. In robotics, from assembly arms to autonomous vehicles, timing determinism is crucial for safety and smooth movement. Similarly, in telecommunications, especially in the context of 5G networks, the infrastructure must handle huge amounts of data with ultra-low latency, which is a necessary condition for service reliability. Stock trading systems, where milliseconds decide on transactions worth millions, also belong to the group of beneficiaries of this technology.
How does it work? Technical context
The PREEMPT_RT patches, developed for years by the Linux community, transform a standard kernel into a fully pre-emptible one. Mechanisms such as spinlocks (locks that protect against simultaneous access to data), which in a traditional kernel cannot be interrupted, become pre-emptible in the RT version. In addition, hardware interrupt handlers are transformed into threads with a specific priority, which allows for more precise management of processor time.
Thanks to these changes, the system is able to guarantee that a high-priority task will gain access to resources in a predictable, short time, regardless of the system’s load by other, less important processes.
The integration of PREEMPT_RT with the official Ubuntu kernel (available as part of the Ubuntu Pro subscription) is a significant step towards the democratisation of real-time systems. This simplifies the deployment of advanced solutions in industry, lowering the entry barrier for companies that until now had to rely on niche, often closed and expensive RTOS systems. The availability of a stable and supported real-time kernel in a popular operating system can accelerate innovation in the fields of the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, and smart factories, where precision and reliability are not an option but a necessity.
5. USG (Ubuntu Security Guide): Auditing and Security Hardening
USG is a tool for automating the processes of system hardening and auditing for compliance with rigorous security standards, such as CIS Benchmarks or DISA-STIG. Instead of manually configuring hundreds of system settings, an administrator can use USG to automatically apply recommended policies and generate a compliance report.
In an age of growing cyber threats and increasingly stringent compliance requirements, system administrators face the challenge of manually configuring hundreds of settings to secure IT infrastructure. Canonical, the company behind the popular Linux distribution, offers the Ubuntu Security Guide (USG) tool, which automates the processes of system hardening and auditing, ensuring compliance with key security standards, such as CIS Benchmarks and DISA-STIG.
What is the Ubuntu Security Guide and how does it work?
The Ubuntu Security Guide is an advanced command-line tool, available as part of the Ubuntu Pro subscription. Its main goal is to simplify and automate the tedious tasks associated with securing Ubuntu operating systems. Instead of manually editing configuration files, changing permissions, and verifying policies, administrators can use ready-made security profiles.
USG uses the industry-recognised OpenSCAP (Security Content Automation Protocol) tool as its backend, which ensures the consistency and reliability of the audits performed. The process is simple and is based on two key commands:
usg audit [profile] – Scans the system for compliance with the selected profile (e.g., cis_level1_server) and generates a detailed report in HTML format. This report indicates which security rules are met and which require intervention.
usg fix [profile] – Automatically applies configuration changes to adapt the system to the recommendations contained in the profile.
As Canonical emphasises in its official documentation, USG was designed to “simplify the DISA-STIG hardening process by leveraging automation.”
Compliance with CIS and DISA-STIG at Your Fingertips
For many organisations, especially in the public, financial, and defence sectors, compliance with international security standards is not just good practice but a legal and contractual obligation. CIS Benchmarks, developed by the Center for Internet Security, and DISA-STIG (Security Technical Implementation Guides), required by the US Department of Defence, are collections of hundreds of detailed configuration guidelines.
Manually implementing these standards is extremely time-consuming and prone to errors. USG addresses this problem by providing predefined profiles that map these complex requirements to specific, automated actions. Example configurations managed by USG include:
Password policies: Enforcing appropriate password length, complexity, and expiration period.
Firewall configuration: Blocking unused ports and restricting access to network services.
SSH security: Enforcing key-based authentication and disabling root account login.
File system: Setting restrictive mounting options, such as noexec and nosuid on critical partitions.
Deactivation of unnecessary services: Disabling unnecessary daemons and services to minimise the attack surface.
The ability to customise profiles using so-called “tailoring files” allows administrators to flexibly implement policies, taking into account the specific needs of their environment, without losing compliance with the general standard.
Consequences of Non-Compliance and the Role of Automation
Ignoring standards such as CIS or DISA-STIG carries serious consequences. Apart from the obvious increase in the risk of a successful cyberattack, organisations expose themselves to severe financial penalties, loss of certification, and serious reputational damage. Non-compliance can lead to the loss of key contracts, especially in the government sector.
Security experts agree that compliance automation tools are crucial in modern IT management. They allow not only for a one-time implementation of policies but also for continuous monitoring and maintenance of the desired security state in dynamically changing environments.
The Ubuntu Security Guide is a response to the growing complexity in the field of cybersecurity and regulations. By shifting the burden of manual configuration to an automated and repeatable process, USG allows administrators to save time, minimise the risk of human error, and provide measurable proof of compliance with global standards. In an era where security is the foundation of digital trust, tools like USG are becoming an indispensable part of the arsenal of every IT professional managing Ubuntu-based infrastructure.
6. Anbox Cloud: Android in the Cloud at Scale
Anbox Cloud is a platform that allows you to run the Android system in cloud containers. This is a solution aimed mainly at mobile application developers, companies in the gaming industry (cloud gaming), or automotive (infotainment systems). It enables mass application testing, process automation, and streaming of Android applications with ultra-low latency.
How to Install and Configure Ubuntu Pro? A Step-by-Step Guide
Activating Ubuntu Pro is simple and takes only a few minutes.
Requirements:
Ubuntu LTS version (e.g., 18.04, 20.04, 22.04, 24.04).
Access to an account with sudo privileges.
An Ubuntu One account (which can be created for free).
Step 1: Get your subscription token
Go to the ubuntu.com/pro website and log in to your Ubuntu One account.
You will be automatically redirected to your Ubuntu Pro dashboard.
In the dashboard, you will find a free personal token. Copy it.
Step 2: Connect your system to Ubuntu Pro
Open a terminal on your computer and execute the command below, pasting the copied string into the place of [YOUR_TOKEN]:
sudo pro attach [YOUR_TOKEN]
The system will connect to Canonical’s servers and automatically enable default services, such as esm-infra and livepatch.
Step 3: Manage services
You can check the status of your services at any time with the command:
pro status –all
You will see a list of all available services along with information on whether they are enabled or disabled.
To enable a specific service, use the enable command. For example, to activate esm-apps:
sudo pro enable esm-apps
Similarly, to disable a service, use the disable command:
sudo pro disable landscape
Alternative: Configuration via a graphical interface
On Ubuntu Desktop systems, you can also manage your subscription through a graphical interface. Open the “Software & Updates” application, go to the “Ubuntu Pro” tab, and follow the instructions to activate the subscription using your token.
Summary
Ubuntu Pro is a powerful set of tools that significantly increases the level of security, stability, and management capabilities of the Ubuntu system. Thanks to the generous free subscription offer for individual users, everyone can now take advantage of features that until recently were the domain of corporations. Whether you are a developer, a small server administrator, or simply a conscious user who cares about long-term support, activating Ubuntu Pro is a step that is definitely worth considering.
Windows 10 Reaches End-of-Life. Which System to Choose in 2025?
The Dawn of a New Computing Era – Navigating the Windows 10 End-of-Life
The 14th of October 2025 Deadline: What This Really Means for Your Device
Windows 10 support will officially end on the 14th of October 2025. This date marks the end of Microsoft’s provision of ongoing maintenance and protection for this operating system. After this critical date, Microsoft will no longer provide:
Technical support for any issues. This means there will be no official technical help or troubleshooting support from Microsoft.
Software updates, which include performance enhancements, bug fixes, and compatibility improvements. The system will become static in terms of its core functionality.
Most importantly, security updates or patches will no longer be issued. This is the most significant consequence for user security.
It’s important to understand that a Windows 10 computer will continue to function after this date. It won’t suddenly stop working or become useless. However, continuing to operate it without security patches carries serious risks.
Microsoft 365 app support on Windows 10 will also end on the 14th of October 2025. While these applications will still work, Microsoft strongly recommends upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid performance and reliability issues over time. It should be noted that Microsoft will continue to provide security updates for Microsoft 365 on Windows 10 for an additional three years, until the 10th of October 2028. Support for non-subscription versions of Office (2016, 2019) will also end on the 14th of October 2025, on all operating systems. Office 2021 and 2024 (including LTSC versions) will still work on Windows 10 but will no longer be officially supported.
The Risks of Staying on an Old System: Why an Unsupported OS is a Liability
Remaining on an unsupported operating system brings with it a number of serious risks that can have far-reaching consequences for security, performance, and compliance.
Security Risks: The Biggest Concerns: Without regular security updates from Microsoft, Windows 10 systems will become increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Hackers actively seek and exploit newly discovered vulnerabilities in outdated systems that will no longer be patched after support ends. This can lead to a myriad of security issues, including unauthorised access to sensitive data, ransomware attacks, and breaches of confidential financial or customer information.
The risk of an unsupported operating system is not a sudden, immediate failure, but a gradually increasing exposure. This risk will grow over time as security vulnerabilities are found and not patched. This means that every new vulnerability discovered globally that affects Windows 10 will remain an open door for attackers on unsupported systems. The risk profile of an unsupported Windows 10 PC is not static; it is in constant decline as more zero-day vulnerabilities become public knowledge and are integrated into attacker tools. While some users might believe that “common sense,” a firewall, and an antivirus are sufficient for “a few years,” this approach fails to account for the dynamic and escalating nature of cyber threats. Users who choose to remain on Windows 10 without the ESU programme aren’t just risking a single, isolated attack. They are exposing themselves to an ever-growing and increasingly dangerous attack surface. This means that even with cautious user behaviour, the sheer number of unpatched vulnerabilities will eventually make their system an easy target for malicious actors, drastically increasing the probability of a successful attack over time.
Software Incompatibility and Performance Issues: As the broader tech ecosystem progresses, software developers will inevitably shift their focus to Windows 11 and newer operating systems, leaving Windows 10 behind. This will, over time, cause a number of problems for Windows 10 users:
Slower Performance: The lack of ongoing updates and optimisations can cause the system to slow down, use resources inefficiently, and experience an overall decrease in performance.
Application Crashes: Critical business tools or popular consumer applications that rely on modern system architectures or APIs may cease to function correctly, or at all, hindering day-to-day tasks.
Limited Vendor Support: IT and software vendors are likely to prioritise newer systems like Windows 11, making it difficult and potentially more expensive to find support for Windows 10 issues.
Hardware Upgrade Pressure: Businesses and individuals may face additional challenges if their systems no longer meet the hardware requirements for newer software, forcing them into costly upgrades or replacements.
Compliance and Regulatory Risks (Especially for Businesses): For industries subject to specific security and compliance regulations (e.g., healthcare, finance, government), staying on an unsupported operating system can pose significant risks. Many regulatory frameworks explicitly require companies to use supported, up-to-date software to ensure adequate data protection and security measures. Continuing to use Windows 10 past the end-of-life date could put an organisation at risk of failing audits, which could result in hefty fines, penalties, and even loss of certification.
Delaying the transition to a new operating system does not necessarily mean saving money. In fact, doing so can lead to significantly higher costs in the long run. The section explicitly discusses the “costs of waiting,” listing “emergency upgrades,” “potential downtime,” and “unplanned hardware replacements” as financial consequences. This extends beyond the direct costs of the update itself. The core implication is that delaying the transition doesn’t save money; it merely defers costs, often with significant multipliers due to urgency, disruption, and unforeseen consequences. For businesses, the cost extends far beyond direct financial penalties. A security breach or non-compliance due to an unsupported OS can lead to severe reputational damage, loss of customer trust, legal liability, and long-term operational disruptions that are often far more expensive and difficult to recover from than a planned, proactive upgrade. Delaying the transition is a false economy. It is a deferral of inevitable costs, which are likely to be compounded by unexpected crises, legal repercussions, and reputational damage. Proactively planning and investing now can prevent far greater, unquantifiable losses in the future.
Upgrading to Windows 11 – A Smooth Transition
For many users, the most straightforward and recommended path will be to upgrade to Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest operating system. This option provides continuity in a familiar Windows ecosystem while offering expanded features, enhanced security, and long-term support directly from Microsoft.
Is Your PC Ready for Windows 11? Demystifying the System Requirements
To upgrade directly from an existing Windows 10 installation, your device must be running Windows 10, version 2004 or later, and have the 14 September 2021 security update or later installed. These are preconditions for the upgrade process itself.
Minimum Hardware Requirements for Windows 11: Microsoft has established specific hardware baselines to ensure that Windows 11 delivers a consistent and secure experience. Your computer must meet or exceed the following specifications:
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).
RAM: 4 gigabytes (GB) or more.
Storage: A storage device of 64 GB or greater. Note that additional storage may be required over time for updates and specific features.
System Firmware: UEFI, with Secure Boot capability. This refers to the modern firmware interface that replaces the older BIOS.
TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. This is a cryptographic processor that enhances security.
Graphics Card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
Display: A high-definition (720p) display that is greater than 9 inches diagonally, with 8 bits per colour channel.
Internet Connection and Microsoft Account: Required for Windows 11 Home to complete the initial device setup on first use, and generally essential for updates and certain features.
Key Requirements Nuances (TPM and Secure Boot): These two requirements are often the most common sticking points for users with otherwise capable hardware.
Many PCs shipped within the last 5 years are technically capable of supporting Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 (TPM 2.0), but it may be disabled by default in the UEFI BIOS settings. This is particularly true for retail PC motherboards used by individuals who build their own computers. Secure Boot is an important security feature designed to prevent malicious software from loading during the computer’s startup. Most modern computers are Secure Boot capable, but similar to TPM, there may be settings that make the PC appear not to be Secure Boot capable. These settings can often be changed within the computer’s firmware (BIOS).
The initial “incompatible” message from Microsoft’s PC Health Check app can be misleading for many users, potentially leading them to believe they need to buy a new computer when their existing one is fully capable. The sections repeatedly highlight that TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are often enable-able features on existing hardware but are turned off by default. It states: “Most PCs shipped within the last 5 years are capable of supporting Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 (TPM 2.0).” And “In some cases, PCs capable of TPM 2.0 are not configured to do so.” Similarly, it notes, “Most modern computers are Secure Boot capable, but in some cases, there may be settings that make the PC appear not to be Secure Boot capable.” Educating users on how to check and enable these critical BIOS/UEFI settings is extremely important for a smooth, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly transition to Windows 11, preventing unnecessary hardware waste.
Unlocking Windows 11: A Guide to Checking and Enabling Compatibility
Microsoft provides the PC Health Check app to assess your device’s readiness for Windows 11. This application will indicate if your system meets the minimum requirements.
How to Check Your TPM 2.0 Status:
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialogue box, then type “tpm.msc” (without quotes) and select OK.
If a message appears saying “Compatible TPM not found,” your PC may have the TPM disabled. You’ll need to enable it in the BIOS.
If a TPM is ready for use, check “Specification Version” under the “TPM Manufacturer Information” section to see if it’s version 2.0. If it is lower than 2.0, the device does not meet the Windows 11 requirements.
How to Enable TPM and Secure Boot: These settings are managed via the UEFI BIOS (the computer’s firmware). The exact steps and labels vary depending on the device manufacturer, but the general method of access is as follows:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and select Restart now under the “Advanced startup” section.
On the next screen, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart to apply changes.
In the UEFI BIOS, these settings are sometimes located in a submenu called “Advanced,” “Security,” or “Trusted Computing.”
The option to enable TPM may be labelled as “Security Device,” “Security Device Support,” “TPM State,” “AMD fTPM switch,” “AMD PSP fTPM,” “Intel PTT,” or “Intel Platform Trust Technology.”
To enable Secure Boot, you will typically need to switch your computer’s boot mode from “Legacy” BIOS (also known as “CSM” mode) to “UEFI/BIOS” (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface).
Beyond the Basics: Key Windows 11 Features and Benefits for Different Users
Windows 11 is not just a security update; it introduces a range of new features and enhancements designed to boost productivity, improve the gaming experience, and provide a better overall user experience.
Productivity and UI Enhancements:
Redesigned Shell: Windows 11 features a fresh, modern visual design influenced by elements of the cancelled Windows 10X project. This includes a centred Start menu, a separate “Widgets” panel replacing the old Live Tiles, and new window management features.
Snap Layouts: This feature allows users to easily utilise available desktop space by opening apps in pre-configured layouts that intelligently adjust to the screen size and dimensions, speeding up workflow by an average of 50%.
Desktops: Users can create separate virtual desktops for different projects or work streams and instantly switch between them from the taskbar, which helps with organisation.
Microsoft Teams Integration: The Microsoft Teams collaboration platform is deeply integrated into the Windows 11 UI, accessible directly from the taskbar. This simplifies communication compared to Windows 10, where setup was more difficult. Skype is no longer included by default.
Live Captions: A system-wide feature that allows users to enable real-time live captions for videos and online meetings.
Improved Microsoft Store: The Microsoft Store has been redesigned, allowing developers to distribute Win32 applications, Progressive Web Applications (PWAs), and other packaging technologies. Microsoft also plans to allow third-party app stores (such as the Epic Games Store) to distribute their clients.
Android App Integration: A brand-new feature for Windows, enabling native integration of Android apps into the taskbar and UI via the new Microsoft Store. Users can access around 500,000 apps from the Amazon Appstore, including popular titles such as Disney Plus, TikTok, and Netflix.
Seamless Redocking: When docking or undocking from an external display, Windows 11 remembers how apps were arranged, providing a smooth transition back to your preferred layout.
Voice Typing/Voice Access: While voice typing is available on both systems, Windows 11 introduces comprehensive Voice Access for system navigation.
Digital Pen Experience: Offers an enhanced writing experience for users with digital pens.
Gaming Enhancements: Windows 11 includes gaming technologies from the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, aiming to set a new standard in PC gaming.
DirectStorage: A unique feature that significantly reduces game loading times by allowing game data to be streamed directly from an NVMe SSD to the graphics card, bypassing CPU bottlenecks. This allows for faster gameplay and more detailed, expansive game worlds. It should be noted that Microsoft has confirmed DirectStorage will also be available for Windows 10, but NVMe SSDs are key to its benefits.
Auto HDR: Automatically adds High Dynamic Range (HDR) enhancements to games built on DirectX 11 or later, improving contrast and colour accuracy for a more immersive visual experience on HDR monitors.
Xbox Game Pass Integration: The Xbox app is deeply integrated into Windows 11, providing easy access to the extensive game library for Game Pass subscribers.
Game Mode: The updated Game Mode in Windows 11 optimises performance by concentrating system resources on the game, reducing the utilisation of background applications to free up CPU for better performance.
DirectX 12 Ultimate: Provides a visual uplift for games with features like ray tracing for realistic lighting, variable-rate shading for better performance, and mesh shaders for more complex scenes.
Security and Performance Improvements:
Enhanced Security: Windows 11 features enhanced security protocols, including more secure and reliable connection methods, advanced network security (encryption, firewall protection), and built-in Virtual Private Network (VPN) protocols. It supports Wi-Fi 6, WPA3, encrypted DNS, and advanced Bluetooth connections.
TPM 2.0: Windows 11 includes enhanced security by leveraging the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, an important building block for security-related features such as Windows Hello and BitLocker.
Windows Hello: Provides a secure and convenient sign-in, replacing passwords with stronger authentication methods based on a PIN or biometrics (face or fingerprint recognition).
Smart App Control: This feature provides an extra layer of security, only allowing reputable applications to be installed on the Windows 11 PC.
Increased Speed and Efficiency: Windows 11 is designed to better process information in the background, leading to a smoother overall user experience. Less powerful devices (with less RAM or limited CPU power) might even feel a noticeable increase in performance.
Faster Wake-Up: It claims a faster wake-up from sleep mode.
Smaller Update Sizes:.
Latest Support: As the newest version, Windows 11 benefits from continuous development, including monthly bug fixes, new storage alerts, and feature improvements like Windows Spotlight. This ensures the device remains fully protected and open to future upgrades.
Windows 11 is presented as more than just an incremental upgrade; it is a platform designed for a “hybrid world” and offers “impressive improvements” that “accelerate device performance.” The integration of Android applications, new widgets, advanced security features, and next-generation gaming technologies like Auto HDR and DirectStorage (even if DirectStorage is coming to Windows 10, the full package is in Windows 11), collectively paint a picture of an operating system that is being actively developed with future computing trends in mind. Its continuous updates and development cement its position as a long-term supported platform within the Microsoft ecosystem. For users who want to leverage the latest technologies, integrate their mobile experiences, benefit from ongoing feature development, or simply ensure their system remains current and secure for the foreseeable future, upgrading to Windows 11 is a clear strategic choice. It represents an investment in future productivity, entertainment, and security, not just a necessary reaction to the Windows 10 end-of-life.
Upgrade Considerations: Performance on Older Hardware, Changes in User Experience
While Windows 11 is optimised for performance and may even speed up less powerful devices, it’s important to manage expectations. An older PC that just meets the minimum requirements may not deliver the same “accelerated user experience” as a brand new device designed for Windows 11.
Users should also be prepared for changes to the user interface and workflow. While many find the new design “simple” and “clean,” critics have pointed to changes like the limitations in customising the taskbar and the difficulty in changing default apps as potential steps backwards from Windows 10. A period of adjustment to the new layout and navigation should be expected.
Table: Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: Key Feature Upgrades
Feature Category
Windows 10 Status/Description
Windows 11 Upgrade/Description
User Interface
Traditional Start menu, Live Tiles
Centred Start menu, Widgets panel, new Snap Layouts
DirectStorage (requires NVMe SSD), Auto HDR, enhanced Game Mode, Xbox Game Pass integration, DirectX 12 Ultimate
App Compatibility
No native Android app integration
Native Android app integration via the Microsoft Store
Collaboration
Teams app as a separate install, more difficult setup
Deep Microsoft Teams integration with the taskbar
Performance
Standard background process management
Better background processing, potential performance boost on less powerful devices, faster wake-up
Support
Support ends 14 October 2025
Continuous support, monthly bug fixes, new features
Exploring Alternatives for Incompatible Hardware (and Beyond)
For users whose current hardware doesn’t meet the strict Windows 11 requirements, or for those simply looking for a different computing experience, there are several viable and attractive alternatives. These options can breathe new life into older machines, offer different philosophies on privacy and customisation, or cater to specific professional needs.
The Extended Security Updates (ESU) Programme: A Short-Term Fix
What ESU Offers and Its Critical Limitations: The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme is designed to provide customers with an option to continue receiving security updates for their Windows 10 PCs after the end-of-support date. Specifically, it delivers “critical and important security updates” as defined by the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) for Windows 10 version 22H2 devices. This programme aims to mitigate the immediate risk of malware and cybersecurity attacks for those not yet ready to upgrade.
Critical Limitations: It’s important to understand that ESU does not provide full continuation of support for Windows 10. It explicitly excludes:
New features.
Non-security, customer-requested updates.
Design change requests.
General technical support. Support is only provided for issues directly related to ESU licence activation, installation, and any regressions caused by ESU itself.
Cost and Programme Duration: The ESU programme is a paid service. For individual consumers, Microsoft offers a few sign-up options:
At no extra cost if you sync your PC’s settings to a Microsoft account.
Cashing in 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
A one-time purchase of $30 (or local currency equivalent) plus applicable tax.
All of these sign-up options provide extended security updates until the 13th of October 2026. You can sign up for the ESU programme at any time until its official end on the 13th of October 2026. A single ESU licence can be used on up to 10 devices.
The ESU programme is presented as an “option to extend usage” or “extra time before transitioning to Windows 11.” It explicitly states that ESU only delivers security updates and offers no new features, non-security updates, or general technical support. This means that while the immediate security risk is mitigated, the underlying issues with software incompatibility, lack of performance optimisation, and declining vendor support (detailed in) will persist and likely worsen over time. The operating system becomes a stagnant, patched version of Windows 10, increasingly incompatible with modern software and hardware. The ESU programme is therefore a temporary fix, not a sustainable long-term solution. It is best suited for users who truly need a short grace period (up to one year) to save up for new hardware, plan a more extensive migration, or manage a critical business transition. It should not be viewed as a viable strategy to indefinitely continue using Windows 10, as it merely defers the inevitable need to move to a fully supported and evolving operating system.
Embracing the Open Road: Linux Distributions
For many users with Windows 11 incompatible hardware, or for those looking for greater control, privacy, and performance, Linux offers a robust and diverse ecosystem of operating systems.
Why Linux? Advantages for Performance, Security, and Customisation.
Free and Open Source: The vast majority of Linux distributions are completely free, and nearly all their components are open source. This fosters transparency, community development, and eliminates licensing fees.
Performance on Older Hardware: A significant advantage of many Linux distributions is their ability to run efficiently on older computers with limited RAM or slower processors. They are often streamlined to consume fewer resources than Windows, effectively “resurrecting” seemingly obsolete machines and making them feel snappy.
Security: Linux generally boasts a strong security posture due to its open-source nature (allowing for widespread inspection and rapid patching), robust permission systems, and a smaller target for malware compared to Windows.
Customisation: Linux offers unparalleled customisation options for the user interface, desktop environment, and overall workflow, allowing users to precisely tailor their computing experience to their preferences.
Stability and Reliability: Many distributions are known for being “dependable” and requiring “very little maintenance,” benefiting from the robustness of their underlying Linux architecture.
Community Support: The Linux community is vast, active, and generally welcoming, offering extensive online resources, forums, and willing assistance for new users.
Dual Boot Option: Users can easily install Linux alongside their Windows or macOS system, creating a dual-boot setup that allows them to choose the operating system to use at each startup. This is ideal for testing or for users who need access to both environments.
Choosing Your Linux Companion: Tailored Recommendations for Every User.
For Windows Converts and Daily Use:
Linux Mint (XFCE Edition): This distribution has long been a favourite among Windows converts due to its traditional desktop layout. It is designed to be straightforward and intuitive, making users feel “at home” quickly. Linux Mint includes all the essentials out-of-the-box, such as a web browser, media player, and office suite, making it ready to use without extensive setup. It is described as very user-friendly, highly customisable, and “incredibly fast.”
Zorin OS Lite: Zorin OS Lite stands out for its balance of performance and aesthetics. It has a polished interface that closely resembles Windows, making the transition easy for former Windows users. Even on older systems (even up to 15 years old), Zorin OS Lite provides a surprisingly modern experience without taxing system resources. It comes with essential apps and offers “Windows app support,” allowing users to run many Windows applications.
For Gamers and Power Users:
Pop!_OS: Promoted for STEM professionals and creators, Pop!_OS also provides an “amazing gaming experience.” Key features include “Hybrid Graphics” (allowing users to switch between battery-saving and high-power GPU modes or run individual apps on GPU power) and strong, out-of-the-box support for popular gaming platforms like Steam, Lutris, and GameHub. It offers a simple and colourful layout.
Fedora (Workstation/Games Lab): Fedora Workstation (with GNOME) is the flagship edition, and Fedora also offers “Labs,” such as the “Games” Lab, which is a collection and showcase of games available in Fedora. Fedora tends to keep its kernel and graphics drivers very up to date, which is a significant advantage for gaming performance and compatibility. AMD graphics cards are typically “plug-and-play” on modern Linux distributions like Fedora. While Nvidia cards require “a bit of work,” most major distributions, including Fedora, provide straightforward ways to install Nvidia drivers directly from their software centres.
General Linux Gaming: Gaming on Linux has “infinitely improved” since 2017. Most Linux distributions now perform great for gaming as long as you install Steam and other launchers like Heroic, which leverage compatibility layers like Proton/Proton-GE. Users report being able to play “everything from old Win95 or DOS games all the way up to the latest releases.”
For Reviving Older Hardware (Low-spec PCs):
Puppy Linux: Designed to be extremely small, fast, and portable, Puppy Linux often runs entirely from RAM, allowing it to boot quickly and operate smoothly even on machines that seem hopelessly outdated. Despite its small size, it includes a complete set of applications for browsing, word processing, and media playback.
AntiX Linux: A no-frills distribution specifically designed for low-spec hardware. It is based on Debian but strips away the heavier desktop environments in favour of extremely lightweight window managers (such as IceWM and Fluxbox), keeping resource usage incredibly low (often under 200 MB of idle RAM). Despite its minimalism, AntiX remains surprisingly powerful and stable for daily tasks.
Other Lightweight Options: Linux Lite, Bodhi Linux, LXLE Linux, Tiny Core Linux, and Peppermint OS are also mentioned as excellent choices for older or low-spec hardware.
Software Ecosystem: Office Suites, Creative Tools, and Running Windows Apps.
Office Suites:
LibreOffice: This is the most popular free and open-source office suite available for Linux. It is designed to be compatible with Microsoft Office/365 files, handling popular formats such as .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, and .pptx.
Compatibility Nuances: While it is generally compatible with simple documents, users should be aware that the “translation” between LibreOffice’s Open Document Format and Microsoft’s Office Open XML format is not always perfect. This can lead to imperfections, especially with complex formatting, macros, or when documents are exchanged and modified multiple times. Installing Microsoft Core Fonts on Linux can significantly improve compatibility. For critical documents, users can first test LibreOffice on Windows or use the web version of Microsoft 365 to double-check compatibility before sharing.
Creative Tools:
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): A powerful, free, and open-source raster graphics editor (often considered an alternative to Adobe Photoshop). GIMP provides advanced tools for high-quality photo manipulation, retouching, image restoration, creative compositions, and graphic design elements like icons. It is cross-platform, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Inkscape: A powerful, free, and open-source vector graphics editor (similar to Adobe Illustrator). Inkscape specialises in creating scalable graphics, making it ideal for tasks like logo creation, intricate illustrations, and vector-based designs where precision and quality-lossless scalability are paramount. It is also cross-platform.
Running Windows Applications (Gaming and General Software):
Wine (Wine Is Not an Emulator): A foundational compatibility layer that allows Windows software (including many older games and general applications) to run directly on Linux-based operating systems.
Proton: Developed by Valve in collaboration with CodeWeavers, Proton is a specialised compatibility layer built on a patched version of Wine. It is specifically designed to improve the performance and compatibility of Windows video games on Linux, integrating key libraries like DXVK (for translating Direct3D 9, 10, 11 to Vulkan) and VKD3D-Proton (for translating Direct3D 12 to Vulkan). Proton is officially distributed via the Steam client as “Steam Play.”
ProtonDB: An unofficial community website that crowdsources and displays data on the compatibility of various game titles with Proton, providing a rating scale from “Borked” (doesn’t work) to “Platinum” (works perfectly).
Proton’s Advantages over Pure Wine: Proton is a “tested distribution of Wine and its libraries,” offering a “nice overlay” that helps configure everything to “just work” for many games. It automatically handles dependencies and leverages performance-enhancing translation layers.
Historically, Linux has largely been dismissed as a viable platform for gaming. However, the sections collectively paint a picture of a dramatically improved and increasingly competitive Linux gaming environment. It explicitly states, “Nearly all Linux distros have become infinitely better at gaming since 2017.” This improvement is directly tied to Valve’s significant investment in Proton, which has been a game-changer for Windows game runnability. The emergence of gaming-focused distributions like Pop!_OS and Fedora’s “Games” Lab, along with an active community around ProtonDB, signals a deliberate and successful effort to make Linux a strong contender for gamers. It’s no longer just about “getting games to run” but about achieving an “amazing gaming experience” and “easy, great performance.” For gamers with Windows 11 incompatible hardware, Linux is no longer a last resort but a genuinely competitive and often superior alternative for many titles, especially for those willing to engage with the community and learn a few new tools. This shift is a significant development, challenging the long-held belief of Windows being the only gaming OS.
Key Linux Caveats:
Learning Curve: While distributions like Linux Mint and Zorin OS Lite are designed to be friendly for Windows converts, there can still be an initial learning curve for users completely new to the Linux environment. This often involves understanding package managers, file systems, and different approaches to software installation.
Hardware Driver Support: Modern Linux distributions have vastly improved hardware detection and driver support (e.g., AMD graphics cards are often plug-and-play, and Nvidia drivers are easily available via software tools). However, very new or niche hardware components may still require manual driver installation or troubleshooting, which can be a barrier for less technical users.
Gaming Anti-Cheat Limitations: A significant drawback for multiplayer gaming is that any game that implements kernel-level anti-cheat software will typically not work on Linux. This is because the creators of such anti-cheat systems are often unwilling to support Linux with user-level anti-cheat, citing concerns about preventing cheating. Games like Apex Legends have removed Linux support for this reason. This is a critical limitation for users whose primary gameplay involves such titles.
The entire success and rapid evolution of Linux as a viable desktop OS, particularly in areas like gaming (Proton, DXVK, VKD3D-Proton), is largely attributed to its open, community-driven development model, often amplified by corporate support (e.g., Valve’s investment in Proton). Unlike Windows’s centralised, proprietary development, Linux benefits from a distributed network of developers, which allows for rapid iteration, specialised forks (like Proton GE), and direct feedback from the community (like ProtonDB). This model fosters tremendous flexibility and often bleeding-edge performance, as developers can quickly address issues and implement new technologies. However, this model also means that support for highly proprietary or deeply integrated features (such as kernel-level anti-cheat) is dependent on the willingness of external, often profit-driven, developers to adapt their software, leading to the “limitation” mentioned in. Users embracing Linux are entering a dynamic, evolving ecosystem that offers unparalleled flexibility, privacy, and often superior performance on older hardware. However, it comes with an implicit understanding that while much is delivered out-of-the-box, specific challenges (such as certain proprietary software or anti-cheat) may require a degree of self-reliance, engagement with community resources, or acceptance of limitations. This highlights a fundamental philosophical difference in operating system development and support compared to the traditional proprietary model.
Table: Recommended Linux Distributions for Different User Profiles
User Profile
Recommended Distributions
Key Advantages
Key Caveats/Limitations
Windows Converts / Daily Use
Linux Mint (XFCE Edition), Zorin OS Lite
Friendly interface, out-of-the-box apps, Windows app support (Zorin), snappy performance
Initial learning curve, Zorin OS Lite has a more polished interface than some other lightweight distros
Anti-cheat issues in some online games, Nvidia driver installation may require “a bit of work”
Reviving Older Hardware / Low-Spec PC
Puppy Linux, AntiX Linux, Linux Lite, Bodhi Linux, LXLE Linux, Tiny Core Linux, Peppermint OS
Low resource usage, snappy performance even on very old hardware, Puppy Linux runs from RAM, AntiX is minimalist
More minimalist UI, may require more technical knowledge for setup
Cloud-Powered Rebirth: ChromeOS Flex
ChromeOS Flex is Google’s solution for transforming older Windows, Mac, or Linux devices into secure, cloud-based machines, offering many of the features available on native ChromeOS devices. It is particularly appealing for organisations and individuals looking to extend the life of existing hardware while benefiting from a modern, secure, and easy-to-manage operating system.
Transforming an Old PC into a Secure, Cloud-Based Device.
ChromeOS Flex allows you to install a lightweight, cloud-focused operating system on a variety of existing devices, including older Windows and Mac PCs. This can effectively “resurrect” older machines, making them run significantly faster and more responsively than they would with an outdated or resource-heavy operating system. It provides a familiar, simple, and web-centric computing experience that leverages Google’s cloud services.
System Requirements and Installation Process.
Minimum Requirements for ChromeOS Flex: While ChromeOS Flex can run on uncertified devices, Google does not guarantee performance, functionality, or stability on such systems. For an optimal experience, ensure your device meets the following minimum requirements:
Architecture: Intel or AMD x86-64-bit compatible device (it will not run on 32-bit CPUs).
RAM: 4 GB.
Internal Storage: 16 GB.
Bootable from USB: The system must be capable of booting from a USB drive.
BIOS: Full administrator access to the BIOS is required, as changes may need to be made to boot from the USB installer.
Processor and Graphics: Components manufactured before 2010 may result in a poor experience. Specifically, Intel GMA 500, 600, 3600, and 3650 graphics chipsets do not meet ChromeOS Flex performance standards.
Installation Process: The ChromeOS Flex installation process typically involves two main steps:
Creating a USB Installer: You will need a USB drive of 8 GB or more (all contents will be erased). The recommended method is to use the “Chromebook Recovery Utility” Chrome browser extension on a ChromeOS, Windows, or Mac device. Alternatively, you can download the installer image directly from Google and use a tool such as the dd command-line utility on Linux.
Booting and Installation: Boot the target device using the USB installer you created. You can choose to either install ChromeOS Flex permanently to the device’s internal storage or temporarily run it directly from the USB installer to test compatibility and performance.
Benefits: Robust Security, Simplicity, and Performance on Lower-Spec Hardware.
Robust Security: ChromeOS Flex inherits many of ChromeOS’s strong security features, making it a highly secure option for older hardware:
Read-Only OS: The operating system is read-only, meaning it cannot run traditional executable files (.exe, etc.), which are common hiding places for viruses and ransomware. This reduces the attack surface significantly.
Sandboxing: The system’s architecture is segmented, with each webpage and app running in a confined, isolated environment. This ensures that malicious apps and files are always isolated and cannot access other parts of the device or data.
Automatic Updates: ChromeOS Flex receives full updates every 4 weeks and minor security fixes every 2-3 weeks. These updates operate automatically and in the background, ensuring constant protection against the latest threats without impacting user productivity.
Data Encryption: User data is automatically encrypted at rest and in transit, protecting it from unauthorised access even if the device is lost or stolen.
UEFI Secure Boot Support: While ChromeOS Flex devices do not contain a Google security chip, their bootloader has been checked and approved by Microsoft to optionally support UEFI Secure Boot. This can maintain the same boot security as Windows devices, preventing unknown third-party operating systems from being run.
Simplicity and Performance: ChromeOS Flex provides a streamlined, minimalist, and intuitive user experience. Its “cloud-first” design means it relies less on local processing power, allowing it to perform exceptionally well and fast even on older, low-spec hardware. This makes it an excellent choice for users focused primarily on web browsing, cloud-based productivity, and lightweight computing tasks.
Limitations: Offline Capabilities, App Ecosystem, and Hardware-Level Security Nuances.
While ChromeOS Flex offers many advantages, it’s important to be aware of its limitations, especially compared to a full ChromeOS or traditional desktop operating systems:
Offline Capabilities: As a cloud-focused OS, extensive offline work can be limited without specific web applications that support offline functionality.
App Ecosystem:
Google Play and Android Apps: Unlike full ChromeOS devices, ChromeOS Flex has limited support for Google Play and Android apps. Only some Android VPN apps can be deployed. This means the vast ecosystem of Android apps is largely unavailable.
Windows Virtual Machines (Parallels Desktop): ChromeOS Flex does not support running Windows virtual machines using Parallels Desktop.
Linux Development Environment: Support for the Linux development environment in ChromeOS Flex varies depending on the specific device model.
Hardware-Level Security Nuances:
No Google Security Chip/Verified Boot: ChromeOS Flex devices do not contain a Google security chip, which means the full ChromeOS “verified boot” procedure (a hardware-based security check) is not available. While UEFI Secure Boot is an alternative, it “cannot provide the security guarantees of ChromeOS Verified Boot.”
Firmware Updates: Unlike native ChromeOS devices, ChromeOS Flex devices do not automatically manage and update their BIOS or UEFI firmware. These updates must be supplied by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the device and manually managed by device administrators.
TPM and Encryption: While ChromeOS Flex automatically encrypts user data, not all ChromeOS Flex devices have a supported Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to protect the encryption keys at a hardware level. Without a supported TPM, the data is still encrypted but may be more susceptible to attack. Users should check the certified models list to see for TPM support.
ChromeOS Flex is presented as a highly secure alternative to an unsupported Windows 10, boasting features like a read-only OS, sandboxing, and automatic updates. However, it also details several security features that are either missing or limited compared to a native ChromeOS device: the lack of a Google security chip, the absence of a full ChromeOS Verified Boot (relying instead on the less robust UEFI Secure Boot), and the inconsistent presence of a supported TPM. This implies that while Flex offers significant security improvements over an unpatched Windows 10, it doesn’t achieve the top-tier, hardware-level security found in purpose-built Chromebooks. Users should be aware of this trade-off, understanding that while their older hardware gets a new lease of life and better protection, it won’t have the identical level of security as a newer, dedicated ChromeOS device.
General Best Practices for Operating System Migration
Regardless of the path you choose, the process of migrating an operating system requires careful planning and adherence to best practices to minimise risk and ensure a smooth transition.
Data Backup
Before any operating system change, including an upgrade or clean installation, it is crucial to perform a full system image backup. Data is vulnerable to unforeseen complications during the upgrade process, making a preventative backup a sound choice. This safeguards critical files, applications, and personalised settings, ensuring a smooth transition and the ability to restore your digital environment in the event of unexpected issues.
You should use disk imaging technology, not just file copying. Operating systems like Windows are complex, and some data (e.g., passwords, preferences, app settings) exists outside of regular files. A full disk image copies every bit of data, including files, folders, programmes, patches, preferences, settings, and the entire operating system, enabling a complete system and app restoration to a new operating system. You should also remember to account for hidden partitions that may contain important system restore data.
Software Compatibility Check
Prior to migration, you should thoroughly check that all the applications and software you use are compatible with the new operating system. Incompatibility can lead to data loss, corruption, or inaccuracies, affecting the new system’s reliability and integrity. It is recommended to perform compatibility tests in a sandbox environment or a virtual machine to identify potential issues before the actual migration. The testing should cover various hardware configurations, software, and networks to ensure smooth operation.
Driver Considerations
A clean installation of an operating system will remove all drivers from the computer. While modern operating systems have enough generic drivers to get a basic system up and running, they will lack the specialised hardware drivers needed to run newer network cards, 3D graphics, and other components. It is recommended to have the drivers for key components like your network cards (Wi-Fi and/or wired) ready so that after the OS installation you can connect to the Internet to download the rest of the drivers. Drivers should be downloaded from the official websites of the hardware manufacturers to avoid performance issues or malware infections.
Phased Approach and Testing
An effective migration strategy should include a phased approach, breaking the process down into manageable stages. Each phase should have clearly defined goals and a rollback strategy in case issues arise. Before the migration, thorough testing should be conducted to identify potential problems and adjust configurations. After the migration, intensive monitoring and “hyper-care” support are essential to resolve any issues quickly and ensure the system stabilises in the new environment.
User Training (for Organisations)
For organisations, deployment preparation should include providing contextual training for end-users to quickly familiarise employees with the new systems and tasks. Creating IT sandbox environments for new applications can provide hands-on training for end-users, enabling employees to learn by doing without the risks of using live software.
Conclusion
The end of support for Windows 10 on the 14th of October 2025 represents an unavoidable turning point for all users. Continuing to use an unsupported operating system brings serious and escalating risks to security, performance, and compliance, which will only worsen over time. Delaying the migration decision is not a saving, but a deferral of costs that could be significantly higher in the event of unplanned outages or security breaches.
For the majority of users whose hardware meets the minimum requirements, the most logical and future-proof solution is to upgrade to Windows 11. This system not only offers continuity within the familiar Microsoft environment but also provides significant improvements in user interface, productivity (e.g., Snap Layouts, Teams integration), gaming features (DirectStorage, Auto HDR), and most importantly, security (TPM 2.0, Smart App Control). Many PCs that initially seem incompatible can be made ready for Windows 11 through simple setting changes in the BIOS/UEFI, avoiding unnecessary spending on new hardware. Windows 11 is an investment in long-term stability, performance, and access to the latest technologies.
For those whose hardware doesn’t meet the Windows 11 requirements, or for users seeking alternative experiences, other equally valuable paths are available. The Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme for Windows 10 offers short-term security protection until October 2026, but this is only a temporary fix that does not address software compatibility issues and the lack of new features.
Linux distributions provide a robust and flexible alternative, capable of breathing new life into older hardware. They offer high performance, unmatched customisation, strong security, and a rich ecosystem of free software (e.g., LibreOffice, GIMP, Inkscape). Thanks to the development of Proton, Linux has also become a surprisingly competitive gaming platform, although certain limitations (e.g., kernel-level anti-cheat) still exist. Distributions such as Linux Mint and Zorin OS Lite are ideal for those transitioning from Windows, while Pop!_OS and Fedora will cater to the needs of gamers and advanced users.
ChromeOS Flex is another option that allows you to transform older computers into lightweight, secure, and cloud-based devices. This is an excellent solution for users who value simplicity, speed, and solid security, although it comes with certain limitations regarding offline capabilities and Android app access.
Regardless of the choice, a proactive approach is key. Any migration should be preceded by a complete data backup, a thorough software compatibility check, and preparation of the necessary drivers. Adopting a phased approach with testing before and after the migration will minimise the risk of disruptions.
The end of support for Windows 10 is not just the end of an era, but also an opportunity to modernise, optimise, and adapt your computing environment to individual needs and the challenges of the future. Making an informed choice of operating system in 2025 is crucial for your computer’s security, performance, and usability for years to come.
