Microsoft has stopped supporting **Windows 10** on October 14, 2025. Your PC continues to start and function, but it no longer receives security updates unless it is enrolled in the ESU program. There is an ESU program that extends security updates, now until October 12, 2027. Microsoft has added a second year to this extension, which was originally set to end on October 13, 2026. If your PC is still functioning, you will need to consider another solution by then. In France and the rest of the European Economic Area, enrollment in the ESU program is free: it is sufficient to log in to Windows with a Microsoft account, and then reconnect to it at least once every 60 days. Elsewhere, Microsoft requires activating Windows Backup (settings synchronization), spending 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or paying $30 (approximately €28) before taxes. The protection lasts until October 12, 2027, and a PC already enrolled is automatically extended. According to the association Stop Planned Obsolescence (HOP), 400 million computers incompatible with **Windows 11** are at risk of ending up in landfills worldwide, and up to 22 percent of the stock in France. These PCs remain blocked under Windows 10. Fortunately, there is a solution: installing a **GNU/Linux** distribution. We will help you. Why choose Linux on a daily basis? Forget the clichés. Modern versions resemble Windows, are manipulated with a mouse and do not require any technical skills. For surfing, writing documents or watching videos, it works exactly the same. The great fear when talking about Linux? Having to type mysterious lines of command. Reassure yourself, it's all over. **Ubuntu**, **Linux Mint** and others function entirely with a mouse. You want to install a software? You click in an application store, like on a smartphone. That's it. The famous terminal still exists, but you can completely ignore it. Some use it by choice once they know the system better. But to start? No need to touch it. The software? They are there too. **LibreOffice** replaces Word and Excel and opens your Office files. **Firefox**, **Chrome**, **Spotify**, **Discord**, **Zoom**: everything functions normally. **GIMP** does advanced photo editing. **VLC** still plays everything. For professional software, it depends. The Adobe suite remains a problem, it's true. However, **DaVinci Resolve** handles video editing and **Krita** handles drawing. Need a specific Windows software? You can launch it with **Wine**, or keep Windows with dual boot for rare cases. Wine / Winlator / WineHQ Does your printer work? Very likely. Linux automatically detects the majority of recent printers, without having to install drivers manually. You plug it in, it works. No need to search for an installation CD. The brands **HP** and **Brother** are the champions of compatibility. **Canon** and **Epson** also provide their drivers. Before buying a new printer, check on the **OpenPrinting** website that it is compatible. Your keyboards, mice, webcams and external hard drives? All plug and work directly. The **Xbox**, **PlayStation** and **Switch** controllers also work. The **AMD** and **Intel** graphics cards: no problem. **Nvidia** requires installing its proprietary driver, which **Mint**, **Ubuntu** or **Pop!_OS** offer with a few clicks. "Linux is not for gaming": this phrase is from ten years ago. Today, the situation has radically changed. **Steam** offers thousands of games compatible with Linux. **Proton**, Valve's technology, runs most Windows games directly under Linux without any tinkering. The big titles work. **Cyberpunk 2077**, **Elden Ring**, **Counter-Strike 2**, **Baldur's Gate 3** run perfectly. Multiplayer games with anti-cheat? It depends. **Fortnite**, **Valorant** and **Destiny 2** refuse Linux: **Bungie** deliberately blocks its game under Proton, although its anti-cheat **BattlEye** is compatible. Anti-cheats that run at the core of the system ("kernel-level") of games such as **Fortnite**, **Valorant** or, since late 2024, **Apex Legends** deliberately block Linux. If one of these titles is your daily, dual booting with Windows remains the only reliable solution. **Steam Deck**, Valve's portable console, runs under Linux. All "Steam Deck Verified" games therefore work under Linux. It is a practical indicator. Check **ProtonDB** before buying a game: this community website lists the compatibilities and the possible settings. **Lutris** and **Heroic Games Launcher** install your **Epic Games**, **GOG**, **itch.io** and **Battle.net** games in a few clicks. These free launchers automatically manage the complex settings. **Minecraft** and **Rocket League** run without any issues. **League of Legends**, on the other hand, no longer launches under Linux since the arrival of the anti-cheat **Vanguard** in April 2024. The emulators also work perfectly for your old consoles. Which Linux distribution to choose? "Linux" groups many different versions called "distributions." Each has its style. For someone coming from Windows, some really make life easier. **Linux Mint**: the best choice to start. Seriously. Its interface copies that of Windows with a Start menu, a taskbar. You will not be lost. Mint includes everything you need from the installation: the codecs to play your videos, the useful drivers. It is the distribution that most resembles Windows. Protect your digital life with **Bitdefender**, the trusted European protection. **Bitdefender** protects you against web scams and frauds. Enjoy your online activities in peace. **Ubuntu**: the world reference. Millions of people use it. Its **GNOME** interface differs more from Windows, but it is modern and elegant. The huge advantage of Ubuntu? Its gigantic community. You will find answers to all your questions. Tutorials are abundant. The updates are guaranteed for five years. **Fedora**: for the curious. A step above in technicality, **Fedora** offers the latest Linux innovations. It is suitable if you want to explore and learn. Sponsored by **Red Hat**, it benefits from solid support. The updates come out every six months. **Bazzite**: for gamers. This distribution optimizes Linux for gaming. **Steam** is preinstalled, the support for controllers is perfect. Some games even run better than under Windows, we tested it on an **Asus ROG Ally**. **Bazzite** also works very well for regular use: office work, web, everything. **Zorin OS**: even closer to Windows than Mint. **Zorin** pushes mimicry to the extreme with an interface almost identical to **Windows 10** or 11. Perfect if you want absolutely no disorientation. The Lite version exists for old PCs. **Zorin** includes preconfigured **Wine** to easily launch Windows applications. **Pop!_OS**: the choice of creatives and gamers. Developed by **System76**, **Pop!_OS** shines for gaming and demanding tasks. The **Nvidia** drivers install automatically. The interface is modern and efficient. Excellent for video editing or programming. **MX Linux**: to give new life to old computers. Your machine is ten years old? **MX Linux** will revive it. Ultra light, stable and fast even on old hardware. Based on **Debian**, it benefits from great reliability. Simple but complete interface. **Arch Linux**, forget if you are beginning. This distribution requires installing everything manually, line by line, without a graphical interface. You build your system piece by piece. Total control, yes. But the necessary knowledge? High. Alternatives such as **Manjaro** or **EndeavourOS** offer **Arch** with a graphical installation. They remain complicated to start. Start rather with **Mint** or **Ubuntu**. **EndeavourOS**: simplified **Arch Linux**. For those who want **Arch** without the complexity. Easy graphical installation, permanently up-to-date system, friendly community. A good compromise between power and accessibility. Still more technical than **Mint** or **Ubuntu**. The installation: back up first, install later Before touching anything, back up your data. Even if everything usually goes well, a mishap remains possible. Protecting your files will prevent you from getting cold sweats. What really counts? Your documents, photos, videos, browser favorites, passwords. If you use **OneDrive**, **Google Drive** or **Dropbox**, your files are already there. Otherwise, take an external hard drive or a large USB key. Copy your important folders onto it. On Windows, they are in C:\Users\YourName\Documents, Images, Videos. Export your favorites from your browser (option in the settings). If you use a password manager, export it as well. Note your Wi-Fi password if needed. Take a photo of your Windows desktop to remember it. List the software you use every day to check if they exist under Linux. Make several copies of your important stuff. An external drive plus a cloud copy is ideal. How to test safely with the live mode All modern versions of Linux allow testing the system without installing anything. Zero danger. Your hard drive remains intact. Download the ISO file of the chosen distribution on its official website. **Ubuntu**, **Mint** and **Fedora** offer direct downloads. Make sure to get the correct 32 or 64-bit version. Then create a bootable USB key. You will need a USB key of at least 8 GB (note, all its content will be erased). Under Windows with **Rufus**: Download **Rufus** for free on rufus.ie Insert your USB key Launch **Rufus** (no installation needed) **Rufus** automatically detects your key in "Device" Click on "Select" and choose your downloaded ISO file Leave the other options as default (Partition scheme GPT, Destination system UEFI) Click on "Start" If a window appears with "ISOHybrid Write Mode," choose "Write in ISO Image Mode (Recommended)" Confirm that you accept to erase the key Wait 5 to 10 minutes Under macOS with **balenaEtcher**: Download **balenaEtcher** on etcher.balena.io Install and launch the application Click on "Flash from file" and select your ISO Click on "Select target" and choose your USB key Click on "Flash!" and enter your administrator password Wait for the operation to finish Restart your PC with the USB plugged in. At startup, you must access the boot menu (Boot Menu): How to access the Boot Menu: Restart your computer As soon as the screen lights up, press the appropriate key several times: F12 (HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer for the most part) F11 (some Acer models) F2 (some Asus models) F9 (some HP models) Escape then F9 (HP) Delete (MSI, Gigabyte) A menu appears listing the boot devices Select your USB key (often named "USB-HDD," "Kingston," "SanDisk" depending on your brand) Press Enter If Secure Boot blocks: Most PCs delivered with **Windows 10** or 11 have Secure Boot enabled. **Ubuntu**, **Linux Mint** and **Fedora** start normally with it; if your key does not start anyway: Restart and enter the BIOS/UEFI (usually F2 or Delete at startup) Look for "Secure Boot" in the menus (often in Security or Boot) Disable it (Disabled) Save (usually F10) and restart Try the Boot Menu again As long as you do not install anything, everything functions in temporary mode from the USB key: nothing is changed on your hard drive. If the experience convinces you, proceed to the permanent installation. Once Linux is loaded, explore freely. Open **Firefox**, test **LibreOffice**, connect to Wi-Fi. Your Windows files remain there, intact. Click on the "Install" (or "Install") icon present on the desktop. It is only from this point that Linux will be really installed on your computer. The assistant guides you. Language, time zone, keyboard: you choose. For the installation, two options: erase the entire disk (simple, for a 100% Linux PC) or install alongside Windows (you choose at startup). Create your account with a good password. The installation copies the files, count 15 to 30 minutes. A progress bar shows the progress. You can continue to explore the Live system during this time. When it is done, a window asks you to restart. Click on "Restart now." Remove the USB key when asked, then press Enter. It's ready, your Linux starts! To go further: partitioning and dual boot **Windows 10** - Linux Users who want more control can manually partition their disk. This method requires a bit of understanding but offers more flexibility. Linux organizes its disk differently from Windows. The / partition contains the system. The /home partition stores your personal files. By separating the two, you can reinstall the system without losing your data. During the installation, choose "Other" or "Manual." On a typical 256 GB disk: a 512 MB EFI partition, a 50 GB root partition for the system, 8 GB swap, and the rest for /home. This configuration isolates your data. A system problem? Just reinstall the system part, your files remain calm in /home. To keep Windows and Linux together, first resize the Windows partition from Windows (Disk Management). Free up at least 50 GB. The Linux installer will see this free space and propose to use it. At startup, a menu will let you choose Windows or Linux. After installation, install the proprietary drivers if necessary (especially Nvidia). Enable third-party repositories for **Chrome** or **Steam**. Set up automatic backups with **Timeshift**. Customize the appearance to your taste. Your first steps under Linux The first days resemble any change: a few habits to get back, a few differences to understand. Allow yourself two weeks to get used to it. Explore the file manager. It works like the Windows explorer. Visit the application store to discover the available software. Install progressively what you need. Add your online accounts in the settings: Google, Microsoft or others to synchronize your calendars and contacts. Import your browser favorites. Connect to your usual services. Choose a nice wallpaper. Linux communities help a lot. The **Ubuntu-fr** forums, the **Mint** forum and **Reddit** r/linuxquestions are full of people ready to help. The **Arch Linux** wiki explains everything in detail (even if you do not use Arch). **YouTube** is full of tutorials. The official documentation of each distribution is the first place to look. **Ubuntu** has everything translated into French. **Linux Mint** offers a clear PDF guide. Never hesitate to ask questions: the spirit of free software is precisely sharing. Keep an open mind. Linux works differently, not less well. Some things are done differently than with Windows. This difference quickly becomes an advantage: more freedom, fewer limitations. The end of **Windows 10**? It is the perfect opportunity to discover a mature, high-performance system that respects your privacy.