I don't care that Microsoft is extending Windows 10's support, I'm still moving to Linux

Around a week ago, I published a piece on why I refused to upgrade to Windows 11 and what I would do instead. Well, during the writing and publication of that piece, Microsoft announced that it was offering a few new ways for Windows 10 users to extend their support. While the original plan was for everyone to pay an annual fee, the new options were totally free of charge and allowed anyone to extend without paying a cent.

So, everything's good, and I can continue using Windows 10, right? Well, no. While the idea of a free security update extension is tempting, I'm simply not going to take the company up on the offer. So, here's why I'm still making the jump over to Linux, even though Windows 10 will get a free boost to its lifespan.

The endgame for Microsoft and Windows users is still Windows 11

Putting off the inevitable

Let's be honest, here. While it would be lovely for Microsoft to throw their hands in their air, declare its surrender, then give everyone free security updates for Windows 10 forever, it's just not going to happen. Eventually, Microsoft is going to put its foot down and declare that enough is enough, allowing Windows 10 to fall out of support and driving people over to Windows 11 instead.

Well, given how I don't want to use Windows 11, it does mean that the Windows 10 security patch extension is just a way to put off the inevitable. If I really, truly wanted to dodge Windows 11, I would have to move to a different system altogether.

The Windows 11 push is going to get even worse

And you thought it was bad now

So, let's say you're Microsoft. You want people to purchase your shiny new PCs and Surface devices, preferably your pretty Copilot+ ones. However, some people don't want to. They want to stick with their older Windows 10 PCs. So you throw them a bone and give them a few more years of security support.

I'm going to go ahead and assume that Microsoft will stick by its guns and will only release security patches during the extension. There will be no new features, no new tools, and nothing fun or flashy added. When a security issue comes along, you'll get a patch to fix it, and that's your lot. On the other hand, Windows 11 is going to continue getting new features and tools to make the operating system better.

So, you have a bunch of people who aren't upgrading but are in the middle of a feature drought. What do you do? Simple: Dangle the carrot. Show the people on Windows 10 just what they're missing out on with Windows 11. That means more ads built directly into Windows 10, so its users can't avoid them—no thanks for me.

The options to get a security extension involve investing in Microsoft or its products

Not much point when I'm going to leave anyway

In case you're unaware, Microsoft has, at the time of writing, confirmed three ways for Windows 10 users to add a year of security support:

• Use Windows Backup to sync your settings to OneDrive.
• Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
• Pay $30.

So, either you directly pay for your upgrade, or you invest some time and effort into some of Microsoft's products. Neither of these feels like great options for me, given that I'll be abandoning ship for Linux as soon as my Windows 10 machine loses support. It'd make a lot more sense for me to refuse the upgrade and make the swap than give Microsoft any more of my time and money, especially if I was going to ditch it all eventually anyway when it's time to move to Windows 11.

Linux Mint is far more exciting

Like a breath of fresh air

So, let's compare my options when Windows 10 reaches the end-of-life date. I could either continue using Windows 10, which will be bereft of new features, and will only receive new security patches to keep it ticking over like the embers of a once-roaring fire. Or, I can make the jump over to Linux Mint, where new stuff is getting added and people are creating great things for the operating system for absolutely no charge.

Let's face it: Linux Mint is going to be far more exciting once Windows 10 is on its last legs. I don't want to be stuck on an operating system that's stuck in time, feature-wise; I want to see new tools and advancements. So, it just makes sense to switch to Linux once Windows 10 loses support.

The end is the end for my Windows 10 stint

I appreciate the fact that Microsoft added two new ways for people to extend their Windows 10 security support for free. However, given how I'm not a fan of Windows 11, and how Linux Mint has been tempting me lately, I'm going to have to say no.