Solved How long can I keep using Window 10?

Pesala

I have paused update for seven days, but I would like to pause it forever.

I have to use Windows because I need my software that only works on Windows. Don't even mention Linux or other Operating Systems.
No doubt Windows Defender and Firewall will continue to do their job for a while yet.

Pathduck

@Pesala I really don't know, but I plan on using it for as long as I'm able to, several years if possible. Unless I for some reason have to buy a new system that comes with Win11 preinstalled. I have zero need to use Win11 and it's not supported on my hardware anyway.

I have paused update for seven days, but I would like to pause it forever.

There are some tools that do this, I use these myself but I have not disabled Updates and wouldn't really recommend it (after all, Win10 is still supported):

Winaero Tweaker:
https://winaero.com/winaero-tweaker/

Ultimate Windows Tweaker:
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/ultimate-windows-tweaker-4-windows-10

These tools come with some neat features as well, so be sure to check out the other options.

Probably I will end up like those Win7 holdout in the end - and getting angry when Vivaldi/Chromium drops support for Win10

DoctorG

@Pesala Windows Home and Pro has end of support on Oct 2025 as stated on Windows 10 Home and Pro - Microsoft LifeCycle.
I do not know if there are tweaks as with Windows 7 in the past where you could get longer updates.

Pathduck

@Pesala I really don't know, but I plan on using it for as long as I'm able to, several years if possible. Unless I for some reason have to buy a new system that comes with Win11 preinstalled. I have zero need to use Win11 and it's not supported on my hardware anyway.

I have paused update for seven days, but I would like to pause it forever.

There are some tools that do this, I use these myself but I have not disabled Updates and wouldn't really recommend it (after all, Win10 is still supported):

Winaero Tweaker:
https://winaero.com/winaero-tweaker/

Ultimate Windows Tweaker:
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/ultimate-windows-tweaker-4-windows-10

These tools come with some neat features as well, so be sure to check out the other options.

Probably I will end up like those Win7 holdout in the end - and getting angry when Vivaldi/Chromium drops support for Win10

Zalex108

Hi,
W11 does not works bad at all.

Despite I know the waste of time setting up a new OS just because we are forced to it.

You can do it Manually or as mentioned with WinAeroTweaker.

The WindowsXLite.com versions I've tested comes without updates til 2099

But there are update packs on its website.

Catweazle

Theoretically W10 support ends in 2025, although I don't think so, since there are still many modern equipment, like my laptop, that claim not to be compatible with W11. For this reason, I think it will happen as with W7, whose end of support was also extended for many more years. There will be too many users who are going to send MS to comb the desert and moving to Linux, when really W10 loses support in 2025, MS knows this too.

@Pathduck , I use this one, it's the best i tried

https://github.com/hellzerg/optimizer

Dancer18

@Zalex108 That is very interesting: A WindowsXLite version.
Never heard of it so far. However, I'm a Linuxer.
I'm wondering why they can modify Windows legally.

You said you've tested it. Would you recommend it?

Zalex108

@Dancer18

There are some tools to Remove/Disable Features/Settings.
Either from Windows or 3rd Party.

NTLite would be one of the most popular among others for small companies and below.

About those XLite, for the moment I've tested a couple.

They work fine taking on count the extra steps related to Updates.

There are different versions, very lite for low end or players and some others with mostly everything W11 is built in.

They have couple of paid Apps like Menu already added and hidden settings ViveTool installed.

For the License,
Noticed one is activated (UltraLite), not sure now if Patched or Testing time.
The other, (XPro), has to be licensed.

--

For some users with old HW those are probably much better that the Default W10/11 or use tools to remove "Features" and Apps they will never use or remove once installed.

Many Win Apps are already removed, mostly all.
And ISO is smaller and the install time shorter.

--

I would recommend it for low end devices and techie users wanting part of the work already done, but advice to read the full info about what's removed.
Restore points for some versions are missing and I consider them important enough.

So this needs some work also to make them ready.

--

Pesala

@Pathduck said in How long can I keep using Window 10?:

Winaero Tweaker:

I have installed that. Hopefully, that will prevent nags to update to Windows 11.

Zalex108

@Pesala

Do they appeared already?
If so, they would be already installed as a service/task and entry point at start up.

Then they have to be disabled.

Pesala

@Zalex108 I did a System Restore back to February 6th to avoid such issues.

Current Windows version is as in my forum signature.

I have now disabled windows updates from services.msc. Next time I reboot, that should fix it for a bit longer. Currently, updates are paused for seven days.

Pathduck

@Pesala said in How long can I keep using Window 10?:

I have installed that. Hopefully, that will prevent nags to update to Windows 11.

Yeah. I haven't seen any and I haven't even got that setting enabled. But I think I might've set it in some other "tweaking" app, maybe ShutUp10. I just wanted it to stop nagging, but not disable Updates.

One thing to note about such tweaks, they often use Group Policies, so you will see stuff like this:

It just means GPOs are applied to these settings, and sometimes the GPOs will stop you from reverting any settings manually outside the tweaking apps. Just important to know about.

Zalex108

@Pesala

Then this would be better for you

https://pitstop.manageengine.com/portal/en/community/topic/steps-to-block-the-upgrade-to-windows-11-notification-in-windows-10-systems-24-1-2022

Catweazle

@Zalex108 , remember that also in W11 GodMode still works, there you have ALL settings without the need of third party tools

1 Create a new folder in the Desktop or anywhere you want

2 Rename it to

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Done, the folder icon had change it's aspect and when you open it, you see a list of more than 200 different settings, sorted by topics.
Yo can change it's name to anything else instead o GodMode, but not the part after the point.

Zalex108

@Catweazle

Yes

But those ViveTools aren't there AFAIK, are settings related to Tabs in Explorer, Transparency... And some others W11 specific.

Catweazle

@Zalex108 , that is also in the mencioned Optimizer, it's clear that GodMode only have the standard settings, but it's enough to declutter Windows and make it mor privacy friendly, which in most cases is enough. Transparencies and UI setting are already in the normal configuration, The original File Explorer is anyway better to use instead Double Commander (FOSS, double panel, file sync and a lot of more features (even more with plugins) than the one of Windows).
I use also Rainmeter, which permits to customize even more the Windows UI to your like, if you want, also FOSS. A lot of themes in the homepage and also in DeviantArt, if you don't want to create an own one, all these you can modify with scripts in clear text.

Zalex108

@Catweazle

They may share some settings but not all of them.

Windows themes are still at Windows Level...
The first thing I had to do was to download a Dark theme.

Not so cool as W7's yet.

As Explorer I use Q-Dir and QTTabBar.

Catweazle

My current desktop in Windows with dark theme and transparent task bar (by Rainmeter)

alt text

Eggcorn

@Pesala Why would you pause your Windows updates?

Catweazle

@Eggcorn , I think also that desactivate the updates isn't a good idea, because it incluyed security patches and Defender definitions, which are important. At least in my case I update frecuently, at least 1-2 times/month, it dosn't change anything in my privacy and other settings, I only desactivate that Windows update is automatic, apart of the telemetries, services I don't need and other crap.

Eggcorn

@Catweazle Hence, why I'm baffled as to why Peaala wants to pause his updates. I'd need to know why he's doing this, before I can give him advice.