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SILICON SILIC CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Publisher/Editor Nicholas Vinen Technical Editor John Clarke – B.E.(Elec.) Technical Staff Bao Smith – B.Sc. Tim Blythman – B.E., B.Sc. Advertising Enquiries (02) 9939 3295 adverts<at>siliconchip.com.au Regular Contributors Allan Linton-Smith Dave Thompson David Maddison – B.App.Sc. (Hons 1), PhD, Grad.Dip.Entr.Innov. Geoff Graham Associate Professor Graham Parslow Dr Hugo Holden – B.H.B, MB.ChB., FRANZCO Ian Batty – M.Ed. Phil Prosser – B.Sc., B.E.(Elec.) Cartoonist Louis Decrevel loueee.com Founding Editor (retired) Leo Simpson – B.Bus., FAICD Silicon Chip is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. ACN 626 922 870. ABN 20 880 526 923. All material is copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Subscription rates (Australia only) 6 issues (6 months): $70 12 issues (1 year): $130 24 issues (2 years): $245 Online subscription (Worldwide) 6 issues (6 months): $52.50 12 issues (1 year): $100 24 issues (2 years): $190 For overseas rates, see our website or email silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au * recommended & maximum price only Editorial office: Unit 1 (up ramp), 234 Harbord Rd, Brookvale, NSW 2100. Postal address: PO Box 194, Matraville, NSW 2036. Phone: (02) 9939 3295. ISSN: 1030-2662 Printing and Distribution: 9 Kendall Street, Granville NSW 2142 2 Silicon Chip Editorial Viewpoint Staying on Windows 10 Microsoft wants everyone who uses Windows 10 to switch to Windows 11, but I don’t want to for several reasons. Even after Microsoft’s official support ends in October 2025, there are ways to keep Windows 10 secure so that you can still use it if you want to. Don’t be bullied into “upgrading” if you don’t want to. First, let’s quickly consider why you might not want to switch to Windows 11. The first is if it doesn’t support your computer hardware. Frankly, I think many of Microsoft’s hardware requirements for Windows 11 are ridiculous. The only logical explanation I can come up with for them is that they also sell hardware and they want you to throw away a perfectly usable computer and spend more money to get a new one. I don’t know about you, but I find that kind of forced obsolescence quite offensive; I like to continue using hardware as long as it still works well enough. I could switch on TPM in the BIOS and install Windows 11 but I don’t want to for the following reasons. I consider having to sign into your own computer using a Microsoft account to be an invasion of privacy. I want to be able to use my computer ‘offline’, as a self-contained device, not as some part of Microsoft’s network where they collect data on me. I’m willing to pay for software like Windows, but only if I can own it, and if I have to sign into an account to use it, I don’t consider that ownership. Another reason is that I don’t want some of the new “features” like Windows CoPilot or their other AI nonsense built into my operating system. We should be able to decide what software we want to run on our computers, not have it forced down our throats. There’s also the fact that Windows 10 does everything I need, so why would I want to switch to something new? Say you want to stay on Windows 10 for some or all of those reasons. What do you do? Microsoft are offering Extended Security Updates for three years but they are expensive, at $95 + $190 + $380 = $665 per computer over those three years. There must be better options. Another one is to switch to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, which is supported until 2027. However, that isn’t very far away anymore. I think there is a better way. I am going to sign up for the 0patch service (https://0patch.com) for Windows 10, which promises to address any significant security vulnerabilities that are discovered for €24.95 (about $41) per machine per year. There is a free tier, but I think it’s worth paying for the Pro version (for us, at least). I think the price is reasonable, and they install the patches in the background, while you’re using your computer, so you don’t need to reboot for patches any more (yay!). They are promising to provide these patches for at least five more years. I suspect it will be longer, as many people like me will want to remain on Windows 10 for as long as possible. I suppose some people could be concerned about giving the 0patch software full access to their computer’s memory. However, many programs require that, like anti-virus software, the infamous CrowdStrike and even many games these days (for ‘anti-cheat’). I guess it comes down to who you trust. My fingers are crossed that 0patch are as trustworthy as, say, Microsoft. Why don’t I switch to Linux? I actually use it quite extensively, but I need a Windows computer to run important software that is not yet available on Linux (and emulating it gives a poor result). If you just need a computer for email, web browsing, writing documents and such, Linux is a great option. Cover background image: https://unsplash.com/photos/aerial-view-of-ocean-qztBRIrU1FM Australia's electronics magazine by Nicholas Vinen siliconchip.com.au