No. You didn’t miss it, Draclvr, sorry. It was MY mistake. I apparently wasn’t concentrating hard enough

I don't recall it saying when you had to apply for it but (and I may have mis-understood this part, of course) it says that if you apply for it the 2nd year, that you then have to also pay for the 1st year. And, you cannot apply for just a half year or whatever, so doing so by Oct 2025 makes sense.

Fogfighter, I will do as you are, get a new computer with Win 11 and keep this Win 10 for as long as it works to game on. I still use my Win 7 for gaming. The games just need to be downloaded prior to disconnecting from the internet though.

I just feel that if they can roll these updates out for people who are paying them, they can roll them out for everybody. Again, just my opinion!

"When" you have the availability to apply is the part I misread, oldbroad

When and if I ever update my OS, I will probably be getting Windows 12. We have had both a Windows 10 and a Windows 11 computer, and there is nothing about Windows 11 that I like better than Windows 10 - quite the contrary. I like Windows 7 better than both, and XP even more though, so consider the source.

I just asked my son if he found that there was any improvement in Windows 11 over Windows 10, and he said the only feature he could think of that is more convenient is that it allows you to more easily buy things you don't want anyway.

So how do you intend to continue using your Win10 computer once Microsoft support ends, Marian ??

Is a fully tested and reliable version of Win12 available now ??

No Windows 12 as yet. Based on what I have read, it seems likely that it will be between September 2025 and the spring of 2026. We shall see.

We will be taking the Windows 10 offline when the time seems right and then using it as a backup. I usually continue to use an OS for at least some time after the Microsoft official support ends, though, and I've never had a problem doing that.

I wouldn't mind to go directly to Win 12 so I don't have to buy another computer in 5 years again. I wish there was a firm date for release.

Marian, your wording regarding going offline is perfect!

Thanks for that, Marian

I intend to carry on using my Win10 machine for as long as possible, also

My current thoughts are just to get a cheapish laptop for a Win11 OS, if necessary, with sufficient protection installed to allow internet banking and such like.

And carry on using my Win10, 7 and XP machines for already owned games .... of which I have zillions that I absolutely enjoy !!

Recent-ish new releases have not been appealing to me very much. Their subject matters or game controls not being my cup of tea at all.

Of course, if something fabulous gets released that I must have a re-think of that strategy might raise its head !!

That all sounds good to me, Mad.

Ob, hopefully there will be an official release date for Windows 12 by the third quarter of this year.

Thanks, again, Marian 😑

Perhaps this will be of aid . In my several actually , upgrades to Win 11 Pro , I've eventually returned to Win 10 Pro . I just couldn't quite wrap my head around the rather draconian system requirements for Win 11 . & 11 didn't do anything that 10 could do . I know I may need to go to Win 11 eventually , unless I install a second drive , for maybe a Linux distro for day to day needs .

TPM 2.0 , has , in most all cases , been present on motherboards made in the last 5 or so years , just buried in bios settings . For those that do not , a tpm module can be purchased for about $30 or so . as for the prevalent topic , One Drive , a rather arduous pain , It can also be disabled , via Group Policy Editor . Perhaps this will prove useful : One Drive

One of the first things I've done when setting up Win 10 Pro , because I used the upgrade path for Win 11 Pro , was to go into Group Policy Editor , & disable everything I could , such as Cortana ,One Drive , Bit Locker , & set system updates to notify me before downloading . Then , I used a tool called Shutup10 (which also works on Win 11) to turn off/disable everything else I missed . I see Win 11 , as a modern Windows Vista . It's ok , but could use a LOT of work ! I honestly think MS will reverse their position , & offer free updates , like they did with XP & 7 . Too much of the computing world still use WIn 10 .

I sort of like the UI of Win 11 , & the eldest game I've been able to play on Win 11 , was Vampire the Masquerade : Redemption .

Thank you for the helpful advice, Creeping_Doom.

I agree with your characterization of Windows 11 as a modern Windows Vista.

I will have to check out the tool called Shutup10. It sounds like something that might interest me.

More than welcome

Shutup10 , will turn off certain things such as Cortana , One Drive , the recall & co pilot ai garbage , telemetry , key strokes that you type , & synchronization settings that do not need to be running at any time .

Thanks again.

I checked for updates today at 2:05. It is now 2:25 and I’m still just at installing 35% geezzzzz. Major update! 2:45 81%. 2:55. Finally completed 😳. Bb Wait……. It’s not complete…. This was just the download… this afternoon is says install now or tonight …. 20 minutes later and I’m just at 27%. Holly cow…. Windows 11 what’s up!!!