some tips to combat planned obsolescence of your computers

What to do if your computer is no longer able to accommodate software updates offered by Microsoft?

It is to this question that Vincent Moriaux, computer scientist and president of the Les Coquelicots du Vexin Normand association, responded to around fifteen users gathered in the former Mesnil-Milon school, in Gasny (Eure), Saturday January 11.

He summarizes the problem:

“On the occasion of Microsoft’s announcement of the end of life of the Windows 10 operating system, many users, if they want to upgrade to Windows 11, will have to change computers because their hardware is too old. The problem is not that the computer no longer works, it’s just that it no longer meets the criteria imposed by Microsoft. The workshop we are offering presents alternatives such as free software, in particular operating systems based on Linux, which make it possible to run software with equivalent functionality on an old computer. »

» I still have Windows 7! “

It is in the interest of software manufacturers, in fact, to offer ever more sophisticated systems, therefore more intensive in internal memory, a way of returning the favor to computer manufacturers.

Both often hide behind flaws in security to encourage individuals and companies to renew their equipment.

And to force the hand of the recalcitrant, Microsoft announces that from 2025 it will no longer support its Windows 10 system.

This frantic race to performance is far from meeting the needs of everyday users. “I still have Windows 7,” says a voice in the room.

Free alternatives

“Well, you should know that an old computer can still run powerful software,” says Vincent.

There are in fact free alternatives accessible even to novices. Proof by example: a whole battery of old computers that one would have said were destined for the scrapyard were arranged on the tables, each of which could run with free software such as Linux.

A low-cost choice in the form of a snub to GAFAM…

Other valuable advice was given, such as backing up your data regularly.

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