Windows 11 alternatives? SteamOS

 After a brief Beta period, Microsoft has decided to move forward with its plan to ban even slightly older hardware from Windows 11. For Windows 11, you will need a CPU that is intel 8th generation or AMC Ryzen 3000 series and above.  

This will mean that many still very new computers will be left behind, and will be stuck on Windows 10. Windows 10 official support is scheduled to end in 2025. It is considered dangerous to keep using an OS that is unsupported, and unpatched. the risk of getting a virus or getting hacked would be too great.

So what happens of you want to keep using your still perfectly good computer? If you had purchases a good yet unsupported computer within the last few years, there maybe good alternatives to Windows.

SteamOS is a type of Linus OS, which has been created by Valve. Valve is a video game developer and owner of the most popular game store on PC, Steam. SteamOS is getting a big update this fall with the introduction of V3 SteamOS. While this OS version is intended to support Valves upcoming mobile gaming console, Steam Deck, the OS will be available to all. V3 of SteamOS promises great compatibility with PC games, since it has a built in Windows Emulator. 

Valve has been working with developers so that their software will be natively compatible with SteamOS/ Linux. For games intended for Windows, many will work. Valve mentioned that there are currently some issues in multiplayer games due to anti cheat software, but with Valves great influence with developers many of these issued will be corrected on released of SteamOS. SteamOS V3 is expected to be released with Fall along with the Steam Deck. 

Android Built into Windows 11

 Windows 11 has new great feature, Android is built into the new Windows OS.

This is a great feature, as some apps are not available on Windows, Such as the new Farmville 3. 

My mother is very into Farmville 2, but she would like to move forward in the Series. Farmville 3 is Android / Mobile only, but my mother doesn't have a mobile device.

Her Windows 10 gaming PC is still very fast, as it is a gaming PC, that has been upgraded with a new graphics card, SSD, and more ram. 

I was able to get Andoid working on her Windows 10 PC, using the Bluestacks emulator; Including Farmville 3.

It would have been better to install Windows 11 for this Android feature, but her 6th gen Intel gaming PC may not be eligible for the upgrade. 

Windows 10 has an end of life at currently as of 2025. She maybe ready for a PC at that point because a new PC will definitely be a big upgrade by then.

In the meantime, I hope that Microsoft allows older PC's to run Windows 11, particular so high end cpu's from a few years ago.

 Bluestacks on Windows 10 is great but, I think that the Android built into Windows 11 would be more user friendly. 

Windows 11 was Announced

Windows 11 has recently been announced by Microsoft, which has surprised many.

Microsoft had previously stated that Windows 10 would be the last Windows version, as it would continue to be updated and evolve. Now Windows 10 will no longer get updated beyond 2025

For those with relatively new computers, you maybe able to upgrade to Windows 11. However, Microsoft has announced strict hardware requirements for upgrading. A TPM 2.0 module and 8th generation Intel and 2nd generation AMD Ryzen will be required to Upgrade to Windows 11.

The reason for the strict hardware requirements, maybe to increase security of the operating system. But there maybe some alternative motive, to force people to purchase new PC's. Microsoft has not provided a technical reason on why a PC that has a CPU slightly older than it's requirements cannot upgrade to Windows 11.

Why should we even want to upgrade to Windows 11?

Windows 11 offers new features, such as the ability to use Android apps. Ongoing support from Microsoft is also important: With previous version of Windows, when patch support is dropped, then it is dangerous to use a PC online. Unpatched PC's are vulnerable to hackers and viruses.