I have this 12 year old PC, originally Win7 and updated to Win10, but which no longer has the capability to be updated to Win11.
I am actually typing this message on it.
Because of Microsoft's planned obsolescence initiative, which is removing support from Win10, I have ordered a new Win11 PC.
And I am in the process of backing up all my files.
But my question is: How should I dispose properly of the old computer? It is not worth selling it, and I don't want to just dump it on the trash.
What do you guys suggest I should do?

 

Isn't there an Electronics and other designated material recycling site in your area?
We have them here and also some of the electronics stores have a designated dumpster at the rear of the store.
Why is it not capable of Win11??

 

Hello,

Why not install linux on the old pc?
I am using open suse tumbleweed on my old pc.
https://www.opensuse.org/
https://get.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/
When you install wine on the linux pc,
a lot of windows programs will run fine.
https://www.winehq.org/
I use wine to run ltspice on my linux pc.

Bertus

 

You could always install Linux on it, then pass it on to someone who needs a computer.

 

Why not just give it to someone who doesn't have a computer. Windows 10 is not going to stop working just because Microsoft stops sending it updates. I will be happy when that happens, then I will not have to worry about the drivers on my Win10 laptop getting screwed up again by the updates.

 

I think I read somewhere that security updates will continue until 2028. Is that correct? For a fee?

 

I find it hard to throw away anything. I have started a project to repurpose my old computers (I have a vast hoard going back to original IBM PCs) to function as stand alone systems running my own SW and OS. For starters, I have Linux up and running and using that to develop my own SW.

 

I have this 12 year old PC...

Build your own router.

 

Thanks everybody for all the replies;
What I will end up doing is to give it to a local charity which is in dire need of additional computer equipment.
Like Keith mentioned, the PC won't stop working just because MS stopped supporting Win10.
If they can wrestle a few additional years from this PC, it would be very helpful to them.

I only have to make sure that all my files are backed up and then erased from the PC.

 

That's a great solution but another task you might consider is a media server. You can store (large) movie files on a drive under control of that PC, and then access those shared files from a media device such as Roku or AppleTV. The computer lives in a closet and doesn't ruin the looks of your home theater.

 

As the end of Microsoft support for Windows 10 is near, Microsoft are using scare tactics for the un-initiated to get them to update to Win 11. The support they are ending is for fixing bugs and security issues. Win 10 has been around since 2015. If they haven't fixed all of the bugs in the last 10 years, they are not likely to in the next 10! Future security issues can be taken care of with up-to-date ant-virus software so I will continue to use my Win 10, Win 8.1 and XP computers until they die of natural causes. Between them they do everything I wish to do quite efficiently on computers including banking, paying bills, ordering parts, social interfacing, electronic and mechanical design, writing programs for embedded devices, saving data, etc.

 

If they haven't fixed all of the bugs in the last 10 years, they are not likely to in the next 10!

Windows 11 is the most secure Windows ever!

 

Yeah, right.

 

Windows 11 is the most secure Windows ever!

Who told you that; Microsoft?

 

Who told you that; Microsoft?

Repeatedly.

 

I think I read somewhere that security updates will continue until 2028. Is that correct? For a fee?

Microsoft will sell you a security fix package
but for w7 support, it was many 10 of thousands of dollars , and you have to have good few machines to support.

 

I have this 12 year old PC, originally Win7 and updated to Win10, but which no longer has the capability to be updated to Win11.
I am actually typing this message on it.
Because of Microsoft's planned obsolescence initiative, which is removing support from Win10, I have ordered a new Win11 PC.
And I am in the process of backing up all my files.
But my question is: How should I dispose properly of the old computer? It is not worth selling it, and I don't want to just dump it on the trash.
What do you guys suggest I should do?

where are you in the world ?

 

Texas

 

Not an endorsement. Just FYI

https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing...-10-pcs-can-get-windows-11-for-free-heres-how

 

My old tower PC died a natural death, getting slower and slower until it would no longer boot, so I removed the hard-drive, and am going to send what's left to an electronic recycling center.

Didn't really need another tower PC , so am now running a GMKtec mini Windows PC, which works fine for my computer needs.
Mounted it on the back of my computer monitor so, along with my old mouse and keyboard, I basically have an all-in-one type PC.