Windows 10 is DEAD in 2025? — Here’s How I Run It SAFELY Forever (No Updates)

About this video

• Video Title: Windows 10 is DEAD in 2025? — Here’s How I Run It SAFELY Forever (No Updates)
• Channel: Rob Braxman Tech
• Speakers: Rob Braxman
• Duration: 19:28

Overview

This video provides methods to safely use Windows 10 beyond its end-of-life in 2025, focusing on reducing its usage and implementing security precautions. The presenter advocates for a dual-boot setup with Linux, migrating risky activities like email and web browsing to Linux, and utilizing techniques like "immutable Windows" or virtual machines to minimize the attack surface of Windows 10.

Key takeaways

• Windows 10 End of Life: Microsoft officially ends support for Windows 10, meaning no more security updates, making it inherently unsafe for continued use without precautions.
• Linux as a Safer Alternative: Linux is presented as a more secure operating system with fewer exploits, eliminating the need for antivirus software and consistently receiving security updates.
• Dual Booting Strategy: The core recommendation is to install Linux alongside Windows 10, using Linux for daily, high-risk tasks and Windows 10 for specific, less frequent needs.
• Reducing Windows 10's Attack Footprint: This can be achieved by migrating email, web browsing, and document handling to Linux.
• "Immutable Windows" Technique: Utilizing Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 with the Unified Write Filter (UWF) feature can create a system that resets to its original state after each reboot, making malware unable to survive.
• Virtual Machines: Running Windows 10 within a virtual machine on Linux is another method to isolate it and maintain a clean state by working from backups.
• Disabling SMB and RDP: Turning off the Server Message Block (SMB) feature and using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) for access can further enhance security by reducing attack vectors.
• Physical Access Precautions: While not covered in-depth, disabling USB autorun is suggested as a basic measure against physical access threats.
• Windows 11 Considerations: The presenter finds Windows 11 potentially more dangerous due to its AI features and suggests a similar limited-use approach if upgrading, disabling TPM, Bit Locker, and Secure Boot to avoid system interference.