Customized Windows 10/11 versions - a possible alternative (that isn't Linux) after Windows 10 EOL

[LucShep]

With Windows 10 reaching end of life (EOL), and if one is unwilling to upgrade to Windows 11 or uninterested in Linux (for whatever reason), using a “customized” version of Windows 10/11 focused on lightweight design and privacy could be a practical solution.

These “customized” versions - such as ReviOS, AtlasOS and Tiny11 - are unofficial editions of Windows, modified by independent communities.


The goal is to provide the same Windows experience, but with:

Less bloatware (no Cortana, Edge, telemetry, Microsoft Store apps, etc.)
Better performance on weaker or older PCs
More privacy (fewer background services sending data to Microsoft)
Faster boot times and lower RAM/disk usage

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Disadvantages / Risks

• Not officially supported by Microsoft (no warranty, no automatic updates)
• Some versions come from non-transparent sources → always a risk of altered code
• Certain features may not work (e.g., Windows Defender, Microsoft Store, updates)
• Sometimes they remove too much, causing possible issues with drivers or apps

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ReviOS

Best balance between performance, stability, and compatibility.
Focused on performance and low latency, popular among gamers; keeps full compatibility with games and drivers.

• Base: Official Windows 10/11 with deep optimization

• Focus: Reduced latency, less bloatware & telemetry, full game and driver compatibility

• Works with: NVIDIA/AMD drivers, Steam, DCS World, peripherals, etc.

• Pros:

  • Faster boot and system response

  • Keeps Defender, Windows Update, and Store optional

  • Clean installation — nothing important removed

• Cons:

  • Updates are manual (you apply project patches)

  • Some Microsoft online features (account, OneDrive) are disabled by default

• Official site: https://revi.cc
  
   

AtlasOS

Focused on maximum FPS and minimum latency.
Similar to ReviOS but more aggressive, aiming for maximum FPS and lowest input lag.

• Built for: eSports and pure performance

• More aggressive removals: Defender, Windows Update, Cortana, Edge, etc.

• Best for: Gaming-only PCs

• Cons:

  • No native protection (you’ll need your own antivirus/firewall)

  • Some Windows apps/features won’t work

• Official site: https://atlasos.net
  
   

Tiny10

For very old or low-end hardware.
Extremely lightweight versions made by NTDEV, based on clean Microsoft ISOs. Good for very old PCs, but very minimal.

• Extremely lightweight (under 10 GB installed)

• Comes without: Windows Update, Store, Defender, and many dependencies

• Best for: Old PCs, offline setups, or testing

• Not recommended for daily or online use

• Author: NTDEV — https://archive.org/details/tiny-10
  (note: it’s best to verify on the official NTDEV blog before downloading)

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If your goal is to stay on Windows, without upgrading to Windows 11 and without suffering MS shenanigans, while making it lighter, faster, and more private, these alternatives may be a solution - provided you download only from the official project sites and verify the files’ integrity.

Anyway, just a heads up.

 

Edited yesterday at 07:48 AM by LucShep

[scommander2]

As the matter of the fact, there is an option to extend Windows 10 for another year with enrolling Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.

 

Edited yesterday at 12:03 PM by scommander2

[Lange_666]

^^^^
Only possible within the European Union if i'm correctly informed and only with an active MS account.
Outside the EU you can extend it too for 30$ (yeah right).

[kksnowbear]

Windows 10 support can be extended one year past the EOL date in the US by activating with a Microsoft account and 'enrolling' in extended support. This was announced some time ago, and there are instructions for doing so all over online.

Also there are ways to install W11 on "unsupported" hardware.  I have several machines 10+ years old running W11.  Worth noting however this circumvents MS intent and is thus subject to change.  But for now it works (and I actually think it may continue to work, though it might go the way of nag screens, or an "important update" that is really just designed to defeat the bypasses).

Even though the MS account BS is an obvious effort to wrangle more data mining/marketing targets, it might be preferred compared to the unsupported W11 requirement bypasses.  Up to the individual.

Edited 22 hours ago by kksnowbear