Operating System Alternatives
Separating this from my sustainable tech sticky because honestly it can be it’s own thing.
Linux os & android custom roms have added benefits other than reducing e-waste including enhanced privacy/security, customization, keep using your tech longer, and usually being free to install/use. With windows 10 becoming obsolete, and windows 11 being a even-worse privacy nightmare it’s worth giving a linux os a try.
Update: added windows section with tools to make windows better.
switch to linux (with some beginner OS recs):
- end of 10: learn to switch due to the win10 end of life
- pcmag: sick of microsoft? switch to linux
- Zorin (what i use)
- Linux Mint - most popular beginner distro
- Pop_OS
- Elementary OS
- AnduinOS
- linux.org: linux tutorials
- r/linux4noobs
Windows OS:
(These strip windows10/11 down to the essentials, remove bloatware, & enhance privacy/security)
- tiny11 on archive.org & tiny11 info page
- ReviOS
- windows11debloat
- O&O Shutup10++
- 0patch - paid security patches (cheaper than Microsoft extended security on Win10, but also screw Microsoft)
Android Custom Roms
edit: removed Winux because turns out it’s a scam/shady distro, ZDNet even wrote a article about it..