Tech Sense: Back to School 2025 (August 2025)

Back to School 2025

August is coming quickly and school is about to start. Parents are trying to decide how to provide their children with the computers they will need for their schoolwork.

The Parent Dilemma

Many parents consign their older machines to their children. Microsoft has declared that by October 14th, people should discard all Windows 10 computers if they can’t be updated to Windows 11. But, for $35 Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 for one more year with security updates. However, at this time Microsoft is also saying that Microsoft Office 365 support on Windows 10 will also end. What is a parent to do if Microsoft’s solution is to replace all of the older computers?

Solution One: Do Nothing

The first solution is simple, ignore Microsoft and go ahead with Windows 10 without them. This of course has an element of risk since Microsoft does push out security fixes on a monthly basis. If you decide to go this route, add a quality Anti-virus and Firewall package to your computer. Ignoring Microsoft patches is still a risk but this will reduce the risk.

There is also a European company (OPatch.com) offering to apply their own fixes to Windows 10 for under $25 annually per machine for at least the next five years. They will patch zero-day issues for no cost for individuals.

Solution Two: Buy New Computers

Purchasing a new computer is what Microsoft is pushing as their solution. Of course, it primarily benefits them if you buy a new Windows 11 PC. For many students a Chromebook is a good alternate choice and much less expensive than a windows PC. You can find Chromebooks online for under $100. Used Windows 11 capable PC’s are also a potential choice. You can find these online for under $300.

Solution Three: Replace Windows with Linux

Over the years, I have replaced Windows with Linux on a number of my computers. I even have an old 11 inch Notebook computer that that I like to bring when I travel to handle email and editing documents running Ubuntu Mate. A number of Linux choices like Mate even mimic the Windows user interface. You may also find that the Linux conversion will run much faster than Windows.

Solution Four: Replace Windows with Chrome OS Flex

Chrome OS Flex, based on Chrome OS but designed to run on older computers instead of running on a new Chromebooks. Google offers a list of many older models of computers tested to work with Flex.

What about Software?

If Microsoft Office is required, Office supplies Office as a web application to run it online. Linux provides LibreOffice, which can read and write Office files. Google has Google Workspace, which provides an entire Office suite as web applications. Email clients, web browsers, calendars, music and video players, and games are all available, and much of it is free.

Other things

If you student bring their computer to school you may want to make sure it has a battery that can last for the entire school day. Many schools do not have enough outlets to plug in all of the computers in the room. A multiple outlet plug can also be helpful allowing sharing of outlets.

Headsets with microphones are important for working and participating in meetings and conferences without disturbing others. Teaching now frequently happens over the computer screen.

USB memory sticks or thumb drives can be used to backup work (in case the dog eats it). Show your child how to back up the computer to the thumb drive and have them do it each day. You can do this for them if they are too young. A computer lock is good to keep the computer from “walking away”.

A mouse if needed. Many kids use the mouse pad below the keyboard. I still find these to be awkward. I prefer a Bluetooth mouse because it doesn’t waste a USB port, it has no dongle to lose, and no cord in the way. However, younger kids may have difficulty reconnecting the mouse if the Bluetooth signal is lost.

Last Thoughts

You may want to review that last couple of years of these columns for more tips about sending the kids to school well prepared. In the mean-time enjoy your vacations and have a great new school year.