Follow Slashdot blog updates by subscribing to our blog RSS feed

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
KDE

KDE Targets Windows 10 'Exiles' Claiming 'Your Computer is Toast' (theregister.com) 134

Posted by msmash from the shots-fired dept.
king*jojo shares a report: Linux desktop darling KDE is weighing in on the controversy around the impending demise of Windows 10 support with a lurid "KDE for Windows 10 Exiles" campaign. KDE's alarming "Exiles" page opens with the text "Your computer is toast" followed by a warning that Microsoft wants to turn computers running Windows 10 into junk from October 14.

"It may seem like it continues to work after that date for a bit, but when Microsoft stops support for Windows 10, your perfectly good computer will be officially obsolete." Beneath a picture of a pile of tech junk, including a rotary telephone and some floppy drives, KDE proclaims: "Windows 10 will degrade as more and more bugs come to light. With nobody to correct them, you risk being hacked. Your data, identity, and control over your device could be stolen."
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

KDE Targets Windows 10 'Exiles' Claiming 'Your Computer is Toast' More

KDE Targets Windows 10 'Exiles' Claiming 'Your Computer is Toast'

Comments Filter:

  • Don't stoop to their level. Do better.

    • Don't stoop to their level. Do better.

      What part of what they said do you believe is incorrect or misleading?

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by edis ( 266347 )

        FYI: me and my clients do still happily use Windows 7, Server 2003, this being typed on iMac from 2007.

        • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

          by drinkypoo ( 153816 )

          FYI: me and my clients do still happily use Windows 7, Server 2003, this being typed on iMac from 2007.

          What is the relevance of you and your clients' disregard for security?

          • Re:FUD is beneath you Linux (Score:4, Insightful)

            by edis ( 266347 ) on Wednesday June 04, 2025 @09:43PM (#65428502) Journal

            In the lesson of realities:
            1. It is possible to use older systems with success
            2. Newer systems carry newer vulnerabilities
            3. Systems are neither secure nor insecure, generally
              3.1. They are only assumed secure until vulnerabilities are discovered
              3.2. The value of their security depends on the value of information contained, backup copies available, efforts and focus on breaking into them in particular
              3.3. The architecture of their deployment has as much to do or more, than version of the software
            4. FUD is FUD

            • Even if everything you said was correct, that doesn't negate the fact that an older unsupported OS will have known, unpatched vulnerabilities. The average end user is not going to be able to evaluate the risk for each one depending on their threat model, if they even know what that means. For the majority, it won't be advisable to continue using Win10 if supported is indeed dropped. But MS will in fact continue to patch it for LTSC releases for some enterprises. They might change their mind about making the

              • Re: (Score:2)

                by edis ( 266347 )

                True. It all depends on how critical it is to have system under constant supervision of the makers. It is my point here, however, to get understanding, that resolutions can vary widely, also, that they do not ensure total security in a complicated system. Theoretically, Linux could be fit in the gap, yet for some reason it still lacks in user interface and general integrity/completeness, comparing to popular products.

                • Re: (Score:2)

                  by madbrain ( 11432 )

                  Total security in a very complex system cannot exist, obviously. You have to keep on top of it to patch vulnerabilities as they are found.

                  Linux is just not designed for the average end user. There are still far too many system settings that can only be accessed through some command-line interface. I don't think it will fill the gap as a desktop OS. There are also so many distros doing things differently. And even within one distro, things change/break significantly from one release to another. MS changes th

                  • Re: (Score:2)

                    by edis ( 266347 )

                    Still, Linux is long time so close to be sufficient for desktop use, isn't it.
                    At some point long ago I did like Ubuntu Unity interface, and having checked screenshots right now, they appear to still carry the style, even made more soft - I guess, that would be my bet, given occasion. Do you have different recommendation for the front-end?

                    It is not a big issue of having two levels of system access - GUI and terminal window, most things can be, and should be, done trough the graphical wrapping. On my latest i

                    • Re: (Score:2)

                      by madbrain ( 11432 )

                      No, I personally don't agree at all about Linux being sufficient for desktop use. I think it's too fragile.
                      There are still too many tasks that require command line. I shouldn't have to install packages and edit fstab manually to share a disk with another system.
                      My smb.conf shouldn't break at every single OS upgrade. Nor should the power management keep breaking (ability to sleep/resume).
                      A lot of programs are still only available in source form, for the user to build. On Windows you have prebuilt binaries ty

        • My organization too still have some Windows 7 in use, I guarantee neither those users, nor we, the IT, are happy about that.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by Tailhook ( 98486 )

      It's fair. When Microsoft's hardware requirements provides competitors with an opportunity to attract users that don't care to upgrade hardware to suit Microsoft, those competitors should take advantage.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

        I'm going to bet that it doesn't happen on a big scale. Enthusiasts will do it, but most people will just ignore the warnings and eventually buy another Windows computer.

        People don't care about those warnings. Computers are always warning them about critically important stuff, and experience has taught them that there are rarely any real consequences to ignoring those notifications.

        If there is any benefit to other vendors, it will probably be to Chromebooks and Android tablets. Linux is still too painful fo

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by Tailhook ( 98486 )

          I'm going to bet that it doesn't happen on a big scale.

          Sure. I don't think so either. That wasn't the point.

    • KDE Linux and doesn't speak for it.
    • Saving computers from the landfill is not fud, KDE_Linux makes a great alternative to keep older computers useful and usable, Kudos to KDE for this effort to win hearts & minds and keeping good usable computers out of the landfull, and shame on Microsoft for their upgrade campaign that advocates good computers be thrown out for their latest release of windows,

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by taustin ( 171655 )

        Saving computers from the landfill is not fud,

        It's not. But trying to do so by telling people that if they don't install your OS their computer will catch fire, explode, and kick their dog certainly is.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Hentes ( 2461350 )

      I have said it before [slashdot.org], but basically the worry is that there are bad actors sitting on Win10 0days waiting for EOL.

      • I have said it before [slashdot.org], but basically the worry is that there are bad actors sitting on Win10 0days waiting for EOL.

        We heard the same every time Microsoft ends support for their OS'.

        Especially XP - Damn, the sky was gonna fall hard, a regular Xpocalypse. Made Y2K look like Y2K, which is to say panic for nothing.

        Except it didn't. And I can take you to a fair number of local places that are still on XP.This isn't to say they shouldn't upgrade, they really should, and a lot of that is hardware eol in addition to software. But especially businesses are a bit cynical about the need to spend all the money needed to mov

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

          To be fair, for ordinary users XP was a security disaster. Back then I used to make a living cleaning up XP virus infections. Windows 7 and in particular Windows 10 really improved security, and while you can still use XP for some stuff, I wouldn't recommend it for anything internet related.

          • To be fair, for ordinary users XP was a security disaster. Back then I used to make a living cleaning up XP virus infections. Windows 7 and in particular Windows 10 really improved security, and while you can still use XP for some stuff, I wouldn't recommend it for anything internet related.

            A few years back, My younger sister needed a computer update from XP to W10. So I did that for her. I about freaked when I found out the thing had the original XP, never updated!

            I was really careful working with that one to make sure I didn't bring anything bad over to the new computer. Somehow, some way, that never patched computer was virus free.

  • "Installing Linux is not as hard as it used to be," KDE states, "but you must read the instructions to do so very carefully!"

    Wut? Download a distro, put the ISO on a thumb drive, and make certain the computer is on the internet, boot from the thumb drive, select a couple things, and sit back and enjoy a brew.

    If installing Linux is something too difficult for a person, maybe they should just buy a Chromebook.

    • Wut? Download a distro, put the ISO on a thumb drive, and make certain the computer is on the internet, boot from the thumb drive, select a couple things, and sit back and enjoy a brew.

      Then they select the wrong option, and all of their data vanishes.

      Perhaps the advice to be careful is warranted.

      • Wut? Download a distro, put the ISO on a thumb drive, and make certain the computer is on the internet, boot from the thumb drive, select a couple things, and sit back and enjoy a brew.

        Then they select the wrong option, and all of their data vanishes.

        Perhaps the advice to be careful is warranted.

        So yeah any install can have problems. Especially when ignoring the admonition to back up our data.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by dargaud ( 518470 )
      I both agree and disagree with you. It *is* simple to install. My wife, my 5yo and my 80yo parents (and others in the family) all use Kubuntu because I installed it for them (and provide support, sometimes remotely via ssh+VNC). But if you tell them what you just wrote, they'll abort at the 3rd word.
    • Installing Linux is simple enough for a 7 year old. Also much easier than installing windows... get the kid to do it, but you drink the beer.

      KDE should give a glossy experience I think a lot of windows users would relate to. Good on K for going after this.

      • Installing Linux is simple enough for a 7 year old. Also much easier than installing windows... get the kid to do it, but you drink the beer. KDE should give a glossy experience I think a lot of windows users would relate to. Good on K for going after this.

        Pretty much this. Sometimes I think a lot of us here think everyone else is stupid.

        And yes - it is simpler than installing Windows.

        I'm still fighting with Windows support over a copy of W11 that was bought from Microsoft, but the machine refuses to accept that is a valid copy. I have the receipts, they can see that I porches a legit copy, but it's still screwing with me.

        Microsoft Support was friendly but useless, ( I've never gotten satisfaction once from MS support) they worked with me for a whil

  • KDE is the best DE (Score:3, Informative)

    by diffract ( 7165501 ) on Wednesday June 04, 2025 @02:49PM (#65427755)
    I like it over Windows and Mac OS and all the Linux GUIs, it makes a lot of sense. Bonus points for also having the best default apps. Kate, dolphin, okular, konsole are all excellent and a joy to use. No other GUI has the same level of usefulness out of the box like KDE. Only issue i had was some minor screen glitches when they switched to wayland

    • I disagree. While its memory footprint is quite low these days, it does take a while to load. On top of that, it feels a bit clunky. I like Cinnamon more than KDE/Plasma. Cinnamon behaves sooo much smoother.

    • There might be a bit of a branding problem. I can guess what "konsole" is, but Kate, Dolphin, and Okular? What in the world are those?

      If I, a software developer for 35 years, don't know what these things are, I guarantee your Grandma doesn't know.

      • Are you saying you never had to learn what "Excel" is? or "Powerpoint"?

        • Everyone knows what Excel and PowerPoint are, because Microsoft heavily advertises those names. That is what successful brand names do. If you want to make up a brand name, and make sure everyone know it, you've got to promote your name.

          KDE doesn't do that, certainly not on any kind of scale large enough to make those names known.

          • Everyone knows what Excel and PowerPoint are, because Microsoft heavily advertises those names. That is what successful brand names do. If you want to make up a brand name, and make sure everyone know it, you've got to promote your name.

            KDE doesn't do that, certainly not on any kind of scale large enough to make those names known.

            Good grief, Y'all Grams must be intellectually challenged or sumpin'.

            I've set up several Grandmas with Linux, and they haven't missed a beat. Some I gave notes, but most just want to do email, surf the web, and maybe write things. And the meme of the oldster who is afraid to learn is just that, a meme.

            • And the meme of the oldster who is afraid to learn is just that, a meme

              You clearly haven't met my family.

      • Does your grandma knows what Firefox, Chrome, Edge are? (to not talk about Opera) My 76 y.o. mom knows nothing of computers, but got used about the function of "dolphin" just as well she got used at the function of "firefox" or "the ball" (which is how she calls Wikipedia) or "cloudview" (which means nothing, she confuses Nextcloud and Teamviewer, none of which mean anything either).

        • To clarify: My opinion is it is normal to name their software other than giving the name of their basic function, because in free OSes there frequently are several software installed for each kind. So you cannot call your thing "File explorer", you get to call things like "Nautilus", "Dolphin", "Gentoo" (file manager) or "pcmanfm-qt", "midnight commander". Thankfully the menu of the DE can be configured to display both a nickname and the function.

        • Nope, my grandma hasn't been alive for 20 years. But my 84-year-old father does know Chrome and what it does. No, he doesn't know the alternatives, but the more important point is that he knows what Chrome does. Just about nobody knows what Dolphin does, even people who are technical.

          • can guess what "konsole" is, but Kate, Dolphin, and Okular? What in the world are those?

            Your own argument is that KDE software name aren't well chosen because most of the time their function cannot be guessed. My answer is that it also isn't the case in other software.

            Your argument rephrased: if an hypothetical grandma takes a look at a KDE computer, she finds "Dolphin" an "Falkon", how is she supposed to know what they do (these are names of animals not a software function). My answer is that this not a KDE specific. The same hypothetical grandma would have a look at a computer with "Nautilus

            • The difference is marketing. Those companies that choose names like Safari, Chrome, and Edge, spend tons of money on advertising to try to enlighten people on the meaning of those words. They are successful to varying degrees with varying audiences. The most successful of these efforts is Excel and Word, both of which are well-known by just about anybody who uses a computer. That didn't just happen organically, it happened because Microsoft spent millions on advertising. If you have a brand name like Dolphi

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by caseih ( 160668 )

        Fortunately neither you nor your Grandma need to know any way. You click on the "start menu" search for editor, and you'll see it there too, listed as "KDE Advanced Text Editor." And if you search for "file manager" you'll find Dolphin clearly listed as "file manager." Or you open the "Utilities" section of the system menu. Whatever floats your boat.

        The names of the binaries aren't all that important to such users. For them, these are under-the-hood implementation details that they need not concern them

        • Grandmas don't know that you can click the Start Menu and "search". Believe me, they don't. They generally only know how to manually find icons on the desktop, not even in the Start Menu.

          Oh, and Windows calls it "File Explorer" not just "Explorer". The name actually means what it does. That's pretty helpful, if you know what I mean!

          But hey, I don't have anything against your use of KDE. Just don't expect regular people to start using it when it tries to confuse them with meaningless names. Names matter, a L

          • Or you click on the folder icon to open the file manager? That icon is even present in the menu-bar by default.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by caseih ( 160668 )

            And yet that's how you use Windows 11, like it or hate it. Computers aren't for everyone, even in this day and age.

      • Okular is a great name for a great utility.

        • I'll bite. What do you like about the name? And how does that name relate to what the utility does?

          • "Oculus" means "having to do with the eye", which describes the functionality of Okular perfectly. Then of course there's the k.

        • I think it's a great name, and the functionality is good, but the interface is bad.

          At least it works reliably, unlike Adobe Reader. If you have reader open too long, features like highlighting stop working.

      • The only one you will manually open will be kate; text-editor, will also show up if you search on text.
        Dolfin is just the file-manager. Okular is the PDF reader, will open automatically when you double-click on a pdf.

      • Re: KDE is the best DE (Score:4, Informative)

        by samwichse ( 1056268 ) on Thursday June 05, 2025 @10:11AM (#65429432)

        When I install a KDE system for someone, I right-click the app menu -> configure app menu -> choose "Description (Name)" for the "Show applications as" option.

        This should really be the default. Then, Dolphin is displayed as "File Manager (Dolphin)", Konsole is "Terminal (Konsole)", Kate is "Advanced Text Editor (Kate)" and Kwrite is "Text Editor (Kwrite)".

      • There might be a bit of a branding problem. I can guess what "konsole" is, but Kate, Dolphin, and Okular? What in the world are those?

        If I, a software developer for 35 years, don't know what these things are, I guarantee your Grandma doesn't know.

        Uh, Dolphin's icon is a folder. I think a 35-year software developer and their grandma can figure that one out. After which, double-clicking a .pdf and .txt will solve the other two. Just saying,

  • I have a couple of laptops on Win11 already but my desktop, where I do 99% of my work, is all but toast.

    When Win10 came around I was thinking I'd switch to Linux, but caved in and upgraded from Win7 anyway.

    I put up with Win10 but everything I really disliked about Win10 was dialed to 11 in Win11 (no pun intended). The ads, the forced compliance, but especially the whole AI integration thing. Maybe this time I will just do it and switch over. I only have to do it once right? :)

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by ukoda ( 537183 )
      If you are here on Slashdot I'm guessing you have some tech skills. So if you are sitting on the fence and your hardware supports it why not put a second disk drive in you PC and install Linux on that, then set it up for dual boot. That is what I did a couple of decades ago when I moved from Windows to Linux. After a while I realise it had been a long time since I had a reason to boot Windows and all my new PCs became Linux only. It has been many years since I had a machine that could boot Windows.
      • No need for a second drive. The buntus and debian, iirc, have a side by side install option... then the install does the partitioning, and you end up with a dual boot machine ... I don't quite recall because I always do manual partitioning.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by ukoda ( 537183 )
          That make sense for a laptop or to save money and I have done it before. The reason I suggested a second drive in this case is for people who are unsure, as it leaves the Windows drive untouched so is a low stress low risk way to try Linux for people who don't yet trust Linux.

  • Every couple of years I see stories like this, targeting Windows refugees because hardware requirements force computers to turn into ewaste.

    The desktop browsing shifts half a percent or so. People don't care about their computer OS. You could tell the users they have to watch a 45minute advert before they can start programs and they'll rather suck it up and wait for it to change than to install a new OS. Half the users don't think there is a choice other than Windows/Mac.

    What's needed is better IT education

    • People might not care about the details of their OS, but they do care that it runs their favorite software. For many, that is Word and Excel and Outlook. For others, it's their favorite computer game or accounting software like QuickBooks.

  • 'scuse me, but prove said computer was not TOAST whenever MS-win10 was least-bad? It will only get slightly worst after alleged-support ends in October.

    Linux has been running main my machines since 2000 with a few island MS machines that occasionally get booted to run specific software (never more than one per). The idea of any MS-OS being suitable for general-purpose, 24/7 is beyond risible--all require too much maintenence.

  • Great, so what about firmware/microcode that these laptop manufacturers will have abandoned? Can we really take a larger view on what maintenance for systems looks like? If something needs software/firmware, it needs updates. all of it.

Slashdot Top Deals

Elegance and truth are inversely related. -- Becker's Razor

Close