TL;DR
The article outlines hands-on steps to refresh aging Windows and macOS installations so they remain usable into 2026 without switching to Linux. Advice covers backups, hardware upgrades, clean reinstall techniques, and recommended tools for drivers and installers.
What happened
An experienced guide recommends extending the useful life of older Windows and macOS machines through maintenance and selective upgrades rather than replacing the entire computer. The author advises making multiple full backups, then performing a clean reinstall of the OS when feasible; adding RAM and swapping spinning drives for SSDs are suggested hardware improvements. Mac owners can download installers directly from Apple for versions back to 10.13 and can create bootable USB installers using built-in commands or point-and-click tools such as TINU or Install Disk Creator. For Macs that Apple no longer supports, OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) can enable installation of newer macOS releases up to Sequoia (macOS 15), with Tahoe support still in progress. PC users are told to avoid vendor reinstallation media, instead preparing a clean Windows ISO and using Snappy Driver Installer Origin for drivers. The piece also recommends Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 as a low-clutter option with extended update timelines, and details routine Windows housekeeping — update cycles, Disk Cleanup and CHKDSK — while warning against registry cleaners.
Why it matters
- Extending an OS's usable life reduces the need to buy new hardware and the associated cost and waste.
- A clean reinstall and modest upgrades can improve performance and reliability on older machines.
- Using maintained free and open-source tools can replace unsupported or internet-connected bundled apps to reduce security risks.
- Choosing a lean Windows edition like LTSC can postpone forced migrations and limit bundled bloatware.
Key facts
- Make at least two complete backups of all files before reinstalling an OS; include application data such as email stores.
- Upgrading RAM and moving from a spinning hard drive to an SSD are recommended for older machines.
- Apple provides official macOS installers for versions from 10.13 up to current releases; no activation keys are required.
- Mac users can create bootable installers with the built-in command or use tools such as TINU or Install Disk Creator.
- OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) can install newer macOS releases on unsupported Macs up to Sequoia (macOS 15); Tahoe support is being worked on but not ready.
- PC users should avoid vendor reinstallation media to prevent reinstalling preinstalled bloatware.
- Snappy Driver Installer Origin (SDIO) is recommended for obtaining and installing Windows drivers from a USB key.
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 receives updates until 2027, and the US English variant is supported until 2032 according to the article.
- Tools such as Rufus and Ventoy can write or manage Windows ISOs; Ventoy offers quicker and more flexible handling of multiple ISOs.
- Do routine housekeeping on Windows: run Windows Update repeatedly until no new updates appear, use Disk Cleanup (including 'Clean up system files'), and run CHKDSK C: /F to fix disk issues; avoid third-party 'registry cleaners'.
What to watch next
- Part two of this series, which will cover recommended replacement apps and what to install on refreshed systems.
- Progress of OpenCore Legacy Patcher development for Tahoe support — the team is working on it but it is not ready yet.
- Claims about tools that alter installed Windows editions: the author notes TeknixStuff's UpDownTool claims to reinstall Windows 10 LTSC over Windows 11, but the author has not tested this.
Quick glossary
- FOSS: Free and open-source software — software with source code that users can inspect, modify, and distribute, often available at no cost.
- SSD: Solid-state drive — a storage device that uses flash memory for faster performance and reliability compared with traditional spinning hard drives.
- LTSC: Long-Term Servicing Channel — a Windows edition aimed at stability and long-term support that excludes frequent feature updates and some consumer apps.
- OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP): A community project that enables installation of newer macOS versions on some older Macs that Apple does not officially support.
- Snappy Driver Installer Origin (SDIO): An offline-capable driver installation utility for Windows that can download large driver packs and install drivers from a USB key.
Reader FAQ
Should I reinstall my old OS before trying other fixes?
Yes — the article recommends a clean reinstall when possible, after making multiple full backups, because it often restores speed and reliability.
Can I run a newer macOS on an unsupported Mac?
OpenCore Legacy Patcher can enable newer macOS installations up to Sequoia (macOS 15); Tahoe support is under development but not yet ready.
Is vendor reinstallation media on PCs a good idea?
The article advises against using vendor-supplied reinstallation media because it frequently includes bundled bloatware and can be very outdated.
Are registry cleaners a recommended way to speed up Windows?
No — the author cautions that many third-party cleanup tools, especially registry cleaners, can do more harm than good.
Will the author’s suggested tools work in every situation?
Not confirmed in the source
OSES 29 Keeping Windows and macOS alive past their sell-by date Practical steps to make an aging operating system usable into 2026 Liam Proven Wed 24 Dec 2025 // 09:30 UTC PART 1 You…
Sources
- Keeping Windows and macOS alive past their sell-by date
- Using Windows 10 Beyond 2026: A Complete Guide
- Windows 10 PC can't be upgraded? You have 5 options
Related posts
- NASA uses Curiosity’s Mastcam to search for wayward MAVEN orbiter
- NORAD marks 70 years of tracking Santa after a 1955 newspaper misprint
- 6 hidden Google Docs features you didn’t know could save hours