This article is an addendum to my article in the March 2026 newsletter. As you are aware, many computers are unable to be updated to the Windows 11 operating system. For months we have been recommending that these computers not be scrapped into the e-waste pile worldwide. Yes, estimates are between 300 and 500 million computers were instantly made obsolete by Microsoft in October 2025. A person can purchase continued support for another year at the price of $30, but that only delays the inevitable. However, the result is the same.
Well, you can try to use a couple of commercial operating systems other than Linux Mint or Zorin if you wish, but Chrome Flex and Fyde OS have their limitations. Chrome Flex is basically cloud-based, and does not include the Google Play Store apps. Fyde OS is somewhat better, as you can download apps, but you must remember that despite being “free” for the basic version, some features require subscriptions. Both systems cost you your data and privacy. Moreover, despite both operating systems being based on the open source Linux Chromium system, they are proprietary and not truly open source. So that leaves me with one helpful suggestion made available through the United Church Rural Ministry Network, namely, should you desire to try out and perhaps install a true open source operating system that values your privacy and is secure, we will download a free copy of Linux Mint onto a boot-able flash drive for you and mail it out to you if you, our subscribers, request one. Just send your request with your address to :
ruralatlanticshortwave@gmail.com
This flash drive will save you the trouble of making a boot-able USB flash drive, so that you will now only need to get your old computer to boot your system from this USB. The rest of the instructions can be found in our newsletters over the past few months, or on the Linux Mint website.
https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest