Windows is heavy if you don't choose the right one. So I'm here to help you!
Note: I've tried all the os in these specs:
CPU: Intel core 2 duo E8400.
GPU: of course, Intel GMA X4500 desktop.
Ram: 4GB DDR3 1333mhz dual channel.
Storage: WD blue 500GB 7200 RPM.
Windows 11:
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| Windows 11 (Lite) in a low spec PC |
you must be thinking that, Great "great! Windows 11 looks good on this low end pc!". Not so fast, it's little complicated. It's not an original edition Windows 11 Pro 64 bit, rather it's a lite (modded) edition of Windows 11. The original Windows 11 can't run on a low end PC. Especially, PC's without TPM 2.0. So, running windows 11 on a low end PC might not be a good idea.
Pros:
1) Easy and clean UI.
2) Accessibility is great.
3) All the windows 10 UI craps are now gone.
Cons:
1) It will run badly (and may even crash).
2) You... Can't find the task manager on right click on the taskbar.
3) A lot more disadvantages than you think.
Windows 10:
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| Windows 10 |
Nope not a joke. Windows 10 is a complete useless os for a low end PC. Yep, you'll get a great security but also with instability! You are actually not recommend to install Windows 10 on your old PC. I know, I know, some websites or videos do say this that Windows 10 is tad faster on a low end PC. But please, just shut up those nonsense! I tested myself and I saw clearly that, there is a big difference between the performance even compared to Windows 8.1. (Some people say that Windows 10 will perform the same as Windows 8.1, which is a complete lie!). So, it's better to skip Windows 10 for your PC.
Pros:
1) Better security on low resource usage.
2) Great stability.
3) DirectX 12 compatible.
:
1) You know windows 10, right?
2) Windows security may annoy you frequently.
3) You may don't want to get lower FPS on your low end PC, if you love gaming.
So... I'm saying again it might be a better choice to not using Windows 10 on your old toaster.
Windows 8.1:
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| Windows 8.1 |
Please, why do people say that Windows 8.1 can achieve the same performance as Windows 10? Especially for low end PC's? That's a myth! Those who say these on the internet didn't use Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 both in a low spec PC like me. Yep I tested the both OS and got a huge performance difference between these two OS. And one of the main reasons are, memory management, boot time, CPU usage, Windows security resource usage etc. First of all memory management matters a lot to a low spec PC compared to a mid/high spec PC. And better memory management means better iGPU performance (low spec PC's don't have a dedicated GPU). Overall better gaming or graphics performance. Also the boot time matters a lot too. The other experts forgot that low spec PC's don't have an SSD (also). So, they can't boot Windows 10 as fast as Windows 8.1! But when it comes to an SSD powered PC, it can boot Windows 10/8.1 almost at the same time. Meanwhile, a low spec PC can boot Windows 8.1 a lot faster than Windows 10 (even quicker than the legendary Windows 7!). So, I personally recommend to use Windows 8.1 IF THE UI AND THE START SCREEN DOESN'T MATTER FOR YOU!
Pros:
1) Windows 8.1 is very fast and works like a lite edition of Windows 10.
2) The exclusive Windows Charms feature is great to access regular tools.
3) The memory management, boot time, CPU usage is a lot better than Windows 10.
4) Fastest experience on a low end PC.
:
1) The start screen.
2) Some low end PC may run Windows a bit 8.1 unstable. But most of the decade old PC's run it very smoothly.
**Note**: Windows 8.1 run very fast indeed. But sometimes it may crash or restart. To stop this, you can try underclocking the RAM clock speed.
Windows 7(From heaven!):
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| Windows 7 |
At last, the OS for low end PC's...... but is it actually true? In some aspects, it's true. But there are some things that should be noted. No! I'm not saying that Windows 7 is not good. In fact, it's perfect for a low spec PC. But it doesn't contain fast boot, MS store, apps, advance memory management. Despite all of this, it got a great compatibility with those old or new programs. Something that the newer version of Windows doesn't have (except Windows 8.1). But the thing is, the security updates. Yep, it's been 2 years since Microsoft kick out Windows 7 from there security shelter. But hey, if you are running your PC offline or don't have some sensitive information on your system, you may be happy with it. Also, more good things are, the other companies are still supporting Windows 7 like the security wizard Avast or the browsing king Google chrome. So, overall it's a great choice for low end PC if you use a good 3rd party anti-virus or a offline PC with no sensitive information. But there is a (believe me or not) better choice named Windows 8.1.
Pros:
1) Windows 7 runs faster than Windows 10. (On low end PC)
2) Better compatibility.
3) The best desktop friendly UI I've ever seen.
Cons:
1) There are some junk codes that take up space.
2) Can't support colorful emojis.
3) No security updates for two years.
Windows XP (no seriously!):
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| Windows XP |
Umm.... honestly, I didn't tested this OS on the rig showed in the starter part of this article. But I used this OS years ago with an old Pentium D (Dual Core) 1.7 GHz CPU with a single channel 512 MB of RAM... (Yes that slow! And why not?) also with an old PATA (not SATA) HDD. And technically it performed well. I know it's kinda dumb to say this on a article like this. But I know many of you wondered that how fast is the Windows XP in the "Modern low tier PC's". The answer is simple. No matter it's a low end PC or a high end PC, Windows XP will run faster than those latest Windows version. But the problem is... Good luck playing NFS Most Wanted or browsing the internet with an old Internet explorer! I think I don't need to write down some pros or cons for this OS. So, let's move for the winner!
Let's wrap up with a winner!:
The winner is...Windows 8.1! Because:
# It is the fastest Windows in a low end rig.
# It got a lot of useful shortcuts or features like windows 10. (Except DX 12)
# Faster boot up.
# Low on space.
# Still got security updates for almost a year. (January 2023).
# Fastest gaming and editing performance.
But what about the alternative Linux? And I'll say, hey I am just talking about Windows OS. The Linux thing could be discussed later.
What OS do you use? Let me know in the comments!