How to Use an Old Windows PC 

Have you got one or maybe two old Windows PCs sitting around in your garage or basement gathering dust? The rubbish dump or dust accumulation doesn’t have to be its final fate. Just because it’s no longer cutting edge doesn’t mean you can’t still use your old machine in some interesting and creative ways.

In this article, we’ll be showing you that even obsolete machines still have their uses. Here’s how to use an old PC.

Why We Stop Using Older PCs

Computers are one piece of technology, like smartphones, that are more quickly made obsolete by newer, more powerful tech. Besides this, there are many reasons we abandon our old PCs:

• Windows no longer supports an operating system, leaving it vulnerable to malware and infiltration.
• Newer machines can do more and at a much faster speed.
• A core component in the machine fails (hard drive, GPU, etc.), and we don’t know how to replace it.
• Software becomes out of date, and we don’t know how to replace it, or even want to.
• We’re lured in by the new and shiny appearances of the latest tech.

How to Use an Old Windows PC in New Ways

Your old PC might not be up to the job like it once was, but it can still function in useful new ways. Here are a few suggestions for yours:

Replace Components

RAM, hard drives, processors, and graphics cards are quickly outdated these days. That said, by replacing them, your PC can be brought back to decent speed without having to buy an entirely new one. Even one component can make all the difference when using old Windows PC.

Perhaps your machine failed due to one component. To find out, have an expert diagnose your machine. It might be cheaper to replace one part than the whole thing. Better yet, advances in technology (like SSD hard drives) mean your replacement part might be miles ahead in performance, but not cost an arm and a leg to install.

Try a New Operating System

Old versions of Windows lose support after a few years, leaving them vulnerable to glitches. Windows 10, for example, is slated to reach the end of its lifecycle this year. But who says you can’t install ChromeOS Flex, or a version of Linux, onto your machine? A new OS, free from the data and hard drive problems of the old system, might make your PC run like new once again and be easier to update when the time comes.

A Media Streamer

It can be a hassle plugging a laptop or PC into your TV constantly to stream movies or shows. Having a dedicated computer for the job instead is super handy. Playing movies and music doesn’t require cutting-edge performance, making that old computer ideal for the job.

Make It a Server

Your old PC could be the centerpiece of your household again as a streaming or media server. Having an old PC function as a Network Attached Storage (NAS) server saves you the trouble of having to buy a new one. Install a NAS-friendly operating system like Linux and take advantage of all the hard drive space to store your shared files.

A Starter PC

If you’ve got children who need their first PC, or a charitable organization that could benefit from your old PC, why not reformat it and give it to them? Simple tasks don’t require advanced computing power, and the gift will be appreciated. You can wipe your machine and give it a new lease on life.

Salvage Components

Your PC might be old, but certain parts might still be worth something. Graphics cards, RAM, hard drives, and CPUs are the most useful parts of a machine that’s past its initial build. The parts can still be useful to someone if you take the time to research similar parts on sale.

A Gaming PC

Hear us out here. Older games tend to run better on older operating systems, with which they’re familiar. There are a lot of extra hoops to jump through when playing retro games on the latest versions of Windows. If you keep your old PC around, you can enjoy the games without the additional stress of custom patches.