Operese: New Rust Tool Simplifies Windows 10 to Linux Migration Before EOL Hits

Amid the looming end of support for Windows 10 in October 2025 and the stringent hardware requirements imposed by Windows 11, many users find themselves in search of viable alternatives. One of the most accessible paths forward is migration to Linux—and now, a new tool has emerged to make that transition significantly more seamless.

The utility, dubbed Operese, enables users to automatically transfer essential data and settings from Windows 10 to a Linux distribution—specifically Kubuntu, which features the KDE Plasma desktop environment. The project was developed by a University of Waterloo student operating under the pseudonym TechnoPorg and is written in the Rust programming language.

Though still under active development and not yet recommended for use with live data, Operese is already available for testing—ideally within a virtual machine environment. The developer notes that Kubuntu was chosen for its system stability and robust support for third-party drivers.

Future plans for the tool include support for migrating installed applications, multi-user environments, UEFI boot compatibility, and more granular configuration options. The internal architecture is also expected to become less tightly coupled to a specific distribution, paving the way for broader Linux support in the future.

The emergence of such a tool is particularly timely in light of widespread system constraints. According to reports, fewer than one-third of existing PCs meet Windows 11’s requirements. While Microsoft officially recommends purchasing new hardware—such as the Copilot+ PC lineup—many users are understandably reluctant to incur such costs.

As a result, a growing number of experts and organizations are endorsing Linux as a practical alternative. As early as January, cybersecurity firm ESET advocated for installing Linux on aging machines. In the spring, the KDE community launched the Endof10 initiative, offering step-by-step migration guides. LibreOffice later joined the effort, publishing a blog post highlighting the hidden costs of transitioning to Windows 11.

Another notable project is the End of Windows 10 Toolkit from the nonprofit Restart Project. Designed for volunteers and community groups, it aims to assist in refurbishing and reinstalling systems on legacy hardware.