Best Windows version for an old laptop

NoTRite

NoTRite

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Hi again,

I have an old, very underpowered laptop (lenovo 14w, fanless amd excavator, dual-core) which is actually really great aside from the slow CPU. So I would like to install windows on it for single-tasking onenote or libreoffice while disconnected from the internet.

I am already comfortable with using ntlite to debloat windows 10 or 11, but since I will be using it offline, I wonder if debloating an older version like 8 or 7 would be better to squeeze out the maximum possible performance.

Which ntlited version of windows would be best if I want the maximum possible speed and battery life? I know windows 10 has the most bloat by default but the CPU is new enough that it supports newer features like x86-64v3 instructions.
 
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The oldest machine I ran debloated, no-defender Windows 11 Pro on was 2015 Apple Macbook Pro with 4th gen Core i7. It had 16GB of RAM and a PCI SSD but it felt very sluggish. Everything took several seconds, opening windows, launching apps. It was usable, but not enjoyable, and I only tried to browse the web and play videos with Firefox. I only briefly tried vanilla Windows 10 on it and it was noticeably more responsive. I imagine an even older, dual core CPU would be really painful under 11.

It depends on your levels of tolerance for sluggishenss, we're all different, but I could not use that machine for anything besides web browsing.

There really isn't much you can do to squeeze out significantly more performance out of Win 11, the GUI is heavy even when modded to look like 10. I'd say use Windows 10. If all you're gonna do is taking notes and using Libre Office while offline then you have nothing really to gain from using Windows 11.
 
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Find out what it came from the factory with and install that. Or install linux and see how that goes.
 
My main point is I'm considering windows 8.1, 7, and even earlier as well, since it won't go online.

Assuming I do similar/maximum debloat, would I get better performance from say 8.1 instead of 10? I think it came with windows 10 originally.

garlin actually I have the "high-end" version with m.2 nvme and 8gb ram
 
Yes depends on what you want to do with it. If nothing in general 8.1
 
Possible downsides,
8.1 needs a lot of updates.
Its an old machine that may not last much longer.
You might have issues installing older OS's on it and you might spend a lot of time for little to no success.
You might have driver problems.

Right now i can get newer and New similar spec machines for around £160,
They come with a warranty,
They will last longer,
You will be likely to have less issues with newer software and installing a newer OS.

If you install a newer OS like w10 LTSC 2021 then if the old machine dies you could install that build on newer machines where as if you tried to install XP W7 and 8.1 you might not be able to.

LTSC 2021 with the last Non ESU updates will be stable enough for your needs and seeing as it wont be online you wont need to update your image each month so you can build a lightly tweaked OS with all required chipset drivers built - audio and video drivers will bulk out your image.

Considering what you are using it for you dont have to go mad with removals, you can trim the fat and use more tweaks like bareboning services scheduled tasks and you will have a capable machine.
 
My main question is, is windows 8.1 still faster than 10 when both are debloated?

Or, will windows 10 be faster after debloating because of better hardware support?
 
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 is still usable, and it gets updates until January 9, 2029, but it's still better than the 2021 one.
 
NoTRite said:
My main question is, is windows 8.1 still faster than 10 when both are debloated?

Or, will windows 10 be faster after debloating because of better hardware support?
Click to expand...
8.1 vanilla is faster then 10 vanilla. The same can be said about debloating on both. 8.1 can get nice and lean but 10 has more life possibilities with programs.
 
Necrosaro said:
8.1 vanilla is faster then 10 vanilla. The same can be said about debloating on both. 8.1 can get nice and lean but 10 has more life possibilities with programs.
Click to expand...
Ah OK thanks, yes that is what I wanted to know. If 8.1 debloated is still faster than 10 debloated, then I'll probably just go with 8.1.

Do you know why debloating can't get 10 to the same speed at 8? Is there bloat built in to the kernel now or something?
 
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NoTRite said:
Ah OK thanks, yes that is what I wanted to know. If 8.1 debloated is still faster than 10 debloated, then I'll probably just go with 8.1.

Do you know why debloating can't get 10 to the same speed at 8? Is there bloat built in to the kernel now or something?
Click to expand...
As OS's continue they get bigger since they need to do more things and encompass more systems.They just do more and have different stuff then they had back in the day. If it wasn't this way people would still be using windows 98.

However 8.1 is a very efficient os(in my personal opinion better then 7 and xp).
 
Necrosaro said:
8.1 is a very efficient os
Click to expand...
It can be tweaked to hell with roughly the same Handles Threads and Processes as a heavily tweaked windows 7.
W7 Barebone Services(left) v LTSC 1809 Maniac Services(right)
index.php

Once i have tweaked 8.1 and ltsc 1809 to hell there is very little between the 3.
 
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16309 said:
It can be tweaked to hell with roughly the same Handles Threads and Processes as a heavily tweaked windows 7.
W7 Barebone Services(left) v LTSC 1809 Maniac Services(right)
index.php

Once i have tweaked 8.1 and ltsc 1809 to hell there is very little between the 3.
Click to expand...
OK so then 10? I know how to do the removals already, I just want to know which OS to start with.
 
NoTRite said:
OK so then 10? I know how to do the removals already, I just want to know which OS to start with.
Click to expand...
Threads and handles only show one thing. There is still stuff going on in the background which can dictate which is is faster(even if they have similar results in task manager) 8.1 has been known to be faster but 10 has more compatibility for programs and the such so it all comes down to what you truely want.
 
Ok, since there's no obvious choice I'll probably just go with 10 or maybe benchmark them myself. Thanks everyone.
 
Necrosaro said:
Threads and handles only show one thing. There is still stuff going on in the background
Click to expand...
Handles is the one im not happy with, my Threads and Processes are acceptable being in w7 territory but Handles does show that there is a lot more going on. Knowing what dll's are loaded over and above w7 would help, find the extra dll's, find their component and find them in ntlites Components list would be extremely welcome.
 
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