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Just over three in 10 (31%) US adults hang onto old devices because they are unsure what to do with them, according to a CNET survey. Nearly one-fifth (19%) of those surveyed simply throw them away. When it comes to old PCs, there are plenty of other options. If that laptop or desktop were made within the last decade, you'd be surprised by how much useful life you (or others) can get out of it.
Some light upgrades may be required; if you can afford it, adding more RAM and a big new storage drive could benefit some (OK, probably all) of these projects. In many cases, the PC needs to be connected to the internet and/or able to access software stored on a USB flash drive. Otherwise, this advice applies to just about any PC. Here are just some of the options.
1. Experiment With a New, Lighter OS
Can't upgrade to Windows 11? Make your computer feel young (and safe) again with a freshly installed operating system. Most alternative OSes (translation: neither Windows nor macOS) are based on Linux, which comes in a variety of options called "distros." Popular examples include Ubuntu, Mint, elementary OS, and Zorin OS. You'll find interfaces similar to Windows, and they come with software packages such as LibreOffice (a free, open-source equivalent to Microsoft Office). Most work well on PCs with 4GB of RAM or more, but check the specifications.
You might also want to try building your own Chromebook. That's typically a laptop running Google Chrome OS; it makes the Chrome browser and Google's cloud services and storage the center of the OS. You can install ChromeOS Flex onto an old PC or Mac to approximate a Chromebook; it can even run from a portable flash drive. Google now pushes Flex more for businesses, but you can still get it for your personal PC, as long as it's on the list of supported models.
2. Serve Up Some Media
Even if you're a streaming service addict, you still might have hours of music, podcasts, and videos stored locally. And you'll probably want to access it all on PCs, game consoles, tablets, and phones. For that, you need a media server.
"Theater software" such as Kodi makes this possible. Install the server software on any device running Linux, Windows, or macOS; jailbroken iOS devices; rooted Android devices; or even a Raspberry Pi. There are "remote control" apps for iOS or Android users who want to control Kodi from their phones, but again, they'll have to be jailbroken or rooted. Plex has most of the same features. The server software works on PCs running Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD. It also works on NAS devices. The playback software is available for about every device you can imagine. Plex even offers some live TV options.
To get the best performance, put server software on an old PC with a clean OS install, and dedicate the system to playing media—nothing else.
3. Turn Your Old PC Into a NAS Home Server
A network-attached storage device is a server for your home or small-business network that stores files you share with all the PCs on the network (or externally via the internet). Prices vary from a pittance to hundreds of dollars, but you don't need to buy an NAS device if you have an old PC with lots of storage. Free, typically open-source software—including TrueNAS Core, Rockstor, FileCloud, and XigmaNAS—can be used to create your own on a device you already own.
4. Hack Together an Anonymous PC
Everyone's worried about privacy—and for good reason. Many tools can make your computer a more anonymous workstation when online. If you have a long-in-the-tooth PC that needs new life, turn it into a dedicated privacy PC with The Amnesic Incognito Live System (Tails).
Based on the Debian Linux distribution, Tails can run from a USB flash drive, SD card, or DVD. In other words, you can take it with you. It routes your internet traffic and requests through the Tor network. All the integrated applications, including the office suite, IM client, email software, and browser, are preconfigured for security. Whonix and Qubes OS are other privacy and anonymity-focused Linux distros.
5. Fire Up a Hotspot
Nothing's worse than limited wireless network access. So turn that old PC into a Wi-Fi hotspot to share an internet connection. Naturally, you'll need a PC with Wi-Fi capability. With Windows, you can turn a laptop or desktop PC into a hotspot that shares your home internet. If you already have a router with Wi-Fi, run an Ethernet cable to the laptop and use Connectify Hotspot to create a secondary network using the same internet backhaul connection. Connectify Hotspot Pro costs $14.99 for lifetime use on one Windows-based PC; the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
6. Create a Starter PC for Distant Family
Everyone has a family member who just can't handle technology. Worse, they ask for your help all the time. You may not even live in the same state or country! Troubleshooting over the phone or even via video chat is headache-inducing. So what do you do? One option is to give them the PC you no longer want and set it up for them so that the person you're giving it to can't install software without your permission.
Put a clean install of Windows 11 on the old laptop, then go into Settings > Accounts > Family, and click Add someone. The goal is to make an account for you as the Administrator, and one for your loved one as a Standard User who can't mess with settings (much). Set the User Account Control for the account (type UAC into the Start menu to launch it). If UAC is off, the Standard User can act like an Admin. Turn up the level on UAC, but don't go too far; if you do, all the warnings thrown at your family member can get annoying. You have to figure out the right balance.
In the OS, treat that family member like a child: Under Add someone, choose Add a child. (The child account needs an email invite for some reason, but you can create a quick one for them on Outlook.com.) Provide your phone number for password recovery if your user forgets their password. Turn off the advertising and promos, and you're almost set.
You can visit account.microsoft.com/family for an overview of what everyone on your Microsoft Account has been doing. Here, you can block websites, select games and applications, and more.
Before you send that PC off to live with your loved one, install a remote-control program such as TeamViewer or set up the PC to use Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection (if it's supported), so you can occasionally take over that system to perform updates. Better yet, use it to show your family on their own screen how to perform basic functions. When using the computer remotely, create restore points for future renewal of the PC when it inevitably gets screwed up.
7. Whip Up a Guest or Kitchen PC
Depending on the size of your old computer, it might be just right for occasional use only—say, when you need a recipe on-screen in the kitchen or when guests are spending the night and need to look something up. A lightweight Linux distro such as Zorin OS could work well for this, as it mimics the look of Windows and macOS quite well, so there's not much of a learning curve.
8. 'Make' a Tablet
Have some mad DIY skills you want to put to the test? Take a down-on-its-luck laptop apart and convert it into a "tablet." Of course, you're not going to get an iPad-level touchscreen-quality experience. The system's smarts typically still reside with the keyboard, which you'll have to tether to the screen somehow. Take a gander at the website Instructables, and you'll find many step-by-step lessons on how to pull it off, including one that will turn any screen into a touch screen. Is this worth the effort? While Apple is increasing prices on its iPad lineup, it's probably cheaper, and definitely easier, to simply buy a refurb...but where's the fun in that?
9. Turn That PC Up to 11
Turn that ready-to-be-abandoned PC into a guitar amplifier. You need a special cable to connect a guitar to the PC via a USB port (try Ubisoft's Rocksmith+ Real Tone Cable, which works on Windows and macOS computers, as well as game consoles), and a copy of Guitar Rig Pro, an amplifier modeling program. For $199, Guitar Rig does it all, providing 21 amplifier emulations for guitar and bass, plus all the distortion effects.
10. Create Your Own Security Cam
If that old laptop has an integrated webcam or you've got a stray webcam you can attach, put that extra eyeball to use. Download a copy of Agent DVR from iSpy. Once it's set up, access your camera via a web interface in the browser—no fiddling with router settings required. Setting out a PC as your camera is not as subtle as buying one of our top home security cameras, but it's free for personal, local use. You can also do something similar with a smartphone.
11. Go Old-School for Gaming
Older PCs can generally handle older games, and plenty of old-title ports work on the PC. With a fresh install of Windows, you'll be ready to turn an older PC into a dedicated gaming system. Where do you get old games? Steam is always a top option, but GOG.com also has plenty. If you run into problems, read 4 Ways to Run Old Games on Your Modern PC. Grab an emulator for old systems, such as the Nintendo 64, to get up and running with really old game titles on a PC or Mac.
12. Contribute CPU Cycles
Even the oldest, crappiest PC has plenty of unused computing power in idle moments. Distributed computing projects—in which software ties together many internet-connected PCs to work on computationally massive problems—can put that power to good use.
Perhaps you've heard of SETI@home (the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence), a distributed computing project that went live in the 1990s. It was spawned at Berkeley and used volunteer PCs to analyze signals from space. SETI no longer needs our help, but other projects might. Visit BOINC, which is the backbone for several projects you can choose from. Or use Folding@Home to help scientists learning about viruses by simulating protein dynamics. Set it up on that old PC, and let it run in the background. Voila, you're a citizen scientist!
13. Save It for Zoom
A laptop or desktop can be dedicated to one function—say, video conferencing. Any browser works with services such as Zoom and Google Meet. Mac users can also use FaceTime to talk to people on iOS or iPadOS devices.
14. Tear It Down to Build It Up
If you have an old-school desktop tower or mini-tower PC, consider it an opportunity to learn what it takes to build a PC. Take it apart. Put it back together. See if it still works and try to figure out why or why not. Better yet—buy a new motherboard and some components, then Frankenstein that aged system into something new. You're essentially using an old chassis rather than buying a new case, but the learning experience is worth your time. For more on PC building, check out our series Rigged Up.
15. Serve Up Some Games
With a game server, you can create a multiplayer spot just for you and your friends. The server stores all the game info, such as players' locations and activity, but it doesn't have to serve up graphics—that happens on players' local client systems—so then it doesn't have to be high-end. That's a perfect job for an old PC, as long as the system can handle being on and networked full-time. It's easier when everyone plays on the same network in the same location. You may need a dedicated static IP address for the PC to work remotely over the internet.
You'll probably want to use a Linux distro on your game server PC. Then grab the dedicated server software for the game in question. Some games that support this are DOTA 2, Ragnarok, Counter Strike, and Minecraft. Some of them may require SteamCMD, a command-line version of Steam that keeps the software up to date.
16. Make a Digital Photo Frame
This option means finding a way to hang a display on the wall (easy enough with a VESA mount) and perhaps hiding away the PC, which might be tough with a big ol' tower. But if you have the right setup, it's easy: After a clean install of the OS, fill the computer's drive full of photos and point some software at them, essentially running a digital memory screensaver full-time. Software like gPhotoShow Pro makes short work of it. The program can access Google Photos, so if the PC still has Wi-Fi access to the internet, the digital photo collection on display can continue to grow. It will also display videos and support multiple monitors if you want to create a wall of panels. Other software to consider: DAKboard, or the classic image viewer IrfanView in slideshow mode.
17. Make a Writing Station Sans Distractions
If you want to buckle down and do some serious writing, there are a number of software options that will help, like FocusWriter. Install it on your old PC, and go the extra step of putting it in Airplane mode or even permanently turning off the Wi-Fi, which you can do from the Network and internet settings screen in Windows. (Don't worry: You'll still have your phone to distract you.)
18. Lock Down a PC for Guests and Others
Sometimes, when you want other people to use a PC—like your loved ones (see option 6 above) or guests (like people staying at your Airbnb rental)—it's best to ensure they can't muck up the system's settings.
Set up a feature on Windows called Assigned Access, or on macOS, put it in Single App Mode via Apple Configurator. Both place the OS in Kiosk Mode—akin to a PC in a public place that can access only one thing. For example, you can set the user account you open up for guests to have access to only one web browser. Assigned Access can even lock a local account into accessing only select websites that you approve, but that takes a lot more configuration. You might be better off running Parental Controls through your router if you want to exercise that much control.
19. Set Up a Localized AI Just for You
It's the era of artificial intelligence, whether we like it or not. But the majority of AI chatbots have some serious privacy concerns. If you want to query a large language model and not be afraid you're feeding the ravenous AI beasts with what you have to say, run a local LLM. You may require a slightly more souped-up old PC for this to work; you'll probably need at least an Nvidia graphics card, or some kind of integrated neural processing unit (NPU). Services that can get you going include LocalAI, LM Studio, and Ollama. But don't even think about it unless you're comfortable with the command line.
20. Take Control Via a Personalized Smart Home Assistant
Have privacy concerns about voice tools like Alexa+ or Gemini? Try the open-source Home Assistant to set up a local smart home assistant on your own hardware. From the screens, you can fully control your smart bulbs, lights, vacuums, and more. It doesn't support voice, so it's not an exact replacement for Alexa or Gemini, but you can control everything you want on all your devices, including your phone, with the companion apps.
Home Assistant is ostensibly made to run on a Raspberry Pi device or its own Home Assistant Green hardware, but it's also available in an x86_64 version (the kind of systems Windows and Linux run on), and it includes software options that run on Linux, macOS, Windows, or an NAS device.
