Unlocking Windows 11 PC: Is Your Device Ready?

Did you hear about Microsoft's latest announcement on Windows 10? If not, you should know that Microsoft is now displaying two full-screen pop-up banners to remind all users, including those with both supported and unsupported PCs, to upgrade to Windows 11.

Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will reach an end of support after 14th October 2025. This means Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates after October 2025, leaving PCs vulnerable to potential threats. Thus, upgrading to Windows 11 before Windows 10's end of support is essential for continued security and functionality.

However, the bigger challenge than persuading users otherwise appears to be convincing them to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Users are comfortable with what they know, and alarmingly, 70% of Windows users have not yet switched from an OS that was introduced nearly a decade ago and has now reached the end of its life. You might also wonder why and how you should deal with this.

This comprehensive guide will help you prepare for the adoption of Windows 11 PCs and ensure that you remain productive and secure after the end of Windows 10.

Understanding and preparing for the end of Windows 10 support

In the coming year, Microsoft will have a more extensive Windows 10 migration issue at its fingertips. Most current PC users have Windows 10 on their systems, but they will no longer be able to get security updates and technical support in 2025. The exception is for business users with the Windows 10 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) version on their computers due to its premium pricing covering an extended update cycle.

So, note that operating Windows 10 beyond this date without LTSC could expose your various security and performance issues, significantly resulting in non-compliance with security standards and resultant fines. Although Windows 11 will help support a struggling PC market as users prepare for another refresh cycle, the execution of Windows 10 will throw hundreds of millions of devices into landfills, causing you health and financial harm.

If you have the Windows 10 operating system on your PC, you have time to prepare for the end of support. When support ends in October 2025, Windows 10 will still be functional but will not receive fixes, new features, or security updates.

If your PC does not support Windows 11, expect to see a courtesy notification informing you about the end of support and offering the option to learn more. If your PC is eligible for the upgrade, you might already get the notification showing a direct path to upgrade to Windows 11 for free.

Important:

Start by backing up your PC to prepare for the end of support. Windows Backup is a quick and easy process that helps you save your files, photos, videos, assignments, settings, apps, and sign-in credentials to retrieve your data when you move to your new PC.

What options do Window users have right now?

1. Continue with Windows 10
2. Upgrade to Windows 11 if your system supports
3. Buy a new Windows 11 PC

1. Continue using Windows 10

It is not recommended that you keep using your unsupported operating system. This option has many risks, which you can try to mitigate by installing a free security program. However, most of their services are free for personal use; a fee applies to business or enterprise setups.

The following are the potential challenges of Windows 10 once it reaches the end of support:

Lack of security updates: This is the biggest concern. Without regular security patches, your system will be much more exposed to viruses, malware, and other cyber threats. Hackers are constantly looking for ways to detect vulnerabilities in outdated software, and an unsupported Windows 10 laptop computer will be a prime target.

Device vulnerability: Outdated generation devices in a hybrid world expose users and organisations to heightened security and privacy challenges.

Software compatibility issues: New software and hardware devices may not work with unsupported Windows 10, limiting your ability to use the latest applications and peripherals.

Driver problems: When Windows 10 support ends, hardware manufacturers may stop releasing updated drivers for Windows 10, which results in compatibility problems and malfunctions with your external devices such as printers, scanners, or webcams.

No technical support: Microsoft will no longer provide technical assistance for Windows 10-related issues. This means you'll be on your own to troubleshoot any problems your system encounters. You will be able to find limited help from online forums or paid technicians, but it is not the same as having Microsoft's professional technical team at your fingerprints.

2. Upgrade to Windows 11 if your system supports it.

As mentioned above, Microsoft recommends its users to upgrade to Windows 11. Check below to see if your PC matches the minimum hardware requirements and is eligible for Windows 11.

Minimum system requirements for Windows 11:

These are the minimum system requirements for installing Windows 11 on your PC. If your system does not match these requirements, you cannot switch to Windows 11 or you might need a new PC.

 

Feature-specific requirements for Windows 11 

Some Windows 11 features require more than the minimum requirements listed above in the minimum requirements table. Below are some additional specs regarding requirements for key features.  

Features Available on Copilot +PCs	The following features are available on Copilot +PCs.   Automatic super resolution  Cocreator  Live Captions  Recall (requires the use of Windows Hello with Enhanced Sign-in Security)  Windows Studio Effects (full experience)  Image creator
5G Support	5G capable modem is required
Auto HDR	Requires an HDR monitor
BitLocker to Go	Requires a USB flash drive
Client Hyper-V	Requires a processor with second level address translation (SLAT) features
DirectStorage	Requires an NVMe SSD to store and run games
Intelligent Video Conferencing	Requires a video camera, microphone, and speaker
Multiple Voice Assistant (MVA)	Requires a microphone and speaker
Spatial Sound	Requires compatible software and hardware
WiFi 6E	Requires a new WLAN IHV hardware and driver with a WiFi 6E capable AP/router.
Windows Hello	Requires a camera designed for near infrared imaging and a fingerprint reader for biometric
Xbox (app)	requires an Xbox Live account, which is not available in all regions.

You can check with your PC's original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to see if it fulfills these requirements. If your PC already has Windows 10 installed, you can use the PC Health Check app to understand its compatibility.

How can you upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without losing data?

As you already know, the Win 11 laptop or computer provides a redefined tech experience, bringing you down to what you love. Windows 11 offers a whole new interface, more apps, and effective features to be productive and creative.

Here are some steps you should follow to prepare for Windows 11 upgrade:

• Windows 11 runs on systems that follow its minimum eligibility requirements (as discussed above). So, check it before anything else.
• Sign in to your Microsoft account on your Windows 10 PC and back up your important documents, apps, and media.
• Go to your PC's Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Look for updates in the "Check for Updates" menu.
• If any update is available, you'll see the option to download and install.

Important: Downloading and installing Windows 11 on your PC may take longer than a typical Windows 10 feature update. You can perform other tasks on your system while running the Windows download process in the background or schedule the installation for a specific time when you aren't using your PC.

How to check if your device meets Windows 11 system requirements after changing device hardware?

If you've recently made any hardware changes to your PC and want to see if it now meets the requirements for Windows 11, the easiest way to check is with the PC Health Check app:

1. Install the PC Health Check app from Google.
2. Press the Windows logo key + S or select Search, type "PC Health Check," and select PC Health Check from the results list.
3. Select Check Now.

Windows Update might take up to 24 hours to refresh your eligibility information. If your eligibility information is not updated, manually refresh the Windows 11 eligibility assessment with the following steps:

• Press and hold the Windows logo key + S keys or select Search, type task scheduler, and choose Task Scheduler from the results list.
• Navigate to \Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience via the left navigation pane.
• Right-click on the "Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser" task, then select Run.
• Take a few moments until the task is complete (it will show as Ready).
• Navigate to Action > Refresh in the top navigation menu to refresh its state.

What if you get Windows 11 on a New PC?

When buying a new PC, it should have Windows 11, and you should stick with it rather than switching to 10. New PCs have dedicated hardware and drivers designed for 11.

For example, Windows 11 is better paired with modern Intel CPUs that use Intel's hybrid architecture. This means it unleashes better performance from many modern Intel CPUs and graphic cards, and you'll see worse efficiency if you downgrade to Windows 10.

Most people are better off using the Windows 11 operating system on a PC that comes with it.

Here's why Windows 11 PCs are worth it:

Simple and easy-to-use interface: Windows 11 has a straightforward interface, and Microsoft has done more work than usual this time to make everything smooth, from finding what you want to how you interact with the software. The start menu looks different. The taskbar is unique as well, with centred application icons by default.

Enhanced performance and speed: When it comes to processing background information, there's no better operating system than Windows 11, meaning that you get a seamless multitasking experience.