Should You Rush the Switch to Windows 11?

The much-anticipated Windows 11 was released in early October of this year and thus the great Microsoft rollout has begun! These rollouts take place in the months and years after a new iteration of the Windows operating system is released and stop when support for outdated software has ended. Depending on what you use Windows 11 for, support will end between 2 to 5 years from 2021.

As with all previous versions, you will still be able to use Windows 10 until 2025, however, new updates and security patches will no longer occur.

Most importantly, is this update free?

Yes! Upgrades for eligible Windows 10 PCs have been available since October 5th, when Windows 11 launched. If you are running an older version of Windows, say Windows 7, you will be required to upgrade to Windows 10 before proceeding to Windows 11. To download Windows 11, click here.

Will Windows 10 support still be available?

Yes! We can’t say for how long exactly, but Windows 10 support has existed for about 10 years so expect a similar timeline for Windows 11.

Is the switch necessary?

No. However, staying up to date on the latest software is important for a few reasons. New software/operating systems offer improved security, faster processing, and more modern features. Additionally, frequent upgrades are easier to manage than one major upgrade every 5-10 years. Lastly, if the upgrade is free or inexpensive the pros far outweigh the cons. In the case of Windows 11, a few cons exist in upgrading. If you are still hesitant about the switch, wait a few months or even a year for the software kinks to get worked out and make the switch at a time that feels right for you and/or your organization.

Is Windows 11 compatible with my computer?

The answer to this question is dependent on how current your PC is. Any recently purchased PC will run Windows 11 no problem. If you have an older machine, the easiest way to find out is to download the PC Health Check app. This app will tell you if your system is capable of running Windows 11. For a more in-depth list of requirements, visit Microsoft’s website.