Windows 11: Should I Upgrade from Windows 10? What there is to know

The days of Windows 10 are numbered. With the arrival of Windows 11 this fall, Microsoft has announced that it will stop supporting Windows 10 in 2025. While you still have time before Microsoft unplugs these important security and feature updates, it It’s important to make sure you understand what the change to Windows 11 will entail, if your computer will be compatible, and if you even need to upgrade at all.

If you’ve been wondering how long you actually need to upgrade to Windows 11 and how long you can safely wait for the update, you’ve come to the right place. I will also explain how to download Windows 11 and who gets it for free. Read on for everything you need to know about ending support for Windows 10 and getting ready for Windows 11.

Read more: Windows 11: What to Know About Beta Download, New Features, Device Compatibility, Price, and More

When is Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 and why?

Windows 10 support will end on October 14, 2025. This means that Microsoft will no longer provide security patches or feature updates for the Home, Pro, Enterprise, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations editions at this time, affecting virtually all users of Windows 10. (The only people who have until 2029 are the few Windows 10 Enterprise Long Term Support Channel users.)

This is not surprising: Microsoft has a long-established fixed lifestyle policy for many of its products. For each version of its operating system, the company offers a minimum of 10 years of support (at least five years of standard support such as security updates and free incident support, followed by five years of extended support such as pay-as-you-go).

Windows 10 was released in July 2015, so its 10-year lifecycle will have ended by October 2025. (Here is everything you need to know about Windows 10 end of support.)

Should I upgrade to Windows 11? Will my Windows 10 computer stop working after Microsoft removes the media?

No. You will still be able to use your Windows 10 computer the same way you did, just like a lot of people still use it. Windows 7 or Windows 8, although Microsoft has supported both in recent years. However, once the support ends, you will not get any security updates, which could leave your computer vulnerable – many forms of malware target Windows devices.

If you don’t want to stop using your Windows 10 machine after end of support in 2025, there are some steps you can take to make it more secure.

Will my computer be able to run Windows 11?

It depends. If you buy a new PC by general release, that computer will be able to run Windows 11. To see if your current Windows 10 PC is eligible for the free upgrade to Windows 11, go to Microsoft’s website for a list of requirements.

Originally, Microsoft required users to download the PC Health Check app to check if their machines were compatible. However, many users reported that it did not provide enough detail on why a device was not compatible. On June 28, a Microsoft blog post stated that the company is “temporarily removing the app” to fix this problem and that the tool will return before the fall release of Windows 11. In the meantime, you can use another app. open source called Why Not Win11 to see if your device is compatible. Plus, here’s how check some hardware compatibility with Windows 11 without any tools.

How to switch from Windows 10 to Windows 11? How much will it cost me?

If you are already a Windows 10 user and have a compatible computer, Windows 11 will appear as a free upgrade for your machine once it is generally available, probably in October. (You can also download a beta now if you want to try it early, but we recommend doing so only if you have a second test device, as it will likely be buggy.)

Once Windows 11 is generally available, you’ll download it the same way you would any new version of Windows. Most users will go to Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update and click Check for updates. If available, you will see Feature update to Windows 11. Click on Download and install. (Here is more information on how to download windows 11. If you haven’t upgraded to Windows 10 yet, you can still also download Windows 10 for free – here’s how.)

What’s the difference between Windows 10 and Windows 11, anyway?

Windows 11 includes a new design and several new features over Windows 10 that aim to make your computer easier to navigate, whether you use it for personal, business, or both. Here are some of the most important changes in Windows 11:

• A new interface closer to the Mac: Windows 11 features a clean design with rounded corners, pastel tones and a Start menu centered and taskbar.
• Built-in Android apps: Android apps will arrive on Windows 11 and installable from the new Microsoft Store via the Amazon Appstore. (There were several ways to access Android apps on Windows 10, including if you had a samsung galaxy phone, but that will make it native.)
• Microsoft Teams Integration: The teams are getting a new look and will be integrated directly into the Windows 11 taskbar, which will make it easier to access (and a little more like Apple’s FaceTime). You will be able to access Teams from Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS.
• Better support for virtual desktops: Windows 11 will allow you configure virtual desktops in a way more similar to MacOS, switching between multiple desktops for personal, work, school, or gaming use.
• Easier transition from monitor to laptop and better multitasking: The new operating system includes features called Snap groups and snap layouts – collections of apps you both use that are in the taskbar and can appear or be collapsed at the same time to make it easier to change tasks. They also make it easier for you to plug in and unplug a monitor without losing the location of your open windows.
• Widgets: While they’ve been around for quite some time (remember desktop gadgets on Windows Vista?), Including in a Windows 10 recent update, you can now access widgets directly from the taskbar and customize them to see what you want.
• Xbox technology for better gaming: Windows 11 will get some features found in Xbox consoles, like Auto HDR and DirectStorage, to enhance gaming on your Windows PC.

We broke down all the biggest differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 here. We also have a guide on all the best new features of Windows 11, and how you are going to use them.

For more details, see all the features we wanted in Windows 11 but didn’t get and how to use Android apps on Windows 10 right now.