As the deadline for Windows 10 support looms closer, Microsoft has intensified its messaging regarding the necessity of upgrading to Windows 11, particularly for users with PCs older than five years. The company’s directive seems clear: if your hardware doesn’t meet the new requirements, it’s time for an upgrade. However, a growing number of users are challenging this narrative, armed with successful upgrade experiences that contradict Microsoft’s claims.
This year alone, nearly 400 readers have reported back after following guidance from a recent article titled “How to upgrade an ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 – 2 free options.” The results have been overwhelmingly positive, with most users completing the upgrade process smoothly and without significant issues.
- Option 1: For PCs designed for Windows 10 but with CPUs that fall short of the compatibility threshold, a simple registry edit allows users to run the Windows 11 Setup program.
- Option 2: For older machines or those failing the compatibility check for other reasons, such as Secure Boot or TPM requirements, the third-party Rufus utility can be employed to create custom installation media.
The upgrade is easy
Feedback from users indicates that the upgrade process is accessible even for those lacking technical expertise. Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to extend the life of their devices, saving substantial amounts of money in the process. Here’s a glimpse into the sentiments shared by these users:
- “THANK YOU for the concise, easy-to-follow steps. Like, I mean, OMG just perfect.”
- “Thanks for your instructions. They made the job easy. I am not a computer expert or even much of a hobbyist, but I did enjoy upgrading this old PC.”
- “Your instructions were well written and easy to follow. Everything went ‘as smooth as cream.’ The download of Win11 Pro took around 45 minutes to complete. There were no issues at any time. … I am quite happy that I did not have to recycle or destroy my laptop.”
- “The steps provided here worked flawlessly! I am very happy I came across this article and have managed to salvage my 6 or 7 year old laptop (from 2018 or 2019) for at least a few more years.”
- “Thank you so much for your article! It has literally saved my family hundreds if not thousands of dollars by not having to abandon our older (but perfectly functional) laptops!”
- “People give me their old laptops. I refurbish them and then give them away again, so with Windows 10 nearing its end, I’ve been updating quite a few to Windows 11 using your regedit technique.”
Most issues can be resolved quickly
A small fraction of readers did encounter challenges during the upgrade process, but most issues were resolved with basic troubleshooting. The most frequently reported problem involved errors in the registry edit, often due to typos or incorrect placements. Once users corrected these mistakes, the upgrade proceeded without further complications.
Some users faced abrupt installation failures, which were typically remedied by downloading a fresh copy of the Windows 11 ISO and restarting the installation. Others received messages indicating their PCs were unsupported due to known issues with apps or drivers, requiring a bit of detective work to resolve.
Yes, you’ll still get updates.
Concerns about receiving updates post-upgrade were common among users. The reassuring answer is yes; PCs upgraded through these methods will continue to receive security updates. Given Microsoft’s encouragement for enterprise customers to pursue these upgrades, it seems unlikely that the company would abruptly halt updates for these devices.
Reports from users confirm that security updates have been arriving consistently each month. While older devices may face challenges with future feature updates, users can perform in-place upgrades using the same techniques with the latest installation media.
Why is Microsoft doing this?
Amidst the upgrade discussions, a sense of confusion and frustration has emerged regarding Microsoft’s stringent compatibility checks. Many users feel that the rationale behind these requirements has not been adequately communicated. Microsoft has cited security and reliability as primary reasons, but the ambiguity surrounding these statements has left many questioning the true motivations.
While the company has emphasized the need for minimum system requirements to enhance security features, some speculate that the strict CPU criteria may be linked to vulnerabilities discovered in 2018, which affected a wide range of CPUs. Although Microsoft has not officially connected these events, the timing raises eyebrows.
As users navigate the complexities of upgrading, the dialogue continues, revealing a landscape where innovation and cost-effectiveness intersect in unexpected ways.
