Windows 11 upgrades Archives

Winsage

November 24, 2025

Microsoft’s New Update Deadline—550 Million Windows Users Must Act

Microsoft has phased out Windows 10, with a deadline of October 14 now passed, leaving approximately 550 million users navigating the transition to Windows 11 amidst rising cyber threats. Windows 10 usage has declined from 880 million in January. Microsoft offers an Extended Security Update (ESU) option for users needing more time to migrate, which provides security updates until October 13, 2026, for enrolled users. Business users have a three-year extended support period, while consumers have a 12-month grace period post-October if enrolled in ESU. The November update addressing zero-day threats is only available to ESU enrollees. There are no contingency plans for users who remain on Windows 10, and uncertainty exists regarding how many users have enrolled in ESU or have eligible devices for Windows 11 upgrades. Users must act before next October to purchase new PCs if needed.

Winsage

October 17, 2025

Global PC shipments spike despite tariff-related US slowdown

Global PC shipments reached 69 million units in Q3, marking an 8.2% increase from the previous year. This growth is attributed to Windows 11 upgrades and the end-of-support cycle for Windows 10. North America saw a modest growth rate of 1.6%, while consumer demand at lower price points remains subdued due to economic challenges. AI PCs are projected to account for 31% of shipments by 2025, up from 15% in 2024. Lenovo leads the market with a 27.8% share, followed by HP at 21.5%, Dell at 14.5%, and Apple at 8.9%. Despite improvements, the market may need new drivers for growth after the initial Windows 11 excitement fades.

Winsage

October 6, 2025

Windows 10 Support Ends 2025: Gamers Upgrade to Windows 11 or SteamOS

Microsoft's Windows 10 will reach its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025, meaning it will no longer receive free security updates. Gamers are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11 for improved performance and compatibility, particularly due to features like DirectX 12, Auto HDR, and DirectStorage. However, some gamers are hesitant to switch due to interface issues and stricter hardware requirements. As an alternative, SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system, is gaining traction among gamers for its streamlined environment and compatibility with Windows games through Proton. The adoption of non-Windows operating systems has increased, with Linux variants now accounting for around 2% of users on Steam. Upgrading to Windows 11 may require new hardware, while options like Tiny11 exist for those with unsupported PCs. The transition away from Windows 10 could drive innovation in gaming operating systems, prompting Microsoft to enhance Windows 11 amid competition.

Winsage

September 23, 2025

KAL offering Windows 11 upgrades via Kalignite

Microsoft will end support for non-LTSC versions of Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, necessitating an upgrade to Windows 11 for ATMs. KAL ATM Software has announced that its Kalignite software suite will be compatible with Windows 11 and over 40 ATM hardware manufacturers. KAL has also introduced the Kalignite Hypervisor solution, enabling Windows 11 to run on older ATM models lacking vendor support. KAL aims to future-proof banking technology and alleviate the need for extensive hardware upgrades for banks. KAL is a leading provider of multivendor ATM platform, application, and management software.

Winsage

September 2, 2025

Microsoft Issues Free Update Offer To Windows Users—How To Get It

Microsoft has extended Windows 10 support by an additional 12 months at no extra cost, impacting the dynamics of Windows 11 upgrades. Over 700 million users are either unable or unwilling to upgrade, relying on this extended support. To take advantage of the extension, users must click the “Enroll” button in the Windows 10 update panel, which is being rolled out in waves. The enrollment button will be accessible to all Windows 10 users before the deadline of October 13, ahead of Windows 10's end-of-life on October 14. The next Windows 10 update is expected within a week, and users should update promptly to check for the enrollment option. Claiming the Extended Security Update (ESU) is essential for continued protection for at least the next year.

Winsage

August 11, 2025

California man sues Microsoft over Windows 11 upgrades

Lawrence Klein, a California resident, has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft regarding the company's plans to retire Windows 10. Klein, whose laptops are incompatible with Windows 11 due to the lack of a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM), is seeking continued free updates for Windows 10 until its user base significantly decreases. He argues that Microsoft has violated California's business and consumer protection laws by forcing unnecessary upgrades and neglecting security updates for Windows 10 users. Support for Windows 10 is set to end on October 14, and Klein's legal team claims that many users are not prepared to transition to new devices or pay for extended support. Microsoft offers a paid extended support plan for Windows 10, but Klein is advocating for free support until Windows 10's market share falls below 10%. The lawsuit also criticizes the rapid phaseout of Windows 10, noting that historically, Microsoft has provided longer support periods for previous operating systems. At the time of the phaseout announcement, Windows 10 still held over 50% of the market share, with nearly 43% of users remaining on the older OS. Klein's argument suggests that the transition to Windows 11 has been expedited to benefit Microsoft and its hardware partners financially.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Microsoft is killing off Windows 11 SE, its Chrome OS competitor

Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 11 SE by October 2026, ceasing all software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes. Devices running Windows 11 SE will continue to function, but users are advised to transition to another edition of Windows 11 for ongoing support. The upcoming 25H2 update will not be released for Windows 11 SE, leaving devices on the 24H2 version until support ends. Various manufacturers have produced laptops with Windows 11 SE, and Microsoft launched the budget-friendly Surface Laptop SE in 2021. Microsoft's previous attempts to compete with Chrome OS included the introduction of S Mode for Windows 10, which faced challenges due to limited app availability. A Gartner report indicates that Chromebook market share is declining, with a shift in focus towards Windows 11 upgrades rather than migration to Chrome OS.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Microsoft Windows 11 update shows up on ‘incompatible’ PCs: Should you click upgrade or beware?

Microsoft is extending Windows 11 upgrades to computers that do not meet its official minimum requirements, prompting confusion among users. Reports indicate that users are receiving upgrade prompts despite lacking essential components like TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, or a modern processor. This change raises questions about whether Microsoft is relaxing its compatibility standards or if it is a technical oversight. Users are advised to exercise caution before upgrading unsupported machines, as this may lead to issues such as failed installations, unreliable performance, and lack of future security updates or customer support.

Winsage

April 25, 2025

Time to see Windows 11 as a transformation accelerator – not a drag on resources

Many organizations are hesitant to upgrade to Windows 11, with a global adoption rate of only 38% since its launch in 2021. This reluctance is due to companies wanting to extend the lifespan of existing devices, despite the risks associated with inaction. Microsoft will soon discontinue free security patching for Windows 10, leading to potential costs for continued support. Windows 11 has been shown to reduce security incidents by 58% and decrease firmware attacks by more than threefold. Organizations that delay the transition may hinder their competitiveness and face employee dissatisfaction, particularly in sectors like healthcare. The end of support for Windows 10 presents a crucial opportunity for companies to reassess their IT infrastructure and invest in higher-performing technology.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

Intune flaw pushed Windows 11 upgrades on blocked devices

Microsoft identified a "code issue" within its Intune device management software as the reason for the unintended rollout of Windows 11 to devices not designated for the upgrade. The flaw triggered upgrades despite existing policies meant to prevent them. Microsoft is working on a fix and has advised organizations to pause Windows updates via Intune to avoid further issues. Devices that received the upgrade erroneously will need manual intervention to revert to their previous version. This incident follows a similar occurrence in November 2024, where customers experienced unexpected upgrades from Windows Server 2022 to Windows Server 2025. Microsoft attributed that incident to third-party products used for managing server updates. Additionally, a month prior, Microsoft retracted a preview update for Windows 11 due to severe issues causing crashes.