Windows upgrade Archives

Winsage

March 1, 2025

Microsoft’s Free Windows Upgrade—When Does Offer Expire?

Microsoft is facing a challenge as the end of life for Windows 10 approaches in October, with hundreds of millions of users yet to transition to Windows 11. Throughout 2024, there has been a modest migration to Windows 11, but Windows 10 has recently regained some users. The transition to Windows 11 is free for licensed Windows 10 users whose hardware meets the necessary requirements, but if a PC fails the technical assessment, the free upgrade is not available. Initially, there was a belief that the free upgrade would be time-limited, but this guidance has been revised, and the deadline has been removed. Microsoft has not officially confirmed whether the free upgrade will remain available after the October end-of-life date for Windows 10. Currently, Microsoft states that the free upgrade offer does not have a specific end date but reserves the right to end support for it. Users are encouraged to upgrade before the October 14th deadline, as security updates will cease after that date. Estimates indicate that 300 to 400 million users are still eligible for the upgrade but have not yet acted, with many potentially needing new hardware. Upgrading an incompatible PC may lead to loss of support, leaving users with the options to pay for a support extension or buy a new PC.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

Windows AI Laptops For Under Rs 70,000 Are Here In India And This What You Get

Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon X processor in India, which enables affordable AI laptops priced under Rs 70,000. Asus is the first brand to utilize this processor, which features eight cores and focuses on enhancing AI processes and battery life. The launch coincides with the end of support for Windows 10, prompting users to consider new laptops. The Snapdragon X processor aims to provide a reliable option for AI Windows PCs, with the Asus Vivobook 16 expected to compete in this market. There is optimism about Qualcomm's innovations improving performance and efficiency in the affordable Windows segment.

Winsage

November 21, 2024

Microsoft displays full-screen Copilot+ PC ads to Windows 10 users

Microsoft is encouraging users of the free version of Windows 10 to upgrade to Windows 11 through full-screen pop-up advertisements. These ads inform users that support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, and highlight benefits of upgrading, such as improved battery life, faster web browsing, and enhanced security features. Users will have a grace period of ten months before free security updates for Windows 10 cease. The advertisements promote Copilot+ PCs as the fastest and most intelligent Windows PCs available.

Winsage

November 17, 2024

Setup needs space to update Windows 11 [Fix]

Windows 11 installation and updates require adequate free space on the hard drive or solid-state drive. Users may encounter a "Setup needs space to update Windows 11" message due to insufficient disk space. To resolve this, users can take several steps to free up space: 1. Use Disk Cleanup: Access Disk Cleanup by searching for it in the Windows 11 Search bar, select the C drive, and clean up unnecessary files. 2. Disable Page file and Hibernation: Temporarily disable the Page file and Hibernation to create additional space. 3. Delete System Restore Points and disable System Protection: Open the System Restore tool, assess the usage of restore points, and delete or disable them if they occupy excessive space. 4. Delete unused or inactive profiles: Remove any user profiles that are no longer in use to free up space. 5. Miscellaneous steps: Empty the Recycle Bin, delete temporary files, and uninstall unused programs to reclaim more space. To free up 10 GB of space, users can delete non-essential files or transfer data to external storage. The error message "We can’t tell if your PC has enough space to continue installing Windows 11" indicates insufficient disk space, which can be resolved by deleting junk files and uninstalling unnecessary programs.

Winsage

October 11, 2024

Microsoft blocked your Windows 11 upgrade? This just-released tool can get the job done

Microsoft's hardware compatibility requirements for Windows 11 have led to challenges for users with older PCs, particularly those with CPUs from 2018 or earlier, who receive error messages when attempting to upgrade. The release of Windows 11 version 24H2 tightened compatibility checks and blocked a popular workaround using the Rufus utility. In response, users found a method to bypass these new restrictions by adjusting registry settings, prompting Rufus developer Pete Batard to release a beta version of the utility that automates this workaround. The updated Rufus 4.6 beta replaces the official compatibility appraiser with a 0-byte file and renames the Windows Setup program to navigate the new restrictions. It creates a Windows Setup Wrapper that performs necessary registry edits before launching the original Windows Setup program. Batard assures users of the setup executable's integrity through SHA-256 validation and states that Rufus operates within Microsoft's framework, allowing upgrades for most PCs capable of running Windows 10.

Winsage

October 3, 2024

Microsoft blocks Windows 11 24H2 on some Intel PCs over BSOD issues

Microsoft is blocking upgrades to Windows 24H2 on devices with incompatible Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) audio drivers due to blue screen of death (BSOD) issues linked to specific driver versions (10.29.0.5152 and 10.30.0.5152). This affects devices with Intel 11th Gen Core processors. A compatibility hold has been implemented, and users are advised against manually upgrading to Windows 11 24H2. Users can update their Intel SST drivers to versions 10.30.00.5714 or later, or 10.29.00.5714 or later, to resolve the issue. Other compatibility holds are in place for systems running Asphalt 8, Easy Anti-Cheat, Safe Exam Browser, certain fingerprint sensors, and wallpaper customization applications.

Winsage

September 26, 2024

Microsoft’s Update Decision—Millions Of Windows Users Given New January Deadline

Microsoft has notified Windows users that the new Teams client will require upgrades to newer operating systems to maintain support. Users on older versions of Windows 10 (prior to version 21H2) and macOS (11 or earlier) will see warning banners within the next two weeks, with Teams ceasing to function on these systems starting January 15, 2025. This move encourages users to upgrade, particularly targeting enterprise users, as support for Windows 10 version 21H2 ended three months ago. Microsoft is promoting Windows 11 for its security features and integration benefits, emphasizing the urgency for the approximately 70% of Windows users still on Windows 10 to transition before the end-of-life deadline approaches.

Winsage

August 9, 2024

Almost all Windows 10 systems can be upgraded to the new version — so why are businesses holding back?

A survey by ControlUp analyzed over 750,000 Windows endpoints and found that while 88% of businesses are technically ready to upgrade to Windows 11, 82% have not yet made the transition. Among organizations still using Windows 10, 11% will need complete hardware replacements, and only 1% can upgrade without hardware changes. The end-of-life deadline for Windows 10 services is October 14, 2025, after which Microsoft will stop providing updates, leaving users vulnerable to security risks. Windows 10 currently holds a 64.99% market share compared to Windows 11's 30.83%. Microsoft offers free upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11, but devices must meet specific hardware requirements. The shift to newer hardware may support the transition to Windows 11.