Should you upgrade to Windows 11? It depends….
As with most Windows new releases, early adopters are usually faced with a lot of problems. I like to wait for the system to be out for awhile and I get a chance to upgrade my hardware before I upgrade. It minimizes problems.
If you feel you should upgrade there are 3 things to consider when upgrading to Windows 11.
Does Your System Meet the Minimum Requirements?
Old hardware hates new software. You should always remember that when considering upgrading. Microsoft has some pretty heavy system requirements for this version of Windows. They demand that your PC have a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 installed.
You can read this guide What is a TPM? And here’s why you need it for Windows 11 for a rundown of what these modules do and how to find out if you have one. In a shell, TPM 2.0 support is required by Windows 11. If you are not sure, check with your laptop or motherboard manufacturer to see if your PC has TPM 2.0 support that can be enabled via the BIOS.
Other specifications include:
- CPU: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB of larger
- System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
- Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
- Display: High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
- Internet: Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use, so no more “I don’t have Internet” option when installing.
Check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11
You can download the Windows PC Health Check app from the official Windows 11 page
Once the app is installed and open, you need to locate the Windows 11 banner at the top of the page and click Check Now. It will tell you right away if your PC is capable of running Windows 11 or not. Decision as to Why you should Upgrade
Weather or not to Upgrade to Windows 11
You should upgrade to Windows 11 if ….
If your PC meets the requirements, upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 s pretty easy and free. Early adopters live for this but if you are a fan of technology or change (or both) you should hold off.
The biggest change you’ll notice when upgrading is the look. Windows 11 still has the traditional desktop and taskbar, but now there are some new buttons on the taskbar alongside the Start button and they’re all centered in the middle, rather than clustered in the left corner.
There is other options but I will let you play around.
Wait on upgrading to Windows 11 if…
Your PC doesn’t meet the requirements, or you like using older apps and peripherals / equipment. If your PC doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, then definitely hold off until you can upgrade the components on your system or the entire system (depending on it’s age). If you don’t mind rebuilding your system after any trouble, then go ahead. Just remember to back up your system first. Unfortunately, Windows 11 is getting more aggressive about bugging users on unsupported PCs with warnings that their PCs aren’t up to snuff. I know Windows 10 has been around since 2015 but some user are still getting used to it!
Should I upgrade to Windows 11 Verdict
I suggest waiting if you have older equipment and / or can live with the feature of Window 10. If you love technology and experiencing the new features before the majority of user, go for it. But like I said before, if you requirements aren’t up to snuff you have the time to investigate any potent upgrade problems, prepare for a bumpy ride!! Oh yeah, did I mention backing up?
Special shout out to Tom’s Guide for the research on this!
Once again….a funny TikTok!
Happy IT’ing
Dan
Dan
I am an IT professional with over twenty years experience in the field. I have supported thousands of users over the years. The organizations I have worked for range in size from one person to hundreds of people. I have performed support from Help Desk, Network / Cloud Administration, Network Support, Application Support, Implementation and Security.