Windows 11 is out. Should you upgrade?
You can buy a new Windows 11 PC today, but I wouldn’t hurry.
You can buy a new Windows 11 PC today, but I wouldn’t hurry.
I’ve been using Windows 11 for over a month. I don’t think it’s remotely worth buying a new computer for.
It’s the least consequential new Windows there’s ever been, feeling more like a Windows 10 update than a brand new product.
Important dates:
It is worth taking the free upgrade, if and when you can. Offers will be sent in waves to computers with similar hardware. Wait for a week or two after you get the offer, to give Microsoft time to kill any bugs that appear on machines like yours.
Going forward, the new operating system will be faster and more secure. And, for the first 10 days, you’re free to revert if it isn’t for you.
If you bought your computer more than four years ago, you’re out of luck. Only processors manufactured since late 2017 are officially supported, which includes Intel Core processors from 8th generation onward, and AMD Ryzen processors from 2nd gen. Here are the full lists of supported models for Intel and AMD.
In addition to a compatible CPU, there are a few other requirements.
You can install a tool from the Microsoft website called PC Health Check. It’ll run a quick scan and tell you if your hardware’s compatible with Windows 11, including checking for a TPM (which is fiddly to do manually).
If your PC doesn’t meet the benchmarks, it’ll have to live out the rest of its life with Windows 10. But don’t stress – you’re not missing all that much.
The design is beautiful, albeit clearly inspired by the sleek rounded edges of Apple’s macOS and iOS. It’s a welcome change. Gone are the Windows 10 icons that haven’t changed since Windows 95. On Windows 11, every interface has been touched up to appeal to modern eyes.
The location of the Start menu is the first thing I noticed, and I’m still not used to it. The taskbar, which has always been bottom left of the screen, is now centered. It’s logical – now my most-used icons are closer to the action. But moving a cursor to the bottom left corner is so, so engrained that the habit might take years to break.
The Start menu itself has changed too. The search bar is emphasised as the default way to find a program or file. I thought search was underused in Windows 10, so I love it – it’s easier to type a few characters than scroll through a long menu. But I can see how this change might irk others.
Aside from the visual upgrade, not much has changed. There’s an improved Microsoft Store, but it probably won’t convince you to use an app store on PC. Beginning in 2022, you’ll be able to run Android apps on Windows 11 – which sounds great, but is a while away. There are some handy new layout options if that’s your thing, and some widgets nobody asked for.
All in all, Windows 11 is a nice coat of paint with little new substance underneath.
I read somewhere that this new version supports multiple desktops. That is a really useful feature (if it works). Is this true?
Windows 10 supports multiple desktops. I think if you press the [Windows Key] + [Tab] keys together, the pop up shows you an image where you can add a “New desktop”.
Or alternatively launch new desktops using the Taskview button. The button is default on the LHS of task bar near the Start menu
I have a perfectly servicable desktop and a laptop of 8.1 vintage. I'm told these will no longer be supported after 2023. Does this mean they won't function?
According to this link (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/faq/windows#windows-8.1) “Windows 8.1 reached the end of Mainstream Support on January 9, 2018“. So if it’s still running, then being supported and functioning are clearly not the same thing. However, it’s likely you are no longer getting security updates and it would be better to upgrade to Windows 10 if you can because it will still be getting security updates for a few more years.
Hi there,
Microsoft has two levels of support for its operating systems. During mainstream support, new features and performance upgrades are still being added. After that period, extended support begins, which means the OS continues to receive security updates so is safe to run.
As Phil says, Windows 8.1 has been out of mainstream support for a while. But it will be safe to use for another 18 months. After that, the software will still work, but you'll be at serious risk from malware.
Thanks,
Nick
As someone who was involved in running a windows based payroll system for a DHB, albeit many years ago now, you couldn't pay me to use a windows based pc / laptop.
Having made the switch to Mac about 15 years ago, l no longer have software headaches.
If you haven't tried a Mac, l suggest they are a far easier system to use on a daily basis, without all the hassle that Windows users complain about. Even Linux is easy more stable than Windows in my experience, but l don't think Linux is as easy to use as a Mac, yet.
Just my 2.3 centre worth 😊
Haha. I have the opposite problem. I’ve purchased several Macs and always go back to Windows. I just don’t get the way Mac’s work. I’ve tried and I’ve tried, but they just g hit the spot. Same with iPhones. I have one but only because everyone in my family has one and they don’t play nicely with others…
Try Linux Mint for a while. It easily beats Mac and Windows even on your old computers for speed and stability. I currently support users on a mixture of Linux, Windows, and Mac laptops/desktops (forced on us by our work places). Because I used to administer a computer network for my job I now do support for my family including aged mum.
After about 2 decades supporting mixed fleets of Windows/Mac/Linux computers there is no comparison - Linux beats Mac beats Windows. This is based on reliability and ease of use for users and administrators alike. Additionally, Linux is secure. If your budget needs consideration, then remember that Linux is free including all of the apps/programs most of us ever need. Linux also runs perfectly on those old computers your friends or workplaces are regularly replacing - privately I haven't paid for computers for years but run the latest software, saving us thousands of $$ and saving many, many hours of user and administrator time.
Downloaded PC Health Check. It would not install because, "Another installation is in progress. You must complete that installation before continuing this one".
I've tried twice, same message, which I don't understand. My PC was bought in 2013 so I'm screwed anyway I guess.
"Gone are the Windows 10 icons that haven’t changed since Windows 95."
I have to ask why you thing this is good. Is a computer a fashion item now? or the tool I have always regarded it as.
All changing icons means to me is more time wasted trying to figure out what they mean and what they do.
Robyn S
Hi Robyn,
You make a good point that these things shouldn't change for the sake of it!
I'd argue we've learned a lot about how users interact with computers, and what is easy to use, in the last 25 years. It'd be a waste not to apply that knowledge to Windows, even if it's confusing at first.
Thanks,
Nick
We have 4 PCs in our household and only 1 passes the Win 11 compactivity test. I have a 2 year old HP laptop that fails based on the CPU not being up to it. My 10 year old desktop that has Win 10 and Win 11 on it as a dual boot system runs fine on both OS. The whole exercise with this compactivity test seems like a ploy by Microsoft and the PC makers to sell more computers and Windows licenses and get people to upgrade their computers even new ones. There's going to be a lot of good computers going to the landfill in 2026. I was hoping Consumer may have gotten on to the planed obsolesce earlier.
As cyber attacks have changed, so to have mechanisms needed to respond to these threats. There are some specific security demands for Windows 11, hence the stricter hardware requirements (e.g. TPM 2.0). This link has more details behind the rationale (https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2021/06/25/windows-11-enables-security-by-design-from-the-chip-to-the-cloud/)
Linux runs on old computers where Windows and Mac won't/can't run. It runs more than fast enough for almost all everyday use. And Linux and it's programs are completely free.
To make moving to Linux easy choose any of the versions/"distributions" described by https://www.fossmint.com/linux-distribution-for-windows-users/ .
Personally, I recommend Linux Mint, which I've used for over a decade now for private and professional use after converting from Windows. Some good reasons for you to try it our are described by https://www.ricksdailytips.com/why-i-recommend-linux-mint/ .
Buy a Mac!
8 months ago we bought a new computer to run win 10 mainly because our old win7 machine was becoming terminally slow.
Now, this machine gets slower and slower with every update. Not looking forward to the next version as that will probably mean buying another new machine.
You should include computers in your "Built to last" campaign. This computer and win10 clearly were not built to last.
Are you running Norton's internet security/anti virus. It's notorious for slowing down computers
I did a re-boot and disabled auto updates then did an image disk copy, my computer is now zooming!!!
All modern Macs sell with SSDs. They cost more but run better.
I still use a windows machine with a nice big 2GB SSD. It runs like a scalded cat!
You get what you pay for
Hi Hamish W,
Indeed, every new version of Windows (and Mac) need newer, faster, and expensive computers every few years. After decades of using successive Windows versions I moved to Linux Mint - and now run run the "latest & greatest" software always for free and on old computers donated free by friends/family/employers, who were throwing out computers while upgrading.
Read my 2 posts above for reasons and some links to Windows-like versions of Linux. I would recommend Linux Mint with Office-like programs all packaged together and available for free at https://www.linuxmint.com/ .
"You get what you pay for" - this is certainly correct. If you pay for Windows (or Mac) you get their marketing machines and sales reps selling Windows (and Mac) to businesses/government/you/... and you get their need to constantly entice/force consumers to continue buying their stuff. If you pay nothing you get none of that. You just get occasional comments from users who have daily experience with these 3 systems (e.g. over decades) and can make recommendations based on both personal and professional experience. While there are some programs which can't be replaced by Linux these are few and not essential for most people in their private, everyday lives.
PS. Linux runs fine on older computers and harddrives - but would of course run even faster if you happened to want to buy the latest computers and accessories e.g. SSHD's.
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