WINDOWS 11 Should You Upgrade?
When Windows 10 launched in 2015, it felt like a big win for PC users. For the first time, upgrading to a new version of Windows was free. And Microsoft’s promise that Windows 10 would be the last ever version seemed to suggest devices would be supported for their entire lifespan.
But in June Microsoft announced that Windows 10 wouldn’t be the final version and would be replaced with the new-look Windows 11. Its release date (5 October) came sooner than many expected, though it’s going to be made available as a ‘phased’ release only – which means Microsoft will prioritise computers with a good chance of installing and running it smoothly.
It’s now decision time: should you upgrade? It’s a tough question. For a start, it’s not immediately obvious that Windows 11 justifies the upgrade. Sure, it’s free and the redesigned interface is attractive. But what are the standout features, and are they worth the hassle of learning a brand new operating system?
To complicate matters, Microsoft has ostracised many users by imposing a strict set of hardware requirements that refer to components most people have never heard of.
Here, we’ll cut through Microsoft’s confusing messaging and provide you with everything you need to make an informed choice. We’ll also explain how to find out if your computer is compatible with Windows 11. If it is, and you want to upgrade now, follow our advice on what to do before you proceed.
CHECK WHETHER YOUR PC CAN RUN WINDOWS 11
Before we talk about whether you should upgrade to Windows 11, we’ll need to establish whether you even can upgrade. The upgrade to Windows 10 wasn’t without problems, but at least Microsoft’s messaging was straightforward – anyone running Windows 7 or 8 was allowed to upgrade for free. Crucially, Windows 10’s system requirements were very similar to 7 and 8, meaning almost any computer running either operating system had the technical specifications needed to upgrade to Windows 10.
Things aren’t so simple with Windows 11. On the one hand, Microsoft has said it will be a free upgrade for anyone who is currently running Windows 10. But, at the same time, it has imposed a rigid set of minimum system requirements. However, it’s not easy to find out whether your computer is compatible, as we’ll explain.
What are Windows 11’s minimum requirements?
At first glance, Windows 11’s parameters appear to be fairly similar to Windows 10’s, but look a little closer and you’ll see the requirements are more demanding. For example, Windows 11 needs a 1GHz (or faster) processor – the same as Windows 10. However, the processor needs at least two cores (not one) and must be 64bit (32bit is no longer supported). Complicating matters further,
