Windows 10 will reach its End of Life (EOL) on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will stop providing security updates, bug fixes, and technical support for Windows 10.
When Windows 10 reaches its End of Life (EOL), Microsoft will officially stop supporting the operating system. This has several important consequences:
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Yes! if you plan to use your PC beyond October 2025, you should start preparing now.
While Windows 10 won’t suddenly stop working, it will slowly become unsafe, unsupported, and outdated, just like older versions before it.
Yes, you can upgrade to Windows 11, but it’s not always the best move right away. There are some pros and cons to think about, as well as other options available, so it’s a good idea to weigh them before you go ahead with the upgrade.
One of the biggest barriers is hardware compatibility. Windows 11 requires:
This means many older PCs and laptops cannot upgrade unless you bypass Microsoft’s restrictions (which is possible, but not recommended for most users).
While most modern software runs fine, some older programs or peripherals may have issues. You might need to reinstall drivers or find workarounds, and legacy hardware might not be supported at all.
For example:
For some users, the new layout can feel unnecessary or unintuitive at first. The Start menu no longer supports live tiles, and some familiar options are buried deeper in the settings. Customizing the taskbar is also more limited compared to Windows 10.
As with any newer OS, bugs can happen, especially after major updates. Although Windows 11 has matured since launch, some users still report:
These are typically fixed quickly, but early adopters sometimes bear the brunt.
Windows 11 pushes Microsoft services more than Windows 10. For instance:
If your PC works well with Windows 10, and you don’t need the new features, upgrading may not feel urgent. Especially for casual users, the differences may not be worth the time and effort, at least until closer to Windows 10 end of life in 2025.
If your hardware supports it and you value performance, security, and new features then yes! Upgrading is a smart move. You’ll be better prepared for the future, and the system runs smoother on newer devices.
However, if your device is older and not eligible, or existing software that you frequent use can only support via Windows 10 and you’re not missing out yet, Windows 10 is still safe and supported until October 14, 2025. You have time to decide or upgrade your hardware later.
Credit:Microsoft
Windows 11 has specific system requirements that must be met in order for a device to upgrade from Windows 10. If your laptop doesn’t meet these requirements, it will not be eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade. Some common reasons why a laptop may not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 include:
Windows 11 requires a compatible 64 bit processor with at least 1 GHz speed and 2 or more cores. It must be from Intel’s 8th generation or later, or from AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer. Older processors won’t be supported.
Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, which is a security feature that helps with encryption. Many older laptops don’t have TPM 2.0, especially devices from before 2016.
Secure Boot is a security feature that ensures your laptop only boots trusted software. If your device doesn’t support Secure Boot, it will be incompatible with Windows 11.
Windows 11 needs at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space. If your laptop doesn’t meet these specifications, it cannot run Windows 11.
While Windows 11 supports a wide range of integrated and discrete graphics hardware, older GPUs may not meet the minimum requirements. The laptop needs a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card.
The laptop must have a display with at least a 720p resolution and diagonal screen size of 9” or greater. Some smaller or older laptops may not meet this requirement.
If your laptop meets the above requirements, it will be eligible to upgrade to Windows 11. Some examples of laptops that typically can upgrade to Windows 11 include:
Use the PC Health Check Tool: Microsoft provides a PC Health Check tool that can help determine whether your laptop is compatible with Windows 11. This tool checks your hardware and tells you whether it meets the system requirements.
Manually Check TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot:
– You can check if your laptop has TPM 2.0 by searching for “tpm.msc” in the Windows search bar and opening the Trusted Platform Module Management tool.
– To check Secure Boot, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and click on Restart now under Advanced Startup. In the boot menu, check the UEFI Firmware Settings.
System Information: You can also use the System Information tool to check if your processor, RAM, and storage meet the Windows 11 requirements.
If you need any help with the Windows 11 upgrade or downgrade, do Contact Volta PC Upgrade & Repair
Yes, you can downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10, but there are some conditions and steps you need to follow:
Within 10 Days of Upgrade: If you upgraded to Windows 11 within the last 10 days, you can use the “Go back to Windows 10” feature. This option will retain your files and settings, but you may lose some apps that were installed after the upgrade. Here’s how:
Follow the on screen instructions to complete the downgrade process.
After 10 Days: If more than 10 days have passed since the upgrade, the option to revert directly from Windows 11 to Windows 10 might not be available. However, you can still downgrade by performing a clean installation of Windows 10. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
– Make sure your device drivers are compatible with Windows 10.
– You may need to reinstall certain applications and programs.
– You will need a valid Windows 10 license key if you’re not using the same key that was previously tied to your Windows 10 installation.
If you’ve had Windows 11 for a while and the 10 day window has passed, the clean install is your best option.
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