It’s confession time. I’ve been procrastinating over upgrading to Windows 11 on my foremost PC, regardless that I absolutely meant to maneuver to the newer operating system, away from Windows 10, this 12 months. (Actually, the unique plan was to change early this year).
So sure – I’ve let issues slide, at the very least in the case of my foremost PC, anyway. In my protection, I did improve my secondary machine – a Microsoft Surface Pro laptop computer – to Windows 11. Technically, then, I’ve made the leap to Windows 11 – in a partial method – and I’ve discovered the most recent incarnation of Microsoft‘s desktop OS simply advantageous on that 2-in-1. There are not any complaints there (effectively, principally, and I’ll come again to the one niggle shortly).
And while I was fully planning to migrate to Windows 11 on my work computer (I call it that, but I game on this PC too) as mentioned, there are some good reasons why I’ve put that plan on ice – for now.
Yes, I’ve not changed my mind about upgrading to Windows 11, but only adjusted the timeframe involved, as Microsoft busily reminds all of us Windows 10 of us that we solely have two months of support (and vital security updates) left (as Bleeping Computer noticed). This is the most recent step in a marketing campaign of nudges to get folks shifted over – Microsoft has even sent out emails on to Windows 10 customers, urging upgrades to Windows 11 previously.
So, what are my causes for deciding in opposition to taking the plunge with the newer OS? Well, there are a number of of them, so let’s dive in and discover.
Freebie extension
The first reason – and my main one, really – is that a couple of months back, Microsoft switched tack and announced that there would be a free way to get extended updates for Windows 10.
In case you missed it entirely, the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program was originally revealed for consumers with a $30 price tag (or equal in your foreign money). Then late in June, Microsoft brought forth a freebie option – effectively, by way of the money value anyway: the brand new selection was to get prolonged help for a 12 months in the event you sync your PC settings to OneDrive.
As I’ve stated earlier than, I do not assume that is too huge a deal for most individuals. It’s not like you need to sync and retailer your private information with Microsoft’s cloud storage, simply your settings. In my case, I do that anyway, so there’s actually no value for me to get an additional 12 months of help. So, when this spin on the ESU was introduced, it instantly took all the warmth out of my (delayed) quest to improve my foremost machine to Windows 11.
And since then, I’ve solely been occupied with why there is not any rush in any respect now. While I did not wish to fork out precise cash to remain on Windows 10, now I haven’t got to – and with successfully free prolonged help, I’ve till October 2026 to shift over to Windows 11. And frankly, there aren’t actually any urgent causes to improve anyway…
Performance wrinkles
What’s also become clearer to me as this year has progressed (with my upgrade heels dragging) is that Windows 11 is somewhat wonky in some elements of its performance. When using the operating system on my laptop, I’ve experienced sluggishness with File Explorer, which is fairly disappointing. This is probably going the results of there being a lot of modifications with work beneath the hood in Windows 11, and Microsoft has even admitted that the performance situation could be better – and it is working to enhance this.
In equity, on the entire, my expertise with Windows 11 on my laptop computer – and my spouse’s PC, which additionally has the newer working system – is that it is truly fairly snappy total. Indeed, I’d say it is extra responsive than Windows 10, however not by sufficient to have me dashing for that improve button.
Of course, efficiency ranges on my different PCs do not assure that Windows 11 will really feel simply as snappy on my Windows 10 rig, both. That’s the factor about upgrades: they are often unpredictable, and outcomes could fluctuate on completely different {hardware}. And there are of us on the market who’re firing some appreciable flak at Microsoft for Windows 11 being slower generally (not simply File Explorer) – in order that does depart a bit of room for doubt to creep in.
Bugs and stability
Then we come onto the bugs. The fact that Windows 11 24H2 has been very glitchy (and generally weird) in lots of respects would not instill confidence, and for me, this was additionally a serious pause for thought (previously, in addition to now). Case in level: I’ve simply written an article a few new reported bug in Windows 11, which is seemingly breaking SSDs, and whereas it is nonetheless to be confirmed, and we actually should not be leaping to conclusions that the newest August replace brought on it, this seems to be the case.
Whether that is true or not, we will see in time, however the truth is that it is nonetheless one thing for these working Windows 11 to fret about. (Think twice before embarking on any big installations, as I discussed this earlier.)
Which obtained me considering: if I keep on Windows 10, as I’d already been leaning in the direction of anyway, I’m going to obtain nothing however plain safety patches over the following 12 months and a bit. Just fixes for vulnerabilities, and no tinkering with the working system in any way – that means much less probability of breaking stuff.
The upshot is that Windows 10 is prone to run much more stably than Windows 11, which goes to be witnessing a gentle stream of latest options as this 12 months turns into the following, and 2026 rolls onwards.
Risk averse
I’m risk-averse generally – and significantly with computer systems – so it simply is sensible to stay with Windows 10, and never twist to put in Windows 11, in the interim. It will not value me something to take action, I understand how Windows 10 performs – and it runs simply advantageous for me, it is not sluggish in any respect, even when it is probably not fairly as snappy as my spouse’s desktop PC on Windows 11 – and I do know it’s going to be extra dependable by way of what is going to occur with updates.
Don’t get me fallacious, although: I will be upgrading to Windows 11 subsequent 12 months. Indeed, I’d make the leap right away if a tempting new characteristic does arrive for Windows 11 (not that there is something specifically on the horizon but). But for now, I’ll play it protected with Windows 10, as that simply looks as if the perfect plan of action on stability.