Windows 10 has been among the finest and most steady variations of the working system from Microsoft, and it’s no marvel that many customers have waited to replace to the brand new Windows 11. Despite its launch in 2021, there are nonetheless considerably extra folks operating Windows 10.
But now the clock is ticking for the system. In October 2025, the final common replace of the system will come. After that, Microsoft will solely make safety updates accessible to clients who pay further for the Extended Security Update (ESU) program.
Are you one of many many individuals who’ve reluctantly realized that it’s time to replace? You’re not alone, however I may also let you know that it’s not practically as unhealthy as you may assume. Windows 11 is generally the identical, and whereas Microsoft has made some questionable modifications, it’s not a repeat of the catastrophe that was Windows 8.
Join me as I stroll you thru the right way to safely replace and get began with Windows 11.
Further studying: Windows 10 will hit end of life in 2025. Here’s what to expect
Check that your pc is as much as scratch
Before you’ll be able to set up Windows 11, you’ll be able to test that your pc truly meets the system necessities. An simple approach to do that is to put in all accessible updates in Windows 10. The Windows Update part in Settings will then give you to improve to Windows 11 so long as your pc meets the necessities.
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You may also set up the PC Health Check program. If your pc doesn’t meet the system necessities, this system will present you what’s lacking and you’ll then see if it’s one thing you’ll be able to repair with out having to get a brand new pc to run Windows 11. It may be so simple as the TPM module within the processor not being enabled within the BIOS settings.
The minimal necessities are a 64-bit processor of not less than 1GHz, 4 GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI with help for Secure Boot (although it doesn’t must be enabled), TPM 2.0, a display with not less than 720p decision, and an web connection.
Since Microsoft launched model 24H2 of the system, barely greater necessities are positioned on the processor. For Intel, it requires the eighth-generation Core or later, or the equal of Celeron/Atom/Xeon. For AMD, not less than second-generation Ryzen or third-generation Threadripper, or the equal of Epyc, is required. Also a bunch of Zen-based Athlon chipsets are supported.
Back up so you’ll be able to roll again if catastrophe strikes
Before you begin upgrading to the newer system, it’s a good suggestion to make a full backup of the present system, a so-called clone backup. This makes it a lot simpler to roll again to Windows 10 if one thing goes improper in the course of the set up (or for those who merely can’t stand Windows 11).
There are a lot of totally different packages that may clone your arduous drive. R-Drive Image has lengthy been one our favourite full-featured program. For a free model, it’s arduous to beat EaseUS.
I’ve seen some experiences of issues getting the pc in addition from a ready-made clone, so don’t overlook to check earlier than you proceed.
Further studying: How to save your older PC when Windows 10 hits end of life
Update from Windows 10 or reinstall?
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Now the query is: Should you put in Windows 11 as an replace to your current Windows 10 system, or must you spring clear your pc with a contemporary set up? This query comes up each time Microsoft releases a model new model of Windows.
You can discover customers who swear that the system will probably be quicker and undergo from fewer bugs with a model new set up. But there are additionally customers who consider that that is pure nonsense and that an replace is quicker and simpler as you don’t must reinstall all of your packages and different issues.
My suggestion if you’re uncertain is to have a strong backup (see above) and begin by testing an replace. If all goes effectively, you’ll be up and operating in Windows 11 significantly quicker, and within the unlikely occasion that you just run into any difficulties, you’ll be able to at all times do a reinstallation afterwards. If you run the replace and go and do one thing else within the meantime, you’ll lose nearly no time.
Update in place – hold information, packages, and settings
To carry out a daily replace with out having to redo something after set up, there are two choices. The best is to undergo Windows Update in Settings and let the system itself handle the replace. Then it really works very similar to a serious common replace, for instance when Windows 10 22H2 was launched. The pc will restart just a few occasions in the course of the set up, however in any other case it is rather like a daily replace.
If for some cause you aren’t provided to replace in Windows Update, otherwise you simply desire it, you’ll be able to obtain an iso file with the latest version of the system and set up from it. You don’t must create set up media on a USB stick, simply double-click the .iso file in Explorer, go to the mounted disc picture, and run the Setup.exe program.
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After just a few steps the place the installer checks the pc and some different issues, you’re going to get to a dialog field the place you’ll be able to select what you need to hold. The default possibility is to maintain the whole lot — that’s, information, put in packages, and settings.
You may also select to maintain solely information, however because you then must reinstall packages and redo system settings, I feel it’s higher to do a complete reinstallation after which transfer again private information from the backup.
Blow out and begin from scratch
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If you might have a weekend to spend on the replace, it may be an excellent alternative to spring clear your pc. Over the years, Windows accumulates a variety of junk that by no means will get cleaned up. Old packages you’ve forgotten you ever put in. Settings, caches, downloaded updates, and way more can regularly replenish your disk.
Reformatting and ranging from scratch will release house and make your system extra steady. If you then begin by eradicating all of the pre-installed packages you don’t want after which putting in solely those you truly need, you’ll find yourself with a system that feels airier.
If you do that, it’s notably necessary that you’ve got a full backup. Make positive you’ll be able to boot from it, and that every one necessary information and different issues are there.
Then use an .iso file of the most recent model of Windows 11 and Microsoft’s set up media creation device on a USB stick. Boot your pc from that and once you get to the step the place you select the place to put in the system, you’ll be able to reformat the disk.
If you might have a couple of SSD or arduous drive, it is vital that you just select the suitable one, and you could have to disconnect all of the drives besides the one you’re putting in on first. The Windows installer is a bit finicky about this.
Further studying: The Windows 11 upgrade checklist
First acquaintance with Windows 11
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Once the replace is full and also you begin Windows 11 for the primary time and log in, you’re greeted by a full dialog field you could undergo earlier than you get to the desktop. It’s about location providers and varied options associated to how Microsoft collects analytics knowledge and the like. You can at all times change your thoughts later in Settings.
Next, the system will counsel you “complete the installation,” which is Microsoft’s barely sneaky try to get you to decide on Edge because the default browser, allow backup to OneDrive, and some extra issues. You can click on by way of however solely choose the stuff you truly need. (If you don’t need to see this “helpful” dialog field once more, you’ll be able to open Settings > System > Notifications > Additional settings and tick off the varied choices.)
Nothing extra, and also you at the moment are greeted by the desktop with the Taskbar in its common place on the backside. The Start menu and utility icons have moved to the middle of the display as a substitute, however you’ll be able to transfer them again to the left for those who desire.
One main change is the Start menu itself, which has a brand new look and structure. Microsoft has made some modifications since Windows 11 was first launched, and model 24H2 lastly has the choice to show all put in packages in an inventory as a substitute of a grid. Click on the All apps button on the prime proper. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a approach to open that view by default.
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The taskbar additionally behaves otherwise than earlier than. If you might have a number of home windows open in a program, these will not be proven as separate icons, however you need to hover the pointer over this system icon to see the totally different open home windows. If you need to return to the best way it was earlier than, you’ll be able to go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar Behaviors and choose Never for Combine taskbar buttons and conceal labels on different taskbars. In the identical menu you too can left align the Taskbar.
Here are another issues which have turn out to be totally different and should confuse or require a while to get used to:
Copy and Paste
Both the toolbar and the context menu in Explorer have modified, and the most typical instructions, like copy and paste, have turn out to be icons. Fortunately, Microsoft has listened to person suggestions and the context menu additionally reveals the title subsequent to every icon.
Action Center is gone
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On the far proper of the Taskbar was once the Action Center, which introduced collectively notifications, fast settings, and shortcuts to numerous capabilities. The entire function is gone in Windows 11 and as a substitute there’s a new notification view.
Default packages
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Microsoft has modified the way you arrange default packages for various file and hyperlink varieties. Open Settings > Apps > Default apps. Here you’ll find an inventory of put in packages. Click on an utility and an inventory of file varieties for which that utility is the default utility will seem. You may also seek for file extensions or hyperlink varieties within the search bar on the prime and alter the default utility for that kind.
Better Microsoft Store
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In the previous, it was nearly at all times greatest to obtain packages straight from the builders, and the Microsoft Store didn’t have normal desktop packages. In Windows 11, the shop has gotten higher and immediately most of the main packages may be discovered right here. It’s typically price checking the shop first and going by way of the online for those who can’t discover it.
Copilot replaces Cortana
As lengthy as you’re signed right into a Microsoft account, you’ll have entry to the corporate’s AI chatbot straight in Windows, and the outdated assistant Cortana is lengthy gone.
New design on Settings
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Finding your approach by way of all of your system settings simply obtained simpler. The program now has a everlasting listing of classes on the left. There are nonetheless very deep hierarchies for some settings, however the search operate typically works effectively to discover a particular setting.
How to revive to Windows 10
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If you might have put in Windows 11 as an replace with Windows Update, you’ll be able to roll it again straight in Settings. Go to System > Recovery and click on Go again. Follow the directions. Wait for it to complete (it might take so long as putting in the replace).
If this feature is lacking, it’s both since you didn’t replace with Windows Update, you’ve run System Cleanup after the replace, or it’s been so lengthy that Windows has mechanically cleaned up the information wanted.
In that case, you’ll be able to restore your outdated set up by cloning again the system from the clone backup you made earlier than updating. Keep in thoughts that this can overwrite any newer information, so it’s greatest to make one other backup of the system as it’s now so you’ll be able to copy again the whole lot new once you’re accomplished. Of course, this requires an extra arduous drive that’s giant sufficient.
The indisputable fact that it’s a lot simpler to roll again with the Go Back function is one other argument in favor of updating to Windows 11 as a substitute of reformatting and reinstalling.
This article initially appeared on our sister publication PC för Alla and was translated and localized from Swedish.