Windows 11 upgrade might necessitate significant action, according to a new report, as per Microsoft's suggestion
Catchin' Up With Windows:
Windows 10's support is winding down, with Microsoft setting the final day as October 14, 2025. Despite this, a significant chunk of Windows 10 users lingers, representing 58.7% of all Windows desktop users compared to Windows 11's 38.1%, according to StatCounter. The race between the two versions tightened recently, albeit slightly.
Microsoft's Push for Windows 11:
To prompt users to switch, Microsoft has come up with an intriguing proposition. In an email to Windows 10 users, it suggested that perhaps the best solution is merely to get a new computer. This suggestion and the upgrade plan were detailed in an email, reported by Windows Latest, which also provided a link to buy a new computer. Along with the information came an FAQ on what it means when Microsoft ends support for Windows 10, how to deal with an old computer, and the benefits of Windows 11.
The email marks Microsoft's effort to nudge Windows 10 users into making the leap before the October 14 support cutoff. Microsoft sent out such messages to all Windows 10 users about the upcoming end of support for their operation system.
New Tech, Old Machines?:
It's highly improbable that Windows 10 users will necessitate a new computer for Windows 11. The minimum specifications required to run Windows 11, according to Microsoft, are a 1GHz processor with 2 or more cores, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Users from sub-Reddit Windows 11 claimed that computers from the mid-2000s have managed to run Windows 11.
However, there are lesser-known hardware requirements that could potentially lead to errors, prompting users to remain on Windows 10. Users opting to stay with Windows 10 will have the option to avail Extended Security Updates (ESU) for a price, with a one-time fee of $30 for another year of updates. After that, users will be left to their own devices.
The Upgrade Path:
Fortunately, Microsoft has made the upgrade process from Windows 11 simple. Users on Windows 10 should already be seeing prompts about the upgrade. As mentioned in a blog post, Microsoft was initially offering the upgrade to Windows 11 for free, but this offer has since been declared a "limited time deal." After its removal, Microsoft confirmed to Windows Latest that the upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 will continue to be grant-free.
Microsoft claims that Windows 11 provides enhanced security, better performance, additional functionality, and features such as Microsoft Recall, which captures snapshots of a computer, allowing users to search for actions performed in the past.
- With October 14, 2025, marking the end of Windows 10 support, users are yet to upgrade en masse, as 58.7% of all Windows desktop users still use Windows 10.
- Microsoft, recognizing the lingering user base, has sent out emails suggesting a potential solution: purchasing a new laptop to run Windows 11.
- Despite the email's implications, most Windows 10 users may not require a new laptop, as the minimum requirements to run Windows 11 are relatively modest, including a 1GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.
- However, older machines may still face compatibility issues, leading some users to hold onto Windows 10 and opt for Extended Security Updates (ESU) to continue receiving updates.
- The process of upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 has been made straightforward by Microsoft, with users already seeing prompts about the upgrade on their keyboard.
- For those considering the upgrade, Windows 11 offers enhanced security, improved performance, additional functionality, and innovative features like Microsoft Recall, which captures snapshots of a computer for easy search of past actions, all integral aspects of the advancements in technology.
