Windows 11

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jttheclockman

jttheclockman

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Well Windows 10 is coming to an end and will stop being supported. My question is how hard is it to switch to Windows 11. What are the do's and dont's? Windows was loaded on my computer when I bought it but stuck with Windows 10 for as long as I could. I heard there were growing pains with 11. Have they worked those out? I do not have a hard drive to back up any info right now. Should I get one? What could go wrong when downloading Windows11 and making the switch? Thanks.
 
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Windows 10 will still operate just fine. It just will not get updates anymore. That includes any security updates.
Doing the upgrade is relatively painless........Provided your computer is Windows 11 compliant. I had to upgrade my mainboard (Motherboard, new RAM and an SSD) in order to comply with the Trusted Platform Module (TPM2)) requirement. If your computer has TPM2 then you are pretty much ready to go. Just use the upgrade option through control panel and your computer will do the rest. There really is no need to back up your hard drive unless you have paranoid tendencies. Us the option to not format the drive when you are going through the installation process.
Steps to Upgrade From Win10 to Win11
There are ways to upgrade without meeting the requirements and there are a lot of youtube videos on how to do that.
Upgrade Unsupported Win10 to Win11
Of course you could always take the computer to a local PC shop and ask them to do it.
 
Mortalis said:
Windows 10 will still operate just fine. It just will not get updates anymore. That includes any security updates.
Doing the upgrade is relatively painless........Provided your computer is Windows 11 compliant. I had to upgrade my mainboard (Motherboard, new RAM and an SSD) in order to comply with the Trusted Platform Module (TPM2)) requirement. If your computer has TPM2 then you are pretty much ready to go. Just use the upgrade option through control panel and your computer will do the rest. There really is no need to back up your hard drive unless you have paranoid tendencies. Us the option to not format the drive when you are going through the installation process.
Steps to Upgrade From Win10 to Win11
There are ways to upgrade without meeting the requirements and there are a lot of youtube videos on how to do that.
Upgrade Unsupported Win10 to Win11
Of course you could always take the computer to a local PC shop and ask them to do it.
Click to expand...
I just checked and I do have that platform. I was also able to extend the security updates for 1 year on Windows 10 for free. I did that.
 
My computer updated to Windows 11 a couple of years ago. I still don't know if that was something that Microsoft forced, or if it was something that I did because I didn't know what I was doing. But regardless, I've found Windows 11 to be not significantly different from Windows 10.
 
@Mortalis gave you good info. If you have a Windows 11 compatible machine, the upgrade is pretty straightforward. But as also said, you don't have to do it, and since you got the 1 year of security updates - which quite honestly is the most important part of the upgrade - you should be good to go. Make sure you also have a good anti-virus/anti-malware application running on your machine as well like BitDefender which is pretty inexpensive or free depending on what you use. For what it's worth, I recommend their Total Security option - it covers a few devices in one license.

Kevin
 
My machine is a 7 year old Lenovo Carbon X1 was not eligible according to Windows update. So I found a youtube
on how to do the manual update. Took a few hours. And I have been good for almost 2 months now.
 
My windows 10 desktop keeps popping up with the win11 stuff all the time. When I check compatibility, it says my pc is not compatible. It's an older solid state drive Asus that works better and faster than any of my former pc's. I think I'll just leave it as is. I basically just use it for documents. I have a win11 laptop. Using it looks no different than my win10 computer.
 
I subscribe to an online newsletter by Leo Notenboom called "Ask Leo" - He writes on a large variety of topics related to computers, cyber security, software, backing up your computer, etc.

He just published a newsletter yesterday regarding whether or not to upgrade to Windows 11. You may find it interesting. Here is a link to the newsletter:

askleo.com

Should I Update to Windows 11? (October 2025 update)

Windows 10 support ends October 14, 2025. Should you move to Windows 11? I’ll walk you through the pros, cons, and options: upgrade now, wait for new hardware, or even stick with Windows 10 safely. The choice is yours, but it’s time to decide.
askleo.com askleo.com
 
KMCloonan said:
I subscribe to an online newsletter by Leo Notenboom called "Ask Leo" - He writes on a large variety of topics related to computers, cyber security, software, backing up your computer, etc.

He just published a newsletter yesterday regarding whether or not to upgrade to Windows 11. You may find it interesting. Here is a link to the newsletter:

askleo.com

Should I Update to Windows 11? (October 2025 update)

Windows 10 support ends October 14, 2025. Should you move to Windows 11? I’ll walk you through the pros, cons, and options: upgrade now, wait for new hardware, or even stick with Windows 10 safely. The choice is yours, but it’s time to decide.
askleo.com askleo.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for that link. Very interesting. Being I did the free update security thing for a year I will stick with 10 and see down the road. I do have the option as I said. It is on my computer. Thanks all.
 
wood128 said:
My I ask how you did the free security update for 1 year ?
Click to expand...
Went to Windows PC Health Check app. Opened that and then went to windows update and it listed that I was eligible for the free 1 year security updates. Clicked yes and that was done. Just went to check now and it says I am good to go. Not sure if that is how it always works.
 
Ya, I was able to get security updates for another year thru pc health also.
The only thing that shows my pc not compatible with win11 is my processor. Which of course looks like is just a little more technical than I am with computers. Lol
 
jttheclockman said:
I do not have a hard drive to back up any info right now. Should I get one?
Click to expand...
John; YES, AND RIGHT NOW! How upset would you be if you lost all the data on your computer? Records, photos, your emails, contact lists, the list goes on.
I backup everything on my computer every two weeks. I used to do it weekly. Only needed it ONCE and was so glad I had it!
 
Mortalis said:
There really is no need to back up your hard drive unless you have paranoid tendencies.
Click to expand...
I worked in computer programming / networking / security all my working life. Paranoia was a job skill! Before I update any program I make a backup of all its data files. If I do major updates backup EVERYTHING!

Backups helped when one of the hard drives in my computer failed and corrupted every data file it read or updated.

I went into the (work) computer center on a Sunday to apply updates to some of our servers. About a 3 hour job. Well, my security card did not work. When my co-worker arrived his card didn't work. Called head of computer center. His card didn't work! NO ONES card would work until someone who worked in the center for many years was able to open the door(s). The security company had upgraded our system over the weekend and the only backup of the security card files was many years old. It was a nightmare as people had to "buzz in" and the operators had to open the doors manually and the security system files had to be rebuilt by people asking, "Why can't I get into XXXXXX?"
 
randyrls said:
I worked in computer programming / networking / security all my working life. Paranoia was a job skill! Before I update any program I make a backup of all its data files. If I do major updates backup EVERYTHING!

Backups helped when one of the hard drives in my computer failed and corrupted every data file it read or updated.

I went into the (work) computer center on a Sunday to apply updates to some of our servers. About a 3 hour job. Well, my security card did not work. When my co-worker arrived his card didn't work. Called head of computer center. His card didn't work! NO ONES card would work until someone who worked in the center for many years was able to open the door(s). The security company had upgraded our system over the weekend and the only backup of the security card files was many years old. It was a nightmare as people had to "buzz in" and the operators had to open the doors manually and the security system files had to be rebuilt by people asking, "Why can't I get into XXXXXX?"
Click to expand...
I loved your comment- 'Paranoia was a job skill'!!! So true, and glad to hear it's just not me! Your working background is very similar to mine in the space - and my operating methods are always plan for failure - so backup everything, usually on different medias. It has saved my butt more times than I can say. I also highly recommend anyone using a computer or intelligent device to always do regular backups - why risk losing things you cherish when protecting them is cheap and easy. The cost of backup drives has dropped to almost negligible amounts of money per MB and most are sold with pretty good backup applications on them to do everything automatically for you. Cloud backups are also good, but again that paranoia thing raises it's ugly head, so I do use them but prefer doing my own on my own media.

Good luck!

Kevin
 
randyrls said:
I worked in computer programming / networking / security all my working life. Paranoia was a job skill! Before I update any program I make a backup of all its data files. If I do major updates backup EVERYTHING!

Backups helped when one of the hard drives in my computer failed and corrupted every data file it read or updated.

I went into the (work) computer center on a Sunday to apply updates to some of our servers. About a 3 hour job. Well, my security card did not work. When my co-worker arrived his card didn't work. Called head of computer center. His card didn't work! NO ONES card would work until someone who worked in the center for many years was able to open the door(s). The security company had upgraded our system over the weekend and the only backup of the security card files was many years old. It was a nightmare as people had to "buzz in" and the operators had to open the doors manually and the security system files had to be rebuilt by people asking, "Why can't I get into XXXXXX?"
Click to expand...
When I was working I could afford to run out and buy a new hard drive simply to use as a back up drive but now, since I am retired, am not fiscally able to this as easily anymore. I do believe many on this forum are in the same situation. It's not that I dont believe in backing up computers but perhaps some helpful information would be good. You apparently have a lot of knowledge in this topic.
Can you recommend a reasonable and inexpensive method for backing up a personal computer?
 
NJturner said:
I loved your comment- 'Paranoia was a job skill'!!! So true, and glad to hear it's just not me! Your working background is very similar to mine in the space - and my operating methods are always plan for failure - so backup everything, usually on different medias. It has saved my butt more times than I can say. I also highly recommend anyone using a computer or intelligent device to always do regular backups - why risk losing things you cherish when protecting them is cheap and easy. The cost of backup drives has dropped to almost negligible amounts of money per MB and most are sold with pretty good backup applications on them to do everything automatically for you. Cloud backups are also good, but again that paranoia thing raises it's ugly head, so I do use them but prefer doing my own on my own media.

Good luck!

Kevin
Click to expand...
I was typing a reply to @randyrls that included the use of OneDrive and GoogleDrive but changed my response while you were typing and sending yours. Although these are not absolute solutions they are an option and most are active without the lay man computer user even knowing (on by default basically) they are on. All of my photos are on GoogleDrive which you get automatically when you create a Gmail account and/or use an android device for communications. OneDrive is set up by default as your 'My Documents' folder and most dont even realize it.
 
Mortalis said:
I was typing a reply to @randyrls that included the use of OneDrive and GoogleDrive but changed my response while you were typing and sending yours. Although these are not absolute solutions they are an option and most are active without the lay man computer user even knowing (on by default basically) they are on. All of my photos are on GoogleDrive which you get automatically when you create a Gmail account and/or use an android device for communications. OneDrive is set up by default as your 'My Documents' folder and most dont even realize it.
Click to expand...
I also suggest trying USB memory sticks. They are cheap, hold a lot of data, and are pretty dependable. Amazon typically sells card that can hold over 1 GB for under $20. If you use 2 or 3 at a time, you can do a rotating backup plan that mimics most good backup recommendations. Do a weekly backup, using #1 for the first week, the second for the second week, and so on. You can then restore a machine that is corrupted with a 'pre-corruption' USB stick and lose nothing. The sticks often have the backup software on the for free - Sandisk is one that does.

Kevin
 
I will second the request for the computer geeks to help us non geeks. What is a good way to back things up that is easy and does not require a degree to operate. One person is saying flashdrives while others say hard drives. Years ago I bought a device called One Drive I believe from QVC that was basically a hard drive. It was able to back your computer up any time you plugged it in. It would just pick up where you left off each time if you added things. It worked great. But it is not compatible to any of the new computers. I would like something like that.
 
jttheclockman said:
I will second the request for the computer geeks to help us non geeks. What is a good way to back things up that is easy and does not require a degree to operate. One person is saying flashdrives while others say hard drives. Years ago I bought a device called One Drive I believe from QVC that was basically a hard drive. It was able to back your computer up any time you plugged it in. It would just pick up where you left off each time if you added things. It worked great. But it is not compatible to any of the new computers. I would like something like that.
Click to expand...
Hey JT - So, storage progress has went from massive, low density mechanically spinning disks to much more dense spinning drives, to solid state drives. Most commercial large scale installations still employee mechanical disk drives as they are still the industry standard, but they are very fragile and if jostled, banged, or god forbid experience a power failure while the metal heads are in motion over the spinning drive, they are pretty easy to destroy. Solid state drives (SSD) have evolved over the last bunch of years to the point that pretty much any computer sold today has solid state drives (SSD) in it. They are high density (typically 2-4 TB), durable, and fairly low in cost. You can buy cheapo USB sticks and use a few of them like I said and get a pretty good backup solution, or you can purchase much higher end ruggedized solid state drives - some even sold at Costco - typically in the $100-150 range like these - Costco SSD drives for sale .

As previously stated, I'm also a retired programmer and data security wonk and have the crazy paranoia the field brought to anyone working in the field, like @randyrls . I use a cloud backup service, a ruggedized SSD drive for daily backups, and USB sticks for file or picture shares - total overkill! Someplace in my attic is a set of Seagate mechanical drives as well that I keep as archival backup.....yup, crazy! They rarely come out of the attic these days because they are truly antiquated technology compared to current SSD's.

Find a solution that works for you - try and automate it as much as you can, and check it on a bi-monthly basis. You will be happy when something breaks and you loose nothing.
 
Former computer engineer at IBM. I spent 39 years total. I will never use cloud backup. I have my own personal NAS (Network Attached Storage) that I have on my wireless network. i.e. no wires or cables. Synology NAS, I installed 2 Solid state drives. Synology provides redundant (RAID) reliability. I turn it off when I am not doing backups. Cant imagine a more secure and reliable was to do backups. YMMV.

The bad part about anything computer technical is you have to be an expert to do anything. I thought I was done with that bullshit linux. Took up 3D printing and it has forced me into Linux again, and a lot deeper than i care to be.
 
I usually only backup all my documents and important downloads. I have multiple folders in one main folder of all my stuff. I keep a 128gb usb thumb drive just for backing everything up. I just put the thumb drive in the usb computer port and just drag everything I want to save into the thumb drive. Simple as that.
 
I also should have added, I dont use backup programs. They f'd me more than once. I keep everything I want in a folder called "personal", and my backup method is to rename the backup copy, and then i just copy the entire folder to the backup drive, like bsshog40 said!
 
carlmorrell said:
Former computer engineer at IBM. I spent 39 years total. I will never use cloud backup. I have my own personal NAS (Network Attached Storage) that I have on my wireless network. i.e. no wires or cables. Synology NAS, I installed 2 Solid state drives. Synology provides redundant (RAID) reliability. I turn it off when I am not doing backups. Cant imagine a more secure and reliable was to do backups. YMMV.

The bad part about anything computer technical is you have to be an expert to do anything. I thought I was done with that bullshit linux. Took up 3D printing and it has forced me into Linux again, and a lot deeper than i care to be.
Click to expand...

I also have a NAS, hardwired, Cat6 (dual connection). Synology DS220+ with a pair of Western Digital Red Pro NAS 12TB drives in a Raid 1 (mirror).
 
Ok; Here is a low-cost backup plan. This is going to be very detailed.
First; Backup Basics: Every file on your computer has a "modified" flag. Whenever the file is changed or created, the flag is set. Backup programs are usually the only programs that un-set this flag.
There are 3 types of backup
FULL: Backup all files. The modified flag will be reset when the file is backed up.
DIFFERENTIAL: Backup files with the "modified" flag set. The flag is NOT reset
INCREMENTAL: Backup files with the "modified" flag set. The flag IS reset after backup.

There is a 4th type (not much used) called "LIVE BACKUP" where the backup program runs in the background and backs up all files immediately upon change. I did do that when I was working, but not now.

This is my preferred backup method. Setup your software to do FULL when requested, and DIFFERENTIAL other times. I make a FULL, then 12 DIFFERENTIAL, Switch backup media and repeat. If you need to restore the data, You restore using the most recent FULL backup and then use the most recent DIFFERENTIAL backup. Done. INCREMENTAL requires ALL the INCREMENTAL backups to be available to do a full restore.

I run my backup program every 2 weeks. It is on my schedule. Your comfort level may vary.

OK; How much storage? Look at the "Properties", "Used Space" of your hard disk(s)how much storage do you have? Multiply by 4. This is the size you need for backup media.

When doing backups the equation is Money = Speed! The more you spend the quicker your backups will run.

Use USB sticks. They are relatively cheap, easily transportable, and perfect for this task.
Go to Amazon and purchase several USB drives. You can get 10 of these USB drives for under $100. Get Sandisk USB drives and DO NOT BUY THEM FROM EBAY!!!!! The ones on Ebay are likely FAKES! They will appear to work until you need to restore them and then you will get data errors.
Another option is to use a USB connected External Hard Drive. These are available in 2-14terabyte drives sizes. Cost $70 - $270
SanDisk 128GB Flash Ultra (10 Pack Bundle) 3.0 USB Flash Drive
SanDisk 512GB Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive
Search Amazon for "western digital USB external hard drive"
Note: Lately, USB-C connectors are becoming more popular. Be sure to check this detail.


OFF-SITE storage: Give a copy of your backup to a friend you trust and let him keep a copy outside of your home. I have a fireproof & water-proof safe. Me and a friend exchange backups when we see each other. (Yep, I'm Paranoid!) Search for "South Korea Data Center Fire"!

SOFTWARE:
There are many free or under $100 backup solutions. Be sure to test the restore function to verify it works. Be careful with the FREE options some of these DO NOT include the restore function. Easeus ToDoBackUp (paid) is a good one. Nero also has one I have used.
Run your backups over night. Start the backup before you go to bed. Some backup programs have a "Shutdown Computer after backup complete" option.

DO NOT save your backups to the cloud. It is easy and (corps / govt) willing to (pay / bribe / threaten) can get access to it.

RANT MODE ON: Do not go for any subscription. If the company goes under or abandons the software you are sh__t out of luck!

WHEEEO that is a long one! sorry for the length, I was trying to make it as free from techo-babble as I could and explain the details and why you do them.
 
Thank you @randyrls for that compilation of information on backups.
I recently watched this video on YT and wanted to get your opinion of what was said. I've used his explanations for a few things I needed to do with my computer and they work well. He explains the software and all the different options pretty well. He explains the different backup options and why you should or should not use them. I am thinking of using this software.
 
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