Windows 11

Windows 11 was released on the 4^th of October 2021. The processor requirements for Windows 11 are more restrictive than previous versions of Windows. Windows 11 only supports processors that have been released since late 2017 and early 2018. These include the 8^th generation Intel Core processors and AMD Ryzen 2000 series processors. AMD Ryzen 1000 series processors and 7^th generation Intel Core processors and earlier are not supported.

Check here for a full list of Windows 11 supported processors: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-hardware/design/minimum/windows-processor-requirements.

These restrictive processor requirements mean that when support for Windows 10 ends on the 14^th of October 2025, alot of computers will not be upgradable to Windows 11. Here are some options:

• Buy a new computer with Windows 11 pre-installed. Click here to see my recommended specification.
• Pay Microsoft for an extra 12 months of security updates for Windows 10. I have not yet seen full details of how to sign up for this. I have seen speculation that the cost will be £30 per computer.
• Perform an unofficial upgrade with unsupported hardware (this is possible but not recommended).
• Replace Windows 10 with a Linux variant (e.g. Ubuntu), or install Linux as a second operating system (and dual boot) on your current computer.

Microsoft has starting rolling out extended support for Windows 10 (September 2025). For a computer set up with a Local Account (rather than Microsoft account), here are details of how to enrol:

• Open Settings. Click Update & Security. If extended support is available, you will see "Enrol in Extended Security Updates to help keep your device secure." Click "Enrol now".
• You will get a new window, with "Enrol in Extended Security Updates to stay protected." Click "Next".
• Follow the prompts to sign in with a Microsoft account (put in your email address and Microsoft account password).
• Once you have signed in, you will see "You're eligible to enrol in Extended Security Updates at no extra cost." Click "Enrol".

Important Note Clicking Enrol converts the account on the computer from a local account to a Microsoft account. There are a couple of extra steps to take to convert back to a local account.

• Open Settings. Click Accounts. Under "Your info" click "Stop signing in to Microsoft Apps automatically."
• On the left-hand menu, click " Windows Backup". Switch off "Quick access your preferences across Microsoft experiences".
• On the left-hand menu, click " Home", then "Update & Security". You should now see "Your PC is enrolled to get Extended Security Updates."