Question: I got the dreaded Windows 11 update that said my computer is not compatible with Windows 11. My question is how long Windows 10 is going to last so I know when to buy a new computer. My Dell computer is about 6-7 years old.
– Howard S., Valparaiso
A: Thanks for the question, Howard, and for opening the door for me to talk a bit about Windows 11.
When Microsoft took its first round of announcing the system requirements for the next version of Windows 11, it was a rather shocking experience for people even slightly tuned in to the tech world. I won’t bother to list the original list, but suffice to say that it first appeared that only new or near-new PCs would have any hope of meeting what appeared to be a glut of unnecessary requirements. The backlash has been quick and Microsoft has responded, and the latest demands are a little more reasonable.
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There are loads of articles online that deal with the question “Will my computer be running Windows 11?” So I don’t feel the need to delve into this question here. A quick web search will give you all the links you need to articles listing system requirements.
Now having this list is different from understanding it and knowing if your PC meets spec. If the answers I get on the “Describe Your Computer” question submission form are any indication, most people have little or no idea what is under the hood of their PC.
To help you out, Microsoft has improved its PC Health Check app which you can download at TinyURL.com/IGTM-0751. Install and run it, and it’ll tell you if your computer meets the requirements for Windows 11. If it doesn’t, the tool will tell you why and provide links for more information. Microsoft has said that Windows 11 should work with most PCs, so this is the best way to see if it will work for you.
If you find that Windows 11 will indeed work on your PC, you may not be able to get an upgrade immediately. Unlike the Windows 10 rollout, when Microsoft released the new operating system to almost everyone, with Windows 11 it set a target for mid-2022 for all eligible devices to download and install it.
Of course, newer PCs are the exception, and they’ll either ship with Win11 already loaded or be eligible for an immediate upgrade.
Windows 11 has actually been available as a full version (not a beta or other test version) since October. I imagine that unless you are already using it or have done some independent research, you are probably wondering what the new operating system has to offer.
Okay, sure, I’m not launching it yet either, but there’s plenty of information online. Some of the highlights include improved performance (it’s supposed to be faster on your existing hardware). It has a new look, in which the taskbar icons are centered and smaller. Rather than being in the corner, the Start button will be to the left of this group.
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There are new icon designs, window animations, and new sounds. One feature I can’t wait to try is called Snap Layouts, where you can choose a layout scheme from the available templates and your open windows will automatically organize on the screen.
A completely redesigned Settings app is also on the horizon, and I would be remiss if I did not mention that the App Store has gained new capabilities, including Android apps, as well as new movies and TV series, which may be. wirelessly broadcast on Smart TVs. There are many others. Google “new features in Windows 11” to see for yourself.
Lest you think I’m forgetting the core of your original question, Howard, the answer is that Windows 10 is scheduled to end of life on October 14, 2025. But you asked how long Win10 is going to “last” .
I must stress that an end of life date does not mean that it will suddenly stop working. Rather, it means that Microsoft will no longer distribute patches after that date, so any new security vulnerabilities will not be patched.
So, consider yourself notified! You have almost four years to prepare for it. I say that, but Windows 10 has been available for free since July 2015, and I still regularly hear from people who are still using Win7 or Win8, so I expect some people will insist on staying in the dust.
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