Ready to Update to Windows 11? What You Need to Know

Microsoft is rolling out its latest update to its operating system, Windows 10. Sooner or later you will be asked whether or not you want to upgrade to the latest version, Windows 11. Do you know if your PC is ready for Windows 11, or should you stay with Windows 10?

For now, you won’t be forced to update, and installation is not automatic. Before agreeing and installing the update, you should be aware of the differences between Windows 10 and 11, and what challenges you could face if you update on an older PC.

With each new update, Microsoft adds in new features and improves performance issues. The biggest change you will see is related to how the operating systems differ visually, and how those changes impact productivity.

Highlights on the latest update include:

• Start Menu and Task Bar: The biggest notable difference with Windows 11 is the Start Menu and Task Bar. In Windows 11, the Start Menu and Task Bar are centered in the middle, much like you’d see on a MacOS. If this new layout isn’t appealing, you do have the option to move it to the left.
  The Start Menu in Windows 11 does look different than Windows 10. It’s a bit simpler and shows a static list of apps and your frequently accessed documents. You can expand and scroll through the app list and pin your favorites. This is like Windows 10, however, if you are accustomed to using the Live Tiles, you will be disappointed. The Live Tiles feature goes away with Windows 11. 
• Snap Layouts for Multitasking: If you are a multitasker, you will like a new feature of Windows 11 – snap layouts that group your windows and save them to the taskbar. Snap layouts replace the drag-and-drop snap assist feature of Windows 10 and allow you to arrange your apps neatly on your desktop.
• Performance: With Windows 11, Microsoft has made some notable performance improvements that could speed up your PC. The new operating system does a lot of work in memory management, giving the apps that are opened and running more CPU power than closed, dormant apps.
  An additional performance change is the way Windows 11 resumes from sleep mode and handles standby time. Compared to Windows 10, with Windows 11, your RAM will stay energized in sleep mode and will help your PC unsnooze up top 25% faster.

With any new software update, there are potential challenges and bugs. The release of Windows 11 is no exception. Many experts believe the release was a bit rushed, even with the clear improvements on some features related to productivity and performance.

If you are considering updating your Windows 10 PC to Windows 11, here are some potential challenges you could face:

• Hardware May Not Support Update: If you have a new PC, chances are this will not be an issue. For older PCs and laptops, this is the biggest challenge of the new operating system. To run Windows 11, you’ll need an Intel Core 8th-gen processor or newer, or an AMD Ryzen 2000 processor or newer.
  This hardware requirement will be frustrating for users with PCs older than 4 years old. Still working on that laptop from 2016 or 2017? There’s a good chance you cannot update to Windows 11 without a workaround. Although you CAN install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, Microsoft has hinted those unsupported users will not receive critical security updates.
• You May Lose Some of Your Favorite Features: Die-hard Windows 10 fans may be disappointed to learn some of their favorite features went to the wayside in Windows 11. The S Mode feature, which restricts administrators and users from installing apps from outside the Microsoft Store, is now only available in the home edition. The voice helper Cortana is also being retired, and RIP to Internet Explorer.
• Critical Hardware and Software May Not Be Compatible: Most devices and apps will continue to work – but “most” is not “all.” Before updating to Windows 11, it’s best to test compatibility on a separate device. Not sure how to make that happen? Drop us a note – we can help. Trying to troubleshoot a post-upgrade compatibility issue can be time-consuming and frustrating.
• Windows 11 Bugs: An expected annoyance with any new update is some level of instability and bugs. Even with beta-testing, Windows 11 still may experience some bugs that could interfere with productivity. If you are concerned with any of the known issues with Windows 11, but are otherwise eager to move to the new operating system, you may want to wait until it is more mature.

Unsure if you can – or should – update your PCs and laptops to Windows 11? Don’t fret – Everound can help! We offer a free IT infrastructure assessment and can develop a plan for you to keep your IT assets working at peak performance. We have decades of experience working with Microsoft products including operating systems, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Teams, and the entire Microsoft suite. Let us take a look to see if your computers have the minimum system requirements to move to Microsoft 11.

As a managed IT services provider, our team supports business owners with their information technology needs. We can serve as your IT department without the overhead of hiring staff in-house or can work with your existing IT teams as an additional support or resource. We specialize in cybersecurity, IT planning and strategy, network administration and monitoring, help desk support, hardware and software configuration and installation, and backup and disaster recovery. Reach out today for your free IT assessment. We focus on your IT, so you can focus on your business.