Should I upgrade to Windows 11 or stay on Windows 10: If your PC was made after 2018 and passes the compatibility check, go ahead and upgrade — it’s free, it’s faster, and Windows 10 support ended in October 2025. If your PC is older, check compatibility first before doing anything.
I went through this exact decision a few months ago with my own laptop. Honestly? I kept putting it off because I was worried something would break. Spoiler: nothing broke, and I wish I’d done it sooner. But I also helped a friend upgrade whose PC failed the check, and we had to take a different path. So let me walk you through both situations.
First – what actually changes with Windows 11?
Not as much as you’d think, honestly. The biggest differences you’ll notice day-to-day are:
- The Start menu is now centered (some people hate this, some don’t care)
- It boots up a bit faster
- Snap layouts — you can organize open windows into neat grids without dragging
- Better security built in from the ground up
- Microsoft Teams is baked in (you can remove it if you want)
It’s not a totally different operating system. If you can use Windows 10, you can use Windows 11. It just looks a little cleaner and runs a bit smoother on supported hardware.
Step 1: Check if your PC can actually run Windows 11
This is the most important step. Microsoft added some strict hardware requirements — mainly around a security chip called TPM 2.0 — and a lot of older PCs don’t qualify. The good news is Microsoft built a free tool that tells you in about 60 seconds.
- Download PC Health Check — search “PC Health Check” on Microsoft’s website or just Google it. It’s a free download straight from Microsoft.
- Install and open it — once it’s installed, open it from your Start menu. You’ll see a big blue button that says “Check now.”
- Click “Check now” — it runs a quick scan and gives you a clear result. Either your PC is good to go, or it tells you exactly what’s stopping it.
Tip: If it says your PC doesn’t support TPM 2.0, don’t panic. On many PCs, TPM 2.0 is actually installed but turned off. You can often turn it on in your BIOS settings. Check out our guide on how to enable TPM 2.0 — it takes about 5 minutes and might be all you need.
Step 2: If your PC passed — here’s how to upgrade
Good news. The upgrade itself is pretty painless. Here’s what to do:
- Back up your important files first. Copy anything you really care about — photos, documents, downloads — to an external drive or OneDrive. The upgrade almost never causes data loss, but “almost never” is not “never,” so don’t skip this.
- Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update. On a compatible PC, you should see a banner at the top offering the Windows 11 upgrade for free.
- Click “Download and install.” Grab a coffee. It takes 30–60 minutes depending on your internet speed. Your PC will restart a couple of times — that’s normal.
- Finish the setup. After it reboots into Windows 11, you’ll go through a short welcome screen. Your apps, files, and settings will all be right where you left them.
That’s genuinely it. Most people find the whole thing less scary than they expected.
What if your PC didn’t pass the check?
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You’ve got a few options — none of them are great, but they’re manageable.
Option 1: Stay on Windows 10 for now. Your PC still works fine. Just know that Microsoft stops releasing security updates for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After that, your computer is a bit more vulnerable to security threats over time. Not immediately dangerous, but something to keep in mind.
Option 2: Pay for Extended Security Updates. Microsoft will sell security patches beyond 2025 for individuals, but it’s not cheap. Most home users won’t find this worth it.
Option 3: Start thinking about a new PC. If your computer is 6+ years old and can’t run Windows 11, you’ll probably want to think about upgrading the hardware anyway in the next year or two.
Don’t try to force the upgrade. There are workarounds online to install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs. Microsoft explicitly says these machines won’t receive updates and might be unstable. It’s not worth the headache.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Windows 11 still free?
Yes, for eligible Windows 10 PCs the upgrade is completely free. You don’t need to buy anything.
Will my files and apps disappear after upgrading?
No — upgrading keeps everything: your files, apps, settings, browser bookmarks, all of it. It’s not a fresh install. That said, still back things up. It’s a good habit regardless.
upgrade to Windows 11 or stay on Windows 10 if I don’t like Windows 11?
Yes, but only within 10 days of upgrading. Go to Settings → System → Recovery → Go back. After 10 days, that option disappears and you’d need to do a full reinstall to get back.
My PC failed the check. Is it dangerous to stay on Windows 10?
Not immediately dangerous, no. Windows 10 keeps getting security updates until October 14, 2025. After that, just be more careful — keep your browser updated, use good antivirus software, and avoid sketchy downloads.
Is Windows 11 actually faster?
On compatible hardware, yes — especially boot times. On a PC that barely meets the requirements, you probably won’t notice a huge difference. On a newer machine, it’s a noticeable improvement.
What are the minimum specs for Windows 11?
You need at least 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a 64-bit processor with 2+ cores running at 1 GHz or faster, and TPM 2.0 support. Most PCs made after 2018 check all these boxes — but the TPM 2.0 requirement is the one that trips people up most often.