Windows 10 PCs: Do you want to keep the old or upgrade to the new?

 

You should begin planning your upgrade path to Windows 11 and beyond if you are still running Windows 10 on an older computer.

 

You've probably heard Windows 11 is a "meh" operating system. Furthermore, Windows 12 is currently nothing more than a pipe dream. But with Microsoft no longer updating Windows 10 (except for security fixes), what's a PC geek to do to get the most from Windows now?

In supporting people with their computers, I've observed there are frequently three types of Windows users: those with a possible PC that supports Windows 11, those with a first-rate PC that, for one hardware reason or another, won't support Windows 11; and those whose PC sorely needs hardware upgrades or an outright alternative to be a possible PC for the next two years.

First, determine whether or not your PC still has enough RAM, CPU, and hard drive space (even if it can't support Windows 11); if so, your best bet is to ensure that you're running Windows 10 22H2 and keep your PC for the next two years. Because there are no extra function releases for Windows 10, you'll no longer have to deal with any new menu notifications, news and interests, or other essential changes. Microsoft is shifting resources to the development of Windows 11 and Windows 12.

If you worry that the lack of feature release capability means you no longer have a speedy way to repair a misbehaving PC, there is still a convenient way to get Windows behaving again. It's called a "repair install," Even if the PC has problems and won't set up updates, you can download an ISO of Windows 10 from the Microsoft download site. Click "download now" and keep the file MediaCreationTool22H2.exe. Double-click on the executable file, accept the Microsoft license terms (you might choose to read them), and choose "Create installation media."

Even on outdated hardware, Windows 10 can run better with a repair setup.

Click next and choose the language, edition, and architecture. Last, select the ISO file type and wait for the ISO file to be ready. Click Finish, and you're prepared to begin the repair installation process. (Make sure you have a system backup in case of trouble.)

Navigate to that ISO you made, right-click it and choose a mount, or double-click the ISO and it will mount. Next, click on setup.exe. Begins the repair method of installing Windows 10 atop the current OS and will no longer remove the data on the drive. Starting this process on a broken computer using a bootable flash drive will overwrite your data and programs.

If you have a PC that takes forever to boot and is regularly unusable, you want to check out why. Launch the Windows 10 task manager as the PC boots up by right-clicking on the taskbar at the bottom and selecting Task Manager. You can monitor CPU, memory, and disk activity in three columns. Let the system fully boot up before observing how frequently one of these three is marked at a high share and, potentially, identifying the offending software. While you can also replace the CPU, a laptop computer or desktop that can improve service can frequently benefit from more RAM and upgrading to an SSD drive.

If your PC is difficult to repair or upgrade—for example, generally, you cannot upgrade the RAM soldered into the motherboard. For these machines, your only option is to hope Microsoft presents extended support for Windows 10 as much as it did for Windows 7 or to purchase hardware that completely supports Windows 11.

If your PC already supports Windows 11, you're ready for the foreseeable future. And don't fear those of us who've grumbled about the menu modifications in Windows 11. Nonetheless, many of the applications I use act as they have for years by installing a shortcut on the desktop. (I use software known as Fences to corral computer icons.) For me and the users in my office, the transition to Windows 11 has been a nonissue.

Of course, keeping an eye on what's coming next from Microsoft is appropriate. We might also understand more later this month when Microsoft Build occurs (May 23–25, in person and online). It happens frequently when the organization starts to pull back the curtain on its plans for the future. Already, professionals have dropped suggestions at previous activities about even more modifications for the menu system and more artificial intelligence in the platform.

I'd like to hear more about what hardware requirements Microsoft has in mind for future releases of Windows. That variety of data will help Windows 10 users determine their preferred improvement route.