Archives for November 2021

Do I Really Need to Switch to Windows 11?

by

Windows 11

The Top 5 Questions about Windows 11

Do I really need to switch to Windows 11?

That question will likely be asked millions of times in the next few months.

The Answer? No.

If your computer is not compatible or can’t run Windows 11, you don’t have to upgrade.

On the other hand, if your PC is compatible with Windows 11 but you find the upgrades unnecessary for your current workflow, there’s nothing wrong with staying with Windows 10.

Even Microsoft said that Windows 10 is still the right choice for those who aren’t ready to transition to a new operating system.

In fact, they made sure of this by scheduling an update for Windows 10 later this year.

At the same time, the company will continue supporting Windows 10 until October 14, 2025.

This gives you about four years to think about upgrading to Windows 11 or switching operating systems altogether.

How do I Switch from Windows 10 to 11?

by

If you’re ready to upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, consider the first three questions in this series first and your computer’s compatibility with Windows 11.

Windows 11

The Top 5 Questions about Windows 11

After doing so, you need to go to the Windows Update section of your Settings. There, you may see a link to download and install Windows 11 if Microsoft has determined your computer meets the hardware requirements to do so.

If you see it, click the Download and Install button or link and follow the prompts to perform the upgrade to Windows 11.

If you don’t see that, click “Check for Updates” and see if it gives you the link to download and install Windows 11.

If not, download and run the PC Health Check utility from Microsoft.

If the utility deems your computer suitable for the upgrade, see if you get the “Download and Install” button and if so, follow the prompts to upgrade to Windows 11.

Of course, this is Microsoft and at times the procedure won’t be as simple as advertised. Case in point — I have already seen that my 2-year-old Lenovo Desktop with 3.6 ghz processor and 8GB of Ram and 256GB SSD hard drive does not qualify for the upgrade because the processor does not match an obscure setting that Microsoft has decided not to support.

If you don’t see the Download and Install button or link or Windows Update or the PC Health Check utility tell you you can’t upgrade your PC to Windows 11, contact us at FlexITechs to take a look for you.

As always, these upgrades will create conflicts with existing applications and hardware. So, if you need to buy a new computer make sure your existing applications and peripherals will work with Windows 11. For an existing computer, we recommend waiting a couple of months for the bugs to reveal themselves before upgrading.

Tomorrow’s Question — Do I Really Need to Upgrade to Windows 11?

Does Windows 11 Come with Office?

by

Microsoft Office 365The succinct answer is No.

The longer answer is Office hasn’t been included with Windows for ages but has always been available by purchasing it.

The same is true of Windows 11. You have to pay for a Microsoft Office subscription to use it with your Windows 11 computer.

But if you have an existing subscription to Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), then you’re all set. You just need to install the Office suite after upgrading to Windows 11.

Note that support for older versions of Office (2010 and below) has been discontinued since last year. So if you’re still using that, you should upgrade your Office as well to avoid unnecessary risks and compatibility issues.

As always, these upgrades will create conflicts with existing applications and hardware. So, if you need to buy a new computer make sure your existing applications and peripherals will work with Windows 11. For an existing computer, we recommend waiting a couple of months for the bugs to reveal themselves before upgrading.

Tomorrow’s Question — How Do I Switch from Windows 10 to 11?

Can My Computer Handle Windows 11?

by

If you’re buying a new computer that has Windows 11 on it already, you can rest assured that the computer can handle the new operating system as long as it’s not a cheap come-on spit out by a manufacturer to lure you into buying it.

Windows 11

The Top 5 Questions about Windows 11

However, if you have  an existing computer and wonder if you can upgrade it to Windows 11, it might not be that straight-forward.

In many cases you can open Windows Update and it will tell you if your computer is ready for Windows 11 or not.

Microsoft has also provided the PC Health Check utility that you can download and run to determine if your computer can run Windows 11. You can download it here.

These are Microsoft’s minimum requirements for running Windows 11 but you will likely need to double or triple the processor speed, RAM and hard drive storage:

  • At least a 1GHZ dual-core processor
  • 4 GB of RAM
  • At least 64 GB of storage
  • A graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
  • 720p display, at least 9” diagonal size, with 8 bits per colour channel
  • TPM version 2.0
  • UEFI, Secure Boot capable firmware

As always, these upgrades can create conflicts with existing applications and hardware. So, if you need to buy a new computer, make sure your existing applications and peripherals will work with Windows 11. For an existing computer, we also recommend waiting a couple of months for the bugs to reveal themselves before upgrading.

Tomorrow’s Question — Is Office Available in Windows 11?

 

Top 5 Questions About Windows 11 – Comparison to Windows 10?

by

Microsoft has a habit of backtracking on proclamations about its software, such as … “Windows 10 will be our last Windows operating system”.

Famous last words …

As you may or may not know, given that Microsoft has hyped its newest operating system far less than its predecessors, the company has made Windows 11 available to manufacturers and consumers.

Manufacturers have begun shipping new computers with Windows 11 while availability for upgrades to existing computers depends on where you fall in the phased-in upgrade rollout.

Microsoft calls its latest operating system the “Windows that brings you closer to what you love.”

I won’t pretend to know what such marketing drivel means, so over the next five days we will just answer “The Top 5 Questions You Might Have about Windows 11”, starting with Question 1:

What’s the Difference Between Windows 10 and 11?

Microsoft claims it significantly boosted performance, functionality, and style in Windows 11. Here’s a rundown of the new OS’s major upgrades:

  • Windows gets a makeover —  If you’ve used Apple or Chrome, you might see similarities between them and Windows 11. Microsoft’s attempts to copy its competitors always seem to be clumsy (i.e., Edge). If I want Apple or Chrome, I’ll just use those. Anyway, Windows 11 also has tightly rounded corners and taskbar icons are permanently centered. But at least the handy Start button lives on.
  • Streamlined Productivity Functions — Microsoft made many small upgrades for Windows 11. For one, your PC will now remember the last layout of your choice when docking. Each of your virtual desktops can also have a different background. Also, widgets are back like never before. And Windows 11 features a Snap Layout function that lets users choose from a variety of layout options with a single click.
  • Teams Ingtegrated into OS — With hybrid work becoming normal globe-wide, Microsoft upgraded its Teams application. For example, Teams now integrates into the operating system, which allegedly makes it easier to communicate with family, friends, and colleagues.
  • Improved Gaming Support — The Xbox app in Windows 11 supports Xbox Game pass and Cloud gaming.
  • Android Apps on Your PC — Microsoft has integrated Android apps on Windows 11 computers with a catch … we’re not yet sure if these Android apps will work optimally on a PC.

As always, these upgrades will create conflicts with existing applications and hardware. So, if you need to buy a new computer make sure your existing applications and peripherals will work with Windows 11. For an existing computer, we recommend waiting a couple of months for the bugs to reveal themselves before upgrading.

Tomorrow’s Question — Can My Computer Handle Windows 11?