As noted in a previous blog, Windows 10 support will end in 2025 (the 10 year anniversary). Thus, everyone must be running Windows 11 by that date. This is a free Windows 10 upgrade. However, as previously pointed out, older hardware may not run Windows 11 forcing hardware updates prior to that time.

My office is one of those where none of the current hardware (which is running just fine) meets the Windows 11 requirements. Thus, I will begin to transition to new hardware over this 3 year time frame.

I don’t view this as a necessarily bad thing as it forces companies like mine to evaluate the current hardware and start to make some upgrade decisions (a lot has changed over the last 10 or so years).

The disappointment comes when you actually see Windows 11. The desktop has changed in that it tries to look more like a MacOs with everything moved to the center and referred to as apps instead of programs. However, everything under the hood is still basically Windows 10 with some Windows 7 still preserved (in fact you can change the appearance back to the original if you like). While Microsoft promises performance enhancements, is if clear that this is just a Windows 10 patch rather than a revamped new operating system.

There doesn’t appear to be any reason Microsoft could not have made this a free upgrade to Windows 10 for those with older hardware other than Microsoft deliberately wanted to try and boost sales.

While there is certainly nothing to rave about with Windows 11, the new hardware will almost certainly be a significant enhancement to my office. More on that later….