As a Windows hobbyist, I have NEVER done an upgrade from one version of Windows to the next higher build. That's just asking for Trouble.
If I want to test a new version of Windows, I just grab a spare HD or SSD and connect it up to my Test Bench PC and install the new OS. If it works, and I like it, then I can put that HD/SSD anywhere I want it.
Just last week, I installed the really NEW Windows 11, 24H2, V2 (from: X-Lite.com) to a brand new Crucial 500GB SSD, on my main PC. Then once I was sure it was running correctly, I moved that SSD to this PC, where it's now my #2 OS.
I never install an OS directly to a Laptop. I'll first install the OS to an HD or SSD on my main PC and then transfer that HD to the laptop.
That works, with every Windows version, since 8.1.
I do that, because installs go so much faster and smoother on a Desktop PC with a more powerful CPU and more ram than in any of my laptops. I've done it so many times now, that it's just become my normal SOP.
Since MS has already announced the END of Windows 10, getting Windows 11 was a No-Brainer.
Now that is almost old school. Because, Windows 11/Pro/ 24H2 is a fact, and is easily available for download, in its Bare Bones version, without any MS bloatware. (from: X-Lite.com)
I'm testing it, on a separate SSD, here on this very PC. It's SWEET! And, it's the fastest OS I've ever tested, since DOS 6.22.
After a lot of file transfers and program installs, it's most likely to become my daily OS.
I really enjoy a "Lite" version of any OS, since both my CPU and Motherboard are 12 years old...definitely not state of the art.
But with any "Lite" OS, it runs really good.
Until January, my default Windows was Win 7 and I really like it.
I had a Small SSD with Win 10 just to learn where to find things and play around.
As many programs became updated only for Win 10 & 11 I decided to move to Win 11 on my unsupported computer.
Now my small SSD has Win 7 that I use for some programs that don't run on Win 11.
I applied many tweaks so Win 11 looks like Win 7 and work like Win 10.
You could say that I'm happy with Win 11.
I still have a Win7 Desktop for reference but main Win11 computers are Dell, a Notebook from Oct. 21 and Desktop from April '22. I have been given an HP Notebook and HP Desktop from 2019 with Win10 for parts but got them working and did the supported upgrade to Win11. Also have 2 Notebooks from 2014 running the unsupported upgrade over Win10, not seeing any issues with them since last summer. As alluded to in this thread, most of the change for Win11 is visual, some things moved around and several places it will show Windows 10 instead of Windows 11 particularly in diagnostics reports, etc. Most programs that work in Win10 also work on Win11, especially a MahJongg game from 2006.
NavyLCDR said:
Is it worth the upgrade? Well.... Considering the upgrade is free...
Upgrading Win 10 to Win 11 is not free if your Win 10 system is not Win 11 'hardware compliant' ... buying a new system to get a 'free' upgrade is not 'free'.
Yeah I know about all the bypasses and shenanigans you can do to get around M$'s hardware compatibility checks, but most users out there are not technically savvy to do that.
They aren't on this forum or have the expertise to work out how to fake out an install of Win 11 on incompatible hardware.
Back in the Win 7 to Win 8 to Win 10 days it was just get a new O/S install CD from your local retail computer install and run it. Not so much with Win 11 on legacy hardware.
So Win 11 is only 'free' to some people. Not all.
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