With Windows 10 slowly on its way out and getting fully replaced by Windows 11, you’ve probably seen multiple prompts about upgrading your system. However, you may have also received the dreaded notice that your system can’t run Windows 11 and won’t be able to upgrade.
This seems like a situation with no good outcome. Here’s what to do if you can’t upgrade to Windows 11.
Option 1 – Pay for Extended Support
If your PC is on the lower end hardware-wise, but you are dead set on using the Windows OS for the foreseeable future, you can sign up for an additional three years of support. But you’ll have to pay for it.
The extended support system is currently slated to provide only a one-year option for personal users (i.e. Windows 10 Home), which costs $30. Another Microsoft blog stated that organizations can pay $61 per user for the first year of support beyond the projected end date (meaning through 2026), and the cost will increase in subsequent years.
Option 2 – Upgrade Anyway
Even if you have the notification that your system might not be able to support Windows 11, you can still initiate the update.
You can follow the link in your Windows Update app to recheck the system requirements, as they got a bit laxer over the years. After that, you can try to update directly from the app.
In some cases, the update might actually succeed and you’ll get a device that runs Windows 11 with no issues. On significantly older PCs, you might not get the crisp animations and feedback, but it can be worth it to get a secure OS that receives updates on time.
Option 3 – Upgrade Your PC
In general, the requirements for Windows 11 should be obtainable with a low-to-midrange PC build. Chances are that if you plan to use any modern app or program, it might have the same or significantly steeper requirements.
However, you should check with the official Windows app called PC Health Check, which will be linked in your Windows Update app.
When you run the app, you will get a more detailed overview of what exactly your system needs to run Windows 11 without issues. In some cases, you might just need to enable some specific BIOS settings, like TPM 2.0.
If you do need to make hardware changes, check the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 (or your favorite games). Alternatively, you can purchase a PC that already has Windows 11 installed straight from the box.
Option 4 – Use a Different Operating System
While Linux has garnered a reputation of being difficult to navigate due to an over-reliance on command line interfaces, modern builds have done much to alleviate those concerns. At its core, Linux is a free, open-source operating system that should run fairly well on older PCs while still receiving plenty of software support.
Additionally, Linux being open-source gives it an edge when it comes to security, as vulnerabilities are quickly caught and patched out by the experts in the general public.
Option 5 – Keep Using the Device As-Is
If you can’t upgrade to Windows 11 in any way, you can just ignore the security warnings and leave the PC running without official support. This is not recommended, as you’ll most likely get your device hacked sooner rather than later. But, if you don’t plan to use the PC for sensitive work and data, the operating system itself will still function just like it did for years.
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