FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A local resident asks if her Dell laptop can be upgraded to Windows 11 as Microsoft prepares to end support for Windows 10.
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QUESTION:
I am still on Windows 10 on my Dell Inspiron. Now I’m getting notices online that I have to get Windows 11 by November to get updates on this computer. How easy is it? Can I get it without buying a new laptop? I’m old, so I have trouble with new stuff.
– Nancy C.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
ANSWER:
Hello again, Nancy! Thanks so much for responding to my call-out for questions. As for the rest of you, I’m going to need you to be more like Nancy and send in some questions of your own. My tank is empty, and the column simply can’t run without fuel.
The unfortunate answer to all your questions, Nancy, is “it depends.” Microsoft has made it unconscionably difficult for owners of older computers to upgrade. I fear they are exposing themselves to the possibility of another lawsuit, and I dare say I won’t be terribly broken up if that happens.
After all, Microsoft keeps pushing the boundaries forward, and that’s their choice. It’s a business decision, but one that affects literally millions of computer owners.
Microsoft is forcing an upgrade on everybody, but is not bothering to make sure everybody’s computer can accept the upgrade. They are rather arrogantly (my opinion) saying that if your current PC doesn’t meet their arbitrary qualifications, you must buy a new computer or risk continuing to run one that will no longer receive security updates and bug fixes, even though in every other aspect it might be perfectly fine for its owner.
Now back to “it depends.”
Merely knowing that your computer is a Dell Inspiron does not provide me enough information to say whether it can take Windows 11. Whether a machine can be updated depends on the specific hardware on board the PC.
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Things like its processor type, the amount of RAM it has, the graphics capabilities, and, of course, the presence of the infamous Trusted Platform Module (TPM). Unless the PC meets all of Microsoft’s hardware rules, it will not be allowed to run Windows 11.
How easy is it to install Win11? Pretty easy actually, but you need to start by determining if your computer qualifies.
I won’t bother listing all the qualifications here in the column, but if you want to see them, you need only ask Google for “Minimum Specs to run Windows 11.”
Microsoft has made it pretty easy to find out by providing tools that scan your system to see if it qualifies. You might also be able to get this information from Windows itself by clicking “Start” then typing “Updates.” Visit the page that says “Check for Updates” or “Windows Update.”
You should see a box there that says “Get ready for Windows 11” and a link that says “Check hardware requirements.” Click that, and let it do its thing. If your system can be easily upgraded, you’ll find links right here in Windows Update that will do the work for you.
On the off chance that your computer cannot be upgraded (Thanks, Bill!), there are a few things you can do to force Windows 11 onto your supposedly incompatible hardware. You can start this process by doing a Google search on “force Windows 11 update.”
I cannot in all good conscience recommend this path for non-expert computer users. Microsoft has made it very plain in numerous articles that doing such a forced update can result in numerous problems, the very least of which involve poor system performance due to the demands of Windows 11’s core requirements.
You could wind up constantly waiting for your computer to catch up to you, and that’s never any fun.
Despite my contempt for Microsoft forcing people to upgrade, for those who have the means, it may just be time to consider a new computer. A brand-new system will instantly make all your existing computer’s problems disappear, and may just add a whole bunch of new features.
I took advantage of the recently completed Amazon Prime Days to buy new systems for both myself and Spouse Peripheral. My new laptop sports a whopping 64 GB of RAM and a respectable 2 TB on hard drive storage. SP’s is about half that, which is still way more computer than she needs.
The price came in at a very nice $649, and believe me, this will solve way more than $649 worth of problems for her. Back-to-school sales are right around the corner, so watch for good deals.
Remember: The official end-of-support for all editions of Windows 10 is October 14, 2025. You’ll want to either be upgraded to Windows 11 or have a new PC before then.
And for heaven’s sake, send me some questions!
To view additional content, comment on articles, or submit a question, visit my website at ItsGeekToMe.co (not .com!)
Jeff Werner, a software engineer based in Niceville, Florida, has been writing his popular “It’s Geek to Me” tech column since 2007. He shares his expertise to help readers solve everyday tech challenges.
