Win 10 to Win 11 Upgrade - Worth it or Not?

[Kamaji]

I have a Win-10 machine and I keep getting come-ons to upgrade to Win-11.

I'm sure the subject has been discussed before, but I'm going to start it up again:  Is the upgrade worth it, and how different from Win-10 is Win-11.

[Bigun]

I have a Win-10 machine and I keep getting come-ons to upgrade to Win-11.

I'm sure the subject has been discussed before, but I'm going to start it up again:  Is the upgrade worth it, and how different from Win-10 is Win-11.

I have one machine that I upgraded to Win. 11 from 10 Pro.  As far as I'm concerned, it wasn't worth the effort. 11 might be a bit more secure but theorizations (small things) that come with it make it completely undesirable for me.

[Smokin Joe]

My experience with 11 (I have 10 and 11 on different machines I use) is that is is a PITA for the supposed benefits. I could do all I needed to do with 10 without some of the 'features' of 11 that I find counterproductive.

[roamer_1]

I have a Win-10 machine and I keep getting come-ons to upgrade to Win-11.

I'm sure the subject has been discussed before, but I'm going to start it up again:  Is the upgrade worth it, and how different from Win-10 is Win-11.

For your technical side, Win11 is smoother, tighter, and more secure. It is.

But they BORKED the startbar AGAIN. Mac wannabe crapola.

That's the thing that slays it for me. I am fine with it... but I have a console open at all times... because burrowing down is a waste.

I have yet to find a way to stay in Win11. And I am usually an early adopter. 
Find an old box, jigger the install so it will take it, and just run the thing for a week or two.
You'll make up your mind soon enough.

Me, I will probably stick on Win10 a while longer... Like, till I can't.

[Elderberry]

I guess I'm lucky that my machine's CPU is not accepted for a Win 11 upgrade, so I don't get pestered to upgrade.

[roamer_1]

I guess I'm lucky that my machine's CPU is not accepted for a Win 11 upgrade, so I don't get pestered to upgrade.

You can jigger the install and put Win11 on anything (well, say five years old and newer). If you have a spare laying around you can see for yourself.

Personally, I think MS restrictions on install are FUD - That it won't receive updates if the hardware is not up to snuff... I would not be afraid to convert old hardware over and leave it that way.... I just don't want to.

[mystery-ak]

Well I went from Windows 7 to 11 when my old HP died....I loved W7 as that was all I needed...

[Elderberry]

The CPU I'm running came out 6 yrs ago. I picked up one that came out 2 yrs ago, but I was reluctant to putting it in. I was worried that my machine might step up to 11. But if it won't without my OK, I'll go ahead and put it in.

[roamer_1]

The CPU I'm running came out 6 yrs ago. I picked up one that came out 2 yrs ago, but I was reluctant to putting it in. I was worried that my machine might step up to 11. But if it won't without my OK, I'll go ahead and put it in.

Yeah... You can tell it no... But I would have an image, just in case 

[Elderberry]

Yeah... You can tell it no... But I would have an image, just in case 

I have an image cut twice a week.

[roamer_1]

I have an image cut twice a week.

You'll be fine.

Me, I always install cold and clean. Full rub. So it is nothing for me to throw a spare HDD in and install to that... and my real installation is kept in reserve till I know I am keeping the new.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Well I went from Windows 7 to 11 when my old HP died....I loved W7 as that was all I needed...

We have some windows 7 machines at work, they're so slow I'm shocked you can use them. Windows 10 is significantly faster.

I upgraded my gaming laptop from Windows 10 to 11. It was fine, don't regret, although there is a lingering issue with taskbar icons turning invisible. Other than that, no issues. I wouldn't pay for it though.

[roamer_1]

We have some windows 7 machines at work

When they retire, see if you can snag em... Their OEM keys will work just fine to install Win10

[Hoodat]

I have a Win-10 machine and I keep getting come-ons to upgrade to Win-11.

I'm sure the subject has been discussed before, but I'm going to start it up again:  Is the upgrade worth it, and how different from Win-10 is Win-11.

DO NOT UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 11

Find the registry address for the popups and turn them off.

[Kamaji]

DO NOT UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 11

Find the registry address for the popups and turn them off.

Why not?  What are the negatives that generate such a large-type warning?

[Hoodat]

They made changes that are not intuitive.  You have to click twice for things that only take one click with Win 10.  In the grand scheme of things, it is a good O/S if you had no experience with any other Windows O/S.  But since you have, you will be annoyed that it doesn't do what you are used to seeing.  For example, the Win key no longer accesses the programs bar at left, but instead opens in the middle of the screen, and now requires a second click.  Everything requires an extra click.  You will find yourself adding icons to the desktop just to open programs you need.

The large font was a personal reaction to corporate America changing things I have gotten accustomed to.  It is no different than Costco no longer selling combo pizza and ice cream bars or restaurants no longer taking orders at the counter but making you order from some phone app.  It really pisses me off.

I am also wary of Microsoft after Vista and Win8 users got the shaft.

[Kamaji]

They made changes that are not intuitive.  You have to click twice for things that only take one click with Win 10.  In the grand scheme of things, it is a good O/S if you had no experience with any other Windows O/S.  But since you have, you will be annoyed that it doesn't do what you are used to seeing.  For example, the Win key no longer accesses the programs bar at left, but instead opens in the middle of the screen, and now requires a second click.  Everything requires an extra click.  You will find yourself adding icons to the desktop just to open programs you need.

The large font was a personal reaction to corporate America changing things I have gotten accustomed to.  It is no different than Costco no longer selling combo pizza and ice cream bars or restaurants no longer taking orders at the counter but making you order from some phone app.  It really pisses me off.

I am also wary of Microsoft after Vista and Win8 users got the shaft.

@Hoodat

Most useful!  Thank you very much!

[DefiantMassRINO]

The main drivers for updating / upgrading operating system is:

1.) vendor support
2.) software support
3.) hardware support
4.) security support

Updating to a newer version of Windows offers greater support for newer computer hardware .

If you are using an older computer than runs fine with Windows 10, there is no real world advantage to upgrading to Windows 11.

Adoption of Windows 11 Upgrades by current Windows 10 users primarily benefits Microsoft, because it reduces the resources it needs to maintain a "legacy" install base.  Mass adoption of Windows 11 allows Microsoft to spend less supporting Windows 10.

When Microsoft ends security update support for Windows 10, you'll have no choice but to upgrade to Windows 11.

[Kamaji]

The main drivers for updating / upgrading operating system is:

1.) vendor support
2.) software support
3.) hardware support
4.) security support

Updating to a newer version of Windows offers greater support for newer computer hardware .

If you are using an older computer than runs fine with Windows 10, there is no real world advantage to upgrading to Windows 11.

Adoption of Windows 11 Upgrades by current Windows 10 users primarily benefits Microsoft, because it reduces the resources it needs to maintain a "legacy" install base.  Mass adoption of Windows 11 allows Microsoft to spend less supporting Windows 10.

When Microsoft ends security update support for Windows 10, you'll have no choice but to upgrade to Windows 11.

Thanks.

When MS stops supporting Win10, then this machine will likely go to linux.

At this point, I really only need a Windows machine for two things:  MS Word and Excel for when I have to work from home (and even that is becoming less of a need as we shift to a fully thin-client environment with remote logins from any machine on which the citrix software has been installed), and CorelDRAW because I like it as a vector-image editor, and am comfortable working with it, and it doesn't have a version for linux (although, at some point, I may give Inkscape a third try).

[Hoodat]

At this point, I really only need a Windows machine for two things:  MS Word and Excel for when I have to work from home .  .  .

This brings up another point that really pisses me off - Office 365.  Hey Microsoft, I don't want your cloud.  I don't want you storing my data in some server complex you have set up in Tianjin.  If you have a hard copy of Word or Excel, then great.  But if you need a new one, I strongly recommend getting the solid version with a one-time charge rather than 'subscribing' to 365 and paying a monthly fee just so you can open a spreadsheet that Microsoft insists on storing on (insert Mandarin word for OneDrive here).

I purchased a new laptop in the past year, and I made a point of also purchasing a home edition install of Word and Excel for a one-time cost.  Afterwards though, I discovered this 'home edition' did not include Outlook.  So again, I faced Microsoft wanting to charge me a monthly fee so that my emails could be stored on some servers in the People's Communist Republic of China which they refer to as 'the Cloud'.  @roamer_1 was very helpful in that regard.  I switched over to Thunderbird, and run all my gmail through that.  I have been very happy with this.  No cloud.  No monthly charge.  And no initial cost.  And it does what I want, not what corporate America wants me to want.

[Hoodat]

When Microsoft ends security update support for Windows 10, you'll have no choice but to upgrade to Windows 11.

The vast majority of the business my former company generated over the last few years was based solely on Microsoft's decision to abandon support for Win7 and Server2008.  The versions of our company software that clients were using were not compatible with Win10 or Server 2016.  So not only did clients have to upgrade their O/S, they also had to upgrade our control systems hardware and software running their plants.  Meanwhile, our upper management members all patted themselves on the back exclaiming what a great job they were doing generating profits.  Yet no new customers.  No new opportunities.  No innovative ideas for expanding business.  Everything they took credit for was generated by Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows 7.

[Kamaji]

This brings up another point that really pisses me off - Office 365.  Hey Microsoft, I don't want your cloud.  I don't want you storing my data in some server complex you have set up in Tianjin.  If you have a hard copy of Word or Excel, then great.  But if you need a new one, I strongly recommend getting the solid version with a one-time charge rather than 'subscribing' to 365 and paying a monthly fee just so you can open a spreadsheet that Microsoft insists on storing on (insert Mandarin word for OneDrive here).

I purchased a new laptop in the past year, and I made a point of also purchasing a home edition install of Word and Excel for a one-time cost.  Afterwards though, I discovered this 'home edition' did not include Outlook.  So again, I faced Microsoft wanting to charge me a monthly fee so that my emails could be stored on some servers in the People's Communist Republic of China which they refer to as 'the Cloud'.  @roamer_1 was very helpful in that regard.  I switched over to Thunderbird, and run all my gmail through that.  I have been very happy with this.  No cloud.  No monthly charge.  And no initial cost.  And it does what I want, not what corporate America wants me to want.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

The vast majority of the business my former company generated over the last few years was based solely on Microsoft's decision to abandon support for Win7 and Server2008.  The versions of our company software that clients were using were not compatible with Win10 or Server 2016.  So not only did clients have to upgrade their O/S, they also had to upgrade our control systems hardware and software running their plants.  Meanwhile, our upper management members all patted themselves on the back exclaiming what a great job they were doing generating profits.  Yet no new customers.  No new opportunities.  No innovative ideas for expanding business.  Everything they took credit for was generated by Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows 7.

Server 2008 is a terrible OS IMO. We run into bugs on it all the time. We have an application that sits on 2008 and I absolutely hate dealing with it.

[Kamaji]

Thanks for all the comments.  I've decided that I will not upgrade this machine to Win11. 

[roamer_1]

@roamer_1 was very helpful in that regard.  I switched over to Thunderbird, and run all my gmail through that.  I have been very happy with this.  No cloud.  No monthly charge.  And no initial cost.  And it does what I want, not what corporate America wants me to want.

You know what's dumb? I have gone, more and more, over to the cloud. Now, understand me in that, because my family has private cloudspace running our own servers, but even so, my volatile current storage goes right up on OneDrive, and I have done all I can to choose Samsung and Microsoft (better the devils I know)and remove Google.

I am doing all I can to get my phones to ONLY talk to my private cloud, but so far, that is a pipe dream, and so long as my phone is being promiscuous, privacy is an illusion. Pick which devil.

With that though, the convenience of all my volatile data being on all of my devices (well, not ALL, but phone, tablet, notebook, laptop and 2 desktops) is not only convenient, but has become a terrific real-time backup.

The stuff I would keep private they already have, natively, because my PIM and comms ARE the dang phone. So what if they get some boilerplate contracts and receipts too?

So as long as I MUST, I will use it. And all I have done so far has led me in a big circle right to that point again and again. As long as the phone is promiscuous, there is no private data.

[Kamaji]

You know what's dumb? I have gone, more and more, over to the cloud. Now, understand me in that, because my family has private cloudspace running our own servers, but even so, my volatile current storage goes right up on OneDrive, and I have done all I can to choose Samsung and Microsoft (better the devils I know)and remove Google.

I am doing all I can to get my phones to ONLY talk to my private cloud, but so far, that is a pipe dream, and so long as my phone is being promiscuous, privacy is an illusion. Pick which devil.

With that though, the convenience of all my volatile data being on all of my devices (well, not ALL, but phone, tablet, notebook, laptop and 2 desktops) is not only convenient, but has become a terrific real-time backup.

The stuff I would keep private they already have, natively, because my PIM and comms ARE the dang phone. So what if they get some boilerplate contracts and receipts too?

So as long as I MUST, I will use it. And all I have done so far has led me in a big circle right to that point again and again. As long as the phone is promiscuous, there is no private data.

[Fishrrman]

Psssst...
Kamaji...

Have you thought of trying a MacBook Pro 14" ??

Or... if it's a desktop in which you're interested... I'd suggest an M2pro Mini.
(can be used with existing keyboard, mouse, accessories)

[Kamaji]

Psssst...
Kamaji...

Have you thought of trying a MacBook Pro 14" ??

Or... if it's a desktop in which you're interested... I'd suggest an M2pro Mini.
(can be used with existing keyboard, mouse, accessories)

Thanks, but no thanks. I have an iPhone, and that’s all the Apple I’m interested in. 

[DCPatriot]

You know what's dumb? I have gone, more and more, over to the cloud. Now, understand me in that, because my family has private cloudspace running our own servers, but even so, my volatile current storage goes right up on OneDrive, and I have done all I can to choose Samsung and Microsoft (better the devils I know)and remove Google.

I am doing all I can to get my phones to ONLY talk to my private cloud, but so far, that is a pipe dream, and so long as my phone is being promiscuous, privacy is an illusion. Pick which devil.

With that though, the convenience of all my volatile data being on all of my devices (well, not ALL, but phone, tablet, notebook, laptop and 2 desktops) is not only convenient, but has become a terrific real-time backup.

The stuff I would keep private they already have, natively, because my PIM and comms ARE the dang phone. So what if they get some boilerplate contracts and receipts too?

So as long as I MUST, I will use it. And all I have done so far has led me in a big circle right to that point again and again. As long as the phone is promiscuous, there is no private data.

@roamer_1


Have a simple question for you...why in 2023 is it STILL not possible to privatize a file/document on your computer with a password of its own?

[Elderberry]

@roamer_1


Have a simple question for you...why in 2023 is it STILL not possible to privatize a file/document on your computer with a password of its own?

You can password protect file/documents with zip apps like WinZip, 7-Zip, etc.

[Kamaji]

@roamer_1


Have a simple question for you...why in 2023 is it STILL not possible to privatize a file/document on your computer with a password of its own?

There are software solutions that will do that for you; however, it is not a built-in feature of, for example, the Windows OS or its file management system.

[Elderberry]

How to password protect a folder or file in Windows 10
https://www.onmsft.com/how-to/how-to-password-protect-a-folder-or-file-in-windows-10/

Here’s how to password protect a folder or file in Windows 10.

    Using File Explorer, right-click on a file or folder you want password protected
    Click on Properties at the bottom of the context menu
    Click on Advanced…
    Select “Encrypt contents to secure data” and click on Apply
    You’l be prompted to back up your encryption key, you’ll need it if you lose access to your encrypted files

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

How to password protect a folder or file in Windows 10
https://www.onmsft.com/how-to/how-to-password-protect-a-folder-or-file-in-windows-10/

A lot of people forget their password, and i you forget your password and encrypt you're out of luck. Might have something to do with it.

[Elderberry]

A lot of people forget their password, and i you forget your password and encrypt you're out of luck. Might have something to do with it.

Years ago where I worked, before they went to a distributed password system, every month I had to change my passwords  on around 25 machines. I wasn't to use any partial passwords, and no common passwords, and not to write them down. Yeah right.

[roamer_1]

@roamer_1


Have a simple question for you...why in 2023 is it STILL not possible to privatize a file/document on your computer with a password of its own?

It's entirely possible, @DCPatriot ... You can protect files, folders, or the whole dang drive (though I really don't recommend it).

You can also protect through shares and permissions, though to a guy like me, that would hardly be a bother to crack.

You can also protect through after market encrypted containers... Or a password protected compression files...

There are ways and ways.

[DCPatriot]

It's entirely possible, @DCPatriot ... You can protect files, folders, or the whole dang drive (though I really don't recommend it).

You can also protect through shares and permissions, though to a guy like me, that would hardly be a bother to crack.

You can also protect through after market encrypted containers... Or a password protected compression files...

There are ways and ways.

Why doesn't WINDOWS have the select option when document is saved?  It's ridiculous. 

[roamer_1]

You can password protect file/documents with zip apps like WinZip, 7-Zip, etc.

Handy... but not really stopping anyone that knows anything - Which might be good. It will keep every day Joe out of your junk... but it won't cost much for me to crack it when you forget the password 

Except .arj . I have not looked in a while, but Jung's compression and password defied cracking. since hardly anyone uses it anymore, hard telling if anyone has bothered to continue trying to crack it. 

[roamer_1]

There are software solutions that will do that for you; however, it is not a built-in feature of, for example, the Windows OS or its file management system.

Yes, Win can encrypt files, folders, and drives.

[roamer_1]

A lot of people forget their password, and i you forget your password and encrypt you're out of luck. Might have something to do with it.

Bitlocker is my bane. And anyone who uses it had better understand - if you forget, it's probably a brick.

[roamer_1]

Why doesn't WINDOWS have the select option when document is saved?  It's ridiculous. 

To save folks like y'all a butt-ton of dough... Paid to folks like me when you forget your password. 

[Smokin Joe]

For your technical side, Win11 is smoother, tighter, and more secure. It is.

But they BORKED the startbar AGAIN. Mac wannabe crapola.

That's the thing that slays it for me. I am fine with it... but I have a console open at all times... because burrowing down is a waste.

I have yet to find a way to stay in Win11. And I am usually an early adopter. 
Find an old box, jigger the install so it will take it, and just run the thing for a week or two.
You'll make up your mind soon enough.

Me, I will probably stick on Win10 a while longer... Like, till I can't.

Win 10 is my new XP that way.

[roamer_1]

Win 10 is my new XP that way.

It kinda removes the point of Windowing for me. If I wanted to run out of a console and a filemanager all the time, I'd still be in Win3.1WFWG.

Part of that is an old program I wrote a bazillion years ago called fire.exe... a glorified console based 'Run' replacement Not only will it run anything in the path, it can also fire all the structural folders in Win from a list dialog... operates like ShellEx, but with a ton of stupid pet tricks... It is easier for me to navigate with that than it is to drill down in Win11.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

It kinda removes the point of Windowing for me. If I wanted to run out of a console and a filemanager all the time, I'd still be in Win3.1WFWG.

Part of that is an old program I wrote a bazillion years ago called fire.exe... a glorified console based 'Run' replacement Not only will it run anything in the path, it can also fire all the structural folders in Win from a list dialog... operates like ShellEx, but with a ton of stupid pet tricks... It is easier for me to navigate with that than it is to drill down in Win11.

Really? Firing programs in Windows 11 is easier than ever IMO, you just need to add the path (maybe) and use the search index. No need to drill down ever IMO.

Mac honestly solved that problem with the "Go" utility and MS copied it.

Edit: it's called spotlight search in Macs

[roamer_1]

Really? Firing programs in Windows 11 is easier than ever IMO, you just need to add the path (maybe) and use the search index. No need to drill down ever IMO.

Mac honestly solved that problem with the "Go" utility and MS copied it.

Edit: it's called spotlight search in Macs

I find it horrendous. Ponderous.

But then, I am a startbar guy.  In personal operation in Win10, I have all the stuff I need and use all the time (to include utilities) built into the three panels that drop down when I push start. I rarely drill down more than that one push and then select.

The first panel is all shortcuts to the programs I actually use... The second panel is Office oriented with big PIM at a glance, with small icons for Office operations surrounding them... And the third panel, the obligatory weather app and pics, both large, with a ton of lesser used programs and utilities wrapped around them... RDP/VNC , file managers, console iterations, and so on...

That sucks to death in Win11.

[Hoodat]

Really? Firing programs in Windows 11 is easier than ever IMO, you just need to add the path (maybe) and use the search index. No need to drill down ever IMO.

Mac honestly solved that problem with the "Go" utility and MS copied it.

If I had wanted a Mac, I would have bought a Mac.  Same went for New Coke.  If Coke drinkers had wanted something that tastes like Pepsi, they would have bought Pepsi.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

If I had wanted a Mac, I would have bought a Mac.  Same went for New Coke.  If Coke drinkers had wanted something that tastes like Pepsi, they would have bought Pepsi.

MS has been copying Macs since the 80's.

[Kamaji]

MS has been copying Macs since the 80's.

Yes and no.  And at any rate, by now, it's developed into a rather different ecosystem.

[Elderberry]

I haven't run on a purchased computer for my home system since I picked up a used 386 in the early 90's. Except I ran for a short time on a Dell my daughter picked up from work. I didn't care for it, but I ran it til I built another system. I never thought of, and even knew, you could build a Mac from scratch. I don't think I'll ever try to build a CustoMac, Hackintosh, or whatever they're called. I've never even run on a Mac. I don't much care for Apple cellphones either.