The latest version of Windows is due to be released on 5th October 2021, with Windows 11 being available as a free upgrade for current Windows 10 devices. Windows 11 does have some specific requirements though and not all computers will be eligible for the upgrade due to being unsupported. To help you understand if you will be able to upgrade and what you need to do to be ready, keep reading this article for our guidance and advice.
— We’ll Call You! —
If you need any assistance with Windows 11 upgrades and would like us to contact you to discuss your requirements and the upgrade process, just fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch.
Microsoft are being a little more specific on what they require your device to have than they have in previous upgrades to be able to run the latest version of Windows. This is mostly due to needing to deliver improved security and to allow the latest features to run properly.
That does mean some devices currently running Windows 10 won’t be upgradable this time around if they don’t meet these specific minimum requirements:
There are further feature requirements, but if your computers meet the above requirements, you can upgrade to Windows 11.
Microsoft supplies a tool which can run as an assessment on your machine, but this will need to be run on each individual computer in your network.
The HBP Group have developed a tool to run these checks in the background and build a report of compatible and non-compatible devices on your network. If you’re interested in this please contact us to find out more.
Whilst Windows 11 is a cleaner, more modern-looking operating system that adds new features and tools, we will see some Windows 10 features be discontinued.
Most notably, Internet Explorer will no longer be available. Now superseded by Microsoft Edge.
Changes to the taskbar and start menus will be some of the most noticeable differences, too, with pinned applications not migrating over, and the live tiles that you may have gotten used to are being removed. With the taskbar, you can no longer place this on the sides of your desktop, and some icons may disappear from your system tray.
As is always the case with a new version of Windows, lots of the features you know and love, may have been updated or perhaps had their names slightly changed. But if they’re not listed as removed or depreciated, everything should still be there for you to work as usual.
It’s always exciting to think about upgrading to the latest version of Windows, but we would definitely recommend holding-off for a little while, whilst the first few updates and builds are released, to fix up and major issues or flaws.
It’s worth noting, too, that a lot of software providers (Sage, Pegasus, Exchequer etc) may not have Windows 11 compatible versions of their software yet. So upgrading before we know your core software packages are compatible isn’t a good idea.
The best thing to do for now, is to wait a little while. Perhaps start to assess your computers and devices to see if you have anything that may not be compatible and take steps to remedy this first.
Once you’re confident that your devices can be upgraded and keep all functions, and that your software providers have compatible versions of their programs, you can give us a call to look at planning a rollout of Windows 11 across your estate.
Our organisation consists of three businesses; HBP Systems Ltd. Kamarin Computers Ltd and Jugo Systems. HBP are based in Lincolnshire, Kamarin in Cambridgeshire and Jugo in Hampshire. Between us we cover the vast majority of the UK and work under The HBP Group name to provide a seamless service between our northern and southern offices.
About UsWe specialise in providing IT solutions and support to businesses to ensure they use technology effectively and efficiently and can focus on what they do best – running their business.
We offer a wide range of cyber security related products and services that help businesses protect themselves from cyber crime, but if you’re looking for something specific then the following options are the most popular and widely used options…
Protect your businesses PCs, Laptops & Servers.
Protect your business from external threats with a UTM device.
The ultimate protection for lost and hacked passwords.
Worried about staff clicking on malicious emails?