You'll soon be forced to (or switch to Windows 11) Windows 10 users who haven't upgraded to the latest version of the operating system (22H2) will soon have to do so. That's because Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 21H2 on June 13, and has issued a reminder to that effect (as Neowin reports).
Microsoft will not force you to upgrade to Windows 11 and ditch Windows 10, at least until 2025.
Click the Update & Security tile in the Settings app. Select the Windows Update option on the left panel of the screen. You'll get a notification if Windows 11 is ready for you. You'll notice an option to download and install the update, as well as an option to ignore it below the notification, as seen below.
You can procrastinate on switching to Windows 11
The answer, simply put, is no—not yet. Windows 10 ends support on October 14, 2025, meaning that if you really can't deal with the added pressure of upgrading—as relatively simple as it is—then don't! Windows 11 will still be there in a year or two.
Some users haven't upgraded to Windows 11 simply because their PCs don't meet all the essential system requirements. Windows 11 stricter system requirements have created an upgrade barrier for millions of incompatible PCs. These are the Windows 11 system requirements: Processor: One GHz dual-core 64-bit processor.
Not only your computer will stay outdated and make your system unstable, it might also put your data at risk. You can wait for a more stable Windows 11 build with more features, but we wouldn't recommend you sticking around with Windows 10 post October 2025.
How to roll back from Windows 11 to Windows 10. Here's how to make the switch back to Windows 10: Start menu > Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Recovery > Previous version of Windows (you may see Go back instead). That's it!
How long will the free upgrade offer last? "The free upgrade offer does not have a specific end date for eligible systems. However, Microsoft reserves the right to eventually end support for the free offer. This end date will be no sooner than October 5, 2022."
First, you will miss out on the latest system features, security updates, patches, and compatibility for upcoming security features and programs. This lack of updates will mean your system will become more vulnerable to attacks.
In the few that were different, Windows 11 might get a 3 to 4 percent advantage…and in a few Windows 10 did instead. If performance is what concerns you, there's basically no reason to upgrade from Windows 10, even on the most powerful hardware.
Windows 11 raises the bar for security by requiring hardware that can enable protections like Windows Hello, Device Encryption, virtualization-based security (VBS), hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), and Secure Boot. These features in combination have been shown to reduce malware by 60% on tested devices.
Like previous major "Feature Updates" to Windows 10, you are able to decline or defer any offer Microsoft makes to upgrade your system by not starting the upgrade process in Windows Update. Until October 14, 2025, you won't have any trouble sticking with Windows 10.
In Windows 11, you can increase your multitasking and system performance with Snap Layouts that group your windows and save them to the taskbar. This is available in Windows 10, but Windows 11 makes it easier to access Snap Layouts and provides more configurations.
The answer to the question, “Is Windows 10 or 11 better?” depends on your unique needs. Windows 10 is a solid operating system that can allow you to work, play, and interact with useful apps. And Windows 11 can help you in the same way, but with enhanced features for gaming and interface layouts.
Upgrading your system from Windows 10 to Windows 11 will not erase all your files. After the update is completed, you should have access to all user files that were previously available in Windows 10.
Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 will be free. Due to the size of the download, however, ISP fees may apply for downloads that occur over metered connections.
The process is possible using the recovery settings. The only caveat is that the option is only available for the first ten days after the initial upgrade. After this period, Windows 11 will delete the files from the previous installation to make room in the hard drive for your files.
Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025. The current version, 22H2, will be the final version of Windows 10, and all editions will remain in support with monthly security update releases through that date.
If your Windows 11 computer lags and runs slowly, you're probably straining it beyond its capabilities. Several factors contribute to this, including unnecessary background processes, automatic updates, non-essential third-party services, misconfigured notifications, and privacy settings.
For Windows 10 20H2 to version 21H2, it started auto upgrades four months before 20H2 reached end of support. "The automatic update to Windows 11, version 22H2 will happen gradually starting with those devices that have been using version 21H2 for the longest period of time," Microsoft notes.
Windows 11 can encounter numerous slowdowns and performance issues, and most of these respond well to a variety of system checkups and cleanups. As a Windows administrator, there are some clear steps you can follow when Windows 11 presents users with performance issues.
According to the latest statistics windows 11 is installed at around 23 % of windows devices/ PCs and windows 10 is installed at around 75 % of them.