Q >> I have heard that Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 this year. It’s crazy because I’ve been running it for years on my PC and it’s stable and reliable. Do I have to update to Windows 11 and if so, what are my options?

A >> Well, Windows 10 has been around for a while now, first released in July of 2015. Windows 11 showed up in October 2021, so it’s been around for a few years.

Savvy computer owners also know that the digital world is becoming an increasingly hostile place. Scammers and malware authors utilize every tool in their increasingly powerful toolkit, including AI, to try to infect and control your computer.

More importantly, it also means that the job of preventing computer infections is becoming more difficult. Imagine having to issue patches for software that’s 10, even 20 years old, programs that might be poorly coded by modern security standards.

That’s why Microsoft is shutting down support for Windows 10 in October of this year. You’ll still be able to run Win10, but it won’t be supported, which means that those silent security patches will stop.

The result will be that it’ll become increasingly unsafe, even if you’re extra cautious.

Your best strategy is to upgrade your hardware, though it’s possible your existing computer can upgrade to Windows 11.

Search for “PC Health Check Microsoft” to download and run a utility that can analyze if your PC’s ready for Windows 11.

Upgrade software or hardware

If you can upgrade, great news! You can download Windows 11 for free and move to the newest version.

Do a full and complete backup (consider buying an external hard drive for this purpose if you don’t have one) then allocate an hour for the upgrade, plus time to download new versions of your favorite programs.

If you cannot, either due to hardware constraints, the lack of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), or other reasons, then you’ll need to update your hardware.

All modern PCs now include Windows 11 so it can be an easy upgrade, and there are handy tools from Microsoft to help with the migration process.

If you want to keep your display, keyboard and mouse, check out some of the mini PC units on the market.

Small as a paperback book, they offer everything you need in a delightfully small package.

Finally, don’t forget to reliably erase your old drive and any other storage devices before you recycle your old PC. Check out Green Girl Recycling for a smart local option.

Test for upgrade capabilities with your existing hardware, make a backup, buy new gear as needed, and migrate. You’ll be running Windows 11 in no time.

Dave Taylor has been involved with the online world since the beginning of the Internet. He runs the popular AskDaveTaylor.com tech Q&A site and invites you to subscribe to his weekly email newsletter at AskDaveTaylor.com/subscribe. You can also find his entertaining gadget reviews on YouTube at YouTube.com/AskDaveTaylor.