Windows 11 officially launched in the first week of October, but you probably haven’t seen it pop up on your screen just yet. If you are a Windows user, this is a big rollout that will eventually affect you, but before you jump to upgrade, there are a few things you should know.

First, don’t be in a hurry. Windows 11 is launching in a slow phased approach – and only for eligible devices. Since this is their biggest upgrade in more than 6 years, there are bound to be some issues that might affect how you work, play or communicate via your computer. It’s not uncommon for annoying post-launch bugs to affect things like the speed of your system. So even if you are compatible and able to upgrade now, it’s advisable to wait for Microsoft to sort out the inevitable bugs before you join in.

How do I know if my computer is eligible for Windows 11?

Your device must be running Windows 10, version 2004 or later, to upgrade. If you are unsure whether your PC meets the requirements, you can use the PC Health Check app to assess compatibility. CLICK HERE to access Microsoft’s website for more information.

What if my computer isn’t compatible?

If your device doesn’t meet eligibility requirements, you may need to replace your PC by 2025 as Microsoft will phase out Windows 10 over the next several years.

What will change with Windows 11?

Like we said earlier, this is one of their biggest rollouts in year, so expect to see lots of new features. In general, Windows 11 will have the ability to download and run Android apps on your Windows PC. It will update the appearance of the Start Menu and Task Bar with a central location, and a clean Mac-like look with rounded corners and pastel colors.

Gamers figure prominently in the new upgrade, as Windows 11 will have features found in Xbox consoles to improve gaming on Windows PCs. Widgets will now be accessible directly from the taskbar and customizable.

Should I upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as it’s available for me?

As we shared in a recent article about “When Is It Safe to Upgrade My Technology,” most technology experts generally advise that it’s safe to hit the “Remind Me Later” button when a new software version is released as these can often contain bugs that are known and will need to be fixed in a subsequent update release.

What if I can’t / don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11?

Not to worry, Microsoft is continuing to support Windows 10 and has committed to do so until at least 2025. Customers using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 should strongly consider upgrading to Windows 10 as those older operating systems are either at or approaching their end-of-support status with Microsoft and will potentially be vulnerable to hacking.

When in doubt, or if something seems not quite right and you’re unsure whether an update is legitimate, always check the manufacturer, software publisher, or app developer’s websites to verify it. Or you can call us and talk to our customer support team at (800) 982-7675.