With Windows 10 winding down, a lot of the customers we see just assume they can click “upgrade” and Windows 11 will install itself. Sometimes that’s true. Often it isn’t, and the reason usually isn’t obvious just from looking at the computer. Here’s how to actually check, rather than guess.
The three things that trip people up
Microsoft set three main requirements for Windows 11, and any one of them can block an otherwise perfectly good computer. TPM 2.0 is a small security chip, or firmware equivalent, that handles encryption, and a lot of PCs from around 2016 to 2018 either don’t have it or have it switched off in the BIOS by default. Secure Boot is a firmware setting that stops unauthorised operating systems or malware loading before Windows starts, and it’s usually fixable in BIOS settings if the hardware supports it. Then there’s the supported CPU list, which is the one that catches people out the most, since Microsoft cuts off certain older Intel and AMD chips even when they’re still fast enough for everyday use.
How to check your own PC
There are two easy ways to find out. Go to Settings, then Windows Update, and if your PC is eligible you’ll usually see the Windows 11 upgrade offered directly there. Or download Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app, which runs a proper compatibility check and tells you exactly which requirement, if any, your PC is failing. If you’d rather skip the guesswork, bring your PC in or give us a call and we’ll check it for you, no charge, no obligation.
If your PC isn’t eligible
This is usually where people assume the next step is an expensive new computer, and it doesn’t have to be. A straightforward off-the-shelf machine works fine if you just want something that does the job and don’t need anything special. A custom-built PC suited to what you actually use it for, whether that’s browsing, work admin, or something more demanding, is often more affordable than people expect, since you’re not paying for power you’ll never use.
Worth a proper look before assuming the worst
Not every “ineligible” result means a big spend. Sometimes it’s a BIOS setting that just needs switching on, and other times a modest, purpose-built machine does the job for less than a generic store-bought one. It’s worth having an actual conversation before deciding either way.
Not sure where your PC stands? Give us a call on (07) 5227 8266 or get in touch through the contact page and we’ll tell you straight up, at our standard flat rate of $150/hour with no surprise fees.