Windows 11 or bust: Microsoft is boldly and insistently urging Windows 10 users to move on, or get left behind

Date:
Fri, 12 Apr 2024 11:34:29 +0000

Description:
Microsoft nudges Windows 10 users toward a necessary upgrade to Windows 11 or costly extended support, sparking frustration and possible resistance among loyalists facing an uncertain transition.

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Windows 10 might be Microsofts most popular operating system, but thats not going to stop Microsoft from trying to get people to leave the operating system (OS) and upgrade to its successor Windows 11 , and its latest attempt appears to be full-screen ads for Windows 11 being displayed to Windows 10 users.

Microsoft has pinpointed October 14, 2025 as the date when Windows 10 is set to be depreciated. Its quickly approaching, and after this date, Microsoft will cease providing technical support like bug fixes, and releasing feature updates and crucial security updates for Windows 10. That means that Windows 10 will continue to be functional, but PCs continuing to run on it will be at risk of newly discovered vulnerabilities that can be exploited by bad actors when theyre connected to the internet.

Windows Central claims , citing Reddit posts in the Windows subreddit (the dedicated Reddit forum for Windows), that some Windows 10 users are seeing intrusive warning screens that advise them to make sure theyre able to get continued support and developments from Microsoft by installing Windows 11. (Image credit: Shutterstock / insta_photos) What Windows 10 users are being met with

The prompt screen seems to have begun appearing following this weeks Patch Tuesday security-focused update , and urges users to learn more about transitioning to Windows 11. If theyre using a PC thats unable to run Windows 11 or the user is ineligible for a Windows 11 upgrade (as stated in the screenshot of the warning screen that one Reddit user was met with) its suggested that users look into buying a PC thats capable of running it.

The text of the notification begins by thanking users for their loyalty and a reminder that the end-of-support date is very much in sight. Frustratingly, Microsoft doesnt provide a button or check box to tick to ensure that users dont have to see the screen again. Instead, there is only a Remind me later button and a Learn more button, so it looks like there isnt really a way around it.

If users cant update their current PC to Windows 11 and dont want to buy a
new PC (or cant afford to), there is the option to take up extended security update coverage for Windows 10. This will cost $61 per device, according to Windows Central , doubling every year for the next three years, which isnt a cheap option at all. (Image credit: Woopinah9 on Reddit/Microsoft) A possible recipe for a powder keg of backlack

Unfortunately, this isnt new behavior from Microsoft, as full-screen notifications trying to get people to upgrade (or pay for extended support) appeared when Windows 7 neared its end-of-life.

I can see how Microsofts approach can cause user annoyance especially when
it comes to preventing users from being able to turn the notification off. Suggesting people buy a new PC or laptop, or paying for an expensive optional support subscription, likely wont go down too well with users either, especially in the current financial climate. I think its obvious how keen Microsoft is to make Windows 11 the main version and to be able to push
toward Windows 12, but its going to be a struggle.

I think Microsoft would be wise to make sure as many users can install
Windows 11 as possible, or it runs the risk of major user frustrations that could have sticking power for at least a little while. The least it could do is allow users to dismiss the notifications (for a little while, even), and maybe consider a different approach. When Windows 7 support was deprecated, for a lot of that time, users were prompted to install Windows 10, rather
than its immediate follow-up, Windows 8 .

Microsoft could extend Windows 10 support until it debuts Windows 12 and then urge users to skip Windows 11 and go straight to 12 (in a similar fashion to encouraging Windows 7 users to leap to Windows 10). It could also ensure that Windows 12 is a large enough upgrade to convince Windows 10 users who might not have thought that upgrading to Windows 11 was worth it. I understand that this might mean that Windows 10 users stretch out their stay with the operating system as long as possible, but it might also mean that the user pushback is less severe. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Windows 11 24H2 update is rumored to be ready to go but nobody will get any of its major new features anytime soon Windows 11s next big update is here these are the top 5
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-or-bust-microsoft-is-bo ldly-and-insistently-urging-windows-10-users-to-move-on-or-get-left-behind


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