End of support for Windows 10: Switch to Windows 11 without stress and high costs …

Free security updates for Windows 10 are scheduled to appear for the last time in October 2025. After that, it’s not a good idea to continue going online with a Windows 10 computer. Unpatched security gaps then quickly become a gateway for viruses and Trojans.

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But the upgrade to Windows 11 has some pitfalls: Microsoft has increased the official hardware requirements for the successor to Windows 10 to absurd heights. Many users have to invest money in purchasing new ones or at least upgrading them. And not everyone who is now legally using Windows 10 can benefit from the often advertised free update, because Microsoft’s licensing policy is opaque in some places.

In this episode of the c’t uplink we talk about how to check whether your own computer is sufficient for Windows 11 and how best to proceed if Microsoft disqualifies it.

Guests in the studio: Benjamin Kraft, Peter Siering and Christof Windeck
Moderator: Stefan Porteck
Production: Ralf Taschke

In the cover story of c’t 22/2024 you will find tips and tricks about upgrading, an explanation of who gets Windows 11 for free, as well as purchase advice and a construction suggestion for anyone who needs to upgrade or convert.

Tip: We are on WhatsApp!

In our WhatsApp channel, Torsten and Jan from the editor-in-chief sort through what’s happening in the IT world, summarize the most important things and take a look at what our colleagues have just prepared.

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