Should you buy a Windows 11 Computer or can you continue with Windows 10?
If you are a regular customer of Churchdown Computers you will be aware that Windows 10 reaches end of support in October 2025. However, many residential customers may still be unaware that Windows 10 reaches end of support next year. Some of you may have seen a message saying your Computer is not compatible with Windows 11 so what does this mean for you?
If your Computer is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11 then the solution is simple, you take the upgrade and it's job done!! If your Computer is more than about 5 years old the likelihood is that it will not run Windows 11. This is due to a complex set of requirements that Microsoft require you to meet in order to run Windows 11. You can't just go out and buy Windows 11 for your current Computer as it still won't meet the requirements and although some Computers can be upgraded in most cases it means you will require a new Computer next year.
Is there an alternative to keep your old Computer going and Windows 10 going? In actual fact for the first time ever there is although it's not going to be a cheap alternative. When Operating Systems reach end of support Microsoft no longer issue security updates for that Operating System, this means that if you continue to use it you are at risk from an ever increasing number of Security Vulnerabilities. Microsoft have always offered an Extended Support Program for Businesses but this has never before been offered to residential customers. This time Microsoft are offering the Program to residential customers but read on before getting too excited.
The Extended Support Program will run for 3 years and the cost will double every year. You will need to subscribe to the program to get the Security Updates. In the first year the cost will be $61, but in year two it will be $122 and in year three $244. At today's exchange rates we are roughly talking £50, £100 and £200. That means £350 to get an extra three years out of Windows 10 which is almost the cost of a new Computer. It is clear that Microsoft are pushing people towards the new Computer option despite offering the program.
My advice would be to avoid the subscription and bite the bullet and move to a new Windows 11 Computer. I guess you could make a case for paying £50 for year 1 in order to delay your purchase until October 2026 but I couldn't make a case for paying the prices in years 2 and 3.
So now to answer the final inevitable question. What if I just carry on using Windows 10 and don't subscribe to the Extended Support Program? I am asked this question all the time and most people qualify it by saying they have good Antivirus software so surely they are okay for another six months at least? The first point to clarify is that Antivirus software plays no part here. The threat is from security vulnerabilities in the Operating System which if exploited could allow somebody to gain access to your Computer. Antivirus software looks for viruses and not attacks on the Operating System. The second point is that the risk is cumulative so if in month 1 there are 15 vulnerabilities then in month 2 that goes up and so on. After six months there will be a lot of vulnerabilities. So what is the real risk one day after support is withdrawn? This is an interesting question because in the lead up to an Operating System going end of support very few vulnerabilities are found and fixed. This is because a clever hacker that has found a vulnerability keeps it to himself and doesn't launch any attacks. The reason for this is that he knows his exploit will be fixed by Microsoft. However, once the end of support date has passed he knows he can launch his attack and the only people who will be protected are those paying for the Extended Support Program. Put simply there could be a large number of vulnerabilities just one day after Windows 10 goes end of life.
If you need any assistance on the above or help with the decision making process on switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 just call Mark on 07557 483438, e-mail mark@churchdowncomputers.co.uk or fill out the form at the bottom of theContact page
