It’s one of the most common conversations we’ve had at the shop in recent months. A customer brings in a computer that’s running Windows 10, it’s working fine for what they do, but somewhere they heard that Windows 10 is going away – and they want to know if their machine can make the jump to Windows 11. The short answer: maybe. And when the answer is no, that’s when the real conversation starts.
Why can’t it upgrade? Microsoft drew a hard line with Windows 11. Unlike previous upgrades that mostly just needed enough storage and RAM, Windows 11 has a specific set of hardware requirements – and a lot of machines that were perfectly capable just a few years ago do not meet them.
Here’s what we typically check when a Windows 10 machine comes in:
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Device Age | 7-10+ years for most affected machines |
| TPM status | TPM 2.0 absent, version 1.2 only, or disabled in BIOS |
| CPU Generation | Intel 6th/7th gen or AMD Ryzen 1000 series - not on Microsoft's supported lists |
| RAM | Minimum 4GB required; older budget machines may fall short |
| Windows 10 EOL support | October 2025 - no security patches unless you enroll in Windows ESU (Extended Security Updates) |
| Replacement Cost | New Windows 11 capable machine vs. continued risk on unsupported OS |
TPM 2.0. This is a big one. Windows 11 requires a Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 – a small security chip that handles encryption and secure boot functions. Machines built before, roughly, 2017/2018 often don’t have it at all. We see some machines that have TPM 1.2 but that will not work. Sometimes we can find that the machine has TPM 2.0, but it was disabled in the BIOS – that’s an easy fix – one less hoop to jump through.
You need a compatible CPU. Even if your CPU is fast and capable of running the tasks required of it, it doesn’t matter if it isn’t on the list. Microsoft has a list for Intel CPUs and one for AMD CPUs. If yours is on the list, you are getting closer to getting Windows 11.
As long as you have at least 4GB of RAM, which most older systems have, you’re okay to upgrade. Obviously, more RAM is better, especially for Windows 11. The same philosophy applies to storage space. While minimum requirements are only 64GB, realistically, you want a lot more than that. We recommend that you buy as much as you can afford, and right now, sadly, prices are way up, but there are plenty of options for 512GB and 1TB drives that won’t break the bank.
One thing that trips people up? Secure Boot. While not strictly required for Windows 11 to boot, your BIOS must be able to support it. Older machines with the legacy BIOS (rather than UEFI) cannot enable it which is another disqualification.
So what happens if you do nothing and stay on Windows 10? This is the part customers need to hear clearly. Windows 10 reached end of support back in October of 2025. Microsoft did roll out the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates program for people to enroll in should they choose to do so. We won’t dive deeply into that, so check out their page for the pertinent information. Your Windows 10 machine will keep running, but every new vulnerability that is discovered will remained unpatched. If you use the Windows 10 machine for 100% offline activities, then you are not at risk, but if you are using it for email, banking, or business applications – that’s a completely different story – an unpatched OS is a known target and attackers focus on end-of-life systems because they know there are security holes that no longer get filled.
So what’s the verdict? Here’s how we frame it for customers: if the machine is under five or six years old, well-built, and only failing the upgrade check because TPM 2.0 was disabled in the BIOS – fix it. If it is an older machine with a 6th gen Intel CPU, 8GB of RAM – the hardware prevents the upgrade. At that point we’re talking about the cost of a new machine versus continuing to run an OS that’s already reached it’s support end of life, not including if you buy into the ESU program. For most customers, that’s the clearest case we can make for moving on.
There are middle-ground options too – Linux is a legitimate path for some users, but not for the vast majority of our customers. For most people walking through our doors, the answer comes down to one question: is this machine worth investing in, or is it time to put that money toward something that will actually be supported?
That’s a question we can help you answer. Stop by the shop and we’d be more than happy to discuss your options. We have a good selection of new and refurbished Windows 11 machine in our showroom. Let’s say goodbye to Windows 10!