Question from Aleisha: I remember back when Windows 10 came out Microsoft really tried to push everyone into installing it.
Will they be doing the same thing with Windows 11?
I wasn’t happy about having to update to Windows 10, but I finally got used to it.
I hope I don’t end up having to switch to Windows 11 now that I’m finally used to Windows 10.
Rick’s answer: Aleisha, Microsoft has stated that anyone who wants to keep using Windows 10 will be allowed to do so.
They have also committed themselves to providing updates for Windows 10 until at least October 14, 2025.
Of course they’ve been known to change their minds about things like this before, so I wouldn’t consider anything Microsoft says to be written in stone.
But that being said, I believe they learned their lesson from the public beating they took over the overbearing way they handled the rollout of Windows 10.
All things considered, my best guess is they won’t try forcing Windows 11 onto anyone who really doesn’t want it.
And here’s another thing to consider…
Windows 11 won’t even run on many older systems that are capable of running Windows 10 just fine (although it will run on many systems that Microsoft claims are incompatible with it).
Personally, I’m not a big fan of Windows 11 myself and I won’t be recommending that people install the update unless they really want it.
Like you said, it took a while for most folks to get used to Windows 10 and there just don’t seem to be enough advantages to Windows 11 to justify making the switch.
Bottom line: Microsoft says the Windows 11 update won’t be mandatory and all we can do at this point is take them at their word. But I really will be surprised if they change their mind about this one.
Update from Aleisha: Thanks, Rick. That eases my mind a bit.