Windows 10 will reach "End of Support" on October 14th, 2025. This means that you will no longer receive free security updates from Microsoft. More importantly, it will leave your computer open to any new malware being spread around the Internet. If you don't connect your computer to the Internet, you only need to worry about someone sticking a malignant flash drive into your computer. However, most people do connect their computers to the Internet in order to update financial accounts or fill out information on medical websites. You can delay the inevitable and pay for extended support from Microsoft for a year or so, but it's easier to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 (assuming it has a 64-bit processor).
Recently, i upgraded an old Windows Vista computer to Windows 11. There are numerous techniques for accomplishing such an upgrade shown on YouTube. However, the technique that causes the least disruption is the "Server" method because it preserves your files and settings, including your Windows Desktop. The Server method involves these steps:
1. Create a bootable USB flash drive by using the Windows Media Creation Tool or create a Ventoy bootable flash drive to store multiple ISO files.
2. Download a copy of Windows 11 (preferably the "Pro" version) and save it to the flash drive as an "ISO" (system image) file.
3. Run CMD or PowerShell if already booted into Windows. You can also reboot on the flash drive, but you may need to select the flash drive as the boot device.
If booted on a Ventoy bootable flash drive, merely select the ISO file to install. Skip to step 9.
If not booted on a Ventoy drive, type "Mount (name of ISO file).iso". The assigned drive letter should show if you type DIR followed by the <Enter> key.
4. The command prompt will probably show as: \Windows\System32 >. If it doesn't display, type in: cd \windows\system32.
5. You need to know the letter assigned to the USB flash drive. Type in: (drive letter): Press the <Enter> key.
6. The prompt should show similar to: E:>
7. Type: cd sources
8. Type: .\setupprep.exe /product server and press the <Enter> key.
9. The Windows Setup dialog should start to display. You're not upgrading to Windows Server. You can upgrade to Windows Pro from Home if you purchase the correct Product Key. I found that a "EN-US" product key for Windows 11 Professional from PCSalesOnline.com worked perfectly in my situation.
10. Choose "Keep Files, Settings, and Apps" to preserve your existing setup unless you want to start from scratch.
The computer being upgraded must have a 64-bit processor. The type of processor is shown under Settings / System / About in Windows 10 or in Control Panel / System.
The computer should have at least 4 GB. RAM. If not, determine the type of RAM used by the system and add memory cards. You save a lot of time by upgrading the RAM to 4 GB before commencing the software upgrade. Windows 11 will run using 2 GB. of RAM, but it is excruciatingly slow.
If you live near Baldwin, MD, I can perform a Windows 11 Upgrade on your computer for $100.00. The process takes about 4 hours on old computers.
See the Contact Page on my website, DeanComputerServices.net.