Windows 11 upgrade

libra10

Microsoft have started nagging me to upgrade to Windows 11, and am wondering whether to proceed.

I would back up my documents and pictures before deciding whether to go ahead, but wondered whether I would have to completely reinstall my Office 2019 programme and Thunderbird email software.

My PC is a Lenovo Thinkpad and currently running Windows 10.

Thanks for any help.

MattMattMattUK

libra10 said:

Microsoft have started nagging me to upgrade to Windows 11, and am wondering whether to proceed.

I would back up my documents and pictures before deciding whether to go ahead, but wondered whether I would have to completely reinstall my Office 2019 programme and Thunderbird email software.

My PC is a Lenovo Thinkpad and currently running Windows 10.

Thanks for any help.

You should not need to, but if you did that should only take 10-30 minutes anyway.

Have you run the compatibility checker (at the bottom of the page on the link below) and does it all check out ok?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/windows-11?r=1

libra10

Thanks @MattMattMattUK for your information.

I'm presuming my PC is compatible as Microsoft have been offering the new programme, but will look at the link you sent.

Much appreciated.

MattMattMattUK

libra10 said:

Thanks @MattMattMattUK for your information.

I'm presuming my PC is compatible as Microsoft have been offering the new programme, but will look at the link you sent.

Much appreciated.

It should be fine, but always worth double checking.

In theory it should be an entirely painless upgrade, it will be for the vast majority of people, but a few people will have issues. 

Jenni_D

FWIW when I updated to W11 none of my installed programmes or data were affected. I didn't even have to rearrange my desktop shortcuts.

libra10

Jenni_D said:

FWIW when I updated to W11 none of my installed programmes or data were affected. I didn't even have to rearrange my desktop shortcuts.

Thanks @Jenni_D That sounds too good to be true    Windows updates can result in losing my internet access and all sorts of issues.  

However, going to try the update either tomorrow or weekend, and let you know how I get on.

Thanks for the information.

[Deleted User]

libra10 said:

I would back up my documents and pictures before deciding whether to go ahead

I would back up my documents and pictures anyway, nobody can tell in advance when that disk is going to fail or malware deletes all your data.

If you have an automatic backup routine to an external device or cloud provider then you have some mitigation to unforeseen events.

libra10

Just updating - I decided to do the upgrade, and all went very well!

Downloading and installing took less that 2 hours - the programme seemed to start and stop several times, but no issues to speak of.  All my programmes have installed along with my bookmarks, and no problems reconnecting to internet.

The only thing which seems different is that all the taskbar icons are centralised instead of being listed at the left-hand side.  Also, my PC seems slightly zippier.

I'm well impressed, and would advise others to go for it.

Thanks for giving me the confidence to upgrade.

anotheruser

libra10 said:

Just updating - I decided to do the upgrade, and all went very well!

The only thing which seems different is that all the taskbar icons are centralised instead of being listed at the left-hand side.

Despite it's name, it's not really a huge update, so it's easy for Windows to move all your stuff elsewhere, upgrade the core Windows files, then put your stuff back again.

Also, you can change the Start Menu back to the left.
Aaannnndddd, if you don't like the new Start Menu, check out "Start is Back" program.  There is a free version of a similar program but this will give you a Windows 10-esk Start Menu back.

libra10

Thanks for your input @anotheruser

Have moved the taskbar icons back to left-hand side, and will look at the 'start is back' programme.

Much appreciated.

Jenni_D

I haven't bothered with Start Is Back or any similar application - the start menu in W11 quickly becomes familiar. I did though set the taskbar layout to the left from centred ... I have several shortcuts on my taskbar and I'm familiar with their positions; using a centred menu means they move about as other apps are opened (that don't normally live on the taskbar).