Windows 11 upgrade on Windows 10 Dell PC for October 2025

Fufu3333

I have had my Dell Desktop PC for 9 years from new:
8GB RAM, 1000 GB HDD, Intel(R) Core (TM) i5-4440 CPU 3.10GHz.

It keeps alerting me to the fact that I am running Windows 10 Home and that I need to upgrade to Windows 11 as security updates will no longer be supported from October this year.  I also use Avast.

My PC doesn't meet Windows 11 system requirements for a straightforward upgrade because TPM 2.0 hasn't been enabled on it and the processor isn't currently supported for Windows 11.

Currently my PC has been working perfectly for me and seems almost new.
I am really opposed to having to buy a new one.  

Do I need to?  If not, is there anything else I should do to keep it safe from viruses, hacking etc

Thanks

 

booneruk

You don't have to - people are running PCs with Windows 7, Macs without a supported operating system etc still and their world hasn't stopped spinning. It's just the longer you run an unsupported operating system the more risks build up - especially if it's a PC you use on the internet.

People will be along soon to tell you how to bypass the W11 requirements, or to recommend alternative operating systems entirely. 

You can also get an extra year of Windows 10 support by using Microsoft's cloud backup: https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-10/windows-10-esu-support-free-updates-cloud-backup

Aidanmc

Fufu3333 said:

I have had my Dell Desktop PC for 9 years from new:
8GB RAM, 1000 GB HDD, Intel(R) Core (TM) i5-4440 CPU 3.10GHz.

It keeps alerting me to the fact that I am running Windows 10 Home and that I need to upgrade to Windows 11 as security updates will no longer be supported from October this year.  I also use Avast.

My PC doesn't meet Windows 11 system requirements for a straightforward upgrade because TPM 2.0 hasn't been enabled on it and the processor isn't currently supported for Windows 11.

Currently my PC has been working perfectly for me and seems almost new.
I am really opposed to having to buy a new one.  

Do I need to?  If not, is there anything else I should do to keep it safe from viruses, hacking etc

Thanks

 

Some videos on youtube about this may help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEM7-kU6va8
Is your RAM upgradable?

mta999

As long as you are not in the habit of visiting silly places on the internet then you are probably perfectly safe keeping Windows 10 for the next few years

The one thing you should ensure though is that you have an antivirus that is regularly updated - I'm not sure how long Windows 10 Defender will be updated for but there are other alternatives

Neil_Jones

mta999 said:

As long as you are not in the habit of visiting silly places on the internet then you are probably perfectly safe keeping Windows 10 for the next few years

The one thing you should ensure though is that you have an antivirus that is regularly updated - I'm not sure how long Windows 10 Defender will be updated for but there are other alternatives

Defender itself being part of Windows falls under the previously announced EoL date, October 2025 for Windows 10. 

It will probably receive definition updates until 2028 from what I understand.

That being said, updated Defender definitions (for Defender or any other anti-virus) do not protect against security holes in the operating system.  at least 47 security holes were apparently discovered in Windows 7 in 2023 alone.  Some of this is third party software admittedly on those versions of Windows but some of them are Windows flaws that will never be patched.

Eyeful

1. After 14 Oct 2025, Windows 10 security updates will be stopped. If your computer is connected to the internet you are at risk of picking up malware.
This risk will increase as time goes by. Security software like Avast will not protect you, as the holes in Windows are not going to be repaired. 

2. If you are not going to buy a new computer your options are
(a) Carry on running Windows 10 unpatched and risk infection as time goes by.
(b) Take up Microsoft's option of a temporary Windows 10 security free extension, which just delay's the problem for a year.
(c) Look on YouTube for videos showing how to install Windows 11 on unsupported computers.

3. Install a different and free operating system on to your computer to replace Windows.
Examples: Linux Mint or Zorin. There are a number of videos on YouTube showing how to do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2wB9r1SYrY

hardergamer

There is an easy fix, install Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021, it's the best copy of Windows 10 made, as it has all the bloatware removed, and it's fully supported and updated now to Jan 2032+, it's what gamers use as your PC/Laptop will run 200%+ faster than using Home, or Pro, it has all the safety features, but things like Windows Store, weather and the AI assist, etc are missing, so it's like earlier copies of W10 or W7/8. 

There is an older Windows 10 2019 LTSC which works very well too, but I don't think it's life span has been extended past 2027 like IoT has. Also, you have Windows 11 IoT, which is the best version for modern PC, as I along with many other hate normal 11, with all its bloat and AI crap, it's nearly as fast as W10.

Now how I would install the OS, I would save or copy everything you want and need to a second drive or backup drive, like a USB-SSD drive. If you don't have one you can buy a SSD for very cheap and place it inside a caddy with USB lead, or buy a 1TB to 2TB storage drive for £30-£50 from many places, of if you don't have many GBs to save just buy a USB flash drive, I just brought a SanDisk 64GB for under £5. But I would do a full backup copy as you may have forgotten some things, or better still remove the old drive and replace it with a new SSD, as they are super cheap now, then put your old drive into a USB caddy, which you can latter boot from.

Then format your Laptops drive and install Windows 10 IoT using an installer program like Rufus. So install the new OS using Rufus onto the new USB flash drive, and then install onto the laptop. Watch some YouTube vides if you are new to this.

When installing from the flash drive you mustn't let your PC/Laptop connect to the internet, and once installed use a Windows key from a site like "vip-scdkeyss com" or "pckeys UK" but if you do a bit of searching you can activate it for free. I've added a download link, and other helpful links, and If you need any help just ask.    

https://massgrave.dev/windows_ltsc_links

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/iot-enterprise/whats-new/windows-10-iot-enterprise-ltsc-2021

https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/22/windows_10_ltsc/

https://rufus.ie/en/

hardergamer

You can try this, but I haven't.     

https://github.com/Bladez1992/LTSConvert

Vitor

- Do I need to? -

No, you can extend support for Windows 10 to Oct 2026 for free.  Starting August 2025, when the Patch Tuesday kicks off, you’ll see a new “extended updates” enrolment wizard in Settings or through a notification. When you click the notification, you’ll be given free ways to extend support

Sync your settings to the cloud with Windows Backup

Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points

-  I also use Avast.- 

I'd remove that and use Windows Defender, virus signatures will be supported on Windows 10 until 2028 and your PC will run better too.

prowla

I would say that 8GB may be under-spec'd for Windows 11.

But what do you use your PC for?

If it's just for email and web browsing then you can get off the Windows bandwagon.

If you're using MS Office, then you're kindof stuck with Windows.

Sicard

Neil_Jones said:

mta999 said:

As long as you are not in the habit of visiting silly places on the internet then you are probably perfectly safe keeping Windows 10 for the next few years

The one thing you should ensure though is that you have an antivirus that is regularly updated - I'm not sure how long Windows 10 Defender will be updated for but there are other alternatives

Defender itself being part of Windows falls under the previously announced EoL date, October 2025 for Windows 10. 

It will probably receive definition updates until 2028 from what I understand.

That being said, updated Defender definitions (for Defender or any other anti-virus) do not protect against security holes in the operating system.  at least 47 security holes were apparently discovered in Windows 7 in 2023 alone.  Some of this is third party software admittedly on those versions of Windows but some of them are Windows flaws that will never be patched.

Not so my friend:

Windows Defender definition (intelligence) updates are planned to continue for Windows 10 until October 2028, even though Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025. :