Windows 11 for an ignoramus.

Rusty190

I know absolutely nothing about tech stuff so would kindly request you pitch your replies accordingly.
My desktop computer, like me, is elderly (2018) and the Microsoft pop up thingy, tells me it is not compatible with Windows 11 - which I'm led to believe I'll need, to function and stay secure on line in the long term. 
I just use it for online shopping, a bit of Internet browsing, online form filling, emails and Internet banking - I don't do mobile banking.
I use Word to type the odd letter or document and have a wired printer attached. 
Presumably, I'll need to get a new computer but I cannot make sense of the multitude on offer. 
I don't want to buy a Ferrari if a Reliant Robin will suffice, but similarly, I'd rather not get something that will need replacing again anytime soon. 
All suggestions gratefully received. 

singhini

I know nothing about laptops, but do you know why your computer is not compatible? (is it the RAM, CPU, Storage, motherboard, TPM).

The reason i ask is you might be able to upgrade something on your computer and windows 11 will work.

If you do need a new computer you might want to wait untill Black Friday week and see if there is a deal to be had.

Rusty190

I have no idea @singhini.
I don't know what those things are that you asked about - sorry.
From what I've read, there can be "issues" installing new stuff onto old computers and I'm keen to avoid issues where I can. 

FrugaiMacDugal

You don't need a 'new' computer for your usage.

Have a look on ebay, you'll pick up an ex works Win 11 for less than £100.

Have a look HERE for an idea, then do a search yourself for best deal.

Best to get one with SSD.

BFBW

Rusty190 said:

I know absolutely nothing about tech stuff so would kindly request you pitch your replies accordingly.
My desktop computer, like me, is elderly (2018) and the Microsoft pop up thingy, tells me it is not compatible with Windows 11 - which I'm led to believe I'll need, to function and stay secure on line in the long term. 
I just use it for online shopping, a bit of Internet browsing, online form filling, emails and Internet banking - I don't do mobile banking.
I use Word to type the odd letter or document and have a wired printer attached. 
Presumably, I'll need to get a new computer but I cannot make sense of the multitude on offer. 
I don't want to buy a Ferrari if a Reliant Robin will suffice, but similarly, I'd rather not get something that will need replacing again anytime soon. 
All suggestions gratefully received. 

The arbitrary cut off date for devices is actually around 2017. So perhaps your PC is older than you think. Either way, you can ignore the 'pop-up thingy' to upgrade anyway. But from your writing, that might be a step too far for you. You can just carry on using Windows 10, as there are ways to continue to receive support to use it 'safely' until October 2026.

GDB2222

BFBW said:

Rusty190 said:

I know absolutely nothing about tech stuff so would kindly request you pitch your replies accordingly.
My desktop computer, like me, is elderly (2018) and the Microsoft pop up thingy, tells me it is not compatible with Windows 11 - which I'm led to believe I'll need, to function and stay secure on line in the long term. 
I just use it for online shopping, a bit of Internet browsing, online form filling, emails and Internet banking - I don't do mobile banking.
I use Word to type the odd letter or document and have a wired printer attached. 
Presumably, I'll need to get a new computer but I cannot make sense of the multitude on offer. 
I don't want to buy a Ferrari if a Reliant Robin will suffice, but similarly, I'd rather not get something that will need replacing again anytime soon. 
All suggestions gratefully received. 

The arbitrary cut off date for devices is actually around 2017. So perhaps your PC is older than you think. Either way, you can ignore the 'pop-up thingy' to upgrade anyway. But from your writing, that might be a step too far for you. You can just carry on using Windows 10, as there are ways to continue to receive support to use it 'safely' until October 2026.

Rusty, do you need help with doing this? Step by step instructions for how to implement this? 

When you got your present computer, how did you transfer your existing settings and data to it from your old computer? 

Vitor

- which I'm led to believe I'll need, to function and stay secure on line in the long term. -

There's several threads on this forum on how to obtain free Microsoft support for Windows 10 until Oct 2026.

- Presumably, I'll need to get a new computer but I cannot make sense of the multitude on offer. -

If you do upgrade, have a look at the Mini PC sold on Amazon for around the £150-£175 range that all come with Windows 11. They are from unknown Chinese brands but work fine, for example - NiPoGi Mini PC Windows 11 Pro Mini PC Intel Alder Lake-N95 (Βeat N5105, up to 3.4GHz) 16GB RAM+512GB M.2 SSD Mini Computer Desktop Mini Computer 4K Dual Display/HDMI/WiFi/BT for Home/Business/School : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Undervalued

Vitor said:

- which I'm led to believe I'll need, to function and stay secure on line in the long term. -

There's several threads on this forum on how to obtain free Microsoft support for Windows 10 until Oct 2026.

- Presumably, I'll need to get a new computer but I cannot make sense of the multitude on offer. -

If you do upgrade, have a look at the Mini PC sold on Amazon for around the £150-£175 range that all come with Windows 11. They are from unknown Chinese brands but work fine, for example - NiPoGi Mini PC Windows 11 Pro Mini PC Intel Alder Lake-N95 (Βeat N5105, up to 3.4GHz) 16GB RAM+512GB M.2 SSD Mini Computer Desktop Mini Computer 4K Dual Display/HDMI/WiFi/BT for Home/Business/School : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Indeed. This is entirely official with two legitimate methods of getting it for free. If you can't or don't want to use either of them then there is also the option of a one off payment of c. £30.

That would give you time to look for a suitable Windows 11 compliant computer perhaps early next year once all the current fuss has died down.

Whilst there are lots of genuine bargains to be had for c. £100, which would be more that adequate for your needs, do beware that there are also lots of non compliant machines being sold which have been "configured" (i.e hacked) to run W11. Although they are probably doing it fine at the moment that could (will?) stop with some future Microsoft upgrade.

Rusty190

Thank you for all input - much appreciated.
After spending half the day looking at pages on my desktop that I didn't know existed, it appears to be the CPU that is not supported for windows 11 on my PC.
Microsoft tell me that this "is not considered an upgradable component".
Presumably, this does mean I need a new/second hand PC?
@GDB2222, when I got my current computer from Curry's, I took in the old one and they transferred everything across for me, for a fee. 

GlitterMedusa

The unsupported CPU isn't necessarily a huge issue. I upgraded a Surface Pro 3 (2014, originally shipped with Win8 ) with an unsupported CPU to Windows 11 using Flyby11 (free)  - it worked a treat and everything is running fine but it's not my main computer. It's quite trivial to do if you can follow a few simple instructions. 

However as has been mentioned already, it may maybe easier to just extend the Windows 10 support for an other year to give you more time to look at your options.

singhini

@Rusty190

In your original post you wrote "my desktop computer"

You might be able to upgrade the CPU on a desktop (not always possible on a laptop)