Should I update to Windows 11? It's still an option on Windows update.

I feel as though I should back up my laptop, but honestly I can't remember how to do that since I have very little on here that isn't game-related and my Alienware was strictly for gaming. John always said he just did a drag-and drop but that doesn't seem to work for me.

I've got a USB for this purpose but gave up on the drag-and drop because it won't copy over the folder of documents or pictures; all it does is create a shortcut. Until I know I have all of my correspondence and pictures copied over, I won't update to 11.

If you want a true backup, dragging and dropping files is not going to be a good option. A true backup means using backup software to create a backup on an exterior drive. Most of them also allow you to create an "image" which is a snapshot of your entire drive at that moment in time, including the operating system.

If all you want to do is save some photo or document files, you can definitely drag and drop to do that. I'm not sure why the files are are not transferring correctly. Maybe try doing a copy and paste? Make sure you are copying the actual data files.

As far as Windows 11 goes, that's up to you. I haven't done it yet because I have to enable something called TPM - Total Protection Module - in my motherboard first. Everyone I know who has upgraded likes it. I will do it, but probably not until I have to. I think support for Windows 10 ends in a couple of years.

Acronis is probably the most well-known backup software, but there are lots of others, some free. I use the on-line backup service called Carbonite. It does incremental backups every day and stores them in their cloud. I have had need of that backup once several years ago! Don't even remember what happened or if I can just installed a new OS on a drive and downloaded all my files. Can't remember for sure, but I think I might pay $60 a year for it. As with all software like this, files and data are backed up, not programs. Program installation requires registry entries which happen during installation.

in case it helps hagatha, my desktop needs the TPM thingy too but I upgraded on the laptop and it all worked fine. I didn't lose anything and everything saved (passwords, bookmarks etc) were all as they were.
One reason I upgraded was to check it out and see what I thought. The laptop isn't a high use item.
In short, it hasn't wowed me or upset me, and it isn't so very different in what I use that I get frustrated going from one to the other. More than that though, it didn't give me a reason to upgrade the desktop, so I will probably wait until I have to given the hardware issue.

That's good to know, flotsam. Pretty much fits with everything I've heard from my friends. Depending on your motherboard, you may NOT be able to do the upgrade. You can go into the BIOS and see if your motherboard has it and it need to be enabled like on mine. Otherwise, there is a chance you could add a TPM module if you have a slot on the motherboard and it will support it.

This whole thing with the hardware really ticks me off. I have a few of my elderly folks who have nice computers they use for email and solitaire. They are low end machines that won't be able to have the update. So they will either have to buy a new computer or run on an outdated OS.

When I run tpm.msc I just get a message saying TPM cannot be found which based on what Miscrosoft says leaves me none the wiser
I agree with your "ticked offness" Draclvr but way more impolitely

LOL! flotsam, I just didn't want to get blipped! Just because running tpm.msc says it cannot be found doesn't mean it isn't there. Mine says that too, but when I go into my BIOS, it's there and just needs to be enabled. It all depends on your motherboard BIOS on where to find it. If you know the brand and model of your motherboard, you may be able to do a search and find out where it's located - if it's there.

If you Really Really have the Bug to upgrade by all means go for it as long as you follow Draclvr's advice on backing up your computer, otherwise you have almost 3 years to go before W10 has to be replaced, below is the official announcement from MS in a nutshell.:

Important

Beginning with Windows 10, version 21H2 (the Windows 10 November 2021 Update), feature updates will be released annually in the second half of the year via the General Availability Channel. Go here to learn more. Microsoft will continue to support at least one Windows 10 release until October 14, 2025.

Microsoft keeps telling me that my computer is ready for the update, and it shows as an update option in MS update, so I think the update would be successful.

I'm really more concerned about the backups. I haven't worked out how to do the backups since XP, which I knew very well. The drag and drop does successfully transfer some folders but not all of them.

Yes, your computer is capable of the update and you "should" have the same luck that flotsam did with the update not affecting any of your files. You really aren't doing a backup by dragging and dropping a few files. For a true backup, you need backup software. What you are doing is simply saving a few files on a thumb drive.

Which files are not working for the drag and drop? I have a feeling I know why, but want to be sure.

I'll grab a backup program when my brain is working better. Right now I'm exceedingly foggy and simple things elude me.

Good thing to wait then! Or just be lazy like me and get a Carbonite subscription!

Is Carbonite automatic?

Yes. It does an incremental backup every day - behind the scenes - after you do an initial full backup.

Carbonite

I am not sure if this is the right place to post this article , if not , please move it to the appropriate place.
Thanks

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...ome-users-buy-extended-security-updates/

Hmm, I imagine it going to cost a pretty buck or two or three......etc.

Thanks for the link Starcom.

Thanks, Starcom. I had heard rumblings about ESU - extended service updates - being made available for home users as a monthly subscription. I imagine you are correct that it is going to be painfully expensive. However, what this says to me is that Microsoft is getting the message that a LOT of people are not happy about Windows 10 being replaced. The ESU agreements have always been there for businesses, but extending it to home users is new. There is nothing wrong with Windows 11, but I am still angry about the upgraded hardware requirements which forces people who do nothing more than email, solitaire and Facebook on their computers to purchase new machines.

One article I found thinks that the extended security updates might cost around a hundred dollars.

I searched and didn't find much of anything except that it would be an annual subscription. $100 a year would be pretty steep just to keep security updates! Maybe they want to make it so painful no one would do it! Of course, if you are faced with the only other option of a new computer, it might not be so expensive.

I hope its ok to drag this thread out.
I recently interrogated google and my MB and found that enabling Intel PTT seemingly solved my TPM issue. The health check app now says I am Windows 11 compatible.
However the update function doesn't pull up Windows 11. Near as I can tell from more googling, that should happen given I have a license.
Is there something else I need to do, or something I should do instead?

Seemingly, I don’t have ANY of these complicated problems as every few weeks or so, when I boot up my Win10, a message awaits me on screen ….

“When you buy your new Windows 11 computer, follow this link to see how to safely transfer your stuff from 10 to 11”
(Or words to that effect !!)
How kind of Microsoft to help me out like that …. NOT ….

I swear I think this is a conspiracy between Microsoft and computer manufacturers!

flotsam, if it says you are compatible, you should definitely had the Windows 11 update available to your. Not sure why you don't. Let me do a little digging.

EDIT: You might see if anything in this thread helps, even though it's from 2022. Or ask the question anew in the Windows forums?

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...-11/74b1d1f4-7691-4bb6-914e-47651f788a99

Thanks for that. I also tried running the Microsoft Compatability Appraiser to see if that would reset things but 6 hours later it is still 'running' so clearly there is something else going on. I shut it down. The conspiracy thickens!!
Is it reasonable to assume that if I upgrade manually through the Assistant that it won't be the equivalent of a clean install? When I upgraded my laptop when 11 first became available everything remained as was - passwords, desktop etc - just like any other update. I really don't want to start all over.

I have a feeling, that's exactly what it will be, but I don't know for sure. To be honest, I would just head over to the Windows forums and ask there. I have avoided this upgrade for as long as possible myself.

Did you enable this PTT in your BIOS? Is your motherboard an Intel board? Have you used the Run command with 'tpm.msc' It might be that instead of enabling this PTT, you should have enabled TPM 2.0 on your motherboard instead - assuming it has it. If you did use the BIOS, I would go back in and reverse that PTT setting.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/

I did indeed do it in BIOS. Its an intel processor and a Gigabyte motherboard.
I did it having found this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHHzrFdlD9E

When I do tpm.msc it now says under Status "the TPM is ready for use". It used to say TPM cannot be found.
I will ask at Windows forum as you suggest

Update - I found this in one of their knowledge pieces about how to enable TPM:

"The option to enable the TPM may be labeled Security Device, Security Device Support, TPM State, AMD fTPM switch, AMD PSP fTPM, Intel PTT, or Intel Platform Trust Technology".

They certainly don't make things easy

They sure don't. One thing is the TPM has to be version 2.0. There are some earlier versions, but I'm sure your computer is new enough for it to be the newer version.

One thing I couldn't live without is my Password Manager. Even if I had to reinstall everything, all I would have to do is open it up and there they all are.

Downloading as we speak with fingers and toes crossed
If you never hear from me again you will know why
Thanks for all your help

Oh, my. I'm nervous! Did you get the update to work?

I did
Thanks again for the assistance

So, how was the process? Are you up and running? Did you have to restore a lot of stuff?

No it all worked as it did when I upgraded the laptop a while back. Everything as it was password and desktop wise and I haven’t found anything yet that needs restoring.

Whew! I'm so dreading having to do this, so this makes me feel somewhat less dread! I don't hate Windows 11 - have it on my laptop - I just hate that Microsoft is forcing us to do this. *grumble, grumble*

I agree Draclvr
Just FYI, the update did eventually show up in the Update facility, and it then downloaded and installed Windows 11 Version 22H2. Two subsequent little updates to that version occurred, and this morning it then downloaded Windows 11 Version 24H2. The two 11 versions took quite a while, but both installed without impact on passwords, programs etc.
I don't know whether you could skip 22H2 - you would certainly have to be cleverer than me - but I imagine its configured to specifically update Windows 10 after which it can then install 24H2.
But all good at my end. I can now turn my attention to sorting out an earlier OneDrive takeover!!

Yes, #1 job is to get rid of OneDrive! I disabled it completely on my laptop.

https://askleo.com/how-do-i-get-rid-of-onedrive/

Thanks for that. I have turned it off, but not done anything else. I was alarmed by the fact that when I deleted files I didn't want in OneDrive, they were deleted on my PC . I had to restore them through File History and it made me anxious about doing anything more.
I certainly don't want it so will read this with care.

Yes, your files are joined at the hip to OneDrive by default. It's a horrid "feature."

Hi flotsam, I believe one of the workarounds for your files in question is to transfer or copy the files/photos, etc. to an external hard drive, flash drive , dvd, etc. Then delete the files in question and then get Rid of One Drive or at the very least Disable it..
Good luck

Thanks Starcom, I will do that and will also delete in small batches. I deleted whole folders last time before I realised they were gone on the PC.

I downloaded win 11. I believe i got rid of one drive... but looking at my photos and video and screenshots they all going to one drive now... how do I correct this

Winfrey, I found this from googling:

To prevent Windows 11 photos and screenshots from automatically saving to OneDrive, right-click on the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar, go to "Settings", then navigate to the "Backup" tab and uncheck the option "Automatically save screenshots I capture to OneDrive."

Thanks Marian, my problem is I deleted the folder that links it but it did not remove the folders that it created to begin with. I saved all my pictures and videos to: pictures/one drive. I struggled for a couple of hours but finally figured out how to create new picture folder going to my user/plaurence/pictures and link my pictures and videos so as not to have them be saved to onedrive... fortunately I have learned something for when I do my PC-desktop which has ALOT of pictures... lol....

Glad you got it figured out, Winfrey! I have learned a lot here from reading the threads in Glitches.

This is the best link for getting rid of this stupid thing. It's the same link I posted several posts above.

https://askleo.com/how-do-i-get-rid-of-onedrive/

Great link, Drac! Thank you.

for those who are interested in extending the life of Windows 10 for another year here is a recent article from Microsoft saying it will cost $30.00 US for year one, that is not too bad to be able to hang on for another year, the article unless I missed it does not mention when it is available.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/extended-security-updates

PS: Depending on the CAD cost I might get it for my W10 laptop.

Thanks for the info, Starcom! The $30.00 might not be too bad but it is still ridiculous to have to pay for that! Just my opinion!

I agree with you oldbroad, these Big Companies will do anything to Grab more cash out of ordinary people to Pad their Bank Accounts. You would think they make enough $$$$$$$$ to just let people have the extra year, it would be a nice gesture to say Thanks to all of us who bought their products that made them filthy rich. Sorry for the rant oldbroad.

Sad, but it is what it is.

There is always the option of keeping the win 10 for using legacy software but unplug it from the internet for safety reasons.

Of course one needs a second (newer) gadget for important internet tasks. Like reading and commenting on GameBoomers.

That's the way I'm doing it. Keeping my old win 10 machine for some legacy gaming and connecting to the world on a newer machine. Even the most low budget modern PC is still more powerful than my decade-old Win 10 PC. I notice over time I'm more seldom powering up the old machine but I still keep it. It may end up in some museum, or an attic, eventually.

I read all through that article (thanks Starcom) and noticed that the “licence” had to be applied for by October 2024 ….
Or am I misunderstanding that paragraph ??

Mad, no mention of applying by October 2024. It did say these licenses wouldn't be available until the end of 2024. The first year would start in November 2025 which is the month after Windows 10 support ceases in October 2025.

At least I didn't see that - maybe I missed it.

No. You didn’t miss it, Draclvr, sorry. It was MY mistake. I apparently wasn’t concentrating hard enough

I don't recall it saying when you had to apply for it but (and I may have mis-understood this part, of course) it says that if you apply for it the 2nd year, that you then have to also pay for the 1st year. And, you cannot apply for just a half year or whatever, so doing so by Oct 2025 makes sense.

Fogfighter, I will do as you are, get a new computer with Win 11 and keep this Win 10 for as long as it works to game on. I still use my Win 7 for gaming. The games just need to be downloaded prior to disconnecting from the internet though.

I just feel that if they can roll these updates out for people who are paying them, they can roll them out for everybody. Again, just my opinion!

"When" you have the availability to apply is the part I misread, oldbroad

When and if I ever update my OS, I will probably be getting Windows 12. We have had both a Windows 10 and a Windows 11 computer, and there is nothing about Windows 11 that I like better than Windows 10 - quite the contrary. I like Windows 7 better than both, and XP even more though, so consider the source.

I just asked my son if he found that there was any improvement in Windows 11 over Windows 10, and he said the only feature he could think of that is more convenient is that it allows you to more easily buy things you don't want anyway.

So how do you intend to continue using your Win10 computer once Microsoft support ends, Marian ??

Is a fully tested and reliable version of Win12 available now ??

No Windows 12 as yet. Based on what I have read, it seems likely that it will be between September 2025 and the spring of 2026. We shall see.

We will be taking the Windows 10 offline when the time seems right and then using it as a backup. I usually continue to use an OS for at least some time after the Microsoft official support ends, though, and I've never had a problem doing that.

I wouldn't mind to go directly to Win 12 so I don't have to buy another computer in 5 years again. I wish there was a firm date for release.

Marian, your wording regarding going offline is perfect!

Thanks for that, Marian

I intend to carry on using my Win10 machine for as long as possible, also

My current thoughts are just to get a cheapish laptop for a Win11 OS, if necessary, with sufficient protection installed to allow internet banking and such like.

And carry on using my Win10, 7 and XP machines for already owned games .... of which I have zillions that I absolutely enjoy !!

Recent-ish new releases have not been appealing to me very much. Their subject matters or game controls not being my cup of tea at all.

Of course, if something fabulous gets released that I must have a re-think of that strategy might raise its head !!

That all sounds good to me, Mad.

Ob, hopefully there will be an official release date for Windows 12 by the third quarter of this year.

Thanks, again, Marian 😑

Perhaps this will be of aid . In my several actually , upgrades to Win 11 Pro , I've eventually returned to Win 10 Pro . I just couldn't quite wrap my head around the rather draconian system requirements for Win 11 . & 11 didn't do anything that 10 could do . I know I may need to go to Win 11 eventually , unless I install a second drive , for maybe a Linux distro for day to day needs .

TPM 2.0 , has , in most all cases , been present on motherboards made in the last 5 or so years , just buried in bios settings . For those that do not , a tpm module can be purchased for about $30 or so . as for the prevalent topic , One Drive , a rather arduous pain , It can also be disabled , via Group Policy Editor . Perhaps this will prove useful : One Drive

One of the first things I've done when setting up Win 10 Pro , because I used the upgrade path for Win 11 Pro , was to go into Group Policy Editor , & disable everything I could , such as Cortana ,One Drive , Bit Locker , & set system updates to notify me before downloading . Then , I used a tool called Shutup10 (which also works on Win 11) to turn off/disable everything else I missed . I see Win 11 , as a modern Windows Vista . It's ok , but could use a LOT of work ! I honestly think MS will reverse their position , & offer free updates , like they did with XP & 7 . Too much of the computing world still use WIn 10 .

I sort of like the UI of Win 11 , & the eldest game I've been able to play on Win 11 , was Vampire the Masquerade : Redemption .

Thank you for the helpful advice, Creeping_Doom.

I agree with your characterization of Windows 11 as a modern Windows Vista.

I will have to check out the tool called Shutup10. It sounds like something that might interest me.

More than welcome

Shutup10 , will turn off certain things such as Cortana , One Drive , the recall & co pilot ai garbage , telemetry , key strokes that you type , & synchronization settings that do not need to be running at any time .

Thanks again.

I checked for updates today at 2:05. It is now 2:25 and I’m still just at installing 35% geezzzzz. Major update! 2:45 81%. 2:55. Finally completed 😳. Bb Wait……. It’s not complete…. This was just the download… this afternoon is says install now or tonight …. 20 minutes later and I’m just at 27%. Holly cow…. Windows 11 what’s up!!!