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