NORTHEAST WIS. – The PC Guys owner Jason Cook of Marinette recalls not so many years ago when Microsoft pledged it wouldn’t release another operating system but would make Windows 10 its “forever” operating system.
Then along came Windows 11, launched in 2021, leaving some people scratching their heads over why they would need it. More recently, many Windows 10 users who haven’t upgraded to Windows 11 are wondering why their older laptops are running slowly or have stopped working.
As of Oct. 15, Microsoft is no longer providing routine Windows 10 security updates to stave off malware and cyberattacks, a company spokesperson confirmed, though the company does offer Extended Security Updates that can be downloaded from its website. In this way, it’s allowing Microsoft to stand by the pledge Cook and others recall the company making when it released Windows 10, at least for another year.
It hasn’t widely advertised this option, and many people aren’t aware of it. The company’s decision to stop routinely supporting Windows 10 leaves older computers vulnerable and has encouraged people to buy new equipment, experts said.
The transition to Windows 11 has kept Cook and other computer repair technicians in northeast Wisconsin busy for the past year. Cook travels throughout Marinette County making business house-calls to update his clients’ computers or help them select new hardware for the operating system to run smoothly, he said.
“It’s been really busy lately. I’ve been booked out a couple of weeks. I’m trying to leave room for emergencies,” Cook said.
He’s so busy he gets behind on his invoicing, he said.
“I’m on the road most of the day. I work in my office into the wee hours of the evening.”
At Green Bay Tech Support, owner Dan Maloney said for most people using Windows 10, now is the time to think about a new computer or a new operating system.
“Every month that goes by without the security patches, there’s 100 different ways for these bad guys to get on your system,” Maloney said.
An upgrade to Windows 11 comes with an operating system packed with Artificial Intelligence (AI), but not all users want it.
Cook doesn’t regard Window 11 as a problem.
“It’s not as scary as it may seem,” he said, noting Windows 11 is built from Windows 10 and incorporates its features with some modifications.
“The start button on the lower left is now at the center. The power button is now off to the right. The start menu looks different, but it’s all still there,” he said.
At Computer Repairs and Solutions in Green Bay, owner Mark Cavil said only a fraction of those he serves have had a problem with Windows 11 where it doesn’t load properly, he said.
When the operating system is outdated, the hardware may need to be replaced or fixed to accommodate the new version, said Cavil, who has been in business since 2003 and recalled transitions from Windows XP and Vista, predecessors to Windows 10.
Not every Windows 10 computer is compatible with Windows 11. To operate smoothly, Windows 11 requires 16 GB of RAM, at least 256 GB of hard drive storage and in some cases a faster processor than was necessary for Windows 10, Microsoft said in an online post.
“If you’re a Windows 10 user and purchasing a more powerful computer isn’t an option, consider switching to a Linux operating system, which will allow you to continue using the older hardware,” Maloney said. Several Linux variations, or “distros,” resemble Windows 10 and are available for free, according to PC World magazine.
Besides the hardware considerations, some computer users are more excited about the Artificial Intelligence in Windows 11 than others are. Windows 11 encourages users to talk to their computers, Maloney said.
“For example, you might say, ‘I saw that really cool phone case but can’t remember where that was,’ he said.”
The Windows Recall feature means that people can ‘talk’ to their computers and AI can track down the information.
Windows 11 Copilot feature involves direct voice interaction, making it possible to control the computer with voice commands instead of using the keyboard or mouse, according to a Wired magazine article. Copilot actions will toggle on an application to edit a photo or put an event on the calendar, Wired said.
A Windows 11 default setting automatically stores documents to OneDrive, while not all users see this as a benefit, Maloney said. It can be avoided by creating a separate account, Maloney said, so the software isn’t accessible to other users.
The AI also can make it seem like you’ve lost control.
“It’s trying to help you use your computer. At times, it might seem like somebody else might wiggle your mouse,” Maloney said.
Other Microsoft applications, such as Word or Excel, could be affected by AI in Windows 11, he said. In the future, a virtual assistant AI feature might take direction from a user and act on it, such as responding to a request to make a dinner reservation.
“As the artificial intelligence gets better and people trust it a little more, there’s a lot you can do with it,” Maloney said.
The improvements in voice recognition on Windows 11 will lead to greater use of voice commands, Cavil said. “It’s going to be very important for websites to have voice support,” he said, as use of this technology is growing among users.
While Microsoft aimed to help people get their work done with features like Windows Recall, which stores data on users’ activity to help locate information at a later date, it’s not what everyone wants in a home computer, Maloney said.
Some users might love it, while others find it over the top and invasive, he said. “The privacy aspect is controversial. Some of it is kind of creepy, too. Some people aren’t ready for it, but it’s here.”
For more information on compatible operating systems,
Visit www.microsoft.com for more information on compatible operating systems.
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