Windows 11 is Coming! It's Coming Soon! Not Ready? Know Where to Click

We heard rumblings but we really hoped it was further away. But this morning the laptop turned on with Windows 11 announcing it was ready to install.

We were not amused. We are not ready. Needless to say, we were made more fully awake. A little bit of panic does that. But calm resumed and we found the way to decline which means "no thank you, not now please bug me later, much later."

So be aware that you do NOT have to install Windows 11 the very minute the notice appears on your screen or even in the next 24 hours when your device does another update. Those are the two main paths (now or scheduled within 24 hours) emphasized on the announcement screen -- which I've just dubbed the "blue screen of panic" and kind of an ode to the dreaded "blue screen of death."

In the lower left of the screen, follow the decline. In the initial panic, you don't tend to see it sitting there. Don't worry, Microsoft's decline in usually never a solid, hell no, not ever. It's a not so obvious not right now.

Because you have a project your are in the middle of, or more importantly you have not backed up your device in a while. Microsoft really should emphasize backing up your device before any major update and give the opportunity to do so rather than its install now focus.

We've heard Windows 11 is not so different but things are a little moved around. What we haven't heard is does it work well with older programs because you know almost everyone has an older program (or a few) that they just can't retire. Or how many of your standard programs will need updating/upgrading because Windows 11 doesn't play well with those programs.

So what are you to do? Check the Microsoft website for information on upgrading to Windows 11. Here's a getting ready article at the Microsoft website.

Standard advice in the past for these types of situations are:

• Backup all of your data to an external device or a cloud service. (Yes, it should be a regular, standard thing you do for each device normally not when you have to do so.)
• When you are ready to start the upgrade close all programs and windows including your browsers. Note: You may have to disable your virus protection. Check with the installation instructions advice on the Microsoft website.
  
• Know that the downloading of the Windows 11 upgrade will take some time to do and it depends on the speed of your internet.
• The actual installing of the upgrade takes time and likely multiple device restarts. And several additional windows updates after the install. So above all make sure your device is plugged in and using the electrical cord so the device has an uninterrupted power supply. This means do not rely on your device's battery supply. (And, don't install during chancy weather situations.)

No, this upgrade/update should not be feared. But make sure you are ready/prepared so that when you are forced to make that leap you can make it to the other side.

You can check if your current device meets the minimum requirements for upgrading with the PC Health Check app. Also, you check to see if the Windows 11 Update/Upgrade is ready for your device under Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update. There is an option there to select "Stay on Windows 10 for Now." A Microsoft account can help when moving to a new device but should not be necessary when simply updating your existing device.

If your device is considered not eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade, either the operating system is old (did you upgrade to Windows 10?) or some part of the device's physical hardware is old, so you may want to consider a new device. Staying on Windows 10 is possible but be aware that like in the past Microsoft will eventually stop supporting older software and stop making updates for that software which may cause security issues.

See you someday soon at our favorite library!
LE