@billd766

   Don't know your current status in wanting to upgrade from Win 10 to 11 on your old computers, but even though the Windows Health Check may say you can not upgrade to Win 11 the fact is your "probably" can.   

 

    I have 3 Lenovo laptops....on my newest Lenovo (which is about 4 years old) it met the upgrade requirements and upgraded from the Win 10 to Win 11 normally...thru the normal Windows update process.   Now the other 2 Lenovo laptops are "old"....around a 10-12 years old, running Win 10 just fine, but Windows kept saying they do not meet the requirements to upgrade from Win 10 to 11 because they were missing  a TPM chip and one other reason.

 

   Assuming you have reviewed Youtube you'll finds "many" videos on how to upgrade from Win 10 to 11 on an old computer which Windows says can not upgrade to Win 11.   Different ways to upgrade from Win 10 to 11....some Youtubes videos describe different ways from hard to easy/over complicated.  However, it does "not" have to be complicated at all.   All upgrade methods are perfectly legit. 

 

     Back around May I used below Youtube video to upgrade both of my Lenovo "old" (i.e., 10-12 years old) which Windows says could not be upgrade.  Following the short video instructions both laptops upgraded from Win 10 to 11 without any problems....zero problems/issues.  Since then both laptops have continued to receive Windows updates, works just like a new computer coming with Win 11 factory installed.   From looking at the "newest" video comments this video's method still works fine.     

 

   The upgrade file(s) comes directly from Windows upgrade website just like Windows upgrades, normal upgrades comes from.  Now don't be concerned that during the installation process it looks like you might be installing Windows Server vs Win 11....well, you are really installing/upgrading to from Win 10 to Win 11 like the video says.   And also during the actual installation/upgrade process be sure to keep the recommended upgrade "language" detected by upgrade process (it reads whatever language originally installed Win 10 with) if you want to keep all your current apps/software programs....if you select a different language you will end up doing a clean install which nukes all the apps/software you previously had installed.   And of course it's always recommend you do a backup before doing any major upgraded.

 

Yeap, below video worked fine to upgrade my two "old" Lenovo laptops with no TPM chip back around May....and in the video comments sections the newest comments shows it's still working for most people.  

 

 

 

There are lots of videos on youtube that might help you.  Here are a couple:

https://youtu.be/WvR-6CVI-Mc:

 

https://youtu.be/t-lw6Pj9lXk

 

 

I've just sorted out 3 Win 10 computers.

One Dell laptop, 10 years old, I successfully upgraded to Win 11 Pro.

A second Dell laptop, 11 years old, failed to upgrade and given the shocking state it was in I stripped the drives out and binned it.

Lastly, an Asus VivoMini PC, 7 years old, as it was Win 10 Home edition and I needed multi language, I installed Linux Mint. It's a while since I installed Linux Mint on a PC and the process is now very simple. The latest version 22.2 installed without issue, basic apps like LibreOffice and Firefox install with the OS so the average needs of browser and office package are covered from the start. It recognised the printer and scanner without my doing anything, all in all painless. 

52 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

@billd766

   Don't know your current status in wanting to upgrade from Win 10 to 11 on your old computers, but even though the Windows Health Check may say you can not upgrade to Win 11 the fact is your "probably" can.   

 

    I have 3 Lenovo laptops....on my newest Lenovo (which is about 4 years old) it met the upgrade requirements and upgraded from the Win 10 to Win 11 normally...thru the normal Windows update process.   Now the other 2 Lenovo laptops are "old"....around a 10-12 years old, running Win 10 just fine, but Windows kept saying they do not meet the requirements to upgrade from Win 10 to 11 because they were missing  a TPM chip and one other reason.

 

   Assuming you have reviewed Youtube you'll finds "many" videos on how to upgrade from Win 10 to 11 on an old computer which Windows says can not upgrade to Win 11.   Different ways to upgrade from Win 10 to 11....some Youtubes videos describe different ways from hard to easy/over complicated.  However, it does "not" have to be complicated at all.   All upgrade methods are perfectly legit. 

 

     Back around May I used below Youtube video to upgrade both of my Lenovo "old" (i.e., 10-12 years old) which Windows says could not be upgrade.  Following the short video instructions both laptops upgraded from Win 10 to 11 without any problems....zero problems/issues.  Since then both laptops have continued to receive Windows updates, works just like a new computer coming with Win 11 factory installed.   From looking at the "newest" video comments this video's method still works fine.     

 

   The upgrade file(s) comes directly from Windows upgrade website just like Windows upgrades, normal upgrades comes from.  Now don't be concerned that during the installation process it looks like you might be installing Windows Server vs Win 11....well, you are really installing/upgrading to from Win 10 to Win 11 like the video says.   And also during the actual installation/upgrade process be sure to keep the recommended upgrade "language" detected by upgrade process (it reads whatever language originally installed Win 10 with) if you want to keep all your current apps/software programs....if you select a different language you will end up doing a clean install which nukes all the apps/software you previously had installed.   And of course it's always recommend you do a backup before doing any major upgraded.

 

Yeap, below video worked fine to upgrade my two "old" Lenovo laptops with no TPM chip back around May....and in the video comments sections the newest comments shows it's still working for most people.  

 

 

 

Thank you for your useful and helpful post. It is always good to read a sensible post.

 

I am using an Acer Aspire C24 AIO desktop pc,  where Windows tells me to upgrade tp Win 11 and the pc tells me that I cannot.

 

I am 81 and TBH I much prefer easy over difficult nowadays.

 

I have 2 external hard drives, one of which is unplugged and is simply a spare, so I could save the desktop settings to that. Almost everything else is on the main backup hard drive.

16 minutes ago, Stocky said:

I've just sorted out 3 Win 10 computers.

One Dell laptop, 10 years old, I successfully upgraded to Win 11 Pro.

A second Dell laptop, 11 years old, failed to upgrade and given the shocking state it was in I stripped the drives out and binned it.

Lastly, an Asus VivoMini PC, 7 years old, as it was Win 10 Home edition and I needed multi language, I installed Linux Mint. It's a while since I installed Linux Mint on a PC and the process is now very simple. The latest version 22.2 installed without issue, basic apps like LibreOffice and Firefox install with the OS so the average needs of browser and office package are covered from the start. It recognised the printer and scanner without my doing anything, all in all painless. 

Thank you also for your helpful post and information.

 

All i need to do now is pluck up the courage to actually do the job.

51 minutes ago, billd766 said:

Thank you also for your helpful post and information.

 

All i need to do now is pluck up the courage to actually do the job.

I followed the video Transam posted, it worked for one laptop but failed on the older one.

 

 

If the Windows update fails then install Linux, just make sure you create a bootable USB stick before you do the Windows update. This step by step guide takes you through the whole process.

 

 

On 10/17/2025 at 10:55 PM, billd766 said:

Nobody "advised" me to buy an AIO. It was MY decision and MY choice. Quite likely it IS running an old HDD, but unlike some people with loads of money. I don't chop and change with every new thing that comes along. It works well enough for me and that is the thing that is important for me.

 

I have read both your post and that of Paul Laew who responded first. His post is useful and helpful, whereas yours is nothing but a waste of my time.

 

I asked a reasonable question and received 1 good and helpful response, and then I read yours, which was a complete waste of time, and told me nothing that I didn't know already.

Yes, you get a thumbs down from me. Why are you slagging JakeC off? In my opinion, he gives honest and valuable advice, especially when it comes to SSDs.

Linux mint is easy. Mostly

3 hours ago, Froggybanrai said:

Many of the comments here come from people  who either post by hear say or whose LINUX experience dates years...LINUX today is not what it was when I started using it, years ago and I can assure you that today  LINUX is much more simple  to use than any Windows product!

First of all as far as you are concerned, there isn't such a thing as LINUX, because there many different LINUX distributions, called "DISTROS" in the LINUX world. As I understand  your requirements, I would recommend LINUX MINT ,a very friendly user distro that has everything you need working out of the box without any need to  go to the terminal or use of any editor. 

go to https://linuxmint.com/ read the installation instructions (I recommend the "cinnamon" flavour) download the file and follow the instructions. You may need help to create a "bootable media" and set your computer BIOS to boot on it but this is a straight forward operation that is much simpler than installing Windows anyway ...  

99% of what you do with Windows will be done better and faster with LINUX MINT.  I  have been a  happy user for 15 years and I only use Windows occasionally to update my GARMIN Golf Watch because GARMIN does  not provide a LINUX version f their software...

Thank you as well, for your useful information.

 

Just now, sikishrory said:

Linux mint is easy. Mostly

I liked your comment, apart from the last word.

@billd766

 

Get brave.....attempt a Win 10 to 11 upgrade using one of the Youtube methods recommend by several people....some of those videos use various methods...some easier than others.  I just know the video I recommended to you earlier was very simple and worked like a charm on my two "old" Lenovo laptops which Windows was saying they couldn't be upgraded to Win 11 due to no TPM and/or old CPU.

 

Just watch the video a couple of times....read the details/comments the video author provides in the comments area....maybe use a second computer/your smartphone to watch the video while you do the actual upgrade on the computer you are doing the Win 10 to 11 upgrade on....that's what I did.   "Follow the video instructions closely"....there really is only a couple of steps you need to take such as typing in the specific commands without making a typo.  And remember, keep the same Windows systems language during the initial upgrade steps as that keeps all your apps/software.  

 

It really is an easy process.....and has a good probability of working on your old computer.  Get brave....do it (after doing a backup).   Good luck.

Just now, Pib said:

@billd766

 

Get brave.....attempt a Win 10 to 11 upgrade using one of the Youtube methods recommend by several people....some of those videos use various methods...some easier than others.  I just know the video I recommended to you earlier was very simple and worked like a charm on my two "old" Lenovo laptops which Windows was saying they couldn't be upgraded to Win 11 due to no TPM and/or old CPU.

 

Just watch the video a couple of times....read the details/comments the video author provides in the comments area....maybe use a second computer/your smartphone to watch the video while you do the actual upgrade on the computer you are doing the Win 10 to 11 upgrade on....that's what I did.   "Follow the video instructions closely"....there really is only a couple of steps you need to take such as typing in the specific commands without making a typo.  And remember, keep the same Windows systems language during the initial upgrade steps as that keeps all your apps/software.  

 

It really is an easy process.....and has a good probability of working on your old computer.  Get brave....do it (after doing a backup).   Good luck.

Thank you. I need the luck.

 

I get a power outage most days from a couple of minutes to 2 hours this morning, so I will probably leave it until next month when the rainy season is really over.

Anyone who remembers upgrading or updating when using an HDD as a storage drive, would recommend swapping the internal storage to solid state before doing anything.

From reading the OP's replies to suggestions made, I think they way forward right now, is to do nothing other than to enable the extra year of updates. Then they have a year to sort their issues out. I suggest taking it to a shop to get the drive swapped and then a clean install of Windows 11 before 14th October '26.

This looks more achievable than anything else suggested here. I cannot see the OP installing Linux.

 

On 10/24/2025 at 10:32 AM, henryford1958 said:

I tried Linux once and found it very difficult to install and use. Why go through the problems when MS W10/11 is so easy. Yes Libre Office is great though.

I like tinkering with computers but Linux is a bitch to set up peripherals and half the software I really need won't work with it.

12 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I like tinkering with computers but Linux is a bitch to set up peripherals and half the software I really need won't work with it.

 

Finally a Linux user who admits that.

 

On 10/16/2025 at 12:51 AM, billd766 said:

I am coming away fro MS Office and I now use Libre office instead.

 

Even if you stick with Windows, there are other simple free text editors out there.

 

I have been using Jarte for word processing.

It's not fancy, but unless you're writing a novel, it works for most basic word processing. 

 

https://www.jarte.com/

The problem with word processors designed for the corporate world is they tend to sap the joy out of writing. Office word processors have so many features it becomes frustrating trying to find the features you actually need among the seemingly endless excess of unused functions. You either lose your train of thought while wrestling with the program or you simply do without the feature you want rather than embark on an expedition to find it among the endless cascading menus and pop-up windows.

 

The Jarte word processor relieves that problem by including only the features likely to be needed by real people. Jarte is designed for students, writers, small business people, and home users. But what really makes Jarte special is the unique way it makes the features that are included easily accessible.

 

 

8 hours ago, billd766 said:

I liked your comment, apart from the last word.

Occasionally you might want to install a program and need to enter a command or 2 to do so but the majority of things can be just installed via software manager.

I would argue overall its easier than windows. Things just work with keylogging AI bulls**t. Menus much simpler to navigate. Much less resources. No constant updating/restarting. No virus.

I run dual boot and it's very rare i need to use windows. 

6 hours ago, Pib said:

@billd766

 

Get brave.....attempt a Win 10 to 11 upgrade using one of the Youtube methods recommend by several people....some of those videos use various methods...some easier than others.  I just know the video I recommended to you earlier was very simple and worked like a charm on my two "old" Lenovo laptops which Windows was saying they couldn't be upgraded to Win 11 due to no TPM and/or old CPU.

 

Just watch the video a couple of times....read the details/comments the video author provides in the comments area....maybe use a second computer/your smartphone to watch the video while you do the actual upgrade on the computer you are doing the Win 10 to 11 upgrade on....that's what I did.   "Follow the video instructions closely"....there really is only a couple of steps you need to take such as typing in the specific commands without making a typo.  And remember, keep the same Windows systems language during the initial upgrade steps as that keeps all your apps/software.  

 

It really is an easy process.....and has a good probability of working on your old computer.  Get brave....do it (after doing a backup).   Good luck.

Thank you. I need the luck.

 

I get a power outage most days from a couple of minutes to 2 hours this morning, so I will probably leave it until next month when the rainy season is really over.

On 10/17/2025 at 5:55 PM, billd766 said:

Nobody "advised" me to buy an AIO. It was MY decision and MY choice. Quite likely it IS running an old HDD, but unlike some people with loads of money. I don't chop and change with every new thing that comes along. It works well enough for me and that is the thing that is important for me.

 

I have read both your post and that of Paul Laew who responded first. His post is useful and helpful, whereas yours is nothing but a waste of my time.

 

I asked a reasonable question and received 1 good and helpful response, and then I read yours, which was a complete waste of time, and told me nothing that I didn't know already.

 

Don't waste your money on an SSD if you don't want to, the problem is with the BIOS on the motherboard. Older devices to not have the required motherboard components  to allow the new security standards now required for Win11.

With respect @cme You don't appear to understand what you are writing. The BIOS has literally nothing to do with it. Nothing at all.

In addition, I think that you misunderstood the advice to fit an SSD. Allow me to explain. Many people will remember the experience of Windows Updates on a PC with a HDD. Often they could not even use the device properly whilst updates were taking place. Large updates could take an age. You had to go off and make yourself a cup of tea and a few biscuits. With a solid state drive, updates are installed quickly and don't cause much disturbance.

This will be a boon for the OP.

 

Briefly getting back to your assertion that the problem is the BIOS. Do you know what BIOS actually means? Basic Input/Output System.

That has literally nothing to do with why some devices are deemed to be incompatible(even when they are perfectly able to install Windows 11).

 

Processor	1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).
RAM	4 gigabytes (GB)
Storage	64 GB or larger storage device. See More information on storage space to keep Windows 11 up-to-date for more details.
System firmware	UEFI, Secure Boot capable. Check here for information on how your PC might be able to meet this requirement.
TPM	Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Check here for instructions on how your PC might be enabled to meet this requirement.
Graphics card	Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
Display	High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel.

 

 

 

As you can see, BIOS is not even mentioned. UEFI is. But, the assertion of security features you mention is just a red herring. Windows 10 actually has the same ability to bond with TPM 2.0, but it is optional.

With Windows 11, the design is meant to lock you into their subscription services. Instead of your data staying on your PC, it is automatically uploaded into OneDrive and removed from your PC. You have to go in and tell it not to do so. What does that have to do with security?

 

Better to run it as you would Windows 7/10, with a Local account, to keep control of your own data. That effectively means that the requirements are for Microsoft's purpose and not your own. 

Forget about their 'recommendations' and install it your way. None of their tracking and taking control of your personal data.

 

So please, be careful with your advice.

 

 

There is no easy way when converting from one OS to another.  Example when you convert from Windoze to Mac, its a pain but the change is for the better. Same for me when I converted to Linux Mint Cinnamon. I was a pain but prefer to convert rather than have legacy issues later on. I highly recommend Linux Mint Cinnamon for easy of use.

 

Yes, there will be problems, as well as challenges when people insist on making Windoze and Mac software work on Linux. Like when Windoze users insist I install Anti Virus on my Linux Mint for their safety, I refuse... hahaha. Just Google Linux Mint Ubuntu alternatives for your favorite software alternatives.

 

I do run Virtualization of Windoze 7 once in a blue moon, to access to Windoze only IOT devices.

 

Installing, updating and even upgrading in Linux Mint is so much faster and easier. The PC will feel "lighter". The only slowdown with older PCs that I see are related to mediaplayer and webbrowser as YouTube and websites can be very demanding on resources.  I am using a 2014 i3 laptop that was purchase new to install Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon on. Cold start from power on, takes about 40 - 45 seconds, from Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon up till now on LM 21.3 Cinnamon.

 

Just make sure you back up your data and do a full conversion aka full reformat and install. Don't use NTFS. Ext4 is the minimum that you want on a Linux Mint install. 

I don't think the OP will understand any of the above.