Question Windows 10 to Windows 11- easiest path for multiple PCs

[jhjenningsiii]

First, I have to question if Microsoft has some agreement with PC makers to make obsolete perfectly usable computers. I have 4 in my home which are perfectly functional for their purpose but all say that they have unsupported hardware. For me, it's less the money than the months it will take me to go through each computer and transfer the programs, settings, hardware, etc so that they can continue doing what they've been doing. If the entire issue is security, someone should make an appliance that goes between the router and the computers to fill the gap. Sorry, I'm just ranting because I thought I had more time but Windows 10 has just a bit more than a year of support left.

Second- I have four computers that I use regularly. I have 2 laptops (my wife's Lenovo and my Dell) and 2 desktop PCs. I suspect there's no real path to upgrade the laptops so I guess they're just e-waste (to join the 3 others cluttering my house.) For the 2 desktop PCs:
- One is a Dell Optiplex 7010 with an Intel i5-3470 CPU and LGA1155 and an Intel Q77 Chipset Micro-ATX Motherboard. I use this primarily as a backup server. It has 5 drives connected via ethernet. The CPU seems to meet MS minimal requirements for speed and number of cores. I'm assuming the issue is whether it supports Secure Boot and TPM. Would I (or could I) replace the motherboard alone, the motherboard and CPU and keep it in the mid-tower case? Since the Windows copy in it is OEM, could I simply upgrade the hardware and then upgrade to W11 without reinstalling apps, settings, etc?
- the other PC is an ASUS I built 10 years ago for recording music. It has an ASUS P8Z77_V_PRO motherboard, an Intel Core i7 3770K 3.5GHz 1155 CPU. I was planning on rebuilding that PC anyway, but could I do a motherboard/CPU upgrade on that to make it W11 compliant.

While I can usually figure this stuff out, I don't work on PCs every day and my time is very tight right now, so I'm looking for the easiest way to take what I have, keep its current functionality and settings, and quickly transfer. I've considered changing my Backup Desktop to Linux, but learning a whole new OS kind of defeats the simplicity requirement. I'm surprised that this forced upgrade of hardware hasn't caused a bigger stir than it has. How many people will be unable to afford to replace every PC they own? Thanks for any suggestions you might have. James

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

I thought I had more time but Windows 10 has just a bit more than a year of support left

if you're using old systems that are perfectly functional as they are,
why do you care if MS drops support for Windows 10?

that doesn't mean they are just going to die or disappear.
just that there may not be Windows Updates running anymore and some newly released software may claim that it requires Windows 11.
what you currently have in them and what you currently have installed would still run fine.

 

[USAFRet]

First, I have to question if Microsoft has some agreement with PC makers to make obsolete perfectly usable computers.

Microsoft have been pushing the TPM and hardware specs for years.

The hardware manufacturers have pushed back all along.

Your Optiplex 7010 with the i5-3570 is a 14 year old platform. 15 years, when Win 10 falls off support next year.

Does it still work? Yes.
But it IS quite old.

But, if you are actually careful, it is not going to self destruct next October. Its Win 10 will continue to run.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm surprised that this forced upgrade of hardware hasn't caused a bigger stir than it has. How many people will be unable to afford to replace every PC they own?

The change from Win 10 to 11 is FAR less intrusive than previous Windows upgrades.

Pretty much any system bought in the last 7 years (2017) is Win 11 capable.
Most people do not keep systems that long.

 

[jhjenningsiii]

The change from Win 10 to 11 is FAR less intrusive than previous Windows upgrades.

Pretty much any system bought in the last 7 years (2017) is Win 11 capable.
Most people do not keep systems that long.

I get that. I know I suppose I'll have to replace all 4. What a waste though. What's the easiest way to migrate everything from the original Windows 10 system over to the new Windows 11 system?

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

I know I suppose I'll have to replace all 4. What a waste though.

why?
what is it that you are worried about happening to these systems?

if you're only doing it for the hardware upgrades, that makes perfect sense.

if you are afraid MS is going to cause some sort of remote malfunction because they're running Windows 10, that will not be a problem.
nothing will change on your end except the eventual lack of Windows Updates, which won't negatively affect your systems.

 

[lantis3]

If you insist upgrade to Win11, use Rufus or Ventoy, both provide option to bypass Win11 requirements.

 

[jhjenningsiii]

why?
what is it that you are worried about happening to these systems?

if you're only doing it for the hardware upgrades, that makes perfect sense.

if you are afraid MS is going to cause some sort of remote malfunction because they're running Windows 10, that will not be a problem.
nothing will change on your end except the eventual lack of Windows Updates, which won't negatively affect your systems.

My understanding was that security patches were critical if you're connected to the internet. For now, that is my primary concern. Of my 4 PCs, only one does anything intensive, and I plan to replace that in the coming year. The others are rarely taxed. One is a desktop that I use as a file server and backup. The laptops are primarily used for web browsing. If security is not an issue, I'll take my time to replace them as they work fine for how they are being used.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

security patches were critical if you're connected to the internet

there's nothing much that Windows adds through updates except for small information packets regarding malware.

if you were really concerned about security for some reason in relation to what you do online then a 3rd party AV is a better option.

 

[jhjenningsiii]

That's great. I'll take my time updating then. I have a router and the Windows firewall. I suppose I could run a VPN all the time on my desktop PC. Hopefully, that will keep it safe until I replace it. Does everyone agree with this?

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

I suppose I could run a VPN all the time on my desktop PC. Hopefully, that will keep it safe until I replace it. Does everyone agree with this?

that may keep your IP address and identifiable info blocked
and some offer options to block known malicious websites.

but it will not stop malware from being downloaded, installed, or running on your system.

 

[USAFRet]

That's great. I'll take my time updating then. I have a router and the Windows firewall. I suppose I could run a VPN all the time on my desktop PC. Hopefully, that will keep it safe until I replace it. Does everyone agree with this?

A VPN is mostly irrelevant.
You still need a host system/OS of some sort.