Latest news with #PCHealthCheck
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
4 Ways to Upgrade to Windows 11 for Free, Even With an Incompatible PC
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Since Microsoft is due to end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, you'll have to jump to Windows 11 if you want feature updates and security patches. If your Windows 10 computer meets all the necessary requirements for an upgrade, there are a number of ways you can get the newer operating system for free. If your PC doesn't officially support Windows 11, though, you'll need to buy a whole new PC—according to Microsoft. Even if your Windows 10 PC is incompatible with the new OS, there still may be a way to upgrade and avoid having to shell out money for a whole new machine. You can sneak past the update requirements with a third-party utility called Rufus. Read on to discover the method that works best for you. Microsoft has strict Windows 11 upgrade requirements. To qualify, your computer needs Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 support, Secure Boot enabled in the BIOS, and a supported processor model. The TPM restriction is especially onerous since it puts many older Windows 10 PCs out of the running. Thankfully, Microsoft's PC Health Check tool makes it easy to know if your PC is compatible. By now, your machine should have it installed by default, but you can go to the PC Health Check support page to view the system requirements and download it. Once you've installed the program, click Check now inside the app to see if you qualify. If your computer is compatible, a message tells you that your PC meets Windows 11 requirements. Windows 11 has been accessible for some time as an update on compatible Windows 10 systems, so your next step should be to see if it's already available on your PC. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click the Check for updates button. If Windows 11 is waiting, you can then install it directly as an update. If Windows 11 isn't appearing as an update on your PC, you can still install it through Microsoft's Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Browse to the Download Windows 11 page, click the Download now button under the Windows 11 Installation Assistant section, and run the file. Click the Accept and install button, and your Windows 10 PC will be upgraded to Windows 11. You should be able to use your PC during the download and installation. When the process is finished, restart your computer immediately or wait for the 30-minute timer to end so you can save changes to any open files or documents. After your PC reboots, sign into Windows again. Once the final setup is complete, you're deposited at your new Windows 11 desktop. Another option is to use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, a program that lets you create installation media for the new OS. This is a handy method, not just to update your current PC, but to also set up the necessary media to update other computers. At the Download Windows 11 page, click Download now under the Create Windows 11 Installation Media section. Run the downloaded file, accept the license terms, confirm your language, and select the edition of Windows you want to install. You can choose to copy the installation files to a USB drive or generate an ISO file and burn it to a disk. If you take the USB route, make sure you have a flash drive with at least 8GB of storage plugged into the PC. The tool then downloads the necessary Windows 11 installation files and copies them to the USB drive. After this process is finished, open the drive and double-click the file to kick off the upgrade. If you decide to generate an ISO file instead, choose a location for the download and double-click the ISO file in File Explorer. Double-click the file inside the ISO file. Click Next to prompt Windows 11 to check for any updates, then accept the license terms. The Ready to Install screen shows that Windows 11 will be installed, and that your personal files and apps will be kept. To modify those choices, click Change. You can then opt to keep your personal files and apps, retain just your personal files, or delete everything. In this case, you'll likely want to keep all your personal files and apps. Click Next and then select Install to run the upgrade. After your PC reboots, sign in to finish the setup. Depending on what you chose to keep, Windows may prompt you to customize your privacy settings. You're then taken to your Windows 11 desktop. You can also choose a direct download of the Windows 11 ISO file. At the Download Windows 11 page, go to the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) section and select Windows 11 from the drop-down menu. Choose the product language, click Confirm, and then click the Download button to get the ISO file. After the download is finished, double-click the ISO file and then double-click the file. Click Next at the initial install screen to check for and download any updates to Windows 11. The Ready to Install screen tells you that Windows 11 will be installed and that your personal files and apps will be kept by default. If you want to change these options, click Change and switch to Personal files only or Nothing. Click Next, then select Install to run the upgrade. After your PC restarts, sign into Windows 11 to view your new operating system. What if your PC doesn't qualify for Windows 11? With the free third-party Rufus tool, you're able to install an operating system such as Windows 11 by sneaking past the usual requirements. To set this up, download or create the Windows 11 ISO as explained above. Next, install Rufus and launch the program. Insert a USB stick that has at least 8GB of free space into your PC. Note that the USB drive will be completely reformatted. At the Rufus window, click the SELECT button near the top and select the Windows 11 ISO file. Under Image option, make sure the field says Standard Windows installation. At the top of the screen, confirm that the Device field is pointing to the USB drive you wish to use. If not, click the drop-down menu and manually select the device. When ready, click the START button at the bottom. At the pop-up window, check the box for Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. Click OK to confirm, then click OK again to set up your USB drive. After the USB drive has been set up, insert it into the Windows 10 PC that you want to update. Open the drive in File Manager and double-click the file. Allow the Windows 11 update to proceed. At the appropriate screen, make sure that you've opted to keep your personal files and apps. After the setup is complete, you'll be deposited into your new Windows 11 environment.
Fox News
09-05-2025
- Fox News
Struggling with the latest Windows 11 update? You aren't alone
If your Windows 11 PC has been acting up since the latest update, you're not alone. Many users have reported slow performance, Wi-Fi issues and even the dreaded blue screen of death. If you are struggling with Windows 11, the good news is there are easy fixes. Whether your PC is running slower than usual or dealing with annoying glitches, here's how you can troubleshoot and get things running smoothly again. Before troubleshooting, make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11. Running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware can cause instability and update issues. Here's what your PC needs to run Windows 11 smoothly: If you're unsure whether your PC meets these requirements, you can use Microsoft's PC Health Check app to assess compatibility. If an update is causing issues, you can remove it without downgrading back to Windows 10. Here's how to uninstall a Windows update: Windows has a built-in tool that can automatically detect and fix update issues. Here's how to use it: Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause serious issues after an update. Updating them might fix crashes or performance problems. Here's how to check and update drivers: If the problem persists, you can restore your PC to a point before the update was installed. This won't delete your personal files, but it will revert system settings and drivers. Here's how to use system restore: Microsoft has a recovery tool called "Fix problems using Windows Update" that can reinstall the latest update without deleting your files or apps. Here's how to run it: Before you start troubleshooting, check if Microsoft has already identified the issue. Update problems can sometimes affect numerous users, and Microsoft may already be working on a fix. If your issue is listed, Microsoft may already be working on a fix, so checking here first can save you time. If your PC won't boot properly, you can access Windows 11's advanced startup options. Hold down the Shift key while clicking Restart from the Start menu. From the recovery menu, you can: If all else fails, you can use the "Reset this PC" option from the advanced recovery menu to reinstall Windows while keeping your files or to perform a clean reset if needed. However, use this option as a last resort; resetting your PC can result in loss of software and some personal data, and the process can sometimes fail or cause system problems. Always make a full backup of your important files and data before proceeding to avoid permanent data loss. If you're having issues after a Windows update, the first thing to try is uninstalling the latest update or running the built-in troubleshooter. If that doesn't work, checking for driver updates or doing a system restore can help. The key is to go step by step as most update problems can be fixed in a few clicks. What features or improvements would you like to see in future Windows updates to make troubleshooting easier or more effective? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Microsoft Begins Final Rollout Phase for Windows 11 24H2 to Compatible PCs
Microsoft has announced that the Windows 11 24H2 update is now ready for almost all compatible PCs. The company says this update is being made available to all eligible Windows devices that are not set up to delay feature updates. The update is rolling out automatically to Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 versions 23H2, 22H2, and 21H2, as long as these systems are not managed by IT departments. Microsoft says that some devices may not see the update right away if there are known compatibility issues, as reported by Bleeping Computer. Users can use the PC Health Check app for Windows 11 specifications and system requirements to see if their system is ready for the update. For those who want to install the update manually, going to Windows Update settings and clicking "Check for Updates" will show the download option if the device is eligible. The Windows 11 24H2 update has new AI capabilities, an improved Energy Saver, Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, and more. The update first started rolling out for enterprise testing in May 2024 and was released as a complete update for other users in October. By late January 2025, it had also been made available to all eligible Windows 10 22H2 PCs. Microsoft says the update is now in its last phase of rollout.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
What the Tech: Microsoft warning
Have you happily used the same PC for years, maybe even decades? You're not alone!Many of us take pride in keeping our trusty machines running. But Microsoft has a message thatmight make you reconsider: it's time to recycle that computer unless you download Windows 11. Microsoft recently announced that it will no longer support the Windows 10 operating systemafter October 14th. Users who are still using Windows 10 began receiving email warnings thismonth. This means no more updates, no technical assistance, and, crucially, no security fixes. If you'reIf your computer is still running Windows 10 after this date, your computer could be vulnerable. Windows 11 is the latest operating system, but unfortunately, an estimated 240 million oldermachines won't be able to run it. Microsoft urges users of these older PCs to recycle themand consider purchasing a new, compatible device. What to Do Check Your System: To find out if your PC is running Windows 11 or if it's compatible,go to your settings. If you see a message indicating your machine might not becompatible, you can use the 'PC Health Check' utility for further information. If you're uncomfortable making system changes, consider seeking assistance from a professional. Recycle If Necessary: If your computer can't run Windows 11, recycling is a responsibleoption. There are numerous recycling centers across the US, often run by non-profitsthat recover valuable components. Trade-in Options: Some businesses might offer trade-in programs for older computers,potentially giving you store credit towards a new Windows 11 PC. Security Risks: Continuing to use a Windows 10 machine after October 14th puts youat risk. Hackers may target these systems with malware to steal information or lock thecomputer for ransom. Disconnect If You Keep It: If you're not ready to part with your older PC, Microsoftadvises disconnecting it from the internet before October 14th. Buyer Beware: If you're buying a used PC, always check if it's compatible with Windows11 before 11 was released in 2021. If you've bought a new Windows PC since then, it likelyalready has the update. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
