Windows 10 or Windows 11 - do you need to switch? Requirements, security and workarounds
Windows 10 or Windows 11 - do you need to switch? Requirements, security and workarounds
Windows 10 is coming to the end of its life, and Windows 11 is becoming the new standard. However, many users are asking very specific questions: do you need to switch, what if your computer does not meet the requirements, and is it safe to install Windows 11 on "unsupported" hardware.
Until when does Windows 10 work?
Microsoft has officially confirmed that support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. After that date:
- there are no free security updates,
- there will be no bug fixes,
- the system becomes increasingly vulnerable to new threats.
Windows 10 won't stop working overnight, but from a security point of view it will be an End of Support (EOL) system.
Is it mandatory to move to Windows 11?
No. Microsoft is not forcing users to upgrade. If:
- Windows 10 works fine,
- the computer meets your needs,
- you do not store sensitive data or use additional security features,
you can continue to use Windows 10 even after 2025, being aware of the changing security of the system. In practice, however, the lack of security updates means that the risk of malware infections and exploits will increase over time.
Windows 11 system requirements (official)
It is the requirements that are the biggest barrier for many users.
Minimum Windows 11 requirements:
- CPU: 1 GHz, minimum 2 cores, model on the list of supported CPUs
- RAM: 4 GB
- Disk: 64 GB
- Firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot support
- TPM: TPM 2.0 (required)
- Graphics: DirectX 12, WDDM 2.0 driver
- Screen: min. 9", 720p
TPM 2.0 and the list of supported processors (mainly Intel 8th generation and newer, AMD Ryzen 2000+) are the most problematic.
Why did Microsoft introduce such high requirements?
The reason is one: security.
Windows 11 relies heavily on:
- TPM 2.0 (encryption, key protection)
- Secure Boot (protection against bootkits)
- VBS and HVCI (security virtualization)
On older hardware, these mechanisms either don't work at all or work partially.
What if your computer does not meet Windows 11 requirements?
It's not the end of the world. You have several reasonable options:
1. Stay with Windows 10
- until October 2025 - full security updates,
- after that date - the system still works and can be used, especially with additional security software.
2. Replace the hardware
- most future-proof solution,
- full support and regular system updates.
3. Installation of Windows 11 bypassing the requirements
- technically possible,
- officially not recommended by Microsoft.
How are Windows 11 requirements bypassed?
Most common methods:
Registry modification - Allows you to skip TPM and CPU checking during installation.
Rufus - Popular tool for creating bootable flash drives:
- removes TPM requirement,
- removes Secure Boot,
- allows you to install Win11 on older PCs.
Third-party tools - There are programs that automate hardware check bypass, but these are the ones most often counterfeited and infected with malware.
Is it safe to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware?
Short answer: not really.
Potential problems:
- no guarantee of security updates,
- risk that future updates will stop installing,
- possible problems with drivers,
- lack of official Microsoft support.
In practice, many users enjoy such an installation without major problems, but you do so at your own risk.
Does Windows 11 run slower on older hardware?
Not always.
- On older processors without VBS support, the system can run comparably or even faster.
- On very old configurations (HDD, 4 GB RAM) the differences will be negative.
The key factors are: SSD, amount of RAM and drivers, not the Windows number itself.
Windows 10 vs Windows 11 - a quick summary
Windows 10:
- stable,
- familiar,
- support only until 2025.
Windows 11:
- better security,
- modern interface,
- high hardware requirements.
Is it worth using an additional antivirus on Windows 10?
If you are using Windows 10, especially in the long term, it is worth considering additional security software.
The built-in mechanisms (Windows Defender, system firewall) are sufficient as long as the system receives security updates. After October 14, 2025, the situation changes:
- no new patches for system vulnerabilities,
- increasing number of exploits targeting un-updated systems,
- greater risk of phishing, ransomware and zero-day malware.
In such a scenario:
- an external antivirus with active behavioral protection can realistically increase security,
- regular browser updates, user sanity and backups are also important.
Antivirus complements system security and can significantly increase the level of protection - especially on computers used for work, study or online banking.
Conclusion: do you need to switch to Windows 11?
- You don't need to immediately.
- If your hardware meets the requirements - the upgrade makes sense.
- If it doesn't meet - a workaround is possible, but risky.
- Long term, Windows 11 will be the only reasonable option in the Microsoft ecosystem.