Windows 11 is coming soon, but should you update ASAP or wait a few weeks? Let's find out.
The announcement of Windows 11 took many by surprise, mainly due to the massive change of direction Microsoft has taken with the operating system. The company once claimed that Windows 10 would be "the latest version of Windows," but is now launching a radically different version of Windows made to cater to a new audience.
The update brings several UI changes and improvements under the hood throughout the operating system. But while there are many benefits to upgrading to Windows 11, there are also many drawbacks that you will need to consider when deciding to download Windows 11. So, should you upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as it comes out?
Windows 11 will be a phased rollout
First things first: We know for sure when you'll be able to upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft has confirmed that it will begin launching Windows 11 on October 5, 2021.
If you have a recent system (at least 10th Gen Intel or AMD Zen +) running Windows 11 and want to upgrade to Windows XNUMX, the update will be delivered to you via Windows Update in stages. This means that the update may not roll out for you on day one and may instead roll out gradually over several weeks. This is often done to spot bugs that break the deal early, allowing Microsoft to get rid of them before rolling out the update to everyone else.
If your computer is not supported by Windows 11, you can manually upgrade to Windows 11 using an ISO. However, although Microsoft does not stop you from doing this, you will not receive any support and as a result you may run into some problems. This is something you will need to keep in mind if you are planning to install Windows 11 on an older system.
Sometimes it's a good idea to wait
Given the above, it's always a good idea to wait a few weeks before upgrading to a new version, even if Windows claims this is a stable update. This is because there may still be issues that Microsoft was unable to detect during the Insider Preview program. These problems can range from a minor glitch (like programs that run incorrectly) to a noticeable headache (like blue screens of death).
You may also encounter compatibility issues with the software you are currently using, especially older ones. While Windows has historically been pretty good with backward compatibility and legacy software support, there are always drivers that break or programs that stop working instantly. This happens with every version of Windows released and will definitely happen to Windows 11, especially since it packs so many sweeping changes.
This is why Microsoft is rolling out a phased rollout instead of giving everyone access to Windows 11 all at once. Therefore, your hopes of getting Windows 11 on day one may already be dashed, as it may take weeks or months for Microsoft to decide to give you the update.
Do I need to update on the first day?
So, if the question is “should you update day one?” With “day one” being October 5, 2021, we don't recommend it. To clarify, Windows 11 has many improvements and new features to improve the way you use your computer or laptop, so we absolutely do not recommend upgrading to Windows 11. In fact, if the upgrade is available for your device, do so. However, as we said before, it is always a good idea to wait at least two weeks after an update is released.
This will give early risers time to report any bugs that may arise. After all, it's never a good experience to have annoying errors or problems on the computer you use as your daily workhorse, and it's a good idea to avoid this whenever possible.
This is also why we don't actively recommend anyone getting the Windows 11 Insider Preview. It's already full of problems and bugs, although, being pre-release software, that's to be expected. But some of them may make it to the stable version if not properly detected, which is something you want to avoid.
If, however, Microsoft is offering you the update in a late wave after some time has passed since October 5, 2021, and no deal break issues have yet been reported, then you're probably good to go. Of course, it's a good idea to double check that your favorite apps are running on Windows 11 before hitting the update button, as some may break on the new operating system.
As for folks who are planning to upgrade using an ISO, the same advice applies: even if they are available on day one, you should still wait some time to make sure it's actually good. This is especially true of older computers, as Microsoft said they were likely more prone to bugs and problems.
However, if you don't mind putting a strain on the initial phase of a new operating system, feel free to jump on it whenever you want. Windows 11 is set to be a huge step forward for Windows in many ways, and we're really excited about it.
