Windows 11
The sooner you find what software(s) you’re using don’t work in Windows 11, the more accountable you can hold your vendors, and more prepared, you will be, for the inevitable end of Windows 10, the “last” Windows Operating System.
In 2015 Microsoft released Windows 10 and exclaimed from the hilltops that this, dear reader, would be the last version of Windows. Windows 10 would herald the era of “Windows as a service” whereby more regular updates would improve and add-on features to the popular operating system (OS). This vision of a continuously updated OS isn’t so far from the reality of developing OSs, important pieces and components of Windows 10 have been around since Windows XP (circa 2001). Operating systems are, after all, one of the most complex and difficult pieces of software to design and create. All told there are over 63 proprietary OSs and 26 non-proprietary OSs, and most people might still struggle to name the big three - Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
In August of 2021 Microsoft turned their backs on their previously stated vision and announced Windows 11 would be released on October 5th. Much like Windows 10 Microsoft is attempting to drive adoption by offering Windows 11 as a free upgrade to eligible Windows 10 devices. As though supply-chain issues hadn’t made purchasing new laptops and workstations difficult enough, devices are increasingly only available with Windows 11 installed, and little to no option of reverting to the previous Windows 10 OS short of a clean install. Windows 11 will also be ditching the 2-3 major updates per year in favor of the previous cadence of 1 annual update. There will continue to be “Cumulative” monthly updates in the form of security patches and big fixes.
You may be wondering “Why does this matter to me? I push the buttons and it does the thing; what do I care what number they stick on the end of the Windows name?” I’m happy you asked inquisitive reader, the changes to Windows 11 are not just cosmetic and the biggest implication of a new OS is compatibility with currently used software(s) i.e., they may not work. Be prepared to purchase a new Windows 11 device with the patience of a QA tech, most software will likely work but there will be exceptions to this, and it could be an important piece of your day-to-day.
It is the software vendors responsibility to make their programs work on Windows 11, understandably this can take time and any software being utilized that is out of support is a risky gamble as to whether it will continue working in Windows 11 – there are no guarantees. Thankfully software vendors have already had 5 months of full-release Windows 11 to work with, and they will have had four years by the time Windows 10 reaches end of support on October 14th, 2025. The sooner you find what software(s) you’re using don’t work in Windows 11, the more accountable you can hold your vendors, and more prepared, you will be, for the inevitable end of Windows 10, the “last” Windows Operating System.
- Peter Belies, I.T. Manager