"Does your PC fail to satisfy the system prerequisites for Windows 11"?
"Does your PC fail to satisfy the system prerequisites for Windows 11"?
Hello DucksterMeister,
I wanted to extend my gratitude for offering these choices. Please forgive the lateness—I'm currently in the middle of relocating. Just a note, I'm still a beginner but I'm ready for a test.
For your comment about upgrading to Windows 11, did you notice my focus wavering? Haha, I'm really new to this, but I'm eager to give it a shot. Over the next year (after the ESU license ends), I might try it out—just for fun.
I managed to secure the free ESU license as you advised. As planned, I'll examine upgrading the CPU and motherboard—I'm hoping it's straightforward. After all, from what I've learned through other upgrades, it should be plug-and-play. The tricky part is figuring out which components fit my setup. I'll reach out if I have the chance to upgrade.
Thanks again for your help.
Novice Mom.
P.S. Your observation about Windows 10 being more vulnerable to hackers really hit home. Appreciate you bringing it up. I have a free MalWare Bytes version and will consider an upgrade.
I thought your comment about my stance on ODD/optical devices might come across as overly critical. I made sure to clarify my reasoning for still using them.
Currently, my main computer is an ESU Win 10 Pro system. It has a limitation: INTUIT won’t support the 2025 Turbo Tax on Windows 10. Besides the media PC, I also have a Windows 11 machine, and I recently installed TT.
Do you know anyone who’s handy with hardware upgrades? It’s feasible to replace the motherboard and CPU with the right midtower case. That’s what I’m planning or preparing to do.
The installations on my Win 11 systems for media and backup are functioning adequately, so I might upgrade the daily driver to Win 11. However, my upcoming PC-building project aims to move past my existing hardware. Even though the parts are from 2022—Rocket Lake with Z590 motherboard and chipset—it’s still sufficient. Still, I shouldn’t let this project stall due to procrastination.
You seem like an intriguing person. I appreciate your support.
Hi Duckster Meister,
I've improved my RAM, swapped in an SSD, and updated the power supply all thanks to tom'sHardware. I never lost any data. Now I'm thinking about buying another machine, but if this one still runs smoothly, maybe I'll try it again in 2026. My concern is whether the extra cost (time or money) will be worth it. AI, I know you're a big consumer of resources. Will this old setup still handle the increased load from the CPU and RAM? This is just a thought for now.
Great job fixing the TT issue!
BRAVO
I'll keep an eye out when I decide to stick with this older computer. lol
Thanks again, and good luck!
I need to let you know this: my experience started in 1982 as a micro-computer enthusiast, working with hardware from the 1990s and eventually making my own PCs. Initially, I believed I could save money, and I did. However, once I began using parts of second-tier quality around 2005, each new computer ended up costing more than buying an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) unit.
I still prefer to build my own systems out of habit. Yet, I believe someone like you—ambitious and smart—should consider purchasing a desktop from retailers such as Amazon or COSTCO. A compact or small-form-factor model would be ideal, though there are many mid-tower options available. A few months ago, someone on Anandtech recommended a configurable Dell Alienware Aurora at Best Buy. I’ll take their time to confirm the details—yes, it’s available there.
Prices for these setups differ, but you can explore the Dell site for the Alienware Aurora and design your own setup. Alternatively, with the right case and power supply, you might find components for $300 to $900. You could also locate a desktop at COSTCO for a similar price. Try to save some money while you enjoy the rest of the ESU for WIN 10. It’s possible to upgrade to Windows 11, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that if your current system is older than 2016 and uses a Skylake processor. There are others in our community who might be open to upgrading to Windows 11 with older hardware, but I prefer my setup to match your own needs and prioritize reliability.
This situation reminds me of how consumers have been pushed like lemmings—relying on cellphones, PCs, and operating systems that don’t support older hardware—and forced to replace everything every 5 to 10 years at most.
Discussing this honestly makes me a bit disheartened. UPDATE: Seeing what you’ve already done with your old machine, you have options either way. Still, I think you should compare prices at COSTCO, Best Buy, Amazon, New Egg, and weigh the effort against other choices.