From Windows 10 to 11 are there any issues?

[#1]

I'm thinking of switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 24H2, hone versions.

Is there anything to be wary of, such as Microsoft removing facilities that I may have used with Windows 10.

Is it simple or time consuming, does it insist I have a Microsoft account, will all existing software continue to work with Windows 11?

Thank you.

[#2]

@christmas 

I did exactly what you are contemplating (on a machine that meets all the requirements for Windows 11) and once done I didn't see any "gotchas".

If you want to keep using a local account, I suggest you create (or use) a Microsoft account on the machine in addition to your local account, then sign in and use that for the upgrade (only).

Your local account can then be used as before.

The one challenge I did have prior to the upgrade was getting the machine ready for the upgrade (GPT formatted, EFI partition). I used the Microsoft "disk conversion tool" to do this and while it was slightly worrying while working it came out OK in the end.

Have a good backup of all your data before starting (software is less of an issue as generally installers could be redownloaded if needed) but my "in place" upgrade went OK as I recall.

[#3 · Accepted solution]

@christmas There are ways around requiring a Microsoft account when installing W11 if you REALLY don't want one.

Personally I consider W11 is really just W10.1 and not a lot has changed.

The only thing to beware of is that 24H2 (as opposed to 23H2) supposedly uses a processor instruction that arrived "relatively recently" (around 2008/9) so if you're doing this on an older system (which requires additional cheats anyway) it's best to check.

The feature you're looking for is that your processor(s) support SSE4.2 specifically the POPCNT instruction.

[#4]

@HPsauce So glad I shifted over to Linux Mint when Windows 7 stopped being supported. ! 

Everything I have heard or read about Windows since, has made me glad I did the trip !.  I have a modern, up to date, secure system, without the need to purchase a licence, or a NEW MACHINE, because Microsoft says I have to, to be able to use their o.s. and software... FREEDOM ! .

I run about 98% of my old windows software on my Linux Mint with no problems.. Only one, now rarely used, MSPUB 98 needs me to use "Virtualbox" to be able to access my old documents from years ago !..  

For the other 2% I have found that Linux Mint has very decent alternatives..  

[#5]

Thanks everyone for the advice, some it was too technical for me. I've switched to Windows 11 everything seems to be working even ancient software. It doesn't seem much different to Windows 10. Had no prompts for a Microsoft account.

Only issue is notifications, all the icons for wifi, bluetooth, settings, network have disappeared guess I have to sort that out. 

I don't have fibre..it took 2 hours to Download.
Then took hours silently doing something with no indication what was happen, possibly took 4 hours.
When I woke up there was a message "Install Latest Windows Update" it took about 45 minutes.
Windows 11 running 

[#6]

One thing I notice when I move a programme screen around the Desktop a grey strip appears at the the top of the screen, no idea what it's for.