[kingbuzzo]

You could clone yer original drive but it may bring unintended consequences and fluff that has accumulated over the years that may not have it running optimally.

Alternatively, if you don't have it setup already, you should make a OneDrive account and store your important documents there. It will sync your documents from your hard drive to the cloud and it's flree depending on how much data you may be hoarding:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/micr...-cloud-storage

Benefits include saving yer arse if the house burns down or your hard drive fails or computer gets stolen your documents are safe. Also, there is an app so you can access your data from any device (phone, computer, tablet, whatever).

Note: OD is also built into modern versions of Windows (eg: 10/11)

Depending on what version of windows you have - and if you have a license key, you can re-install from scratch using the USB media creation tool and booting from it:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...f-40c3b507420d

If this is too much or you can't decide then yes, consult a professional just like I do with all my Pontiac problems here!

Good luck!

[KS circutguy]

You clone the drive so you always have a backup drive to save.
Then I usually reformat the drive and do a fresh install.
But his head is probly exploded by now.TMI
I'm sure the 6 yr. old will figure it out.lol
I am a pro,built and service over 500 pc's since2000. haha
"Once u know u newegg"

[KS circutguy]

BTW; If you have a legit copy of Windows 10 or 11
You don't need a "Key" to do a fresh install.
Most people don't have a "Key" now.
Microsoft stores the Key and when you boot 1st time and connect to the Internet,
it will automatically verify legit copy and register it.
It stores the info about your PC hardware.
You don't need to do anything ....

[dataway]

Spent a lot of money at Newegg over the years. Typically I build a completely new machine every four years for CAD/Gaming. Although I have kept my giant Antec tower case for the last two builds. Almost time for a new machine now. Newegg is where I'll do my shopping. Will be making the move from discrete SSDs to the new MB mounted type.
Jeez the technology moves fast.

[KS circutguy]

Mine is 5 yrs. old as well but has a M.2 drive MSI motherboard.
I'm planing on upgrading this summer,but for now just the processor - motherboard and memory.
Keeping everything else including the Asus GTX 970 video card.lol
Then someday getting a monitor and video card upgrade,but who knows when.
It's been a rock solid rig all these years and I did the windows 11 upgrade from 10 with the work around 1 yr. ago,works flawlessly.

[cnc]

Ok now u r talking alien to me…lol….appreciate all the options ….

[dataway]

KS, I'd like to go to Win11 but I have some concerns about the CAD and 3D software I use .. which is all 4+ years old and unlikely to be updated to full Win11 compatibility. That kind of software is notoriously finicky about such things. Did you have any hiccups going to 11 ?
My desktop passes all the Win11 requirement tests.

Both my laptops run 11 and it seems very stable.

[KS circutguy]

No problems small changes to 11 from 10 but I like it.
Even updates work great.
It's been rock solid on my non compliant windows 11 PC.
It's a Microsoft work around if you have a PC that does not meet the requirements.
For those that wanna keep a current PC from becoming junk when Windows 10 support ends.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...9-ef0a331518f1

[KS circutguy]

Opps,forgot link to upgrade 10 to 11
On unsupported hardware./
https://mspoweruser.com/how-to-insta...-requirements/
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-u...ter-windows-11

[Shiny]

Originally Posted by KS circutguy

Opps,forgot link to upgrade 10 to 11
On unsupported hardware./
https://mspoweruser.com/how-to-insta...-requirements/
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-u...ter-windows-11

Thanks for this.

What will be missing if I follow this path? Any security features and/or software compatibility to be worried about? What's the downside of running 11 on an unsupported CPU?

[KS circutguy]

Nothing, it works great.
All security (Windows Defender) and updates will work as well.
Been running it for 1 yr. on my main rig and no problems.

[dataway]

I managed to stuff Win10 on a 13 year old laptop, and Win7 on an XP netbook. SSD and memory upgrade and they work pretty good. Both just single purpose machines for the shop.
I have a very hard time throwing away any computer that works, surprised I don't still have my Vic 20, but back then I had to sell to upgrade

[KS circutguy]

I installed "Mint" on my 7 yr. old lappy love it.
https://www.linuxmint.com/

[KS circutguy]

My rig.
FWIW

[cnc]

Sooo just put my 16gb ram into the ma hine and I notice quite a bit of difference ...I'm happy with it time will tell if I need to change our the hard drive appreciate the help....

[kingbuzzo]

Ya 4GB of RAM on a modern version of windows is pretty scant...not sure why they even sell them that way....glad it worked out for you!