Comparison
Windows 10 vs Windows 11
Windows 10 vs Windows 11 — features, hardware requirements, performance, support timeline. Free upgrade path and when to stay on 10.
Windows 10 reached end of mainstream support on October 14, 2025. Security updates continue under Extended Security Updates (ESU) but only for paying customers. Windows 11 is the supported path forward — if your hardware qualifies.
Here's a precise comparison of features, hardware requirements, and the upgrade path.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Windows 10 Pro | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstream support | Ended Oct 14, 2025 (ESU available) | Through Oct 2031+ |
| Minimum RAM | 1 GB (32-bit) / 2 GB (64-bit) | 4 GB |
| Minimum storage | 16 / 32 GB | 64 GB |
| TPM 2.0 required | No | Yes |
| Secure Boot required | No | Yes |
| CPU generation | Most x86-64 CPUs | 8th-gen Intel / Zen 2 AMD or newer |
| Start menu | Live tiles, left-aligned | Centered, app pinning + recommended |
| Snap Layouts | Basic snap | Snap Layouts + Snap Groups |
| Android apps | — | Subsystem for Android (discontinued 2025) |
| DirectStorage / Auto HDR | Limited | Yes |
| Free upgrade from genuine license | — | Yes (10 Pro → 11 Pro) |
Our recommendation
Buy Windows 11 Pro if your hardware meets the requirements — you get longer support, modern UI, better gaming features, and free continued upgrades.
Buy Windows 10 Pro only when your hardware can't meet TPM 2.0 / Secure Boot or your software vendor explicitly requires Windows 10 (medical, industrial, legacy CAD).
Windows 10 Pro
Retail · 1 PC · Lifetime
Mature, stable platform for legacy hardware.
Windows 11 Pro
Retail · 1 PC · Lifetime
Professional edition with BitLocker, Hyper-V and Remote Desktop.
FAQ
My PC isn't supported by Windows 11 — what now?
Stay on Windows 10 (consider ESU for security patches), upgrade hardware, or use Microsoft's official media tool — but Microsoft will not ship feature updates to unsupported hardware.
Is the Win 10 → Win 11 upgrade really free?
Yes. If your Windows 10 license is genuine, the in-place upgrade via Windows Update keeps your activation. No new key needed.
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