Before You Upgrade Your OS

With the Windows 11 upgrade rolling out soon, let’s talk about some steps you should take before doing any type of upgrade to your system, whether it be a PC or a Mac update.

Most of the time these updates go off without too many problems. Updating from Windows 10 to Windows 11 should not erase any programs or files. Much as Mac updates should leave the contents of the computer untouched. That’s if all goes well.

But I think we all know that computers subscribe to Murphy’s law. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

1. Make sure you have backups of all your important files and images. Either back them up to the cloud or to an external hard drive. Doing both is generally a good idea.
2. Make sure you have the activation codes for any programs that may need to be installed. If they came on a disc, make sure you have the disc. Most programs these days are downloaded, so you should be able to go to the site where you purchased it to redownload. But again, make sure you have those activation codes. You may need to search for the email you received at the time of purchase if you didn’t save it somewhere.
3. Make sure you have all of your usernames and passwords backed up in case you need to log back in to everywhere. It’s amazing how many places require you to log in these days.
4. If you keep your email on your computer and not on a web server, you’ll want to make sure all of your important emails are backed up as well.
5. Check if current devices are compatible with Windows 11. Check to make sure your mouse, keyboard, wireless adapter, sound card, printer, and other items work with Windows 11. The vast majority of things should, but it doesn’t hurt to check to see if there are any reports of problems or drivers you need to update.

My first go-round with Windows 11 was not a pleasant one. But I promise to keep you up-to-date with my experience this time and do everything I can to make it easy to use.