Windows 11 Support in Toronto

Get Windows 11 Support in Toronto to Get You Ready for the Upgrade

For more than six years now, Microsoft has been preparing for the launch of Windows 11. Unfortunately, the tech organization has been struggling to clarify the hardware requirements for the new operating system. What we know for now is that Windows 11 will officially support Zen 2 or Intel 8th Gen Coffee Lake CPUs and up, leaving behind millions of computing devices sold during the initial launch of Windows 10.

That means that users who purchased new PCs for Windows 10 or with older but perfectly capable machines won’t be able to upgrade to Windows 11. Additionally, Windows 11 will require TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) support, 64GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM. Due to these confusing technicalities ahead of the official launch, Tektonic Managed Services is researching Windows 11, testing the pre-release versions of the software (when available), and preparing our tech team to work with clients on upgrades from Windows 7 and Windows 10. Once released, we shall embark on installing the new operating system on clients’ systems that meet the spec requirements.

Why the Stringent Hardware Requirements?

Traditionally, Microsoft hasn’t been enforcing such specific processor requirements with Windows upgrades. For instance, Windows 8 & Windows 10 required a minimum of a 1GHz processor, 16GB of storage (20GB for 64-bit), and 1GB of RAM (2GB for 64-bit). Therefore, Windows users and IT admins are accustomed to upgrading to the latest Windows operating systems regardless of the hardware they are running. Unfortunately, that status quo seems to be coming to an end with Windows 11.

In the latest Microsoft statements, the tech giant attempted to clarify its hardware requirements again, and security seems like the main driver behind the changes. Coupled with the stringent hardware requirements, Microsoft is pushing for a more modern BIOS (UEFI) that supports TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) and Secure Boot features.

By combining TPM with the virtualization technologies used in Windows, users will have some security benefits. According to Microsoft, a combination of Windows Hello, virtualisation-based security, Device Encryption, Secure Boot, and HVCI (hypervisor-protected code integrity) can reduce malware by up to 60 percent. Of course, this is a desirable feature considering the upsurge of security incidents over the last couple of weeks.

How to prepare for Windows 11 Upgrade in Toronto

At Tektonic Managed Services, we are proactively gearing up for the upgrade to Windows 11. Our goal is to trail blaze ahead of the operating system’s official launch and help our customers prepare beforehand to reap the maximum benefits of the new OS. One apparent preparation you need to make is to invest in modern hardware to enable the new level of protection with TPM and Secure Boot.

Over the years, Microsoft’s operating system has been caught up in malware and ransomware attacks, and things might get worse if Windows hardware security levels don’t go up a notch. So, there is a need to prepare adequately for the upgrade to Windows 11.

Checking the Hardware

First and foremost, you need to see if your device is capable of running Windows 11. But since Microsoft has pulled down its compatibility testing app, probably until later in the year, it is going to be a challenge. However, given the hardware requirements already revealed, you can figure out this on your own.

Windows 11 typically requires features such as Secure Boot and TPM (Trusted Platform Module). To find out if your machine has the necessary TPM, just right-click on the Windows start button and select the Device Manager. Once the window opens, click on the arrow adjacent to Security Devices. If you see “Trusted Platform Module 2.0,” then you are lucky, but if it doesn’t, you will need to invest in new hardware.

To check for Secure Boot, reboot your PC and open the startup menu. This varies on different computer systems, but checking your manual should help you know the correct boot procedure. In most machines, continuously pressing F11 or F9 as the machine starts should take you to the boot menu. When that happens, your device should display “UEFI Secure Boot.” Generally, computers bought over the past 2-3 years should have this feature. Alternatively, review the information regarding your PC when you purchased it – it’s usually in the user manual. If in doubt, our experts at Tektonic Managed Services can help you out.

The last step is to check if your PC’s processor can support Windows 11. Find out exactly which processor runs on your PC by clicking on the search box near the Windows Start Button. Next, begin to type “About my PC” to see a menu choice saying, “About your PC.” When you tap the search result, a window will open with details about your computer. Now, check the processor information to see if it meets Microsoft’s minimum requirements: Zen 2 or Intel 8th Gen Coffee Lake Processor.

Windows 11 Support Team In Toronto

Microsoft still has a couple of months left to test Windows 11, and user feedback will inform any necessary adjustments to the minimum system requirements. Our team at Tektonic Managed Services will continually test Windows 11 on various devices free from these restrictions before the launch to identify any vulnerability or compatibility issues. It will be surprising if Microsoft makes any adjustments to the hardware requirements at the end of the preview, other than stepping down to certain 7th Gen chips.

So, if you’re looking for Windows 11 Support in Toronto, Tektonic is your trusted partner. We work with professional organizations throughout Toronto, Canada. Even though Windows 11 isn’t officially released yet, Tektonic is proactively preparing to provide reliable Windows 11 support to organizations throughout Toronto GTA, including York Region, Durham Region, and Peel Region. Not every IT company in the area goes through the amount of prep work we do to prepare for a major Windows release. That’s why we are the top Microsoft support organization in the area. Contact us today to schedule IT Support and Computer Services to help grow your business to the next level.