Just got a Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 and wondering if I should upgrade to Windows 11 pro

Brian60077 · Mar 12, 2022

Just got a Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 that is compatabile with Windows 11, and wondering if I should let it do the upgrade to the latest Windows. I am basically a mac user since the abortion of an operating system that Windows vista was, and this is the first time I have used anything microsoft since vista. Currently it is running WIndows 10 pro, but I see in update in settings that WIndows 11 is available. Haven't heard much, good or bad about windows 11.... so figured I ask here first.

davy12344321 · Mar 12, 2022

yeah, go for it. could not update with out regedit or rufus install. but signed up to beta channel and was allowed to update.

but make sure you install windows terminal in the store and i also had problems with Windows security opening as well. had to run special command in power shell admin.

Bree · Mar 12, 2022

Brian60077 said:
Haven't heard much, good or bad about windows 11.... so figured I ask here first.

Welcome to Eleven Forum.

Good and bad? You'll find opinion is varied on that. There is much that is changed, particularly in Start and the Taskbar. Some changes are for the better, some divide opinion greatly. You'll find strong opinions on both sides of the argument if you browse this forum. In the end it is a personal choice, can you adapt to the changes? Or will you want to make it behave more like 10 did? Personally I can get on well with 11.

Whatever you decide to do, the first thing you should do is make a system image of your current machine with something like Macrium Reflect Free. Then if you try the upgrade to 11 and don't like it, you can restore the system image and get back to exactly what you have now.

zbook · Mar 12, 2022

When upgrading from Windows 10 Windows 11 there is a default 10 day go back period.

This can be manually extended to 60 days before the expiration of the default period.

Alternatively you can make free backup images so that you can return at any time.

Brian60077 · Mar 12, 2022

All good info, thanks, I likely won't let it do it at the shop I am at now, since the wifi is less than desired.

Edwin · Mar 12, 2022

I'm not familiar with the Surface, however, I hesitantly let my Asus VivoBook go to 11 a little while ago..., I'm actually quite pleased with the performance!
The Windows 11 OS has a few anomalies which are easily circumvented if you keep your eyes peeled around the forums here...,
but then, you haven't been on Windows since Vista so, it should be a joyride for you! :wink:

Welcome to the forums!

Bree · Mar 12, 2022

Brian60077 said:
I likely won't let it do it at the shop I am at now, since the wifi is less than desired.

You have plenty of time to review your options and make up your mind. Windows 10 is in full support until October 2025.

TraderGary · Mar 12, 2022

Welcome to ElevenForum!

I've upgraded 2 PCs to Windows 11 and last week I purchased a new Dell XPS 15 9510 OLED i9 that came with Windows 11 Pro.

I like Windows 11.
...

glasskuter · Mar 12, 2022

Welcome to the forum and welcome to Windows. Just like with everything else, you'll find lovers, haters, and a few don't give a damn either wayers. For a regular Windows user, using 11 OOBE changed a few things that folks weren't happy about, but like always our man Brink gave us tutorials to work around what we didn't like. For you being a MAC user, you will have no problem using it as is, as 11 took on a slight Apple vibe over previous versions of Windows. 11 seems to be as solid as 10 though there are still a few things I'm sure Microsoft will work out.

TraderGary · Mar 12, 2022

glasskuter,

OOBE = Out Of Body Experience?

Hazel123 · Mar 12, 2022

Definitely do a full system image back up first. As I remember the surface pro also has it's own back up and restore option you can burn to a usb stick. So if something goes wrong you can restore Windows 10 plus all settings, exactly as it was before you upgraded to 11. I did this a few times on a surface pro 4 and it was quick and easy. But if you use this option you need to separately back up all your files and reinstall programs afterwards, Because it will restore it to factory settings.

It should be in the settings to "create a recovery drive". But don't rely on it entirely - still best to make another image as well with something like macrium. Then you can restore it keeping all your files and programs.

Creating and using a USB recovery drive for Surface - Microsoft Support

Learn how to reset your Microsoft Surface and solve problems using a USB recovery drive or Surface recovery image.

support.microsoft.com

It can be a good idea to have that recovery usb because although Microsoft says you can download an image to restore original factory settings, it doesn't work for the older surface pros! The download links seem to be broken

glasskuter · Mar 12, 2022

TraderGary said:
OOBE = Out Of Body Experience?

Out of Box Experience-ie brand new but it felt kind of out of body at first when I first experienced the new right click menu. I was screaming noooooo!!!

FJRMarty · Mar 13, 2022

TraderGary said:
glasskuter,

OOBE = Out Of Body Experience?

Well, the Microsoft gods would like me to think I am experiencing this every time I log into my Windows 11 computer, but I think it's just the amazing futuristic and stunningly unexpected rounded corners that have my eyes all bedazzled.... :wink:

Brian60077, go for it. My old PC ran W10 for years, and my new laptop started life as a W11 computer. There is a learning curve, obviously, steep for some, less for others. Way more questions answered here than any I can come up with, so feel free to ask.

Winuser · Mar 13, 2022

Brian60077 said:
Just got a Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 that is compatabile with Windows 11, and wondering if I should let it do the upgrade to the latest Windows. I am basically a mac user since the abortion of an operating system that Windows vista was, and this is the first time I have used anything microsoft since vista. Currently it is running WIndows 10 pro, but I see in update in settings that WIndows 11 is available. Haven't heard much, good or bad about windows 11.... so figured I ask here first.

Make an image of Windows 10 to an external drive and try it. If you do the upgrade before getting use to Windows 10 you won't find yourself comparing the two OS's. If you don't like Windows 11 or have a lot of problems, you can use the image to go back to Windows 10.

Archigos · Mar 13, 2022

Another tip that no one has pointed out yet... since you're used to Macs... install PowerToys (for Windows 11 or even 10 if you decide to keep that) and there's an app called "PowerToys Run" that mimics Spotlight/Alfred that will help with productivity. :) You can find links to PowerToys on this site.

Winuser · Mar 13, 2022

glasskuter said:
Out of Box Experience-ie brand new but it felt kind of out of body at first when I first experienced the new right click menu. I was screaming noooooo!!!

With a few of the changes made in Windows 11 I think the programmers were using the OOTME (Out of their mind experience).

Brian60077 · Mar 13, 2022

Since it appears the general consensus is that Windows 11 is decent, I went ahead and did the upgrade. Let it download while I sent an email to a friend about where we were going to meet for our usual coffee tonight and finished lunch, and it was at 80% installed, plugged it in, since I always typically want them plugged in doing updates or upgrades.... took my dog for his afternoon walk and when I got back it had rebooted into Windows 11 Pro. Haven't played with it much, figured I'll do that at the coffee shop and maybe a little more before bed, and tomorrow will be the ultimate test, prefer to test new operating systems during work time, at least I get paid to make it the way I want, especially being expected to work remote 3 days a week because of the supposed pandemic still being around. I don't know, I cannot actually get work done if I am by myself and much more pleasant things to do with a computer or at home than that.... lol. Changed the theme to the "glow" or whatever it's called, the purple one, and it is beautiful, and typing this on it now..... seems to be at least as fast as Windows 10 Pro was. At least for now.

FrancoDT · Mar 13, 2022

For what it's worth I updated my Surface Laptop 3 to Win 11 right after eleven came out, didn't wait on windows update to offer it and never had a problem. It runs great on mine.

Edwin · Mar 13, 2022

I've been seriously contemplating letting my ROG machine go to W11...

Bree · Mar 13, 2022

Brian60077 said:
Since it appears the general consensus is that Windows 11 is decent, I went ahead and did the upgrade. ... Changed the theme to the "glow" or whatever it's called, the purple one, and it is beautiful, and typing this on it now..... seems to be at least as fast as Windows 10 Pro was. At least for now.

Glad that went smoothly for you and that your first impressions are positive.

By default you now have 10 days in which, should you change you mind, you could go back to your previous Windows. After that the Windows.old folder is automatically deleted. If you'd like longer to decide then you can extend the number of days.

See and Set Number of Days Go Back to Previous Version of Windows in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to see and set the number of days after an upgrade you are still able to go back to a previous version of Windows in Windows 11. Windows 11 gives you the ability to uninstall and go back (roll back) to a previous version of Windows. When you upgrade to Windows...

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