• Why is this happening?
• How do I know if I'm on Windows 10 or Windows 11? 
• Can the helpdesk upgrade me to Windows 11 early? 
• What computers can be upgraded to Windows 11?
• I use software that requires Windows 10. What do I do? 
• What will happen if I don't upgrade to Windows 11? 

Why is this happening?

Like Windows versions in years past, Microsoft and other operating system companies typically choose not to continue supporting "old" software indefinitely. As of this writing, Windows 10 was released 8 years ago, and in today's rapid-fire technology races, 8 years is considered quite outdated. This means Microsoft will no longer develop or offer the most important part of the operating system: security updates. Without regular security updates to protect against modern malicious network traffic, older software becomes a tempting target for hackers, viruses, and ransomware attacks.    

How do I know if I'm on Windows 10 or Windows 11? 

Right-click on the Start Menu icon and click "System." You can see the version of Windows that you're on there. 

Can the helpdesk upgrade me to Windows 11 early? 

The EIT Service Desk began offering Windows 11 by default last year, and will be happy to help upgrade your system(s) to Windows 11, as long as the hardware falls within supported minimums (see below).  

What computers can be upgraded to Windows 11?

The EIT Service Desk requires that computers meet certain age, hardware, and operating system specifications in order to be considered "within support". You can read more about those requirements here: Minimum Computer Support Requirements

I use software that requires Windows 10. What do I do? 

The Service Desk has been using Windows 11 for over a year and a half, and have yet to encounter software that doesn't work on Windows 11. However, if you are certain that something you use will not work with Windows 11, there are a few options for folks who need Windows 10. The easiest option is to take the device offline. Depending on your needs, there may be some virtual options available. Please reach out to eit-help@umd.edu to discuss your needs, citing the software requirement information.  

What will happen if I don't upgrade to Windows 11? 

Some time after October 2025, UMD's Division of IT will begin removing devices from its networks that it determines are on Windows 10, the same as it did with Windows 7 and Windows XP in the past. Typically at that time DivIT will begin alerting the EIT Service Desk of such devices, so that we may reach out to those users to collaborate on upgrading. We strongly recommend either upgrading to Windows 11 or, if we haven't reached out to you first, contacting the EIT Service Desk at eit-help@umd.edu for solutions ahead of time, in order to prevent any disruption in your ability to access the network and potential security incidents when Windows 10 security updates cease.