The hype surrounding Windows 11 has consumers trying to migrate to Microsoft's latest operating system as quickly as possible. This is especially true for current Windows 10 users, who are promised a free upgrade. Unfortunately, Windows 10 devices that meet Windows 11 system requirements will not receive this option until sometime in 2022. [As reported by IGN, the official Windows account on Twitter confirmed this fact: While it is true that Windows 11 will be available by the end of the year, the free upgrade for current Windows 10 users is coming in the first half of 2022. No one knows the exact date and time when the update will be available. Ideally, Microsoft would distribute the update to some devices to mitigate potential bugs.

Microsoft's decision to roll out the free Windows 11 update slowly is a curious, albeit practical one. When the company moved from Windows 8.1 to 10, there were all sorts of problems associated with the free updates. Missing files, audio issues, memory errors, etc., those who upgraded had a worse experience than those who purchased new Windows 10 devices at launch. This can certainly happen with Windows 11, and this is before considering compatibility issues.

In order to run Windows 11, several hardware requirements must be met. These include a compatible 64-bit processor (8th generation Intel/AMD Ryzen 2000 series or higher), 64 GB of storage, and a graphics card capable of using DirectX12. The biggest requirement is a TPM 2.0 chip, a dedicated processor that handles encryption, biometric data storage, and other security-based functions. Consumers who have purchased pre-built Windows 10 devices in the past few years need not worry, as Microsoft has made hardware TPM a hard requirement. However, this is not the case for some DIY builds and gaming rigs. Recent Intel and AMD chips can enable TPM in their firmware. In any case, offering a free Windows 11 upgrade could lead to a frustrating experience for many users who are not ready for it.

It's not a bad idea to get your PC in order while you wait for Microsoft to work out the bugs. That said, there are a few ways to check out Windows 11 before 2022: sign up for the Windows Insider Program (currently running) and download an early build. There is also some speculation about a manual upgrade using the media creation tool and a new installation of Windows 11 to be released later this year. Neither has been tested yet, but it is possible.

While some may find it bothersome to wait until an undisclosed time in 2022, we encourage you to do so. Even if your hardware is up-to-date and you have backed up everything on your hard drive, there is a good chance that your operating system will not run without glitches. First, get Microsoft to fix the glitches. At the very least, be prepared to troubleshoot after upgrading to Windows 11.