GoKawiilScoring a deal on a used laptop feels like a major victory until you realize the machine has a built-in expiration date. While platforms like Amazon and eBay are packed with dirt-cheap computers still running Windows 10, those low prices are usually a red flag. With Microsoft ending support for the older OS, any device that can't make the leap to Windows 11 is essentially a ticking clock for your data security.
You may be wondering, if this was a required switch, why are there still so many Windows 10 computers for sale online? Well, it's theoretically possible that some of them might be able to run Windows 11. What's far more likely is that they can't handle Microsoft's current OS, and that's why they're for sale.
Don't fall for this trap. It's a bad idea to buy a Windows 10 computer, even if the price looks great. If that's not enough to wave you off, below is a list of reasons why it's a bad idea and what to check to see if maybe, possibly, it could be upgraded to Windows 11 after you buy it.
CNET
Why should I care about Windows 10 support?
One of the main reasons Microsoft regularly updates Windows is to patch security issues. These issues can let people access your computer. Once they have access, they can get into your email, access your bank account info, steal your identity and more. Since Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows 10, it isn't safe to use compared to the regularly updated Windows 11. Take it from someone who writes about this stuff for a living and has been building his own computers since the early '90s, this is not something you should take lightly. Don't use Windows 10.
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What to check
If you're on an extremely tight budget, my first recommendation is to just get a cheaper Windows 11 computer. If, for some reason, you want or need a better, but older, computer that's currently for sale with Windows 10, most computers from the last five-ish years can be upgraded to Windows 11 for free.
It took me about 20 minutes on my then 6-year-old desktop to upgrade, and that was because I needed to access the BIOS to adjust some settings. For most people, it's just a matter of letting the computer do its own thing for a few minutes. In other words, updating a capable Windows 10 computer to Windows 11 is free, easy and not terribly time-consuming. The fact that this wasn't done for the used or refurbished PC you're considering should give you pause.
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