Windows 11 guides

Run Microsoft's free PC Health Check. PCs from 2018 on usually pass, and a TPM or Secure Boot failure can often be fixed in the BIOS.

It works with tools like Rufus, but updates aren't guaranteed. Fine for a spare PC, not the one you bank on.

Keep Windows Update and Secure Boot on. Most PCs update on their own; older ones may need a BIOS update.

Make the install USB with Rufus and tick its options to skip the online account and create a local one.

Not officially, and no setting or processor swap changes that. Your options are ESU for now, Linux, a workaround, or replacing it.

Open Task Manager and see which graph sits near 100%: Disk, Memory, or CPU. That tells you what to fix.

Windows is usually still finishing work in the background. Leave it plugged in for an hour or two, then restart it.

Install the free CrystalDiskInfo and read the Health Status. Caution or Bad means back up today.

Run powercfg /batteryreport and divide Full Charge Capacity by Design Capacity. Under 70% means it's time for a new battery.

Do the free fixes first, then swap a hard drive for an SSD and add memory if it's running short.

Boot a free tool like Rescuezilla from a USB stick, copy the old drive to the SSD, then swap the SSD in.

8 GB for everyday use, 16 GB to be comfortable with lots of tabs or for a PC you'll keep for years.

For most people, the T480: it runs Windows 11, takes 32 GB of memory, and has a swappable battery.

Yes. It runs Windows 11 officially, takes 32 GB of memory and an NVMe SSD, and needs one firmware fix.

Usually the ThinkPad: more memory, a better screen and keyboard, and replaceable parts. New wins on warranty and battery.

Copy your folders to an external drive, back up with Windows Backup, sign in with the same Microsoft account, and reinstall programs.

Back up, then Reset this PC with Remove everything and Clean data on. For an SSD, turn on encryption first.