Microsoft Confirms Free Windows 11 Upgrade Has Hidden Cost For Users Microsoft continues to encourage users to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, before Windows 10 goes end-of-life on Oct.14. However, though the upgrade is free, it looks like many people will need a Microsoft subscription to make the move. Windows 11 Vs. Windows 10 Switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 may be seamless but it may not be free for everyone. NurPhoto via Getty Images The latest, rather slick, video from Microsoft promoting Windows 11 has small print which shows that the update will cost money in many cases. As spotted by Windows Latest, the video, which begins with an upbeat exhortation to “Move your world in a snap,” quietly adds that some apps will have to be reinstalled from the app provider once you’ve migrated your data. ForbesMicrosoft Quietly Confirms It’s Killing Off A Version Of Windows 11By David Phelan Well, that’s only a mild annoyance, although if you’ve been on Windows 10 for a lot of years, you may find there’s quite a few of those apps. Even so, I think that still qualifies as a “seamless transfer,” as Microsoft describes it. However, as the screen shows a cursor clicking on the words “Back up” the bottom of the display reads, “Requires Microsoft account; data transfers more than 5GB require Microsoft subscription or trial.” “It highlights the system backup feature that can save and migrate your system settings, apps, preferences, and personal files to another PC. All you need to do is enroll the device in the backup and then ensure everything is backed including personal files and folders,” Windows Latest says. I don’t know about you, but a 5GB limit would be impossible for me. So, many people, perhaps almost everyone, will need to sign up, even if only briefly, for OneDrive. “The problem is that not everyone relies on or trusts OneDrive with their data,” Windows Latest adds. It piles up the cost of moving to Windows 11, which now requires purchasing a new PC if your current one cannot comply with all the hardware requirements.” While it’s possible to use an external drive to copy the data, it’s not as slick or seamless as Microsoft’s suggested method. And if you don’t have a subscription, you could sign up for a trial and get rid of it straight after the transition. Just don’t forget to cancel. And that doesn’t solve the trust issue if that’s holding you back.
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Microsoft Confirms Free Windows 11 Upgrade Has Hidden Cost For Users

Microsoft continues to encourage users to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, before Windows 10 goes end-of-life on Oct.14. However, though the upgrade is free, it looks like many people will need a Microsoft subscription to make the move.

Windows 11 Vs. Windows 10
Switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 may be seamless but it may not be free for everyone.
NurPhoto via Getty Images
The latest, rather slick, video from Microsoft promoting Windows 11 has small print which shows that the update will cost money in many cases. As spotted by Windows Latest, the video, which begins with an upbeat exhortation to “Move your world in a snap,” quietly adds that some apps will have to be reinstalled from the app provider once you’ve migrated your data.

ForbesMicrosoft Quietly Confirms It’s Killing Off A Version Of Windows 11By David Phelan
Well, that’s only a mild annoyance, although if you’ve been on Windows 10 for a lot of years, you may find there’s quite a few of those apps.

Even so, I think that still qualifies as a “seamless transfer,” as Microsoft describes it.

However, as the screen shows a cursor clicking on the words “Back up” the bottom of the display reads, “Requires Microsoft account; data transfers more than 5GB require Microsoft subscription or trial.”

“It highlights the system backup feature that can save and migrate your system settings, apps, preferences, and personal files to another PC. All you need to do is enroll the device in the backup and then ensure everything is backed including personal files and folders,” Windows Latest says.

I don’t know about you, but a 5GB limit would be impossible for me. So, many people, perhaps almost everyone, will need to sign up, even if only briefly, for OneDrive.

“The problem is that not everyone relies on or trusts OneDrive with their data,” Windows Latest adds. It piles up the cost of moving to Windows 11, which now requires purchasing a new PC if your current one cannot comply with all the hardware requirements.”

While it’s possible to use an external drive to copy the data, it’s not as slick or seamless as Microsoft’s suggested method. And if you don’t have a subscription, you could sign up for a trial and get rid of it straight after the transition. Just don’t forget to cancel. And that doesn’t solve the trust issue if that’s holding you back.