Ask Techie: Should I Upgrade to Windows 11?

Welcome to the latest installment of our monthly Q&A column, where a panel of experts answers your questions about using technology in your law practice.

This month we answer readers’ questions about whether you should upgrade to Windows 11 and how to access your accounts that use two-factor identification if you lost your phone.

Q: Should I Upgrade to Windows 11?

A: Windows 11 rolled out in October 2021, and it has been steadily patched and upgraded since that time. Every time there is a new Windows version to upgrade to, the early days are rife with issues. But Microsoft has been putting in the work, and 18 months later, it is in better shape than it has ever been. It offers some long-awaited features, such as tabs in File Explorer and a fine-tuned visual design. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that upgrading now is right for you. There are a few things you should check before you take the plunge.

• Does your PC meet the minimum hardware requirements? For you to install or upgrade to Windows 11, your device must meet the following minimum hardware requirements:
  • Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).
  • Memory: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater.
  • Storage: 64 GB or greater available disk space.
  • System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
  • TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. (Note: There is a way to upgrade to Windows 11 without this, but it is a hassle and risky, probably not worth it for the slight difference between versions.)
  • Graphics card: DirectX 12 compatible graphics or later with WDDM 2.x driver.
• Do you have any software or peripheral devices that are not compatible with Windows 11? If all the software you use is cloud-based, this likely isn’t an issue, but if you are running any software that exists on a local machine, you will want to verify this before you upgrade. Be mindful that if your printer or other peripheral devices are older and you find that they are not compatible with Windows 11, you will have to roll back your Windows to an earlier version or upgrade your hardware, which can get costly.

If you and your computer are ready, willing, and able, then upgrading to Windows 11 makes sense. If you are on the fence about it and want to wait a little longer, that may be an option. Support for Windows 7 ended in 2020. Support for Windows 8.1 ended in January 2023. As long as you are in Windows 10, however, you will have access to many of the Windows 11 features as well as critical updates and security patches through 2025. If your computer isn’t ready for Windows 11, you might consider replacing it with a new one. Each year new computers are faster and less expensive, and they now include Windows 11.

Techie: Ashley Hallene, JD, GPSolo eReport Editor-in-Chief ([email protected]).

Q: If I Lose My Phone, How Can I Get Access to My Accounts That Use Two-Factor Identification?

A: You are smart to use two-factor identification (2FA) to protect your accounts. Without it, you face serious hassles and financial risks from data breaches. Setting up multiple ways to recover from problems with 2FA will ensure you can access your accounts.

Authenticators

Authenticators cleverly lock out thieves and let you in. You put an authenticator app on your mobile phone. After setting it up, you tap the authenticator icon and see a new six-digit code each time you log on to a protected account. You can also use it to protect your password manager.

The two biggest players are the free authenticators from Google and Microsoft. Chances are that each of your services will support one or both.

YubiKey

YubiKey makes it even easier to use 2FA. You don’t need to type in anything. Purchase a YubiKey USB key, insert it into a USB port on your computer, and set it up. After that, you just tap it when prompted for 2FA. You can also use a YubiKey with your phone.

Recovering from Losing Your Phone or YubiKey

What if you lose your phone or YubiKey? Are you helplessly locked out until you can get through to tech support?

The makers of 2FA options don’t want a zillion users bugging them to unlock their accounts. So, when you set up 2FA, they give you recovery options.

For example, my Bitwarden password manager (premium account, $10 per year) allows me to select multiple options. You can add a combination of recovery codes, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, YubiKey, and more.

By setting up one or more recovery options for each of your services protected by 2FA, you can avoid being locked out. You do need to think ahead, saving your recovery codes and instructions in one or more safe places.

It is definitely worth the time you spend to set up 2FA and your recovery options. If only your log-on passwords stand between a cybercriminal and your financial and confidential information, you are not safe.

Techie: Wells H. Anderson, JD, GPSolo eReport Contributing Technology Editor and CEO of SecureMyFirm, 952/922-1120, www.securemyfirm.com—we protect small firms from cyber threats with affordable, multiple layers of defense.