At least those 900 million Windows 10 users have another year before support ends—absent a surprise Microsoft support extension, an affordable support package or a workable workaround. But for 50-million Windows users that end of support nightmare has come true, and Microsoft is warning them of the consequences.

If your PC runs Windows 10, you can ignore those pesky compatibility checks and upgrade to Windows 11. Here's how nearly two dozen ZDNET readers got the job done and saved their laptops from the scrap pile.

When Windows 11 was released, it set an ultimatum for people wanting to upgrade; have a CPU that supports TPM 2.0, or don't upgrade at all. Since then, the company has seen Windows 10 users holding onto their systems and people finding ways to dodge Windows 11's system requirements and run it on unsupported hardware.