Before You Upgrade Windows 11: Five Hardware Checks That Can Save You a Failed Update

Microsoft's release information lists Windows 11 version 24H2 (Home and Pro) as reaching the end of security updates on 13 October 2026. PCs that aren't managed by a business IT department are generally offered the newer 25H2 or 26H2 versions through Windows Update. If you want the full deadline explained, read our guide on what Windows 11 24H2 end of support means. This article is about something different: making sure your PC is physically healthy enough to take the update.

For most PCs the move is quick, because 25H2 and 26H2 share the same underlying code as 24H2. But a large update is still a heavy job for your computer. It writes a lot of data, restarts several times and runs the storage drive and battery harder than normal use does. If something is already marginal, that's often when it shows.

Why big updates expose hardware problems

An upgrade isn't just a software event. The computer has to read and write many gigabytes, hold power steady through repeated restarts and keep cool while it does it. A drive with failing sectors, a battery that can't hold a charge, or a charging circuit that cuts out can all turn a routine update into a stuck screen, a restart loop or a "we couldn't complete the updates" message.

Importantly, the update usually isn't the cause. It's simply the first job heavy enough to reveal a fault that was already developing.

1. Back up what matters first

Copy photos, documents and anything you can't replace to an external drive or cloud storage. If the PC does have a failing drive, a backup made now is far better than a recovery job later. It takes ten minutes and is the single most useful step.

2. Check free space and SSD health

Make sure there's comfortable free space on the main drive (as a rule of thumb, tens of gigabytes rather than a few). Then think about the drive's behaviour: very slow file copies, programs freezing when they save, files that won't open, or the PC "hanging" for several seconds at a time can all point to a drive in trouble. Free tools can read a drive's health report, but a clean report doesn't rule everything out. Our guide to the warning signs of a failing SSD explains what to look for. If you're unsure, ask for a proper check before the update.

3. Look at the battery and charger

On a laptop, a battery that drops from 40% to off, a laptop that only runs when plugged in, or a case that looks slightly raised or a trackpad that feels stiff are all reasons to stop. A swollen battery should be replaced before you do anything else (see why Windows laptops need the same swollen-battery warning as a MacBook). Also check that the charger cable isn't frayed and the charging port feels firm.

4. Note random shutdowns, freezes or odd noises

A computer that has been shutting down on its own, rebooting without warning, running very hot or making clicking sounds should be looked at before a major update, not during one. These are symptoms of drive, power or cooling problems rather than Windows problems. If a desktop is the one misbehaving, our guide on power supply versus motherboard faults helps narrow it down.

5. Make sure the PC is running cleanly now

Restart it, let it settle, and see whether it behaves normally for a day. Install any pending updates in the usual way. If it already struggles with ordinary updates, that's useful information.

When the update fails — software problem or hardware fault?

Many failed updates are software-related: a corrupted download, a conflicting driver, security software or not enough space. These can often be fixed by restarting, clearing space, or using Windows' built-in repair tools.

Hardware becomes more likely when the same failure repeats after you've cleared space, when the PC freezes at different points each time, when it won't see its own drive, when you get repeated unexpected shutdowns, or when the problem appeared alongside physical symptoms such as heat, noise or a battery that behaves strangely. If you've reached a restart loop or a blue screen, avoid repeatedly forcing power-offs: stop and get it checked, especially if the PC holds data you need.

What a hardware check at Macrotech involves

At our Carrum Downs workshop we start with diagnostics: reading the drive's condition, testing the battery and charging circuit, checking temperatures and looking for signs of power faults. If the drive is the problem, we can often recover your data first and then replace or upgrade the SSD (see our data recovery service). If the fault is on the motherboard, such as a power or charging circuit failure, we can discuss component-level repair rather than assuming the whole board must be replaced.

We help customers across Carrum Downs, Frankston, Cranbourne, Lyndhurst, Langwarrin, Seaford, Skye and Patterson Lakes, and we repair both Windows PCs and Macs. See our laptop repairs and desktop repairs pages for the full list. Microsoft's own dates are on its Windows 11 Home and Pro lifecycle page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Macrotech Solutions is an independent computer repair centre and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Microsoft, Apple or any device manufacturer.