I have a windows 10 computer that says it can upgrade to windows 11... so I guess I need to do that in the next few days. What do I need to know before I upgrade my desktop to windows 11, in regards to Sims 2? I have the UC.

Same situation here, though I'm waiting a little bit.

What I can absolutely say is - take a backup of all your files. Game and anything else important - whatever you've got on that computer, get it backed up on an external hardrive. Preferably some sort of a reset point, too (you never know...). The "upgrade" version is supposedly meant to just install Windows 11 and leave your personal files intact, but things can go wrong, and in some cases you can end up needing to fo a full reinstall, in which case you most likely will lose your files if you haven't done a backup.

(Don't miss out on edited files in Program Files, or various hidey-holes in Documents. If you use custom fonts, or have screenshot saved in Pictures, or edited install files for programs and games, or anything like that. It's much easier to do a backup than to remember to manually edit every single thing, or download all those bits and pieces later).

For the UC (if it's the original EA version) make sure you still have it in your library, so you have the option to reinstall if necessary. For the rest of the game, make sure to do that backup, and also check if you need any files in the install location (GraphicRules, or any other edited files that could come in handy). But as long as the Windows install doesn't mess with the game install files in any way, the game itself should be good to go.

It's also a good time to check if you have backups for any hard-to-find programs and such, maybe for settings and downloaded addons, too.

And just cross your fingers and toes that the update works fine.

(Plus, after installing, make sure to go through and deactivate OneDrive so that one doesn't mess with your game files, and also go through settings and such to make sure everything is set up the way you like it. From what I gather, a lot of people aren't too fond of Copilot (Windows' new AI system), so if that one can be deactivated or at the very least toned down to a minimum, that's probably just a good thing to do right away.

I also have to get a new window computer it's not because my computer I now have don't work (it was built in 2011 with all great parts for one thousand) but window 10 which I have never like will not give updates after October 14. And my computer will not take window 11 (personally I miss window 7) but now there have been rumor of a Window 12 (all these people want is MONEY to keep all of us upgrading than next thing you know, whatever window you have it is no longer good.)

So, I am thinking of playing my Sims offline I do have protection on my computer. So going to window 11 worry me and making sure I can play Sims2 and have all my files untouched / intact I do have My Sims 2 current save on an external hard drive. But I guess I have to buy a new upgrade computer.

@Simmer22 Your comment is very helpful, Question Please do I need to save Clean installers, CEP, Body Shop.

The CEP and Clean Installer are still up, so you don't need to backup those at this very moment (although, it doesn't hurt to have the installers on an external harddrive, just in case, especially of you're going offline). If you've added more files to the "CEPextras" folders, you may want to backup those alongside your downloads (there's a folder in the install location, too).

Normally you don't need to backup full sets of install files, because in most cases those are accessible through an installer of some sort (and in most cases the programs need a setup process to work with the registry, so doing a backup of install files is a bit redundant since you'd need to reinstall the program to make it work).

If you plan to go offline, then yes - it's good idea to have a backup of the installers, plus any modified files from your previous install (If you've got space on the harddrive I'd also throw in installers for SimPE, Wardrobe Wrangler, any of Pick'n'mix's programs you'd find useful, Milkshape and/or Blender, Gimp, etc., - basically whichever you currently use or plan to use). Again, not necessary as long as these are still available, but if you're going offline, they can all be useful to have. With time you don't know what's going to be available, especially "outdated" programs and simprelated ones.

Bodyshop comes with TS2 (unless you use Legacy), so no need to backup it individually (but if you use a UI default replacement for Bodyshop, doesn't hurt to have a copy of that one as well - things disappear fast of the web these days). You may wat to save the edited GraphicRules file in CSConfig if you plan on using the same computer, and if you have work files like PSDs or similar in the Project folder, maybe.

Microsoft is offering Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 if you can't (or don't want to?) upgrade to Windows 11. It extends security updates until October of next year.

Thanks @Synergy. I didn't now about that. I've just enrolled for these extended security updates, and it proved quite easy. That means I've another year's protection before I have to consider whether I need Windows 11. When I was checking this, I was rather surprised to be told that my PC doesn't meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11. As it's a good gaming laptop by Dell, that I got five years ago today (it was a birthday present from my late mother, and today is my birthday!), I thought meeting the minimum requirements would be a formality. Annoyingly it didn't tell me in what way it fell short. Does anyone know of an easy way to check this? I thought there wasn't all that much difference between Windows 10 and 11, so it looks like I'm wrong about that. My only reason for changing would be to keep getting updates and be eligible for technical support. I don’t want any of the new features that Microsoft tell me I'd get with Windows 11!

In fact I'm not really convinced there was need for any complete new Windows versions after Windows 7. Even Windows 7 was only needed because Windows Vista was so hard to use. All that was really needed was regular security updates, with new features available as separate purchasable programs. Trying to include everything that anyone could possibly need in the operating system just turns it into bloatware! At one time Windows 10 was supposed to be the final version. Unfortunately Microsoft clearly regard Windows as their cash cow, and withdrawing support soon after the release of a new version leads to the premature scrapping of millions of good usable computers, with all the environmental cost that that entails.

A few years ago I had a PC with what they called "Windows Millennium Edition", but as usual, support was withdrawn after four or five years. Do Microsoft not know that a Millennium lasts a thousand years?

I really don't want Windows 11. I've heard that it forces you to always be online and to use AI.

Partly true-if you have Win 11 MS requires that you have a internet connection to do security and other updates with. All installations have that.

It does not require you to use AI.

I have a Dell that requires updates from both Dell and MS, when they're necessary-firmware and software. It's a tradeoff for not being able to build my own machine, one that I'm forced to deal with.

I knew that when I bought the machine, so I've had to adjust to the requirements. Not that it's anything new-MS did security updates for all it's machines via internet connection before this.

It's the price we pay for using computers.

I didn't know that, thank you! This gives me another year to see if I can save up for another computer because this one is utter crap. It says it's good to go for windows 11 but honestly it's dying, or seems to be at least. I need a new computer. But I can't get one just yet. This gives me another year. Thank you.

Technically, you can keep using the same old computer as long as it's able to function - I've been consistently on the lagging edge for several versions now. The main thing is to make sure your antivirus program(s) and adblockers remain up-to-date, and don't go browsing for "dubious" stuff (you know what I mean, ahr matey).

Have been using the UC on Windows 11 since 2023 without any issues! I did not upgrade my (broken) pc, I replaced it. Followed the exact same steps I used to make it work on Win 10 back in 2014.

When my PC upgraded from W10 to W11, I didn't have to change anything, luckily, for the game to still open and run. In my case, since it had been some time since I had last played, I did have to econfigure the graphics rule since I had bought a newer graphics card to prevent the pink issue again. So long as you haven't done any other major changes with your PC, just the bare minimum practice of backing up saves and downloads should be enough.