Win 11 upgrade to Win 10 DAW laptop

[basic channel]

Hello

The only DAW I have which is recent enough to qualify for Win 11 upgrade is my laptop (HP Spectre from 2019).

Is it "safe" to do an over the top Win 11 upgrade (should I decide to update) to avoid the faff of setting it all up again ?

I'd heard that Win 11 is basically a newer version of Win 10 so can be installed like a big features update .. ?

Thanks

[adrian_k]

Whatever you do take a system image first. Then you won’t need to set it all up again if things don’t work out, just restore the image.

[edit] image onto a separate disk obviously.

[The Elf]

As above - image copy, image copy, image copy. EVERYONE should have an image copy of their computers as a matter of course. If you haven't got an image copy you are walking a tightroom without a net.

[OneWorld]

I concur, along with the Moog synth, the wheel, gravy granules, sliced bread and the tv remote, I consider drive imaging software to be one of humanities greatest invention.

Talk about imaging and bringing something back, could it be that if Boris Johnson were a hard drive, there's a possibility he could be restored!

[basic channel]

Thanks all - I will of course image this partition (with my trusty favourite software, BootIT Bare Metal).

However, I was curious as to whether anyone has taken the leap to Win 11 yet, and if so whether they went via over the top upgrade or complete reinstall ..

[OneWorld]

Thanks all - I will of course image this partition (with my trusty favourite software, BootIT Bare Metal).

However, I was curious as to whether anyone has taken the leap to Win 11 yet, and if so whether they went via over the top upgrade or complete reinstall ..

I am usually an early adopter, having the opinion that I will end up installing the latest OS at some point so might as well take the plunge. With Win11 I have held back. I have installed it on a few computers for friends, being 'The IT Guy' I usually get roped in (note: these days I tell people I know nothing about computers!)

Usually the experience goes OK, but in one instance, I am having a problem getting Win11 to print. The setup is a brand new HP laptop and a brand new Epson printer. Win11 refuses absolutely point blank to connect to the printer. It finds the printer when installing, but when I try and print, I get the Printer Not Found.

This occurs whether connected wirelessly, and/or by way of the USB cable. And yes I have installed latest drivers etc. My friend wants to be able to print from his mobile phone, something he could do with ease using his old Win10 setup, I set up the printing using Win10 is minutes and my chum was gleefully printing away without problems. The Win11 laptop, well I would be perfectly happy to defenestrate the damn thing.

Back home I have everything running as sweet as a nut on Win10 and so am happy to maintain the status quo - Win11 won't make me more rich, funny, interesting, resourceful, creative, wise or compelling company, so I'll stick with what I know and love.

[tea for two]

Dual booting Wind10, Wind11.

I partitioned the boot hd on my Windows computer (shrunk volume on disk management), thereafter installed Wind11 alongside existing Wind10.
Just curious about Wind11.

Is it "safe" to do an over the top Win 11 upgrade (should I decide to update) to avoid the faff of setting it all up again ?

I didn't want to overwrite Wind10 to later find I couldn't do something.
I'd give it a year for any hiccups with hardware software to be smoothed out on Wind11.

[sonics]

Dual booting Wind10, Wind11.

How are you using them? Are you using W11 for everything now?

[tea for two]

Dual booting Wind10, Wind11.

How are you using them? Are you using W11 for everything now?

I'm fairly slipshod about Wind11.
Touchscreen working fine, no additional drivers, this was my main consideration.
I should really install all my Wind music stuff on it.

After your post I installed Presonus Studio One V2 from 2011, Mixcraft 5 from 2010, Goldwave 6 from 2014.
Most of my Wind music stuff is approx a decade older as i do most of my music stuff on mac.
I've got just a few recent stuff as FLStudio20 on Wind.

I have to say it is a feather in the cap for Wind11 that I can install decade older software. Installing them in Wind7 compatibility.

On my macbook, I have a partition for older MacOSX from 2009 because only on this 2009 OSX I can run a particular music software, I can't run it even on 2011 OSX.

[sonics]

Most of my Wind music stuff is approx a decade older as i do most of my music stuff on mac.

Wow, that is old stuff.
What is the reason you don't use anything more recent? I'm intrigued...
Why bother to install Win11 and then want to run very old software? It's not as if more recent (and better) versions are unavailable. I'm simply trying to understand your reasoning.

[tea for two]

Most of my Wind music stuff is approx a decade older as i do most of my music stuff on mac.

Wow, that is old stuff.
What is the reason you don't use anything more recent? I'm intrigued...
Why bother to install Win11 and then want to run very old software? It's not as if more recent (and better) versions are unavailable. I'm simply trying to understand your reasoning.

I know right
I will get round to it.
Just wanted to see whether Wind11 would let install older stuff as that's what I mostly have.

Wind11 in a way reminds me of Wind2000 in its "clean" look.

I like linking Android apps to Wind11 : that's not too bad depending on the app. I only use a few Android apps anyways.
I like with latest update it "appified" start menu items folders : drag and drop.

[sonics]

I ran an old copy of Office on a new computer not so long ago. It was fast!

When it comes to interfaces, I've been customising Windows for so long that I rarely notice any of it. I run replacement file managers, menu system, search tools etc. One of the reasons I really like Windows is that I can do that so easily. I might change Windows versions, but I'm working in programs that stay the same, so many of the changes simply go unnoticed.

[tea for two]

Just installed Office 2007 on Wind11. It flies.
This is one reason I still have decade older music software
Presonus Studio One V2 from 2011, Mixcraft 5 from 2010, Goldwave 6 from 2014, Sonar Producer 8 from 2008,
as they fly,
also I don't need the bells whistles of latest stuff for my meager requirements.

Putting them on Nvme, SSD helps them fly ofcourse.
I remember 10K Raptor from Western Digital was all the rage for speed in the mid to late 2000s. I got a Raptor around 2008/9. I was like wooo this flies lol.

This is reason I like Wind lol. Install pretty much most oldie software as well lots oldie hardware.
Whereas on my Mac on which I make most of my music I have to get compatible software hardware for whichever version of Mac Ohsx.

[Mike Stranks]

The Elf will be so happy...

I've finally got around to making a system image and a repair desk...

... well I've only had a home computer since 1998... these things take time!!

[tea for two]

... well I've only had a home computer since 1998... these things take time!!

Tru. Tru. It took me a year to install stuff on Wind11

[The Elf]

The Elf will be so happy...

I've finally got around to making a system image and a repair desk...

... well I've only had a home computer since 1998... these things take time!!

but

[N i g e l]

Just installed Office 2007 on Wind11. It flies.
This is one reason I still have decade older music software
....Sonar Producer 8 from 2008....

My last Sonar was X1. I am currently using the free Cakewalk by Bandlab which I think was equivilent to the latest platinum version before they started doing work on it.
It loads to the side of Sonar & can find all your "paid for" Sonar stuff [eg the Roland stuff].

[tea for two]

Just installed Office 2007 on Wind11. It flies.
This is one reason I still have decade older music software
....Sonar Producer 8 from 2008....

My last Sonar was X1. I am currently using the free Cakewalk by Bandlab which I think was equivilent to the latest platinum version before they started doing work on it.
It loads to the side of Sonar & can find all your "paid for" Sonar stuff [eg the Roland stuff].

Now that you have written about it I think I will download it.
One of my favourite synths Dimension Pro was by Cakewalk.

[N i g e l]

There are lots of tutorials on uTube if you need to decide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc6Trwo9CYE

"Seriously Why Would You Need A Paid DAW" Cakewalk Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce1BZfPd9mU

[sonics]

I tried Cakewalk for a while. It's amazing that it's free, but I always think that not wanting to pay for a DAW is a clear indication of the value you place on your music. If you're a hobbyist or amateur, that's just fine, but if you have aspirations toward any professional use you really should buy a DAW. It's such a relatively small sum these days. Entry level Studio One, Cubase, Mixbus, Reaper all cost less than $100. Studio One Artist comes free with some cheap interfaces.

[tea for two]

There are lots of tutorials on uTube if you need to decide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc6Trwo9CYE

"Seriously Why Would You Need A Paid DAW" Cakewalk Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce1BZfPd9mU

Appreciated the heads up.
Installed tonight Cakewalk by Bandlab.
Opened a Sonar 3 project from 2004
Menu items has familiar look and feel.
I'm impressed. It's definitely got a lot more than my Sonar Producer 8.
One thing I liked straightaway is the FX rack on each track.

::

value you place on your music.
Studio One Artist comes free with some cheap interfaces.

My music is in the gutter
Although I shouldn't say that as I wholeheartedly believe in the music I'm making.

So I thought this is an idea let me get a current elcheapo interface.
Presonus Audio Box2 bundled with Studio one Artist v2

Looked on Presonus site Studio One Artist v6.
Most interested in Live Performance.
Artist v6 is missing Show Page. Whereas Pro v6 has Show Page.
Show Page seems quite a feature.

[sonics]

So I thought this is an idea let me get a current elcheapo interface.
Presonus Audio Box2 bundled with Studio one Artist v2

I think all PreSonus interfaces come with Artist or better, excluding the Audiobox GO. The Studio 24c is the best entry point; better than the Audiobox range. When you register a new interface you should get the current version of Artist, but you should check that with PreSonus.

Regulars on here know I'm a big proponent of Studio One. Great features, very solid IME. I don't miss Cubase at all, for what I do. It's not the best choice for everyone or for every type of production, but I like it a lot. I've shown it to a few beginner and intermediate users who absolutely loved it and have moved over to it. It perhaps doesn't get quite as much informal recommendation as some other DAWs. The Prime version is free - why not give it a try!

The Pro version features are great, but they're not going to give them away, are they?

[tea for two]

The Pro version features are great, but they're not going to give them away, are they?

Downloading right at this moment Pro version 30 day trial.

[sonics]

Do go through a couple of basic tutorials. It's possible to get up and running in half and hour or so. That first hour of training is worth more than anything! Like any DAW (and computers in general) learning the basics properly is the key to happiness and productivity, and bad habits are difficult to unlearn.

[N i g e l]

I tried Cakewalk for a while. It's amazing that it's free, but I always think that not wanting to pay for a DAW is a clear indication of the value you place on your music. If you're a hobbyist or amateur, that's just fine, but if you have aspirations toward any professional use you really should buy a DAW. It's such a relatively small sum these days. Entry level Studio One, Cubase, Mixbus, Reaper all cost less than $100. Studio One Artist comes free with some cheap interfaces.

I dont think price, or lack of, is a good indicator of quality and features.
If I remember correctly, my Cakewalk Sonar X1 was £150 (upgrade offer price) and I think Cakewalk by Bandlab is based on the much later X2 platinum edition. That was in 2018/19 and significant work has been carried out since.