Is it Worth Fixing My Old Computer?

Short answer?
It depends. (Said with the kind of sarcasm only years of fixing old tech can provide.)

If you're staring at a once-loyal computer wondering whether to give it a second life or send it off to silicon heaven, you're not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we get at WizzIT, and the answer really does depend on how and why you plan to use the machine.

Let’s break it down.

When It Might Not Be Worth It

If your old PC is going to be used in a business environment or you plan to store sensitive or important data on it (family photos, business records, digital collectibles, etc.), then you may want to think twice before investing time or money into something running an outdated operating system.

• Windows 10 is nearing the end of its support window (October 14, 2025, to be exact), meaning no more security updates, bug fixes, or patches. That leaves your machine vulnerable to all the nasties lurking online.

• Windows 11 is the natural upgrade path, but not every older system officially supports it. You may have seen the dreaded “This PC can’t run Windows 11” message — but here’s the kicker:
  In many cases, you can install Windows 11 anyway and often activate it without spending a cent. There are legitimate workarounds that allow compatible hardware (even if it isn’t on Microsoft's "blessed" list) to run Windows 11 smoothly and securely.

• It’s worth noting that forcing Windows 11 onto unsupported hardware is a controversial topic.
  Microsoft has made it clear that doing so falls outside of their official guidance — and as such, the responsibility for any potential issues lies with the user.

So, if your system is ancient, slow, and due for security retirement, and if the tasks you're doing are mission-critical or sensitive, then investing $200–$300 might be better spent toward a modern replacement.

When It Is Worth It

Here’s the good news: not every slow old computer is a lost cause.

If your main complaint is that the system is sluggish — taking forever to boot, lagging when opening browsers, or locking up during basic tasks — chances are you’re dealing with an outdated mechanical hard drive. These old spinning drives are notorious for bottlenecking system performance, even on otherwise decent machines.

The fix?
Replace the hard drive with a Solid State Drive (SSD), reinstall Windows (preferably 11 if we can get it working), and you've got a machine that can feel shockingly fast for the price.

• This kind of upgrade often falls in the $200–$300 range, parts and labour included.

• No new licence key may be needed if the system was already activated with Windows 10.

• If your computer will mostly be used for light duties like web browsing, checking emails, streaming media, or basic document editing, then this is a perfectly valid way to get more life out of it.

The WizzIT Takeaway

We’re not in the business of selling you things you don’t need. If your old computer can be made zippy and reliable again with an SSD and a modern OS, we’ll tell you. If it’s better to cut your losses and move on to a new machine, we’ll tell you that too.

Need a no-nonsense assessment of your system?
Bring it in or get in touch. We’ll help you figure out what’s worth fixing — and what’s better left behind.