Windows 11 switch and Astronomy

Michael StolzLinwood FergusonAlan BrunelleDark Matters Astrophotography
38 replies705 views
Michael Stolz avatar

Hello everyone,

so far, I was very reluctant to switch over my desktop and my laptop from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Now that the support for Windows 10 finally comes to an end, I will have to make a decision!

Are there any known issues with astro-software on Windows 11?

I am using

  • Pixinsight

  • LrTimelapse

  • Lr and Ps

  • PTGui

  • ASTAP, DeepSkyStacker

  • Stellarium, Carte de Ciel

  • Gimp

  • Photomatix

  • Helicon Focus 8

  • Picasa 3

  • DaVinci Resolve

  • GraXpert

…and many more. Did you have to re-register or re-install your paid software after the switch to Win11? Did all of your programs work?

I also have a MeLe which runs Win11 and I know that things like Stellarium, Carte de Ciel, ASTAP and N.I.N.A work well there, but I still wonder if there is a problem with them being installed under Win10 and then switched to Win11.

I am new to AstroBin, so I am very sorry if that topic has already been discussed here. I didn’t find it in the forum.

CS Michael

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Keith Mombourquette avatar

I have 4 mini pc's running Windows 11 with NINA, PHD2, and all the other required software for imaging. I use Pixinsight and DaVinci on a desktop running W11. I have no issues. I would think that the forums would be full of complaints if anyone had issues with W11 such as you are concerned about.

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Bill McLaughlin avatar

Michael Stolz · Sep 3, 2025, 11:28 AM

  • Pixinsight

  • Lr and Ps

  • ASTAP

  • Stellarium

  • Photomatix

  • Picasa 3

  • GraXpert

Of those I run the above w/o any issues on several W 11 machines. Also NINA, PhD and others.

Rick Veregin avatar

I’ve had no issues running W11 with any software of any kind on any of my laptops or my desktop including DSS, PIPP, Autostakkert, ImPPG, Registax, PS, SharpCap, Photomatix (I have a very old version).

I can’t comment on switch over, as all my machines were W11 to begin with. In theory you can choose to keep your apps on the switch, though possibly that could cause problems with some programs. Still, that might be preferable to reloading all programs, as you would only need to reinstall something if it doesn’t work. Of course, a clean install gets rid of a lot of junk accumulated, but a big investment in time to reinstall everything.

I don’t think you have much choice but to switch, you probably don’t want to run past the no support date on W10.

Rick

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andrea tasselli avatar
I'll be happily sitting besides my Win10 machines till the end of days…
Michael Stolz avatar

Keith Mombourquette · Sep 3, 2025, 11:38 AM

I have 4 mini pc's running Windows 11 with NINA, PHD2, and all the other required software for imaging. I use Pixinsight and DaVinci on a desktop running W11. I have no issues. I would think that the forums would be full of complaints if anyone had issues with W11 such as you are concerned about.

Valid point, that forums would be full if there were big problems. Thanks! What I am worried about is the migration of the software from Win10 to Win11.

I have some software for which I have expensive licences to old versions which I cannot re-install (old versions of Topaz Denoise AI) and other software for which I do not want to loose my configurations etc.

I’m hopefully worried for no reasons. That’s why I asked at AstroBin. If there is a problem, I’m sure people here would know about 😀.

Michael Stolz avatar

Bill McLaughlin · Sep 3, 2025, 02:07 PM

Michael Stolz · Sep 3, 2025, 11:28 AM

  • Pixinsight

  • Lr and Ps

  • ASTAP

  • Stellarium

  • Photomatix

  • Picasa 3

  • GraXpert

Of those I run the above w/o any issues on several W 11 machines. Also NINA, PhD and others.

Thanks! That is very encouraging. Did you migrate the programs from Win10 or did you install them new on Win11?

Well Written
Bob Lockwood avatar
andrea tasselli:
I'll be happily sitting besides my Win10 machines till the end of days...

I agree, just because it's not going to be supported anymore doesn't mean it stops working. I know a few still using windows 7, but not for processing.
Linwood Ferguson avatar

Michael Stolz · Sep 3, 2025, 02:29 PM

Thanks! That is very encouraging. Did you migrate the programs from Win10 or did you install them new on Win11?

Historically I’ve always done fresh installs but decided for W10→W11 to do a migration, did so on three systems, and all have been nicely stable.

Fabio Acquarone avatar

I do not have any issue with W11 and CUDA is working much better respect WIN10….

Michael Stolz avatar

Rick Veregin · Sep 3, 2025, 02:13 PM

I’ve had no issues running W11 with any software of any kind on any of my laptops or my desktop including DSS, PIPP, Autostakkert, ImPPG, Registax, PS, SharpCap, Photomatix (I have a very old version).

I can’t comment on switch over, as all my machines were W11 to begin with. In theory you can choose to keep your apps on the switch, though possibly that could cause problems with some programs. Still, that might be preferable to reloading all programs, as you would only need to reinstall something if it doesn’t work. Of course, a clean install gets rid of a lot of junk accumulated, but a big investment in time to reinstall everything.

I don’t think you have much choice but to switch, you probably don’t want to run past the no support date on W10.

Rick

Thanks Rick! That is exactly what I think: I propably will have to switch… I guess I will do as you suggest: Keep all apps and reinstall those that got messed up.

CS Michael

Michael Stolz avatar

Linwood Ferguson · Sep 3, 2025, 02:42 PM

Michael Stolz · Sep 3, 2025, 02:29 PM

Thanks! That is very encouraging. Did you migrate the programs from Win10 or did you install them new on Win11?

Historically I’ve always done fresh installs but decided for W10→W11 to do a migration, did so on three systems, and all have been nicely stable.

Wow, great! Thanks! That is what I hoped to read!

Bill Cavnaugh avatar

The only thing I have found with going from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is that Windows 11 is Very Slow and by default blocks access to networked items like the ASIAIR and iOptron Mounts. You have to turn on Guest account to access your Astro Hardware with Network Cable or WiFi.

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Alan Brunelle avatar

Bill Cavnaugh · Sep 3, 2025, 06:57 PM

The only thing I have found with going from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is that Windows 11 is Very Slow and by default blocks access to networked items like the ASIAIR and iOptron Mounts. You have to turn on Guest account to access your Astro Hardware with Network Cable or WiFi.

Related to these issues, I use Windows Remote Desktop and as Microsoft is no longer supporting RD, it may be an issue for some. All my older Windows 10 machines still work with RD. Even when I migrated to Windows 11 on a couple of these. Seems like RD is sort of grandfathered into those machines and works just fine on them. On the other hand, I am building a new machine and had no choice but to use Windows 11. After shelving the new machine (a Radxa) I have had issues getting RD to work properly. Also, when trying to switch to a couple different substitutes for Windows RD, I have suffered the requirements that seem to want this computer be hooked up to a server and internet to actually function for remote access. Yes, I can remote to the new computer when the network is connected to the internet, however they refuse to connect if one is on a simple isolated network, wireless or ethernet when out in the field with no internet available. I know that there are work arounds, but I am struggling to get what used to be a simple thing. Once again, a useful service that Microsoft provided for years to anyone who was willing to pay the extra for pro, only to have them pull the rug out from underneath their loyal customers…

Still have a Windows 7 home theater computer I built, relying on Microsoft Media Center… MS has at least stopped trying to update Windows on this machine! Had to keep it isolated because the stupid update service would have updated unbeknownst to me some night and deleted Media Center without any permission. Nice guys huh? So, as others have stated, you can stay with Windows 10 without likely issues. It may actually cause you less headaches to do so than switching to Win11.

Tony Gondola avatar

It’s a non-issue…

Bill Cavnaugh avatar

Alan Brunelle · Sep 3, 2025, 08:39 PM

Bill Cavnaugh · Sep 3, 2025, 06:57 PM

The only thing I have found with going from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is that Windows 11 is Very Slow and by default blocks access to networked items like the ASIAIR and iOptron Mounts. You have to turn on Guest account to access your Astro Hardware with Network Cable or WiFi.

Related to these issues, I use Windows Remote Desktop and as Microsoft is no longer supporting RD, it may be an issue for some. All my older Windows 10 machines still work with RD. Even when I migrated to Windows 11 on a couple of these. Seems like RD is sort of grandfathered into those machines and works just fine on them. On the other hand, I am building a new machine and had no choice but to use Windows 11. After shelving the new machine (a Radxa) I have had issues getting RD to work properly. Also, when trying to switch to a couple different substitutes for Windows RD, I have suffered the requirements that seem to want this computer be hooked up to a server and internet to actually function for remote access. Yes, I can remote to the new computer when the network is connected to the internet, however they refuse to connect if one is on a simple isolated network, wireless or ethernet when out in the field with no internet available. I know that there are work arounds, but I am struggling to get what used to be a simple thing. Once again, a useful service that Microsoft provided for years to anyone who was willing to pay the extra for pro, only to have them pull the rug out from underneath their loyal customers…

Still have a Windows 7 home theater computer I built, relying on Microsoft Media Center… MS has at least stopped trying to update Windows on this machine! Had to keep it isolated because the stupid update service would have updated unbeknownst to me some night and deleted Media Center without any permission. Nice guys huh? So, as others have stated, you can stay with Windows 10 without likely issues. It may actually cause you less headaches to do so than switching to Win11.

I installed the new version and it is OK but I do not care for change.
📷 image.pngimage.png

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Rich DeMidio avatar

I use several of the tools you reference and have experienced no issues after upgrading. MS also offered me a free upgrade.

Rich

Rick Krejci avatar

aches to do so than switching to Win11.

I installed the new version and it is OK but I do not care for change.
📷 image.pngimage.png

Just need to install the new remote desktop app from the MS Store

Alan Brunelle avatar

Rick Krejci · Sep 5, 2025, 04:45 PM

aches to do so than switching to Win11.

I installed the new version and it is OK but I do not care for change.
📷 image.pngimage.png

Just need to install the new remote desktop app from the MS Store

I’ll check this out. Thanks! However, my issues are referring to direct alert messages I now get from MS each and every time I open RD from my Windows 11 machine. This tells me that MS has no intention of supporting any RD for anything more than the short term. So finding that MS is offering a “new” version on their Store confuses me. My experience with MS over the years does not give me hope. Desktop sharing in general smells like something that MS would want to discourage, for their fear that the masses of their customers will either misuse it, or open themselves up to IT attacks to their systems and data. RD, initially a function included years ago was something that their service engineers could use to help clients remotely to fix issues. That it could become a useful function for regular day-to-day users of a computer is probably something not fully grasped at the time, nor the implications. In this litigious society, I have no doubt this is a headache they now anticipate causing them all sorts of problems.

I am no computer expert. However, I have always built my own machines and dealt with “most” of my issues by myself. Unfortunately, networking in the MS environment has always been a mystery. Partly because of the way it is implemented, but certainly also having to do with the poor documentation that MS provides to the unsavvy to work it. When I lived in Seattle, I was lucky enough to have friends who worked at MS and after I failed to get some network issue to resolve using MS’s own online help, I could call up and have my friend network into my computer via RD and watch as he resolved the issues. Sometimes it would take a fair amount of time. But often as I watched the solution pass before my vision, I recall the discontinuity of what worked and what the online MS resources tried to have me do.

My next learning experience will be to reactivate my old and still nice MS surface laptop/tablet with a Linux distro and learn how to escape the MS world. Or even if I can do so. I know that PI, Gimp and the like are designed for Linux, and those are my primary desktop activities. To be able to work in an evironment that does not constantly ask me to remember to sign up for a cloud account, MS account and the like I hope will be a breath of fresh air. To have an OS that does not automatically and without permission upload and install new versions of its OS, yes even though I specifically asked said OS to delay any new installs for 5 weeks! To start up an imaging session with my small isolated mount/camera controlling nuc without notifying me that a new update to the OS was uploaded and must now be installed, with considerable delay will be a breath of fresh air.

I know that Linux does RD, even to windows machines. Now if I can get my small nucs to run Linux and the services that allow me to do the mount control, image control, etc, even if using a shell to run things like NINA, then I will switch everything over. But I hear that this is not workable at this time. But I will use my old Linux Surface to test that myself.

Linwood Ferguson avatar

M$ did its usual thing of changing names without changing anything. On many devices now the Remote Desktop APPLICATION is known as Windows Application. Not M$’s most stupid change for ambiguity, but ranks high.

The Remote Desktop protocol and server functionality, so far as I know, is not going away, it’s far too widely used by server admins the world over, and a variation of it in VM management access for HyperV.

The functionality is included in Windows Pro not Windows Home. Windows Pro also gets you access to group policy where you can do things like indefinitely defer updates (I set them to download and let me know when available, but not install unless I hit the button). There are other nice features as well (HyperV for example), but these are the two most people appreciate.

I see zero difference in performance in Windows 10 and Windows 11. I’m sure the real answer is not zero, but it’s not noticeable for anything I run (including some pretty intense programs like Pixinsight and CAD).

I hate Windows, but I’m locked in with things like Adobe. But I also use Linux a LOT, and honestly the amount of cursing and ranting for Microsoft vs Linux when I’m having issues is not noticeably different. Just the target of the rants for Linux is more poorly defined than Microsoft.

Alan Brunelle avatar

Linwood Ferguson · Sep 5, 2025, 06:54 PM

I hate Windows, but I’m locked in with things like Adobe. But I also use Linux a LOT, and honestly the amount of cursing and ranting for Microsoft vs Linux when I’m having issues is not noticeably different. Just the target of the rants for Linux is more poorly defined than Microsoft.

I won’t go into this Linux thing expecting a complete solution. And what you say does not surprise me.

As far as the Windows update, I looked into what you said and I may do exactly that. As I am usually the last one to ever learn of these sorts of things, my expectation is that once I do, or soon after, MS will get wind of too many people using such a work around their wanting to control the 95%+ of all user’s computers and then nix it. Yes, it will always likely be there, but they will bump it up another layer of complexity to further discourage people doing what should be the default thing in OS to begin with.

Yes I am aware that RD is still available. However, their lack of support and statements suggest that like the updates, they will get their way once again. Yes, server administrators must have this service. It will take a little while for MS to figure out a way to isolate this feature from the rest of us and somehow only provide the service to server engineers. As I said, all my older computers, even after updating to Windows 11 continue to work with RD just as they did a year ago. It is only with the latest new SBC that does not. It only works with third party RD and with those, they require I have a network connection that is connected to the internet or setup some sort of server. Win11 RD acts like it wants to work, but insists on my logging in to the remote computer with my Windows account password. Not that computer’s PIN, but my MS account password. What the hell!? How many times do I have to log in to my computer just to get it to do something? Yet for some reason, it won’t recognize my password! Online research tells me that it is another layer of complexity added by MS to reduce the use of RD. However, as I said, all my old computers run RD just fine, no login, no passwords, etc. Just bang, the open. And with a network isolated from the internet. I just want a simple peer to peer wireless network when I am in an isolated are with no cell service or any other service. I don’t want to have to set up a server or anything else.

Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar

We use Windows 11 on all of our business systems, with Windows Update turned on, and we apply updates automatically in daytime windows the OS allows and we have had ZERO issues related to this, in almost 3 full years of remote operations.

So if you OP or others are having problems, it is not Windows.

Alan Brunelle avatar

Dark Matters Astrophotography · Sep 6, 2025, 01:28 AM

We use Windows 11 on all of our business systems, with Windows Update turned on, and we apply updates automatically in daytime windows the OS allows and we have had ZERO issues related to this, in almost 3 full years of remote operations.

So if you OP or others are having problems, it is not Windows.

I’m glad you have had no problems. Thats very nice. And I guess the hard drives the lastest greatest build update to Windows 11 has been trashing over the last few weeks amounts to “no problems”. Now Windows has a new feature on their Settings page: “How to unistall problematic system updates!” Wonderful!

There is no “We” at my operation. There is only “I”. I also do not employ an IT service to make my operation look so smooth to the day workers.

Knowing that I would be imaging, I set the update to delay for 5 weeks. Apparently, this is only a recommendation to MS. I also set updates to only occur on my Astro computers to update outside of imaging hours. Yet somehow MS decided, that an urgent update was needed and had my computer reset precisely when I asked it not too. Your use example is probably the easiest case to not have any problems. And as @Linwood Ferguson stated, the IT environment of a commercial use operation of Windows is probably going to prevent any auto updates anyway, using the command line operations that he pointed out. Not really how a typical user like myself would expect a full-featured consumer operating system to work. As I understand it, Linux is default, no update. The user can then set how they want it done. And when done, Linux is default to 1. inform the user that there are updates available (and lets you know what they are.) 2. Requires the user to initiate the update, 3. Requires the user enter a user password to start the update. Yes, if the user likes they can ask for an automated update. What is key is that Linux trusts that the user is capable of taking responsibility for their own computers. The very earliest embodyment of MS pcs was the idea that an open architecture allowed the adopters freedom to install and use software (and importantly many competing hardware) of their choosing. Unlike the Apple business model. That certainly presents challenges to any operating system. However, the implication is that the user accept the responsibility to enable their computers to their liking and needs. When my rig computer works as it does, with relatively simple and undemanding software, it never needs an update. I could care less if MS needs to protect my rig computer from threats. Or that it has the lastest greatest features for things that matter not one hoot to me. I have a Windows Media Center home theater center computer I built and have not ever allowed it to update after MS discontinued to support the Media Center software they pushed out on people back then. It works the same as the day I stopped updates over ten years ago. No updates required.

So with the “freedom” that MS advertises, some of us are forced to accept restictions on how we configure our hardware…

Linwood Ferguson avatar

Alan Brunelle · Sep 6, 2025, 04:02 AM

And as @Linwood Ferguson stated, the IT environment of a commercial use operation of Windows is probably going to prevent any auto updates anyway, using the command line operations that he pointed out.

My home is not a commercial operation. Microsoft has other licenses for them generally (enterprise for example), but Windows Pro are for home users who want more control over their system. And while there is a command line for windows (Powershell) that’s not needed to control windows updates, there are thousands of web sites that show even a novice how to use the gui to make the changes.

I get it, you don’t trust microsoft and appear to believe Youtube and Tictok on issues like SSD failures (I have maybe 10 SSD’s in various windows 11 systems, not one “trashed”). That’s your privilege.

Here’s the group policy setting that handles it though… when set to enable (it defaults to 3), it never updates automatically, but it does pre-download updates so it goes quicker when you want to install. It’s not a trick, it’s not something Microsoft tries to prevent (other than making you buy pro), it’s been there since auto-updates started and Microsoft even defaults it (except not enabled) to the “don’t update until I say” setting.

Giving this sort of fully supported feature the taint of a trick that Microsoft will find and prevent is unfair - Microsoft does lots of despicable things, we don’t need to make up new ones.

I’d say the same is true for Remote Desktop (under any name), there’s no indication I have ever seen that they intend to deprecate it. They make you pay for it (through Pro), but that’s an argument they would want to keep it (and the revenue stream).

However to the point of the original posting — NONE of this has anything to do with Windows 11, all these things work the same way in 10 and 11.

📷 gpo.jpggpo.jpg

Michael Stolz avatar

Alan Brunelle · Sep 5, 2025, 10:14 PM

Linwood Ferguson · Sep 5, 2025, 06:54 PM

I hate Windows, but I’m locked in with things like Adobe. But I also use Linux a LOT, and honestly the amount of cursing and ranting for Microsoft vs Linux when I’m having issues is not noticeably different. Just the target of the rants for Linux is more poorly defined than Microsoft.

I won’t go into this Linux thing expecting a complete solution. And what you say does not surprise me.

As far as the Windows update, I looked into what you said and I may do exactly that. As I am usually the last one to ever learn of these sorts of things, my expectation is that once I do, or soon after, MS will get wind of too many people using such a work around their wanting to control the 95%+ of all user’s computers and then nix it. Yes, it will always likely be there, but they will bump it up another layer of complexity to further discourage people doing what should be the default thing in OS to begin with.

Yes I am aware that RD is still available. However, their lack of support and statements suggest that like the updates, they will get their way once again. Yes, server administrators must have this service. It will take a little while for MS to figure out a way to isolate this feature from the rest of us and somehow only provide the service to server engineers. As I said, all my older computers, even after updating to Windows 11 continue to work with RD just as they did a year ago. It is only with the latest new SBC that does not. It only works with third party RD and with those, they require I have a network connection that is connected to the internet or setup some sort of server. Win11 RD acts like it wants to work, but insists on my logging in to the remote computer with my Windows account password. Not that computer’s PIN, but my MS account password. What the hell!? How many times do I have to log in to my computer just to get it to do something? Yet for some reason, it won’t recognize my password! Online research tells me that it is another layer of complexity added by MS to reduce the use of RD. However, as I said, all my old computers run RD just fine, no login, no passwords, etc. Just bang, the open. And with a network isolated from the internet. I just want a simple peer to peer wireless network when I am in an isolated are with no cell service or any other service. I don’t want to have to set up a server or anything else.

I had the same thing happening to me with the newly called “Windows App” on my new tablet.

I used the RD App to connect to my MeLe 3Q with Win11 and everything worked very well. Then that app switched its name, which caused me one evening of cold sweat, standing at the telescope in the field and not finding the app. Even then, the “Windows App” worked still the same as in the past without asking me for a password.

Now, however, I have a new(er) tablet with a better, not so bright AMOLED screen that doesn’t blind me every time I look at it at night and here I could not get the “Windows App” to work without password, and more annoyingly, the MA account password!! I guess MS diabolically enjoys giving us ever so often a new puzzle to figure out!🤣

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