Help with upgrading MBA from Sierra to Monterey

[AMSOS]

I have a MBA 2017 that I kept at Mac OS Sierra. All security updates were installed as and when they were issued.

I wanted the computer to be as stable as possible, and didn't want to update to the latest like I do with my iPhone. I've got into the habit of fully formatting the disc whenever I upgrade the OS. That seemed too much of an effort and Sierra worked fine, till now. Security updates are gone and I'll clearly need to move up to Monterey.

I can't see any icon on the computer that asks me to upgrade to Monterey. I do see Monterey in the App Store. Do I just download via that route?

Does Monterey have any major bugs that I should know of? I don't really use specialised apps but its useful to know before I upgrade. Does MS Word 2011 for Mac run fine on Monterey?

I assume there are many out there who don't format their computers after upgrading to the latest version of the OS. Have you faced any issues with this? Perhaps with falling battery backup like it is with the phones?

Thanks!

 

[bogdanw]

I wouldn't install Monterey, it's not mature enough.
I would recommend Big Sur, it can be downloaded from the App Sore https://apps.apple.com/app/id1526878132

 

[BrianBaughn]

I don't think Office 2011 runs on anything newer than Mojave.

 

[AMSOS]

I wouldn't install Monterey, it's not mature enough.
I would recommend Big Sur, it can be downloaded from the App Sore https://apps.apple.com/app/id1526878132

Thanks, I'll do that.
I did look up Big Sur on the app store but nothing came up.
When I click on the link you sent I do see it on the app store. This seems strange.
Big Sur was a major update. Have all the major bugs been ironed out?

 

[AMSOS]

I don't think Office 2011 runs on anything newer than Mojave.

You're right. I checked and it says "not supported."
Does this mean I won't get updates if I install it on, say, Big Sur? Or, that Big Sur won't even let me install Office 2011?

 

[MajorFubar]

Apple purposefully makes it difficult to download anything but the latest OS compatible with your Mac. I recently regressed to High Sierra from Mojave on my 2012 MBP because I found it to be incompatible with some apps that I have no interest in upgrading from, and finding somewhere legit to seed the High Sierra installer from was quite the drama.

 

[MajorFubar]

You're right. I checked and it says "not supported."
Does this mean I won't get updates if I install it on, say, Big Sur? Or, that Big Sur won't even let me install Office 2011?

I think possibly the 32 bit versions won't run. This was one of the apps I stayed on High Sierra for.

 

[bogdanw]

Thanks, I'll do that.
I did look up Big Sur on the app store but nothing came up.
When I click on the link you sent I do see it on the app store. This seems strange.
Big Sur was a major update. Have all the major bugs been ironed out?

This link should work from High Sierra https://itunes.apple.com/app/macos-big-sur/id1526878132?mt=12
Big Sur and Monterey can be downloaded directly from Apple as InstallAssistant.pkg, that unpacks as Install macOS Big Sur.app or Monterey.app in /Applications/
https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-big-sur-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/
https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-12-monterey-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/
The Install macOS app can be used directly to upgrade or to make a bootable installer https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372
In my experience, Big Sur is stable and generally bug free.

 

[AMSOS]

Apple purposefully makes it difficult to download anything but the latest OS compatible with your Mac. I recently regressed to High Sierra from Mojave on my 2012 MBP because I found it to be incompatible with some apps that I have no interest in upgrading from, and finding somewhere legit to seed the High Sierra installer from was quite the drama.

Oh, I see. Apparently giving us a choice but then making sure we are not in a position to exercise it meaningfully
Isn't High Sierra out of the support period? Or, maybe you are not worried about using it without getting any security updates.

 

[MajorFubar]

Probably, but it doesn’t worry me.

 

[AMSOS]

I wouldn't install Monterey, it's not mature enough.
I would recommend Big Sur, it can be downloaded from the App Sore https://apps.apple.com/app/id1526878132

I followed this link now and it says "Update not found," and that the "the requested version of Mac OS is not available."
It then takes me to the update center which gives me the option of downloading Monterey.

 

[bogdanw]

I followed this link now and it says "Update not found," and that the "the requested version of Mac OS is not available."
It then takes me to the update center which gives me the option of downloading Monterey.

See above or below

This link should work from High Sierra https://itunes.apple.com/app/macos-big-sur/id1526878132?mt=12
Big Sur and Monterey can be downloaded directly from Apple as InstallAssistant.pkg, that unpacks as Install macOS Big Sur.app or Monterey.app in /Applications/
https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-big-sur-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/
https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-12-monterey-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/
The Install macOS app can be used directly to upgrade or to make a bootable installer https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372
In my experience, Big Sur is stable and generally bug free.

 

[AMSOS]

See above or below

Thanks. Got it through the last link that takes me to the Apple support page.
Strangely, I still get that download error on my own Air (Mojave), but not on Air (Sierra) I am trying to update. Catalina and Monterey seem to be ready for download, though.
Any guesses what's up with this?
Thanks!