Short answer
- If your PC runs Windows 10 and meets the Windows 11 minimum requirements, upgrade through Windows Update, the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, or installation media from Microsoft.
- Check first with the PC Health Check app or in Windows Update. Both apply the same test: a supported Windows 10 version, and hardware that meets the minimum specifications.
- Back up your files before you start, keep a laptop plugged in, and do not turn the PC off while it installs.
- An in-place upgrade keeps your files and apps when you choose that option. A clean install erases the drive.
- If your PC does not meet the requirements, Microsoft warns against forcing the install: that PC would no longer be supported.
Upgrading to Windows 11 is three jobs in a row: confirming the PC qualifies, choosing the right route, and finishing setup so the PC is activated and updated. Most failed upgrades go wrong at the first step: a PC that looks fast and healthy can still fail the compatibility check because of one missing piece, usually the processor generation, the TPM version, or a Secure Boot setting switched off in firmware.
One timing point matters first. Microsoft states that support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025, after which it no longer provides technical assistance, feature updates, or security updates for Windows 10. A Windows 10 PC still starts and runs, but it no longer receives those updates, which is why an eligible upgrade is worth doing promptly.
Before You Start
Do these five things before opening any download page.
1. Back up the files you cannot replace. An in-place upgrade is designed to keep your files, but that is not a guarantee. Copy documents, photos, and other irreplaceable files to an external drive or a cloud folder you can reach from another device, and find any license key you have not used in a while before you restart.
2. Sign in as an administrator. The Installation Assistant and the Media Creation Tool both require administrator rights. To check, open Settings, then Accounts.
3. Plug in and stay connected. A laptop must stay on mains power for the whole install. You also need an internet connection for the download and for updates, and Windows 11 Home requires a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.
4. Update Windows 10 first. Microsoft requires Windows 10 version 2004 or later, with the September 14, 2021 security update or later, for a direct upgrade. Install any pending Windows 10 updates, restart, and check again until no more updates are offered. An upgrade attempted on a half-updated system is a common source of setup errors.
5. Note your edition and version. Open Settings, then System, then About, and note the edition (Home or Pro). The free upgrade keeps you on the matching edition: Home moves to Home, and Pro moves to Pro. Also note whether the PC uses a 64-bit processor, shown as the system type. Windows 11 runs only on 64-bit processors, and the Installation Assistant and Media Creation Tool work only on x64 PCs, not on Arm-based PCs.
Step 1: Check Whether Your PC Can Run Windows 11
Microsoft gives two official ways to check, and they should agree.
Use the PC Health Check app. Download and run it from Microsoft. If the PC fails, the app names the reason, which is the useful part: a failed processor check and a switched-off TPM lead to very different next steps. Run it before downloading anything else.
Check in Windows Update. On Windows 10, select Start, then Settings, then Update and Security, then Windows Update, and select Check for updates. If the PC is eligible and Microsoft has made the upgrade available for that device, Windows Update shows that Windows 11 is ready, with a Download and install button. Rollout timing varies by device, so an eligible PC may not be offered the upgrade on the same day another eligible PC is.
The minimum requirements
Microsoft Learn lists these minimum hardware requirements for installing or upgrading to Windows 11. A PC must meet all of them, not just most of them.
| Requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster, with two or more cores, on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 gigabytes (GB) or more |
| Storage | 64 GB or more of available disk space |
| System firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 |
| Graphics card | Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | High definition (720p) display, 9 inches or larger, 8 bits per color channel |
| Internet connection | Required for updates and to download and use some features |
Microsoft warns that more storage may be required over time for updates and for specific features, so a PC with barely 64 GB free is a poor upgrade candidate even if it technically passes. The Installation Assistant itself asks for 9 GB of free disk space just to download Windows 11. Some features also need more than the minimum: three-column Snap layouts require a screen 1920 effective pixels or wider, and Windows Hello face sign-in requires an infrared camera or a fingerprint reader.
TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, Explained
These two requirements cause most of the confusion, because neither is visible on the desktop.
TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module: a hardware security component, either a chip on the motherboard or firmware built into the processor, that stores encryption keys and helps verify that the system has not been tampered with. Windows 11 requires TPM version 2.0. Many recent PCs already have it but have it switched off in firmware, which is why a PC can fail the check and still be fixable. To check, press the Windows key, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. If the window shows specification version 2.0, that requirement is met.
Secure Boot is a firmware feature that allows only trusted software to run when the PC starts. It is part of UEFI firmware, which replaced the older BIOS on modern PCs. To check, press the Windows key, type msinfo32, press Enter, and look at BIOS Mode: UEFI means modern firmware, while Legacy means the older style. Secure Boot state is shown on the same screen.
If either item is switched off, the fix is in the firmware settings, sometimes still called BIOS or UEFI setup, reached by pressing a key such as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc immediately after turning the PC on. The exact key and menu names vary by manufacturer, so check the PC or motherboard manual, and change only the TPM and Secure Boot settings as it documents them. If the manual does not describe those settings, or the PC has no TPM 2.0 at all, the PC does not meet the requirements.
Why the Processor Check Fails on Otherwise Good PCs
Windows 11 requires a compatible 64-bit processor, and Microsoft publishes lists of supported processors. In practice, that means relatively recent processors: as a rough guide, Intel 8th generation and later, and the corresponding AMD generations. An older processor with plenty of speed, such as a 7th generation Intel Core i7 paired with 16 GB of RAM and a fast solid state drive, can still fail the check. The PC is not slow; it is simply outside the supported processor list, and no settings change fixes that.
Microsoft’s download page warns that installing Windows 11 media on a PC that does not meet the minimum system requirements is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues, and a PC installed that way will no longer be supported and will not be entitled to receive updates. Damage caused by lack of compatibility is also not covered under the manufacturer warranty. Registry edits that bypass the checks trade away exactly what the upgrade is for: a supported system receiving updates. This guide does not recommend them.
Choosing Your Upgrade Method
Microsoft offers three routes on its Download Windows 11 page. They are not three copies of the same thing.
| Method | Best for | What you need | Keeps files? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Update | Most people, when the offer is already showing | An eligible PC and an internet connection | Yes, as an in-place upgrade |
| Windows 11 Installation Assistant | An eligible PC that Windows Update has not offered the upgrade to yet | Windows 10 version 2004 or later, 9 GB free disk space, an x64 processor, administrator rights | Yes, as an in-place upgrade |
| Installation media or ISO file | Another PC, a clean install, a repair install, or upgrading from media | A blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB, or a blank DVD and burner; a license or a qualifying Windows 10 device | Yes if you run setup from inside Windows and choose to keep files; no with a clean install |
Start with Windows Update. Move to the Installation Assistant only if Windows Update has not offered the upgrade and the PC Health Check app says the PC is compatible. Use installation media when you need media for another PC, want a clean install, or are repairing an installation. Do not use a clean install as your first attempt: it erases everything on the drive.
Method 1: Upgrade Through Windows Update
- Select Start, then Settings, then Update and Security, then Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates. Install any Windows 10 updates offered, restart if asked, and check again until the list is clear.
- When Windows 11 is ready for the device, Windows Update shows a message saying so, with a Download and install button. Select it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. The PC restarts several times during installation. Keep it plugged in and do not turn it off.
- After the final restart, sign in, then check for updates again under Settings, then Windows Update.
If no offer appears after Windows 10 is fully updated, and the PC Health Check app confirms compatibility, move to Method 2. If the app says the PC is not compatible, do not move to Method 2 hoping it will overlook the problem: the Assistant checks hardware too.
Method 2: Upgrade With the Windows 11 Installation Assistant
The Installation Assistant upgrades the PC you are currently using, right now, instead of waiting for Windows Update to offer it. Microsoft describes it as the best option for installing Windows 11 on the device you are currently using.
Before you begin, confirm all of these apply: you have a Windows 10 or Windows 11 license, or a qualifying device; the PC runs Windows 10 version 2004 or higher; the PC has 9 GB of free disk space; the PC meets the Windows 11 device specifications; you have checked the manufacturer website for drivers; you are signed in as an administrator; and the PC uses an x64 processor. The Installation Assistant does not run on Arm-based PCs.
Steps:
- Go to Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 page and, under Windows 11 Installation Assistant, select Download Now.
- Select Run to start the tool. When the tool confirms the device hardware is compatible, read the license terms and select Accept and Install.
- The tool downloads Windows 11 and prepares the installation. Do not turn the PC off.
- When the tool is ready, select Restart Now. The PC will restart a few times.
- After setup, sign in, check for updates under Settings, then Windows Update, and visit the PC manufacturer website for any drivers the upgrade did not supply, especially for graphics, Wi-Fi, and audio.
If the Assistant stops with a compatibility error, read the exact message: it names the requirement that failed, and that tells you whether the fix is a firmware setting, a pending update, or a hard limit such as the processor list.
Method 3: Upgrade With Installation Media or an ISO File
The Media Creation Tool creates a bootable USB flash drive or DVD, and the disk image option downloads an ISO file. Both start from the same Download Windows 11 page, under Create Windows 11 Installation Media and Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO). The ISO download is a multi-edition image, and your product key unlocks the correct edition.
Creating the media
- On the Download Windows 11 page, under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now and run the tool as an administrator.
- Accept the license terms. On the What do you want to do page, select Create installation media for another PC, then select Next.
- Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit), using the recommended options for the PC you are installing on, which keeps the language and edition matched to the existing license.
- Choose USB flash drive or ISO file. For USB, attach a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space first: any content on it will be deleted. For ISO, choose a folder to save the file, and burn it to a DVD later if you need disc media.
Upgrading from the media without erasing anything
To upgrade an existing Windows 10 PC from media, do not boot from the USB drive: that starts a fresh installation flow. Instead, stay inside Windows 10, insert the USB drive or mount the ISO file (right-click it and select Mount), open the drive, and double-click setup.exe. When setup asks what to keep, choose the option to keep your personal files and apps. Let setup run; the PC restarts several times, and you must not turn it off.
Doing a clean install
A clean install boots from the USB drive or DVD, erases the drive, and installs Windows 11 fresh. Choose it only when you want a fresh start, when you are setting up a PC with no operating system to keep, or when an in-place upgrade has failed and you have a complete backup. If the PC does not boot to the media automatically, you may need to open the boot menu or change the boot order in firmware settings, using the key shown briefly at startup or documented by the manufacturer.
During and After the Install
How long an upgrade takes depends on your connection and the PC, so allow several hours without needing the PC, and do not schedule it right before a deadline. During installation the screen shows progress percentages, the PC restarts several times, and the screen may go black for stretches. That is normal. If the screen looks stuck, wait before intervening: a forced restart at the wrong moment can cause more damage than patience. If the PC genuinely fails and rolls back, it usually returns to Windows 10 on its own, and any error code shown is what support needs to help.
After the first sign-in, run this check:
- Confirm activation. Go to Settings, then System, then Activation. It should show Windows 11 as activated. If it does not, run the activation troubleshooter on that screen.
- Install updates. Go to Settings, then Windows Update, and check for updates until none remain.
- Check drivers and devices. Open Device Manager and look for any device with a warning icon. Test Wi-Fi, sound, and the printer. If something is missing, the manufacturer website is the next stop.
- Confirm your files and apps. Open your documents, photos, and the apps you use most. If anything is missing, check the Windows.old folder on the system drive: it holds the previous installation for a limited time.
- Check sign-in and settings. Windows 11 moves some settings: Windows Update now lives directly under Settings, rather than under Update and Security as in Windows 10. Confirm your sign-in method works. Do not run disk cleanup on previous Windows installations in the first days, or you remove the safety net that lets you go back.
Troubleshooting
Windows Update never offers Windows 11. Confirm the PC Health Check app says the PC is compatible. If it does, finish all Windows 10 updates, restart, and check again; rollouts vary by device, so a delay alone is not a fault. If the wait becomes unreasonable, the Installation Assistant is the supported shortcut. If the app says the PC is not compatible, the fix is the requirement that failed, not patience.
The Installation Assistant fails or stops. Read the exact error and check the requirement it names. Common causes are a Windows 10 version below 2004, less than 9 GB of free disk space, a processor outside the supported list, TPM 2.0 switched off, or Secure Boot not enabled. Free up disk space, finish Windows 10 updates, and fix the named firmware setting if the manufacturer documents it. If the Assistant repeatedly fails on a PC that passes every check, try the media route: mount the ISO inside Windows and run setup.exe. Keep the error code if one appears.
Not enough disk space. Free space by removing files you have backed up, uninstalling programs you no longer use, and emptying the recycle bin, then try again. Do not delete system folders or the Windows.old folder while troubleshooting. If the drive has barely 64 GB total, the PC may be a poor upgrade candidate even if it passes the formal minimum.
TPM or Secure Boot cannot be enabled. If the firmware has no TPM 2.0 option, or the PC uses Legacy BIOS mode instead of UEFI, the PC does not meet the requirements. A firmware update from the manufacturer sometimes adds or exposes a TPM setting, so check the manufacturer support page for the exact model before giving up, but do not install firmware from any other source.
Something stops working after the upgrade. Start with drivers: check the manufacturer website for Windows 11 drivers for the exact model, starting with the device that fails. Next, check for Windows updates. If a single app fails, check the app maker website for a Windows 11 compatible version rather than reinstalling Windows, which is a last resort.
Activation fails after the upgrade. An upgrade on a licensed, qualifying Windows 10 device should activate with the existing digital license, but hardware changes and edition mismatches complicate it. Check Settings, then System, then Activation, run the troubleshooter there, and confirm the edition matches what the PC was licensed for.
If Your PC Cannot Run Windows 11
An ineligible PC is not a dead PC, but its future needs a decision.
Buy or choose a new PC with Windows 11 preinstalled. This is Microsoft’s suggested route for a PC that is not eligible or for anyone ready for new hardware.
Use the Extended Security Updates program for more time. Microsoft describes a consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 that can protect a device for a limited period after end of support. Its terms and end date can change, so check the current Microsoft Support page before relying on it.
Keep using Windows 10 with eyes open. A Windows 10 PC keeps working after end of support, but without security updates it becomes more exposed over time. If you take this route, keep backups current and plan the eventual move.
Can You Go Back to Windows 10?
For a limited time after upgrading, Windows offers a Go back option under Settings, then System, then Recovery. Microsoft community answers consistently describe that window as 10 days, after which the option disappears and returning to Windows 10 requires a clean install, which erases the drive. Treat the 10-day figure as a planning limit: decide quickly, and do not delete the previous Windows installation in the meantime. Going back returns you to a system that no longer receives support updates, so it makes sense for a specific, unsolved problem, such as a device or app that genuinely does not work on Windows 11, rather than as a general preference.
What Changes in Daily Use
Most of what changes is layout, not capability. The Start menu moves to the center of the taskbar by default, and Windows Update sits directly under Settings in Windows 11, while in Windows 10 it sat under Update and Security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the upgrade to Windows 11 free?
For an eligible Windows 10 PC, Microsoft presents the upgrade through Windows Update and the Installation Assistant without a separate purchase step, provided the PC has a qualifying license. You still need that license: a download is not a license.
How do I know if my PC can upgrade to Windows 11?
Run the PC Health Check app from Microsoft, and also check Windows Update under Settings, then Update and Security. The PC must run a supported version of Windows 10 and meet the minimum specifications in the table above.
Why does Windows Update not offer me Windows 11?
Rollout timing varies by device, so an eligible PC may simply not have been offered it yet. Finish all Windows 10 updates, restart, and check again. If the PC Health Check app confirms compatibility and the wait continues, the Installation Assistant is the supported way to upgrade now.
Can I upgrade to Windows 11 without losing my files?
An in-place upgrade through Windows Update, the Installation Assistant, or setup.exe run from inside Windows is designed to keep your files and apps when you choose the keep option. A clean install erases the drive. Back up first either way.
How much free space do I need to upgrade to Windows 11?
Microsoft lists 64 GB of storage as the minimum for Windows 11, and the Installation Assistant asks for 9 GB of free disk space to download Windows 11. In practice, aim well above the minimum.
Does the Installation Assistant work on every PC?
No. It does not run on Arm-based PCs; it only works for x64 processors. It also requires Windows 10 version 2004 or higher, 9 GB of free disk space, and administrator rights.
What happens if my PC does not meet the requirements?
Microsoft warns against installing Windows 11 on a PC that does not meet the minimum requirements: the PC would no longer be supported, would not be entitled to receive updates, and compatibility damage would not be covered under the manufacturer warranty. The supported alternatives are a new PC with Windows 11 or the Extended Security Updates program for extra time on Windows 10.
Can I upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro for free?
The free upgrade keeps you on the matching edition: Home moves to Home, and Pro moves to Pro. Moving from Home to Pro is a separate edition change that requires a Pro license, done through Settings, then System, then Activation.
How long does the upgrade take?
It varies with connection speed and the PC. Allow several hours without needing the PC, and do not turn it off while it installs.
Can I go back to Windows 10 after upgrading?
For a limited time, Windows offers a Go back option under Settings, then System, then Recovery. Community answers from Microsoft describe that window as 10 days. After it closes, returning to Windows 10 requires a clean install that erases the drive. Decide quickly, and remember that Windows 10 no longer receives support updates.
Will my programs still work on Windows 11?
Most Windows 10 programs run on Windows 11, but “most” is not “all.” Check the app maker website for any program you depend on before upgrading, and test the programs that matter most in the first days after the upgrade, while going back is still possible.
Sources & references
- Microsoft Support, "Can I upgrade to Windows 11?" (eligibility criteria; PC Health Check app; Windows Update check). Opened and read 25 Oct 2026.
- Microsoft Learn, "Windows 11 requirements" (minimum hardware requirements; OS requirements for direct upgrade; feature-specific requirements; S mode note). Opened and read 25 Oct 2026.
- Microsoft, "Download Windows 11" (Installation Assistant conditions and steps; Create Windows 11 Installation Media steps; ISO download and mount instructions; warning on installing on PCs that do not meet minimum requirements). Opened and read 25 Oct 2026.
- Microsoft Support, "Windows 10 support has ended on October 14, 2025" (end of support date; options including Windows 11 upgrade, new PC, and Extended Security Updates program). Read via search result excerpt, not opened in full; QA is asked to open it directly.
- Microsoft Q&A community answers on going back to Windows 10 (10-day Go back window; clean install required after the window). Community answers, not Microsoft Support documentation, so the 10-day figure is qualified in the article and ledger.
