Proven Guide to Upgrade Your PC to Windows 11 from Windows 10

Thomas Lucero
3 years ago

The all-new Windows 11 operating system is now available, and a free upgrade is available to Windows 10 users.

Microsoft released Windows 11 as a free upgrade to compatible laptops and PCs with Windows 10, adding many latest features and dozens of innovations.

Windows 11 has a new interface that uses modern design language, rounded corners, other materials like Mica (an element that allows the background to glow without affecting the computer). Highlights include a redesigned Start and taskbar (these elements are centered), Snap features, chat from Microsoft Teams, widgets, display enhancements, and more.

Windows 11 also got a lot of updated features, such as OOBE, Settings, Desktops, etc. File Explorer, Calculator, Microsoft Paint, and Clock also received their updates.

This Guide will help you download and install Windows 11 correctly on your PC, laptop, and tablet.

Requirements for Windows 11

Windows 11 has different system requirements than Windows 10. The minimum requirements for the free upgrade are:

  • CPU: 1 GHz + / SoC system with 2 cores +.
  • RAM: 4GB.
  • Storage: 64 GB +.
  • Firmware: UEFI and Secure Boot support.
  • TPM: Version 2.0.
  • Graphics: DirectX 12 and later versions which have WDDM 2.0 driver.
  • Display resolution: 720p from 9″, 8 bits per color channel.

Compatibility Check

Windows Update, Media Creation Tool, or Installation Assistant can determine and tell the user if their device meets the minimum requirement for upgrading to Windows 11. However, there is an option to check all of this manually.

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select System.
  3. Select About.
  4. Confirm the processor, memory, and system type.
  5. Click on Storage.
  6. Now you need to confirm that the primary storage is more significant than 64 GB.

PC Health Check

Similarly, the PC Health Check app can help to determine if your PC supports Windows 11 quickly:

  1. Open the official PC Health Check download page.
  2. Go to the Compatibility Check section – click Download PC Health Check App.
  3. Run the file WindowsPCHealthCheckSetup.msi.
  4. Click on the I accept the license agreement.
  5. Click Install.
  6. Now click on the Open Windows PC Health Check option.
  7. Complete.
  8. After that, you need to click on Check now in the Getting to know Windows 11 section.
  9. Click on View all results.

Upgrade to Windows 11 with Windows Update

You can upgrade your PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11 using Windows Update:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Then to Update and security.
  3. Select Windows Update.
  4. Click on Check for updates.
  5. Now select Download and Install Now.
  6. Reboot Now.

Next, the computer will reboot, and the update to Windows 11 will begin. If the update option is not present in Windows Update when you click Check for Updates, Microsoft blocks updates due to incompatibility.

Windows 11 with Installation Assistant

When a user has problems with Windows Update, then it is better to upgrade to Windows 11 through the Installation Assistant:

  1. Go to the Microsoft support website.
  2. Now find the Windows 11 Installation Assistant section and click Download Now.
  3. Save the file to your PC.
  4. Now double click on Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe to run the installation.
  5. Confirm the action Accept and install.

Upgrading your PC to Windows 11 with Installation Assistant will save the user’s files, their applications, and almost all of their settings.

Upgrading to Windows 11 thanks to an ISO file

The last option to upgrade to Windows 11 is a mounted ISO file, which you can do in File Explorer to continue the upgrade process:

  1. Open the Windows 11 download page.
  2. The Download Windows 11 disc image (ISO) section will appear, where you need to select Windows 11.
  3. Click Download.
  4. This is followed by selecting the ISO language.
  5. Confirm.
  6. Download the 64-bit version.
  7. Right-click on the image file, where you select Mount.
  8. Select virtual disk.
  9. Run setup.exe to start the installation.
  10. Next now.
  11. Now click on Accept.
  12. Install.

Bottom line

Now you know all the ways to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Take the one you like best and upgrade to the all-new Windows 11 operating system.