To upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, select Check for updates, and select Download and install under the Windows 11 upgrade offer. The upgrade is free for PCs that meet the Windows 11 hardware requirements. An in-place upgrade is designed to keep your personal files and apps, but make a backup before you start.
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so upgrading is the simplest way to keep getting updates on a capable PC. This guide covers checking eligibility, upgrading through Windows Update or the Installation Assistant, going back if you need to, and options for PCs that can’t run Windows 11. It’s based on Microsoft’s articles on ways to install Windows 11, Windows 11 system requirements, going back to a previous version and Extended Security Updates.
Windows 11 Minimum Requirements
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, 2 or more cores, on Microsoft’s approved CPU list |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Storage | 64 GB or larger |
| Firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | 720p, larger than 9 inches diagonally |
| Upgrade path | Windows 10, version 2004 or later, to upgrade through Windows Update |
Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro for personal use also need an internet connection and a Microsoft account during initial device setup.
Check That Your PC Can Run Windows 11
- Download and open Microsoft’s PC Health Check app.
- Select Check now in the Windows 11 section.
- Read the result. It lists anything that doesn’t meet the requirements, like the processor or TPM. If the processor is the item that fails, see whether you can install Windows 11 on an unsupported CPU.
If Secure Boot is the problem, it may just be turned off in your PC’s firmware settings. See how to enable Secure Boot.
Upgrade Through Windows Update
- Back up your important files. See how to back up Windows 10 to an external hard drive.
- Open Settings and select Update & Security, then Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates. Install any pending Windows 10 updates and restart if asked, then check again.
- If you see the Windows 11 upgrade offer, select Download and install.
- Follow the prompts. Your PC will download the upgrade, install it, and restart several times.
Result: Your PC restarts into Windows 11 with your files and apps in place. Keep it plugged in and don’t turn it off during the upgrade.
If the offer doesn’t appear, install pending updates and check PC Health Check again. Eligibility doesn’t rule out a compatibility hold. Microsoft recommends waiting for Windows Update to offer the upgrade rather than using another method to get around a reported compatibility problem.
Other Ways to Upgrade
- Installation Assistant: For an eligible PC without a compatibility hold, the Windows 11 Installation Assistant on Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page checks your hardware and walks you through the upgrade. It doesn’t run on Arm-based PCs.
- Installation media: The Media Creation Tool makes a USB drive or ISO. To put that ISO on a DVD instead, see how to burn an ISO file to a disc with ImgBurn. If you run setup.exe from it inside Windows 10, you can choose Keep personal files and apps, Keep personal files only, or Nothing.
- Clean install: Booting from the USB drive for a fresh install erases files and apps, so it’s a different process. See how to install Windows 11.
If Your PC Isn’t Eligible
Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Its consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program gives eligible, enrolled Windows 10 version 22H2 PCs critical and important security updates through October 12, 2027.
- How to enroll: At no cost by syncing your PC settings, by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or with a one-time $30 purchase (plus tax). One license covers up to 10 devices.
- What it doesn’t include: New features, other types of fixes, or technical support.
- Regional differences: Microsoft says enrollment options and timing may vary by region, such as in the European Economic Area.
Microsoft also warns against installing Windows 11 on devices that don’t meet the requirements. If that happens, it recommends rolling back to Windows 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my files when I upgrade?
An upgrade through Windows Update is designed to keep your personal files and apps. Back up first anyway, in case something goes wrong.
Can I go back to Windows 10?
In most cases, you have 10 days. Go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Go back (see how to roll back a Windows 11 update). This needs the Windows.old and $windows.~bt folders, and you’ll need to remove any user accounts created after the upgrade. Apps you add or change after upgrading may not work after you go back.
When can I delete Windows.old?
Once you’re sure you’re staying on Windows 11. Deleting it removes the built-in way to go back. See how to delete Windows.old in Windows 11.
How long does the upgrade take?
It depends on the download size, your connection, your PC’s hardware and the installation work. Set aside uninterrupted time and follow the progress on screen.
What if I’m moving to a new Windows 11 PC instead?
You’ll need to copy your files over. See how to transfer data from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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