A step-by-step guide to upgrading a Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 safely, including what to check before you start.
Quick answer: To update to Windows 11, first check that your PC meets the requirements with the PC Health Check app, including TPM 2.0, a supported 64-bit processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. Back up your files. Then go to Settings, Update and Security, Windows Update and choose Download and install if the Windows 11 offer appears. If it does not, use Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant. The upgrade is free for eligible Windows 10 PCs.
With Windows 10 support over, upgrading to Windows 11 is the simplest way to keep receiving security updates on an eligible PC. For most people, the upgrade keeps all files and apps, and it takes about an hour.
This guide covers the requirements, the four ways to upgrade, and how to fix the problems that stop many upgrades. Read our guide to Windows 10 end of life if you are still deciding.
In this article
- What are the Windows 11 requirements?
- What should you do before upgrading?
- What are the ways to update to Windows 11?
- Should you upgrade or do a clean install?
- What if the upgrade does not work?
- How long does it take and what happens during the upgrade?
- What should you do after updating?
- Frequently asked questions
- Final thoughts
What are the Windows 11 requirements?
Microsoft lists these minimum requirements on its Windows 11 specifications page:
| Part | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, 64-bit, 2 or more cores, on the supported list |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Storage | 64 GB or more |
| Firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| Security chip | TPM version 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 compatible with WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | Larger than 9 inches, 720p HD |
| Setup | Internet and a Microsoft account for Home and Pro (personal use) |
The easiest way to check is Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app, which tells you exactly what passes or fails.
What should you do before upgrading?
- Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage.
- Free up space: Aim for well over 64 GB free so the installer has room.
- Update Windows 10 with all pending updates first.
- Note your app licences and passwords in case you need them.
- Plug in your laptop so it does not run out of power during the upgrade.
Run the upgrade at a time you will not need the PC for at least two hours, such as an evening. It often finishes sooner, but leaving extra time avoids panic if a long update step appears.
What are the ways to update to Windows 11?
1. Windows Update (easiest)
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If your PC is eligible, you may see an offer to upgrade to Windows 11. Select Download and install and follow the prompts.
2. Windows 11 Installation Assistant
If no offer appears, download the Installation Assistant from Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 page. Run it, accept the terms, and it downloads and installs Windows 11 while keeping your files and apps.
3. Media Creation Tool
This tool creates a bootable USB drive or ISO file. It is useful for upgrading several PCs or doing a clean install. You need a USB drive of at least 8 GB.
4. ISO file
Advanced users can download the Windows 11 ISO from the same Microsoft page, open it in File Explorer and run setup.exe to upgrade.
Zara’s laptop passed PC Health Check, but no Windows 11 offer appeared in Windows Update. She downloaded the Installation Assistant from Microsoft, ran it in the evening, and woke up to Windows 11 with all her files and apps in place.
Should you upgrade or do a clean install?
An in-place upgrade keeps your files, settings and apps. A clean install wipes the drive and installs a fresh copy of Windows 11.
- Choose an upgrade if: Your PC runs well and you want to keep everything as it is.
- Choose a clean install if: Your PC is slow, has many old apps or errors, or you are selling it on.
A clean install takes longer because you need to reinstall apps and restore files from your backup, but it often leaves the PC faster and more stable. Use the Media Creation Tool to make a USB installer for a clean install.
Farah’s five-year-old laptop had become slow and cluttered. Instead of a standard upgrade, she backed up her files, did a clean install of Windows 11 from a USB drive, and reinstalled only the apps she used. The laptop started much faster afterwards.
What if the upgrade does not work?
- “This PC can’t run Windows 11”: Check PC Health Check for the failing part. TPM and Secure Boot are often just switched off in the BIOS.
- Not enough space: Delete temporary files with Storage Sense in Settings, or move files to an external drive.
- Upgrade stuck or fails: Restart, unplug USB devices, update drivers and try the Installation Assistant again.
- Unsupported processor: Older CPUs are not on the supported list, so official upgrades are not offered.
Microsoft advises against installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, as such PCs may not receive updates. If your PC is not eligible, see the options in our Windows 10 end of life guide.
Imran’s PC failed the check because Secure Boot was off. He entered the BIOS, enabled Secure Boot and TPM, ran the check again, and his PC passed. The upgrade then installed normally.
How long does it take and what happens during the upgrade?
The download size is several gigabytes, so internet speed matters. After downloading, the PC restarts several times while it installs. Do not turn it off during this stage. When it finishes, you sign in and Windows 11 completes a few setup screens before showing your desktop.
What should you do after updating?
- Run Windows Update again to install the latest patches and drivers.
- Check that your printers, scanners and key apps work.
- Review privacy settings in Settings, then Privacy and security.
- Find your edition in Settings, then System, then About. See our Windows 11 Pro vs Home guide.
- Keep your backup for a few weeks in case you need to restore anything.
Windows lets you go back to Windows 10 for 10 days after upgrading, through Settings, System, Recovery, if something important does not work.
Download and run PC Health Check. In under a minute, you will know whether your PC can update to Windows 11 or which setting to change.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Windows 11 upgrade free?
Yes, for eligible Windows 10 PCs that meet the hardware requirements.
Will I lose my files when I update to Windows 11?
Not with a standard upgrade, which keeps files and apps. Back up first to be safe.
How long does the Windows 11 upgrade take?
Often around an hour, depending on your PC and internet speed.
Why is the Windows 11 update not showing?
Your PC may not meet the requirements, or the offer may not have reached it yet. Use the Installation Assistant.
Can I go back to Windows 10?
Yes, within 10 days of upgrading, through Settings, System, Recovery.
How do I enable TPM for Windows 11?
Turn on TPM in your BIOS. It may be called Intel PTT or AMD fTPM.
Final Thoughts
- Check your PC with PC Health Check before you start.
- Back up files and update Windows 10 first.
- Use Windows Update or the Installation Assistant for an easy, free upgrade.
- Fix TPM and Secure Boot settings in the BIOS if the check fails.
