Yes, when you buy a new computer, it has the Windows 11 OS already installed. However, say the current Windows 10 PC you’re using meets all the necessary requirements to upgrade, why spend money for a whole new machine while Windows 11 is free?
Microsoft provides a few different ways to update Windows 10 to Windows 11. If you are not ready to make the switch for the foreseeable future? There is an option to try Windows 11 for 90 days. If you are okay with the permanent upgrade, it can be as easy as updating your PC. Or else, there is also an Installation Assistant, the Media Creation Tool, or an ISO file available that you can download. You are free to choose the method you want as long as it works best for you.
Important – Check Compatibility
There are requirements that need to be met for you to be able to upgrade to Windows 11. The requirements have been confusing, as Microsoft has been more stringent about who qualifies than any previous version. To be compatible, your computer has to have Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 support and Secure Boot enabled in the BIOS. The TPM restriction is especially burdensome as it can put older Windows 10 PCs out of the running.
Before you start to download and install the free update, make sure that the current Windows 10 PC is compatible. The best way to check compatibility is to run Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool. If the program has not been force-installed onto your computer, you can visit the Windows 11 Specifications page to view all the system requirements and download the tool.
Scroll to the bottom until you locate the Check for compatibility section. Click the Download PC Health Check App link, then install it. Click the Check now button inside the app to understand if you meet the requirements. If your computer is compatible, a message will tell you that your PC is compatible with Windows 11.
How to get Windows 11?
Check for an Update
Windows 11 has been accessible for a while now as an update on compatible Windows 10 systems. So, the next step should be to check to see if the update is already available. On your compatible device, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click the Check for updates button. If Windows 11 is available then it can be installed as an update.
Download With the Installation Assistant
If Windows 11 is not available as an update on your PC, you still have the ability to install it through Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Visit the Download Windows 11 page, then click the Download now button under the Windows 11 Installation Assistant section. Run the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe file.
Click the Accept and install button and your device will be upgraded to Windows 11. After the process is finished, restart your PC, either restart immediately or wait for the 30-minute timer to end so you can save your work.
After the PC reboots, sign into Windows. After the final setup is finished, you are deposited at the new Windows 11 desktop.
Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool
An option is to use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, a program that lets you create installation media for the new Windows 11.
While you are on the Download Windows 11 page, click the Download now button, it is situated under the Create Windows 11 Installation Media section. First, run the downloaded MediaCreationTool.exe file, then accept the license terms, select your language, then select the edition of Windows you wish to install. Select either to copy the installation files to a USB drive or generate an ISO file to burn it to a disk.
If you take the USB route, make sure you have a flash drive that has at least 8GB of storage plugged into the PC. The tool will download the necessary Windows 11 installation files and copy them to the USB drive. After this process, open the drive and double-click the setup.exe file to start the upgrade.
If you have selected to generate an ISO file, select a location for the download, then double-click the file in File Explorer, you need to double-click the setup.exe file then.
Click Next to have Windows 11 check for updates, you also need to accept the license terms. The Ready to install screen will show that Windows 11 will be installed and your personal files as well as apps will be kept. If you wish to modify the choices, click on Change, you can then opt to keep your personal files and apps. If not just save your personal files, or you could just delete everything.
Click Next, then click on Install to run the upgrade. After the PC reboots, you just have to sign in to finish the setup. Depending on what you selected to keep, Windows should prompt you to customize the privacy settings, you will then be taken to the desktop.
Download Disk Image
You also have the ability to choose a direct download of the Windows 11 ISO file. While you are on the Download Windows 11 page, navigate to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) section, then click on Windows 11 from the dropdown. Select the product language, click on Confirm, then click the Download button.
After the download, open the ISO file, then double-click the setup.exe file. Click on Next on the install screen to check for and download the update to Windows 11. While you are on the Ready to Install screen, Windows 11 will be installed and your personal files as well as apps will be kept by default.
If you want to change that, click on Change, then switch to Personal files only or Nothing. Then click Next, and click on Install to run the upgrade. After you restart the PC, sign into Windows 11.
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