How to Upgrade to Windows 11: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

 

From personal experience, upgrading Windows can be deceptively simple – or it can turn into a much longer task than you’d expect if you skip a step or follow the wrong instructions. After 20 years of supporting Microsoft technical issues and helping thousands of customers through exactly this process, I’ve learned what works and what wastes your time. These are the steps I walk everyone through, whether they’re a first-time user or an IT manager rolling out upgrades across an entire office.

If you’re still running Windows 10, now’s the time to make the move. Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, which means no more security patches, no more bug fixes, and no more technical support. Your PC won’t stop working overnight, but every month you wait is another month your system is exposed to unpatched vulnerabilities.

The good news? Upgrading to Windows 11 is still free if you’re coming from a licensed copy of Windows 10, and the whole process takes about 30–60 minutes depending on your internet speed and hardware. This guide walks you through everything – from checking whether your PC qualifies, to the actual installation, to what to do if something goes wrong.

Do You Actually Need to Upgrade?

Short answer: yes, if you care about security. Here’s what running an unsupported operating system actually means in practice:

•       No security updates – Any new vulnerabilities discovered after October 2025 will remain unpatched on your machine. This is the big one.

•       No feature updates – Windows 10 is frozen in time. No new features, no improvements, no AI integrations like Copilot.

•       No technical support – If something breaks, Microsoft won’t help you troubleshoot it.

•       Software compatibility – More developers will start requiring Windows 11 as a minimum. Some already have.

Microsoft did offer a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme that extends critical patches until October 2026 for a one-off fee. But that’s a stopgap, not a solution. If your hardware supports Windows 11, upgrading is the right call.

Check If Your PC Can Run Windows 11

Before you do anything, you need to confirm your PC meets the minimum system requirements. Windows 11 is stricter than Windows 10 on hardware, and the main sticking point for most people is TPM 2.0.

Minimum System Requirements

Component	Requirement
Processor	1 GHz or faster, 2+ cores, 64-bit compatible
RAM	4 GB minimum
Storage	64 GB minimum
Firmware	UEFI with Secure Boot
TPM	Trusted Platform Module version 2.0
Graphics	DirectX 12 compatible with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display	720p, 9” diagonal or larger
Internet	Required for setup and updates

 

How to Check: Use the PC Health Check App

Microsoft’s free PC Health Check tool is the quickest way to find out if your computer is compatible:

1.     Download the PC Health Check app from Microsoft’s official site.

2.     Install and open it.

3.     Click “Check now” under the Windows 11 section.

4.     The tool will tell you exactly whether your PC qualifies – and if not, which specific component is the problem.

 

💡 Tip: TPM 2.0 Might Already Be on Your PC Most PCs built after 2017–2018 have a TPM 2.0 chip, but it’s sometimes disabled by default in the BIOS. If the Health Check app says you’re missing TPM, restart your PC, enter BIOS (usually by pressing F2, F12, or Delete during boot), and look for a TPM or Security setting to enable it.

Three Ways to Upgrade to Windows 11

Once you’ve confirmed your PC is compatible, you’ve got three options. All three are free if you’re upgrading from a genuine Windows 10 licence.

Method 1: Windows Update (Easiest)

This is the most straightforward option and the one Microsoft recommends. Here’s how:

5.     Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update

6.     Click Check for updates

7.     If your PC is eligible, you’ll see a banner saying “Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready.”

8.     Click Download and install

9.     Accept the licence terms and let it run. You can keep using your PC while it downloads.

10.  When it’s ready, you’ll be prompted to restart. You can schedule this for a time that suits you.

 

Important: If you don’t see the Windows 11 option, make sure all your current Windows 10 updates are installed first. Sometimes pending updates block the upgrade from appearing.

Method 2: Windows 11 Installation Assistant

If Windows Update isn’t showing the upgrade (which happens – Microsoft rolls it out gradually), you can force it using the Installation Assistant:

11.  Go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

12.  Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.

13.  Run it as an administrator.

14.  Follow the on-screen prompts. It’ll check your hardware, download Windows 11, and walk you through the installation.

 

This method is great if you want to upgrade now rather than waiting for Microsoft to push it to your device.

Method 3: Clean Install via ISO or USB (Advanced)

If you want a completely fresh start – no leftover files, no legacy software baggage – a clean install is the way to go. This wipes your drive, so back up everything first.

15.  Download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s download page.

16.  Choose either a USB flash drive (at least 8 GB) or download an ISO file.

17.  Boot from the USB or mount the ISO.

18.  Follow the setup wizard. Choose “Custom install” for a clean slate, or “Upgrade” to keep your files.

 

⚠️ Warning: Back Up Before a Clean Install A clean install erases everything on the target drive. Use OneDrive, an external drive, or Windows’ built-in backup tool to save your files before you begin. Don’t skip this step.

What to Do After Upgrading

Once you’re into Windows 11, there are a few things worth doing straight away:

•       Run Windows Update again – There’s almost always a batch of updates waiting. Get them installed immediately to make sure you’re on the latest build.

•       Check your drivers – Visit your PC or laptop manufacturer’s website and grab the latest drivers, especially for graphics, audio, and network adapters.

•       Verify activation – Go to Settings > System > Activation to confirm your Windows 11 licence is active. If you upgraded from a genuine Windows 10 licence, it should activate automatically.

•       Reinstall any missing apps – Most software transfers over during an upgrade, but check that your essential applications are still there and working.

•       Explore what’s new – Windows 11 has a redesigned Start menu, Snap Layouts for multitasking, built-in Teams integration, and (on newer builds) Microsoft Copilot AI features.

What If Your PC Doesn’t Meet the Requirements?

If the PC Health Check app tells you your hardware isn’t compatible, you’ve got a few options:

•       Enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS – As mentioned above, many PCs have this chip but it’s switched off. Check your BIOS settings before giving up.

•       Enable Secure Boot – Similar situation. Some PCs have Secure Boot disabled, and turning it on is enough to pass the requirements check.

•       Upgrade your hardware – If your processor genuinely isn’t supported, it may be more cost-effective to buy a new PC with Windows 11 pre-installed.

•       Buy a Windows 11 licence for a new machine – If you’re building a new PC or need a fresh licence, you can pick up a genuine Windows 11 Pro key from trusted retailers like Nerdused.com at a fraction of the retail price.

 

🛒 Need a Genuine Windows 11 Licence? Nerdused.com sells genuine, discounted Microsoft software licences with instant delivery and 24/7 support. Whether you need Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, or a volume licence for your business – we’ve got you covered. Trusted by over 80,000 customers worldwide.

Can You Go Back to Windows 10?

Yes, but only within a limited window. After upgrading, you have 10 days to roll back to Windows 10 through Settings > System > Recovery > Go back. Your files and settings will be preserved during this rollback period.

After those 10 days, the rollback option disappears. You’d need to do a clean install of Windows 10 to go back, which means backing up and restoring everything manually. Worth noting though – since Windows 10 is no longer supported, going back isn’t recommended from a security perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is upgrading to Windows 11 still free in 2026?

Yes. As of 2026, Microsoft has not ended the free upgrade offer. If you have a genuine Windows 10 licence, you can upgrade to Windows 11 at no cost through Windows Update or the Installation Assistant.

How long does the Windows 11 upgrade take?

It varies depending on your internet speed and hardware, but expect 30–90 minutes total. The download happens in the background while you continue working, and the actual installation takes 20–40 minutes with a couple of restarts.

Will I lose my files when I upgrade?

Not if you use Windows Update or the Installation Assistant – both methods preserve your files, apps, and settings. A clean install via USB/ISO will wipe your drive unless you specifically choose the “Upgrade” option during setup. Always back up regardless.

What is TPM 2.0 and why do I need it?

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a security chip on your motherboard that handles encryption and secure boot processes. Windows 11 requires version 2.0 to protect against firmware-level attacks. Most PCs from 2018 onwards have it – it just might need enabling in BIOS.

Can I install Windows 11 on an unsupported PC?

There are workarounds floating around online, but Microsoft explicitly warns that unsupported PCs won’t receive updates and aren’t covered under warranty. We’d recommend against it for anything other than a test machine.

Do I need a Microsoft account to use Windows 11?

For Windows 11 Home, yes – a Microsoft account is required during initial setup. For Windows 11 Pro, you can set up with a local account, though Microsoft makes it less obvious how to do so.

Ready to Upgrade?

Upgrading to Windows 11 is one of those tasks that feels like it’ll be a hassle but is actually straightforward once you get started. Check your hardware, pick your method, and you’ll be up and running on Windows 11 within the hour.

If you need a genuine Windows 11 licence key – or any other Microsoft software – head over to nerdused.com. We sell legitimate, discounted Microsoft licences with instant digital delivery, and our support team is available around the clock if you need help.