Windows 11 Upgrade: How to Upgrade from Windows 10, Requirements and Cost (2026)
JustineDelen
Reviewed 12 October 2026 by Justine, Technical Support Advisor at Nerdused. Prices checked on the same date.
The Windows 11 upgrade costs nothing on a PC that runs an activated copy of Windows 10 and meets Microsoft's hardware requirements: open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, select Check for updates, then Download and install. Your files and apps stay, the edition stays the same (Windows 10 Home becomes Windows 11 Home, Pro becomes Pro) and in most cases you have 10 days to go back. You only pay if the PC has no licence or you want a different edition: Microsoft charges $139.99 for Home and $199.99 for Pro, while a genuine Windows 11 Home key or Windows 11 Pro key from Nerdused is $29.99.
Windows 10 to Windows 11 upgrade at a glance
| Question | Answer |
| Cost from an activated Windows 10 PC | $0. Microsoft: "Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 are free." |
| Windows 10 version needed | Version 2004 or later |
| Key hardware requirements | TPM 2.0, UEFI firmware that is Secure Boot capable, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, compatible 64-bit processor |
| Edition you get | The same one you have on Windows 10 |
| Files and apps | Kept by default |
| Time to change your mind | 10 days in most cases |
| Windows 10 support | Ended 14 October 2025; Extended Security Updates run to 12 October 2027 |
| Price of a new licence | Microsoft Store: $139.99 Home, $199.99 Pro. Nerdused: $29.99 for either |
Windows 11 upgrade eligibility checklist
The first seven lines are Microsoft's published requirements for Windows 11; the last two apply to the upgrade itself.
- Windows 10, version 2004 or later, and activated. Check under Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores, 64-bit, on Microsoft's compatible list.
- Memory and storage: 4 GB of RAM and a 64 GB or larger drive.
- Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module version 2.0.
- Graphics and display: DirectX 12 with a WDDM 2.0 driver; a 720p screen larger than 9 inches.
- Internet and a Microsoft account to finish setting up Windows 11 Home, or Pro for personal use.
- 9 GB of available disk space if you use the Installation Assistant.
- A backup of anything you cannot replace.
The quickest test is Microsoft's PC Health Check app: open it and select Check now. It names the part that fails, although it does not test the graphics card or display.
How to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10: three ways
| Method | Use it when | Files and apps |
| Windows Update | Always try this first; it is the route Microsoft recommends | Kept |
| Windows 11 Installation Assistant | The PC is eligible but Windows Update has not offered the upgrade yet | Kept |
| Installation media (USB) | You have several PCs to do, or want a clean start | Kept if you run setup from inside Windows 10; erased if you boot from the USB |
Windows Update, step by step
- Back up your files and plug a laptop into power.
- Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates and install any pending Windows 10 updates.
- When the Windows 11 offer appears, select Download and install and accept the licence terms.
- Restart when prompted. The PC restarts more than once.
- Afterwards, open Settings > System > Activation. It should say Windows is activated.
No offer yet? Get the Installation Assistant from Microsoft's Download Windows 11 page and run it. The same page has the tool that builds installation media on a blank USB drive of at least 8 GB; our Windows 11 bootable USB guide covers that route.
Need a licence key? Buy a genuine Windows 11 Pro licence from Nerdused.
Delivered to your inbox in about 60 seconds. 30-day refund promise: full refund within 30 days if your key hasn’t been used or won’t activate.
Windows 11 Home or Pro: which should you upgrade to?
Quick decision. The upgrade gives you the edition you already have, so this only matters if you want to change.
- Stay on Home for browsing, Office, streaming and gaming.
- Choose Pro if you need BitLocker drive encryption, Remote Desktop connections into this PC, Hyper-V virtual machines, Group Policy or a work domain.
Moving from Home to Pro needs no reinstall: enter a Pro key under Settings > System > Activation > Change product key. Microsoft charges $99 for that step in the Store; a Windows 11 Pro key is $29.99 here.
The Windows 11 Home vs Pro comparison lists every difference, and the Home to Pro upgrade guide has the steps.
When the Microsoft Windows 11 upgrade needs a product key
A PC that was activated on Windows 10 holds a digital licence, so Windows 11 activates by itself after the upgrade. You need a key only when:
- Windows 10 on the PC was never activated;
- the PC is new or self-built and has no Windows licence;
- the PC is licensed for Home and you want Pro.
A Nerdused key is a licence for the PC it activates on, and reinstalling Windows on that PC later is fine. The Windows 11 activation guide shows where to enter it, and the Windows licence keys collection compares every edition we sell.
If your PC fails the Windows 11 upgrade check
TPM or Secure Boot. Microsoft says most PCs shipped in the last five years can run TPM 2.0, but it is often switched off. Press Windows + R, type tpm.msc and look for Specification Version 2.0. To switch it on, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, select Restart now under Advanced startup, then Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings. The setting may be called Intel PTT, AMD fTPM or Security Device Support.
Unsupported processor. No setting or product key fixes this, and Microsoft does not recommend installing Windows 11 on a device that misses the requirements. Your options are a newer PC, or Windows 10 Extended Security Updates, which Microsoft offers on version 22H2 until 12 October 2027 for a one-time $30, 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or at no extra cost if you sync your PC settings.
Need a licence key? Buy a genuine Windows 11 Home licence from Nerdused.
Delivered to your inbox in about 60 seconds. 30-day refund promise: full refund within 30 days if your key hasn’t been used or won’t activate.
Sources: Microsoft's Windows 11 specifications, Upgrade to Windows 11: FAQ, Ways to install Windows 11, Enable TPM 2.0 on your PC and Windows 10 Extended Security Updates pages, read 12 October 2026.
Windows 11 upgrade FAQs
Does the Windows 11 upgrade cost anything in 2026?
Not from an activated Windows 10 PC that meets the requirements. Microsoft's upgrade FAQ still says upgrades from Windows 10 are free and gives no end date. You pay only if you need a new licence or a different edition.
Will I lose my files during the Windows 11 upgrade?
No. Microsoft's default upgrade moves your files and data to Windows 11. Only booting from installation media and doing a clean install erases the drive. Back up first either way.
Do I need a new product key to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11?
No. An activated Windows 10 PC gets a digital licence for the same edition of Windows 11. A key is needed only for an unlicensed PC or to change edition; see our Windows 10 product key guide if you are unsure what you have.
Can I go back to Windows 10 after the upgrade?
Yes, in most cases for 10 days: Settings > System > Recovery > Go back. After that it takes a clean install of Windows 10, which no longer gets security updates without Extended Security Updates.
How long does the Windows 11 upgrade take?
Microsoft only says the time varies. It depends on your download speed and how fast the PC is, so start when you can leave it to restart a few times.
Written by Justine
Technical Support Advisor at Nerdused with 10+ years of Microsoft product experience.
Last updated 12 October 2026 · Meet the support team