How to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11

To upgrade to Windows 11 from 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and click “Download and install.”
Another way to upgrade is to download the Windows 11 ISO, open it on File Explorer, run Setup.exe, click on “Next,” click on “Accept,” and click “Install.”
You can also download “Installation Assistant,” launch the tool and click “Accept and install” to upgrade.
Alternatively, you can enroll your computer in the Insider program to upgrade to Windows 11.
You should upgrade to Windows 11 as 10 support is set to end on October 14, 2025.

You can upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 to maintain your computer support using the official ISO file, Windows Update, Installation Assistant, and Insider Program, as the end of life for the older release of the operating system is set for October 14, 2025.

Although Windows 11 is a free upgrade for existing devices running Windows 10, the hardware must meet the minimum requirements to continue with the installation process. In a nutshell, you need an Intel 8th Gen or newer, AMD Zen 2 or newer, or Qualcomm 7 and 8 Series processor. This is in addition to the requirements of TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot and a minimum of 64GB of storage.

Microsoft supports multiple upgrade paths to the new version. If the computer meets the hardware requirements, you will receive a notification from Windows Update or as a full-screen reminder as you sign in to your account. However, you can also use the Installation Assistant to perform an in-place upgrade. You can also download the ISO file to upgrade it using a USB flash drive. (The Media Creation Tool is only available to create a USB flash drive or ISO file. You can no longer use it to perform an in-place upgrade)

In this guide, I will explain four ways to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 version 24H2, 23H2, 22H2, or 21H2 (original). You can also upgrade the system using a clean installation in six ways.

Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from Windows Update
Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from ISO file
Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from Installation Assistant
Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from Insider Program

Important: If you plan to upgrade an existing system, it is also recommended that you create a backup before proceeding. You have been warned.

Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from Windows Update

To upgrade to Windows 11 (24H2, 23H2, 22H2, or 21H2) from Windows 10 through Windows Update, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the “Check for updates” button.
Click the “Download and install” button.
Click the Restart now button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 11 will install on the computer.

Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from ISO file

To upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 with an ISO file, use these steps:

Open Microsoft Support website.
Under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” section, select the Windows 11 option.
Click the Download button.
Select the installation language.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Download button to save the Windows 11 ISO file on the device.
Right-click the ISO file, select the Open with submenu, and choose the Windows Explorer option.
Click on the mounted drive from the left navigation pane.
Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows 11 upgrade process.
(Optional) Click the “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” option.
Select the “Not right now” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
Click the Install button to upgrade while keeping your files and apps.

If you want to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 11, click the “Change what to keep” option, select the “Nothing” option, click the “Next” button, and then click the “Install” button.

Once you complete the steps, the upgrade process will begin, and the computer will restart several times. After the installation, you won’t need to go through the out-of-box experience (OOBE) to finish the setup because most of your previous settings, apps, and files will migrate automatically.

Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from Installation Assistant

Alternatively, you can also use the Installation Assistant to upgrade any version of Windows 10 to Windows 11 since the Media Creation Tool no longer offers the option to perform an in-place upgrade.

To upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 with the Installation Assistant tool, use these steps:

Open Microsoft Support website.
Click the Download Now button under the “Windows 11 Installation Assistant” section.
Double-click the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the “Accept and install” button.

Once you complete the steps, the setup will continue to upgrade your computer to the new release of the operating system.

Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from Insider Program

If you want to test upcoming Windows 11 releases, you can enroll the computer in the Dev or Canary Channel of the Windows Insider Program.

To upgrade to the latest preview of Windows 11, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Insider Program.
Click the Get started button.
Click the “Link an account” button.
Sign in with your Microsoft account.
Click the Continue button.
Select the “Canary” or “Dev” option under the “Pick your Insider settings” section.

Quick note: Either option will upgrade the device to the latest version of Windows 11 in that channel. Microsoft has recently opened the Beta Channel to test upcoming features, and the Release Preview Channel will continue to receive updates on Windows 10.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Confirm button to agree to the terms and conditions.
Click the Restart button.
Open Settings after the reboot.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the “Check for updates” button.
Click the Restart button.

Once you complete the steps, if the device meets the minimum requirements, Windows Update will download and upgrade to Windows 11. You can also remove the computer from the program from the “Windows Insider Program” settings page to prevent installing a follow-up version by turning on the “Stop getting preview builds” toggle switch.

FAQ

Can I still upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 for free?

Yes, you can upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 for free as long as the device being upgraded was previously activated.

Is upgrading to Windows 11 worth it?

Yes, upgrading to Windows 11 is worth it, but it depends on whether you’ll be using the computer for school, work, or gaming. If you will be using the computer for school and work, Windows 11 offers many new security and productivity features that will help you get tasks done faster and be more secure from online threats. On the other hand, Windows 10 still offers better gaming performance compared to Windows 11.

Also, it’s important to note that Windows 10 is set to retire on October 14, 2025, meaning that after this day, Microsoft will no longer provide security and maintenance updates. As the end of support is fast approaching, it’s recommended that you upgrade your device as soon as possible to keep it supported.

Will updating to Windows 11 delete everything?

No, if you upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, the installation will preserve your files, settings, and apps. However, it is a good idea to create a backup before proceeding with the upgrade.

Why can’t I upgrade Windows 10 to 11?

The reason is likely that your computer doesn’t meet the minimum requirements. Windows 11 has higher hardware requirements than Windows 10. For example, the device will need a newer processor, TPM 2.0, and 64GB of storage. On the other hand, you can install Windows 10 on virtually any processor and 32GB of storage and even without the TPM chip.

Update June 10, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process. Also, this guide clarifies that you can use the steps to upgrade to virtually any version, including 24H2, 23H2, 22H2, or 21H2, as long as you have the installation media.