Why Upgrade to Windows 11?

Before diving into the technical process, it's worth understanding what you're gaining by making this upgrade. Windows 11 represents Microsoft's most significant operating system redesign in over a decade, bringing both visual refinements and substantial functional improvements that enhance daily computing tasks. The most immediately noticeable change is the completely redesigned interface, featuring a centered Start menu and taskbar, rounded window corners, and a cleaner overall aesthetic that feels more modern and less cluttered than Windows 10's interface.

Beyond aesthetics, Windows 11 delivers meaningful performance improvements, particularly for gaming and multitasking. The operating system includes DirectStorage technology that dramatically reduces game loading times on compatible hardware, Auto HDR that enhances visual quality in hundreds of games, and improved memory management that makes better use of your system's RAM. For professionals and productivity users, Windows 11 introduces Snap Layouts and Snap Groups that make managing multiple windows significantly easier, virtual desktops that are more intuitive to use, and better integration with Microsoft Teams for video calls and collaboration.

Security represents another compelling reason to upgrade. Windows 11 requires modern security features like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot as mandatory components, creating a more secure computing environment that's better protected against malware and unauthorized access. Microsoft also provides extended support for Windows 11, meaning you'll receive security updates and feature improvements for years to come, whereas Windows 10's support lifecycle will eventually end in October 2025. Making the upgrade now ensures your system remains protected and supported well into the future.

Check if Your PC Can Upgrade

Not every Windows 10 computer can upgrade to Windows 11, and compatibility checking is the critical first step before attempting any upgrade process. Microsoft implemented stricter hardware requirements for Windows 11 than previous Windows versions, primarily for security and performance reasons. These requirements mean that computers older than about 2017-2018 might not be eligible for the upgrade, though many newer systems meet the criteria automatically without any modifications needed.

Minimum System Requirements

Windows 11 requires a compatible 64-bit processor running at 1 GHz or faster with at least 2 cores. For Intel processors, this generally means 8th generation or newer, while AMD processors need to be Ryzen 2000 series or newer. Your computer needs at least 4GB of RAM, though Microsoft recommends 8GB for optimal performance, and you'll need 64GB of available storage space for the operating system itself. The display must support HD resolution (720p) with a diagonal screen size greater than 9 inches, and your graphics card needs to be compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver.

The two most restrictive requirements that cause compatibility issues are TPM 2.0 and UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability. TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module, a dedicated security chip that protects encryption keys and system integrity. Most computers manufactured after 2016 include TPM 2.0 hardware, but it's sometimes disabled in the BIOS by default. UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the modern replacement for traditional BIOS, and Secure Boot is a UEFI security feature that prevents unauthorized operating systems from loading during startup.

Using PC Health Check App

Rather than manually verifying each requirement, Microsoft provides a free PC Health Check application that scans your computer and instantly tells you whether it can run Windows 11. To download this tool, search for "PC Health Check" on Microsoft's website or navigate to their Windows 11 specifications page where you'll find a download link for the application. The download is small (approximately 15-20MB) and installs in seconds. Once installed, launch PC Health Check and click the "Check now" button under the Windows 11 compatibility section.

The app analyzes your hardware within seconds and displays a clear result: either "This PC can run Windows 11" with a green checkmark, or "This PC can't run Windows 11" with specific reasons why not. If your PC is compatible, you're ready to proceed with the upgrade. If it's not compatible, the app usually explains which specific requirements aren't met, such as "This PC must support TPM 2.0" or "The processor isn't currently supported for Windows 11." Some of these issues can be resolved through BIOS updates or settings changes, while others (like having an older processor) are hardware limitations that can't be fixed without replacing components.

If your computer fails the compatibility check due to TPM being disabled, you can often enable it in your BIOS settings. Restart your computer and press the BIOS access key (usually F2, Del, or F12, depending on manufacturer) during startup. Look for settings related to "Security," "TPM," or "Trusted Computing," and change the TPM setting from "Disabled" to "Enabled." Save your changes and exit the BIOS, then run the PC Health Check app again. If the issue was simply a disabled TPM, your computer should now pass the compatibility check.

Before You Start: Important Preparation

Taking a few preparatory steps before beginning the upgrade process can save you significant frustration if anything goes wrong. While Windows 11 upgrades are generally reliable and preserve all your files and programs, technology occasionally produces unexpected results, and having proper backups ensures you won't lose important data regardless of what happens during the upgrade. The time you invest in preparation now pays dividends in peace of mind and recovery capability if needed.

Back Up Your Important Data

Before any major system change, creating a complete backup of your important files is essential best practice. While Microsoft designs the upgrade process to preserve everything, hard drive failures, power outages during upgrade, or rare software conflicts can potentially cause data loss. Back up your documents, photos, videos, and any other irreplaceable files to an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage service like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. If you have the storage capacity, creating a full system image backup using Windows' built-in backup tools or third-party software like Macrium Reflect provides the ultimate safety net, allowing you to restore your entire Windows 10 installation if the upgrade goes wrong.

Ensure Stable Power and Internet

The upgrade process downloads several gigabytes of data and runs for 30-60 minutes, during which time your computer must remain powered on with a stable internet connection. If you're using a laptop, plug it into wall power rather than relying on battery, because a power loss during the upgrade can corrupt your Windows installation and require recovery procedures. Make sure your internet connection is stable and preferably wired via Ethernet rather than Wi-Fi, though Wi-Fi works fine if it's reliable. The upgrade downloads approximately 4-5GB of Windows 11 installation files, so avoid starting the upgrade if you have bandwidth concerns or data caps that would be exceeded.

Free Up Disk Space

Windows 11 requires at least 64GB of storage space, but the upgrade process itself needs even more temporary space for downloading files and creating backup copies of your Windows 10 installation. Microsoft recommends having at least 20GB of free space beyond the 64GB minimum, meaning you should ideally have 80-90GB free before starting. Check your available disk space by opening File Explorer, clicking "This PC," and viewing the free space on your C: drive. If you're running low, delete unnecessary files, uninstall programs you don't use, empty your Recycle Bin, and consider using Windows' Storage Sense feature to automatically clean up temporary files and system junk.

Method 1: Upgrade Through Windows Update (Easiest)

For most users with compatible hardware, Windows Update represents the simplest and most convenient upgrade path. Microsoft gradually rolls out Windows 11 to eligible Windows 10 computers through the standard Windows Update mechanism, meaning the upgrade appears as an optional update that you can accept whenever you're ready. This method requires no additional downloads or tools; everything happens through the familiar Windows Update interface you've already used for regular system updates. However, this method isn't immediately available to everyone; Microsoft stages the rollout over time, prioritizing newer computers and gradually expanding to older compatible systems over several months.

Check for the Windows 11 Upgrade Offer

Open Windows Settings by clicking the Start button and selecting the gear icon, or by pressing the Windows key and I simultaneously on your keyboard. Click "Update & Security" in the Settings window, then ensure you're on the "Windows Update" tab in the left sidebar. Click the "Check for updates" button to force Windows to contact Microsoft's update servers and see if any new updates are available. If your computer is eligible and Microsoft has released Windows 11 to your system, you'll see a banner message that says something like "Windows 11 is ready for your PC—and it's free!" or "Upgrade to Windows 11" with a download button.

If you see this upgrade offer, you can proceed immediately by clicking the "Download and install" button. Windows begins downloading Windows 11 installation files in the background while you continue using your computer normally. The download size is approximately 4-5GB and takes 15-45 minutes depending on your internet speed. During download, you can minimize the Settings window and continue working; Windows notifies you when the download completes and the upgrade is ready to install. If you don't see the Windows 11 upgrade offer yet, it means Microsoft hasn't released it to your computer yet, and you'll need to either wait or use Method 2 (Installation Assistant) to upgrade immediately.

Complete the Upgrade Installation

Once the Windows 11 files finish downloading, Windows Update displays a message that the upgrade is ready to install. You can either install it immediately or schedule the installation for a more convenient time, such as when you're finished working for the day. When you're ready to proceed, click "Install now" or "Restart now" depending on which option Windows presents. Your computer restarts and begins the actual upgrade process, which takes approximately 30-60 minutes depending on your computer's speed and the amount of software installed.

During installation, your screen displays progress percentages and status messages like "Installing Windows 11," "Getting things ready," and "Setting up your device." Your computer restarts multiple times automatically during this process, which is completely normal. Don't turn off your computer or interrupt the installation; let Windows complete all phases automatically. The installation preserves all your files, programs, settings, and personal data exactly as they were in Windows 10. After several restarts and installation phases, Windows 11 boots up and displays a welcome screen where you can review and adjust privacy settings, though most settings carry over from your Windows 10 configuration.

Method 2: Windows 11 Installation Assistant

If Windows Update hasn't offered you the Windows 11 upgrade yet, or if you prefer more control over when the upgrade happens, Microsoft's Windows 11 Installation Assistant provides an alternative upgrade path that works immediately on any compatible computer. This official Microsoft tool downloads and installs Windows 11 right away without waiting for the gradual rollout through Windows Update. The Installation Assistant is particularly useful if you've just purchased a Windows 11 license and want to upgrade immediately, or if Windows Update has compatibility concerns but you know your system meets the requirements.

Download the Installation Assistant

Open your web browser and navigate to Microsoft's official Windows 11 download page. You can find this by searching for "download Windows 11" or by going directly to microsoft.com and looking for their Windows downloads section. On this page, you'll see several download options; look specifically for "Windows 11 Installation Assistant" and click the "Download Now" button beneath it. This downloads a small executable file (approximately 4-5MB) named Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe to your Downloads folder. The file downloads within seconds even on slower internet connections.

Locate the downloaded file in your Downloads folder and double-click it to launch the Installation Assistant. Windows might display a User Account Control prompt asking if you want to allow this app to make changes to your device; click "Yes" to proceed. This is normal security behavior when running system-level utilities. The Installation Assistant window opens and immediately begins checking whether your PC meets Windows 11's system requirements. This automatic compatibility check takes just a few seconds and uses the same criteria as the PC Health Check app.

Run the Upgrade Process

If your computer passes the compatibility check, the Installation Assistant displays a message confirming your PC can run Windows 11 and shows you the license terms. Read through Microsoft's license agreement and click "Accept and install" to proceed. The Installation Assistant now downloads the complete Windows 11 installation files, which total approximately 4-5GB. Unlike Windows Update, this download happens through the Installation Assistant rather than in the background, and you'll see a progress bar showing download status and estimated time remaining.

During the download phase, you can continue using your computer for other tasks, though intensive activities like gaming or video streaming might slow down the download. The download typically takes 15-45 minutes depending on your internet speed. Once the download completes, the Installation Assistant verifies the files' integrity to ensure nothing was corrupted during download, then displays a "Ready to install" message. At this point, you can either proceed immediately or schedule the installation for later by clicking the appropriate option.

When you click "Restart now" or your scheduled time arrives, your computer restarts and begins installing Windows 11. The installation process is identical to what happens with the Windows Update method: your screen displays progress percentages, your computer restarts several times automatically, and the entire process takes 30-60 minutes. All your files, programs, and settings are preserved during the upgrade. The Installation Assistant handles everything automatically, requiring no input from you during the installation phases.

Activating Windows 11 With Your Product Key

After the upgrade completes and Windows 11 boots successfully, the next critical step is ensuring your new installation is properly activated with a valid license. In many cases, if your Windows 10 installation was already activated before the upgrade, Windows 11 automatically inherits that activation through what Microsoft calls a "digital license." This digital license ties your Windows activation to your computer's hardware signature, allowing Windows 11 to activate automatically without requiring you to enter a product key. However, if you've purchased a new Windows 11 Pro license specifically for this upgrade, or if automatic activation doesn't occur for any reason, you'll need to manually enter your product key.

Check Current Activation Status

Before entering a new product key, verify whether Windows 11 is already activated. Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows key and I together, or by clicking the Start button and selecting the gear icon. In Settings, click "System" in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click "Activation" near the bottom of the list. The Activation page displays your current status prominently at the top. If you see "Windows is activated with a digital license" or "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account," your Windows 11 installation is already properly licensed and you don't need to take any further action.

If the activation page shows "Windows is not activated" or displays a message about activation being required, you need to enter your product key. This situation commonly occurs if you purchased a new Windows 11 license for this upgrade, if your Windows 10 license wasn't properly activated before upgrading, or if you made significant hardware changes that invalidated the digital license. Don't worry if you see an unactivated status; entering your eKeys.io product key resolves this immediately.

Enter Your Product Key

On the Activation page in Settings, look for a link or button that says "Change product key" or "Update product key." Click this option to open a small dialog box asking you to enter your 25-character product key. Retrieve your product key from your eKeys.io confirmation email (you can also look it up through our order search page if needed) and carefully type it into the input field exactly as it appears, including the hyphens between each five-character group. The format is always XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.

After entering the key, click "Next" or "Activate" depending on which button Windows displays. Windows immediately contacts Microsoft's activation servers to verify your product key. This verification process takes just 10-30 seconds if you have an active internet connection. If the key is valid and hasn't been used on another computer, Windows displays a confirmation message stating that Windows is now activated. The activation happens instantly, and any watermarks or restriction messages disappear immediately. Your Windows 11 installation is now fully licensed and legal, with all features unlocked and updates enabled.

What Happens After the Upgrade?

Once Windows 11 finishes installing and you've successfully activated your license, your computer boots into the new operating system with all your familiar files and programs intact. The first boot into Windows 11 might take slightly longer than usual as Windows finalizes configuration and prepares your desktop environment. You'll immediately notice the redesigned interface with the centered Start menu and taskbar, though you can move the taskbar alignment back to the left side if you prefer through Settings if desired. All your desktop icons, pinned programs, browser bookmarks, and personal files appear exactly where you left them in Windows 10.

Initial Configuration and Updates

Windows 11 might display a brief welcome experience walking you through new features like Widgets, Snap Layouts, and the redesigned Start menu. You can click through this tutorial or skip it entirely if you prefer to explore on your own. After reaching your desktop, your first priority should be installing any available Windows updates. Open Settings, navigate to Windows Update, and click "Check for updates." Even though you just upgraded, Microsoft likely has additional updates, security patches, and driver updates that have been released since your Windows 11 installation files were created.

The initial update process after upgrading can take 15-30 minutes as Windows downloads and installs the latest cumulative updates, security patches, and hardware drivers. Your computer might restart once or twice during this update process. Keep checking for updates until Windows reports "You're up to date" with no additional updates available. This ensures your system has all the latest improvements and security fixes. Windows also automatically updates drivers for your hardware components during this process, ensuring everything functions optimally with Windows 11.

Verify Programs and Settings

After updates complete, take a few minutes to verify that your important programs still work correctly. The vast majority of Windows 10 software runs identically on Windows 11 without any issues, but occasionally older programs might have compatibility problems or require updates from their developers. Launch your most-used applications and verify they open and function normally. Check that your printer, scanner, and other peripherals still work correctly; if any device isn't functioning, visit the manufacturer's website to download updated Windows 11 drivers.

Your Windows 10 settings generally carry over to Windows 11 automatically, including your wallpaper, themes, privacy settings, and app preferences. However, Windows 11 introduces new settings and reorganizes some existing ones, so you might want to explore the Settings app to familiarize yourself with the new layout and adjust any preferences. The Settings app in Windows 11 has been redesigned for better organization and easier navigation, though most options you're familiar with from Windows 10 still exist in similar locations.

Explore New Windows 11 Features

Now that your upgrade is complete and everything is working correctly, take time to explore Windows 11's new features and improvements. Try using Snap Layouts by hovering over the maximize button on any window to see quick layout options for arranging multiple windows side by side. Explore the new Widgets panel by clicking the widgets icon on the taskbar or pressing Windows key + W, which displays personalized news, weather, calendar, and other information at a glance. If you use Microsoft Teams, you'll find it integrated directly into the taskbar for quick access to video calls and messages.

Windows 11 also includes improvements you might not immediately notice but will appreciate over time, such as better touch screen and pen support if you have a compatible device, improved Bluetooth audio support with lower latency, and enhanced gaming performance through DirectStorage and Auto HDR on compatible systems. The new Microsoft Store has been completely redesigned and now includes a much wider selection of applications, including popular programs like Adobe Creative Cloud, Discord, and many others that weren't previously available in the Windows Store.

Frequently Asked Questions