Upgrade to Windows 11: Free Step by Step Guide (2026)

You can upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free if your PC meets the system requirements. Run the PC Health Check app, back up your files, then install through Windows Update. If your PC is not eligible, buying a new Windows 11 PC is the safest fix.

Why Should You Upgrade to Windows 11 Right Now?

Let me be straight with you. Windows 10 end of support arrived on October 14, 2025, and the free security updates stopped with it. Running an unsupported operating system is like leaving your front door unlocked and hoping nobody notices.

Here is what the numbers say. Windows 11 now holds about 71% of the worldwide Windows market, against 28% for Windows 10 as of September 2026. The newest release, version 26H2, arrived on September 29, 2026. The upgrade itself is free for eligible PCs, and version 25H2 stays supported for Home and Pro users until October 12, 2027.

Now, what about Extended Security Updates, or ESU? Be careful here, because sources disagree. One report says the consumer program ends on October 13, 2026. Another says Microsoft extended it to October 12, 2027. Check Microsoft's own ESU page before you rely on either date. Either way, ESU only buys you time. It is a patch, not a plan.

Will Your PC Run Windows 11?

Before you click anything, check your hardware. Otherwise you will waste an evening on an upgrade that never shows up. I have watched it happen, and it is painful.

The check takes about two minutes. First, you compare your PC against Microsoft's official list. Then you confirm it with a free tool.

What Are the Windows 11 System Requirements?

Microsoft publishes the Windows 11 requirements openly, so there is no guessing. Miss one item, and Windows Update will not offer the free upgrade.

Your PC needs a compatible 64 bit processor running at 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores. It needs 4 GB of RAM, although I would push for 8 GB. You need 64 GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, and a TPM 2.0 security chip. Finally, your current system must be Windows 10 version 2004 or later.

How Do You Run the PC Health Check App?

Skip the BIOS menus. Microsoft's PC Health Check app tells you in seconds whether your hardware qualifies.

1. Download and install PC Health Check.
2. Open it and find the Windows 11 banner.
3. Click Check now.
4. Look for the message "This PC meets Windows 11 requirements."

See the green checkmark? You are golden. If not, the app tells you exactly what is blocking you.

How to Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 Step by Step

Your PC passed. Great! There are three official routes, and I will rank them from easiest to most hands on. They all take roughly one to two hours, and Microsoft notes the download is large and slower than a typical Windows 10 update. So plug in your laptop.

First, though, back up your files. The in place upgrade is designed to keep your apps and data, but a backup costs nothing and protects everything. If you want a solid plan for protecting your files, read this data loss prevention software guide before you start. It also helps to keep a copy somewhere encrypted, and this guide to BUNKR digital security and privacy explains one way to do that.

Method 1: Upgrade Through Windows Update

This is what I recommend to almost everybody. It is safe, automatic, and the most heavily tested route. Windows checks your device, and when you qualify, an offer appears. So really, you click a few buttons and make coffee.

1. Open Settings, then Update and Security, then Windows Update.
2. Install any pending updates and restart.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Select Download and install on the Windows 11 offer.

What If Windows Update Says "Coming Soon"?

I know, that message is frustrating. Microsoft rolls the upgrade out in phases, so your PC may simply be waiting its turn. Do not sit around, though. Run PC Health Check again, make sure Windows 10 is fully updated, and then move to Method 2.

Method 2: Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant

Cannot wait for the phased rollout? Download the Installation Assistant from Microsoft's download page. As Windows Central's walkthrough shows, you click Accept and install, let it run, and sign in after the restart. That is it.

Method 3: Upgrade With the Official ISO File

Want total control? Download the official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft, mount it, and run setup.exe. Choose to keep your files and apps, then follow the prompts. It is a bit slower, but it works well on stubborn machines.

Should You Bypass the Requirements on Unsupported PCs?

You have probably seen the tricks. A registry tweak or a tool like Rufus can sidestep the TPM 2.0 check, and some bloggers cheer it on. My take? Do not.

Microsoft has said that unsupported PCs may miss updates. Experts at ITProToday also warn about glitches on untested hardware. You would lose hardware backed BitLocker protection too. So why gamble with your data security?

One more catch. Windows 11 26H1 is not an upgrade option for existing PCs. It ships only on select new devices and is not offered through Windows Update. Your upgrade target is 24H2, 25H2, or 26H2.

Windows 11 Upgrade FAQ

Here are quick answers to the questions I hear most.

Is the Windows 11 upgrade really free?

Yes. Microsoft confirms that upgrades from Windows 10 are free for devices that meet the minimum requirements. You only spend money if your PC fails the check and you choose to replace it.

Will I lose my files when I upgrade?

Not normally. The in place upgrade is designed to keep your files, apps, and settings. Still, back up before you start. Cloud storage or an external drive takes minutes and protects you if something goes wrong.

How long does the upgrade take?

Plan for one to two hours, depending on your internet speed and PC performance. So do not start it five minutes before a meeting.

Can I upgrade a PC without TPM 2.0?

Technically, workarounds exist. Microsoft does not support them, though, and unsupported PCs may miss updates. I would skip the bypass and either enable TPM in your BIOS, if your hardware has it, or move to a compatible PC.

Can I go back to Windows 10?

You can roll back in some cases, but remember that Windows 10 no longer gets free security updates. Going back leaves you less protected. It is a short term escape, not a long term plan.

What is the latest Windows 11 version?

It is version 26H2, released on September 29, 2026. It arrives as a small enablement package for PCs on 24H2 or 25H2, and it needs just one restart.

Why Buying a Windows 11 PC Is the Smartest Move

Now for the part you may not want to hear. If PC Health Check gave you a red X, the best fix is a new machine. Microsoft itself says to consider a new PC when yours cannot qualify.

Honestly, that is a bargain. A modern Windows 11 PC comes with TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, fast SSD storage, and years of security updates ahead of it. You skip the bypass headaches. You stop watching deadlines. And you get a faster, safer computer for about what you would spend patching an old one.

So here is my advice. If your PC qualifies, upgrade today for free. If it does not, buy a Windows 11 PC and make the switch with confidence.

Run the PC Health Check right now. It takes two minutes, and it decides your next move.