Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025. It still works, but it no longer gets free security updates, so every month it stays online it becomes easier to attack. Microsoft If your PC meets the requirements, upgrading to Windows 11 is free and keeps your files and apps. This guide shows how to check your PC and upgrade.
Quick answer
- Back up your important files.
- Go to Settings › Update & Security › Windows Update and click Check for updates.
- If you see Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready, click Download and install.
- No offer? Run Microsoft's PC Health Check app to see why, or use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
What you need: a PC running Windows 10 version 2004 or later that meets the Windows 11 requirements below, a reliable internet connection, and about an hour.
1. Check that your PC can run Windows 11
Windows 11 needs: Microsoft requirements
| Part | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, 2 or more cores, on a compatible 64-bit processor |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB or more |
| Firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| Security chip | TPM version 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 compatible, WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Screen | 720p, larger than 9 inches |
The processor and TPM 2.0 are the parts that most often rule out older PCs. Most PCs sold from about 2018 onwards meet them.
The easiest way to check is Microsoft's free PC Health Check app, linked from the Windows 11 requirements page. Open it and click Check now: it tells you whether the PC qualifies and, if not, which part fails.
TPM or Secure Boot shown as the problem? Many PCs have these features but ship with them turned off. They can often be switched on in the PC's firmware (BIOS/UEFI) settings; the requirements page links to Microsoft's instructions. If you are not comfortable changing firmware settings, ask the PC maker's support or a technician.
2. Back up your files
The upgrade keeps your files and apps, but back up anything important first in case something goes wrong. Copy your documents and photos to an external drive or cloud storage, or use the Windows Backup app.
3. Upgrade through Windows Update
This is the simplest way:
- Open Settings › Update & Security › Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- If your PC qualifies, a message says Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready. Click Download and install.
- Keep the PC plugged in. It downloads Windows 11, then restarts several times. Do not switch it off during this.
When it finishes, you sign in as usual, with your files, apps and most settings in place.
4. Or use the Installation Assistant
If your PC qualifies but Windows Update does not offer the upgrade yet, use Microsoft's Windows 11 Installation Assistant: Microsoft download page
- Go to the Download Windows 11 page on microsoft.com.
- Under Windows 11 Installation Assistant, click Download Now.
- Run the downloaded file and follow the steps. It checks your PC, downloads Windows 11 and installs it, keeping your files and apps.
The Installation Assistant works on normal (x64) PCs only, not on Arm-based PCs. The same page also offers a USB/DVD creation tool and an ISO file, which are for clean installs and reinstalls rather than a simple upgrade.
If your PC cannot run Windows 11
You have three options:
- Extended Security Updates (ESU): keeps Windows 10 getting security updates until 12 October 2027. Enroll in Settings › Update & Security › Windows Update (Windows 10 version 22H2, signed in with a Microsoft account). It is free if you sync your PC settings with Windows Backup, or costs 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or a one-time US$30, and one licence covers up to 10 PCs. It buys time, not a long-term fix. Microsoft ESU
- A new PC: Windows Backup can move your files, settings and apps from the old PC to a new Windows 11 PC.
- Keep using Windows 10 without updates: possible, but risky, especially for email, banking and shopping. Keep your antivirus and browser up to date if you do.
You may find guides for forcing Windows 11 onto unsupported PCs. Microsoft does not support this, and such PCs may not receive updates, so it is not recommended for a computer you depend on.