How to upgrade to Windows 11

Upgrading to Windows 11 is easy. Here we show you how to perform an in-place upgrade to Windows 11 keeping all settings and compatible programs.

Upgrading your existing installation

This is by far the easiest way to install Windows 11. To do so, you must have a 64-bit internet connected PC that meets the system requirements. 

 

To see if your PC has a 64-bit processor

  • Click Settings
  • Click System 
  • Click About
  • Look under System Type

To see the system requirements visit the Microsoft website

If your computer meets the above requirements, Windows Update can upgrade your PC automatically. Alternatively, you can download the Windows 11 Update Assistant and update your computer immediately 

To upgrade using Windows Update

Watch the video below and follow the instructions to upgrade using Windows Update.

If you want to perform the upgrade the simplest way (using Windows Update), you simply need to keep checking on Windows Update and eventually it will appear in your available updates.

On the windows update page, if you see a panel stating that Windows 11 is ready, click Download and install

On the Software Licence Terms page, click Accept and install

Windows Update will download all the necessary filesThe PC must be restarted to complete the upgrade

If Windows 11 doesn’t appear on the Windows Update page and you don’t want to wait for it, you can use the Windows 11 Update Assistant to install Windows 11 immediately

To upgrade using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant

Watch the video below and follow the instructions to upgrade using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.

  • Near the top of the page, under the Windows 11 Installation Assistant heading, click Download Now
  • When the tool has finished downloading, click Open file (or go to the location of the downloaded file and double-click on it)
  • If you are prompted by User account control to allow the app to make changes, click Yes
  • In order for the upgrade to continue, you must use the PC Health Check app to check the computer’s compatibility. Click Get PC Health Check app (leave the Windows 11 Installation Assistant running)
  • The app will download, when finished, click Open file (or go to the location of the downloaded file and double-click on it)
  • Click the checkbox to accept the terms
  • Click Install
  • Ensure the checkbox to Open Windows PC Health Check is selected then click Finish
  • In the PC Health Check app, under the Introducing Windows 11 heading, click Check now
  • Assuming your computer meets the requirements, you should see the screen confirming this. You can simply close this screen, then close the PC Health Check app
  • Back at the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, click Refresh
  • You will now be greeted by the Install Windows 11 screen. Click Accept and install
  • The download will continue and installation will complete automatically
  • At the end of installation, you can click to restart the computer or simply leave it and it will restart