How-To Guide: Upgrading to Windows 11

A step-by-step guide to help you smoothly upgrade your PC to Windows 11.

Your Smooth Path to Windows 11

Follow these steps to ensure a safe and successful upgrade from Windows 10.

Before anything else, confirm your computer meets Windows 11's system requirements. Microsoft provides a free tool for this.

Download and run the Microsoft PC Health Check app.
The app will scan your hardware and tell you if your PC is compatible.
Pay attention to requirements like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which might need to be enabled in your PC's BIOS/UEFI settings.

Important: If your PC isn't compatible, it's strongly recommended to stay on Windows 10, which will receive security updates until October 2025.

While the upgrade process is designed to keep your files, it's always better to be safe than sorry. A backup is your safety net.

Use an external hard drive, a large USB flash drive, or a cloud storage service (like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox).
Copy all your important documents, photos, videos, and other personal files to your backup location.
Double-check that the files have been copied successfully before proceeding.

The easiest and safest way to upgrade is directly through Windows Update.

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
If your PC is compatible and the update is ready for you, you'll see a section for Windows 11. Click the Download and install button.
Your PC will download the necessary files and prompt you to restart to begin the installation. This can take a while, so make sure your laptop is plugged in.

Once Windows 11 is installed, there are a few things to do to get settled in.

Check for more updates: Go back to Windows Update (Settings > Windows Update) and check again. There are often new drivers and security patches available immediately after a major upgrade.
Verify your files: Check your Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders to ensure all your files are where they should be.
Re-install apps if needed: Most apps will work perfectly, but you may need to reinstall or update some specific software.
Explore the new interface: Take some time to get used to the centered Start Menu and new design!