The transition to Windows 11 can be carried out by all users provided that their computer meets the system requirements. At present, the update can be installed for free. We recommend evaluating the pros and cons of the new operating system in advance, as well as checking your computer for compatibility with Windows 11. After that, you can proceed with the OS upgrade process.
Should You Upgrade?
Before transitioning to Windows 11, it’s important to consider the main features of Microsoft’s new product. There are many innovations, which are detailed in various reviews. Here, we will only highlight the key pros and cons of the new system.
Advantages include:
- An updated design that is quite attractive at first glance;
- A simplified user interface that eases interaction with the system;
- A reworked context menu and Start menu;
- An updated Microsoft Store;
- Integration of new services, including Windows Hello and Microsoft Teams;
- Support for Android apps;
- Support for Direct Storage technology.
The main drawback of Windows 11 is its “strict” system requirements. The new system cannot be installed on outdated or weak computers.
Checking Compatibility
If you are interested in upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, first make sure that your computer is compatible with the new system. Unfortunately, even fairly powerful PCs might not be compatible with the new Windows version.
To check compatibility with Windows 11, use the “PC Health Check” program, which can be downloaded from Microsoft’s official website. After the check, you will see whether your computer meets the new operating system’s requirements. If it does, you can upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 using standard installation methods.
If your computer is not compatible, a corresponding notification will appear on the screen. In this case, you cannot perform a free upgrade to Windows 11. The notification will indicate the criteria your PC does not meet.
Another tool for checking compatibility is WhyNotWin11, which can be downloaded from the developer’s page on GitHub. This program quickly checks the hardware components of your PC to see if they meet the requirements for Windows 11.
Upgrading to Windows 11 Without Data Loss
The simplest way to upgrade to Windows 11 while keeping your data is to use the Update Center. This option is available if your computer fully meets the stated requirements. You can open the Update Center and check for updates. Most likely, a message will appear stating that you can download and install Windows 11 right now.
If the check does not yield any results, it means the update has not yet been delivered to your computer. The upgrade is being rolled out gradually, and not all users have received the offer to install the new system yet.
It is worth noting that if you do not want to upgrade, you can disable the transition to Windows 11. The tenth version of the OS will be supported by developers until 2025, so upgrading now is not mandatory.
In this case, you can use an alternative solution. Download the “Windows 11 Installation Assistant” tool from Microsoft’s website. This method is suitable if a licensed version of Windows 10 is currently installed on your PC.
Here’s what to do next:
- Launch the downloaded tool. Review the license agreement and click “Accept.” Immediately after this, the operating system files will begin downloading automatically. Make sure your PC’s system drive has at least 9 GB of free space. If you are installing the system on a laptop, ensure it is connected to a power source and not running on battery.
- The 3 steps of the download process will be completed automatically. When the third step finishes, you will need to restart your PC. After this, the installation process will continue.
- After installation, the “Working on updates” screen will appear. This process will take some time. If it seems like the process is slow or frozen, do not interrupt it or restart your computer, as this could cause serious errors. The process will complete on its own. If the transition is successful, you will be taken to the new system’s desktop.
For many users, the question of whether the upgrade to Windows 11 is free is relevant. Currently, the new system can be installed for free, although this opportunity is temporary. Microsoft has not yet clearly indicated when the free upgrade will no longer be available.
Apart from the described methods, there is another way to install the operating system. You can install it on your computer using a bootable USB drive. The ISO image of the system is downloaded to the drive, and then the installation is performed on the PC. This method allows for a clean installation of the OS or the preservation of files and applications that are on the computer’s hard drive.
To create a bootable drive, use the Media Creation Tool, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft website. The program writes the operating system image to the drive, after which you need to boot the created USB on the PC, enabling USB boot in BIOS beforehand. The subsequent installation process is essentially the same as the methods described above.
Can You Upgrade If You Have Windows 7?
We’ve discussed how to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10, which leads to the conclusion that only Windows 10 users can get the new system.
However, upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 11 is possible. There’s an important caveat – you won’t be able to keep files on the PC’s hard drive. All user data, including applications, media files, documents, and folders, will be deleted. System rollback after installation is not possible.
For Windows 7, the same upgrade method applies as for Windows 10. Users whose computers are compatible with the new operating system can receive a notification from the “Update Center.” This is surprising, considering that Microsoft stopped providing technical support for Windows 7 several years ago.
An alternative method is installation using a tool. This is a modified version of a Microsoft utility that allows you to install Windows 11 on incompatible PCs. Ensure that the PC has a TPM module version 1.2 or higher. Also, make sure that the hard drive has at least 20 GB of free space.
Here’s what to do next:
- Launch the Universal Media Creation Tool. Select the product version – Windows 11.
- In the next window, select “Auto Setup.” Automatic download and installation of the operating system will begin.
This installation method takes significantly longer than a standard upgrade. This is because the hard drive is formatted beforehand. The system is installed “clean,” so some time is required to clear the drive.
Possible Errors
The installation process for Windows 11 can be accompanied by errors at any stage. There are various reasons why system installation may be interrupted or result in errors.
The most common reasons include:
- Insufficient space on the hard drive: The 32-bit version requires at least 16 GB of free space. If there is less, the installation process will not complete correctly.
- Install all the latest updates: Before installing Windows 11, check the update center multiple times. Make sure you have the latest software for network equipment and other devices. If necessary, you can download the latest software from the manufacturer’s website.
- Disconnect external devices: Installation failure can be triggered by the operation of auxiliary equipment. Before starting the upgrade to Windows 11, disconnect all external devices. Only leave the equipment necessary for the basic functions of the PC, such as the keyboard and mouse.
- Close background programs: Check in the Task Manager to ensure no hidden processes are running on the PC. Be sure to disable torrent clients and other background services that use the internet.
If the upgrade fails, the system automatically reverts to the previous OS version. You can also return to Windows 10 using the “System Restore” tool.
Conclusion
Microsoft offers the opportunity to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free. The update is available provided the computer meets the new OS’s system requirements.
For installation, you can use the standard “Windows Update Center,” which allows you to install the new operating system while retaining all files and programs on the hard drive.
You can also use alternative methods, such as the “Windows 11 Installation Assistant” or the Media Creation Tool, which can create a bootable system image.
Windows 7 users can also upgrade. However, this option is not considered a primary method for installing the OS, as developers ended support for Windows 7 years ago, and a successful upgrade is not guaranteed.
