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How To Upgrade To Windows 11 For Free: Everything you need to know

By / Tech / June 23, 2025

Windows 10’s support will end on October 14, 2025, so we recommend that users upgrade to Windows 11. We have a guide to help you do that.

Picture of Windows 11 logo
Windows 11 logo (Image via Microsoft)

It’s no secret that Windows 10’s support is ending later this year, so there’s no better time to upgrade to Windows 11 than now. It will get security updates for at least 2027 or probably later. The best part about this upgrade is that it is available for free for all Windows 10 users. However, not every Windows 10 PC can be upgraded, as many are not compatible with modern Windows 11.

In this article, we will tell you how to check whether your PC is compatible and help you upgrade to Windows 11 with a simple guide.

Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the writer’s opinions. Also, prices mentioned herein are subject to change.

Windows 11 Compatibility

Picture of Windows 11's homescreen
The new Start Menu in Windows 11 (Image via Microsoft)

Windows 11 doesn’t support every PC that Windows 10 does. It has a very strict compatibility list, and only compatible PCs can upgrade officially. Your PC must meet three major requirements to be compatible with Windows 11. Here are all the things your PC must have:

  • CPU: All Intel 8th Gen processors (Coffee Lake, Whiskey Lake, or Alder Lake) or higher are compatible. For AMD, all Ryzen 2000 series processors and higher are compatible with Windows 11.
  • TPM 2.0: All Intel 8th Gen and Ryzen 2000 series processors have TPM 2.0 built into the CPU’s firmware. It is a necessary requirement for Windows 11.
  • Secure Boot: It was first introduced in 2011 with the release of UEFI-based firmware. It later became quite popular when Windows 8 launched with it in 2012. Your device must support it to be compatible with Windows 11.

If you don’t know how to check if your system has these hardware features, you can check it using an official Microsoft program. Download the PC Health Check app from Microsoft’s website and run it, which will let you know if your PC is compatible.

Preparing for Upgrading to Windows 11

Picture of new themes in Windows 11
New themes in Windows 11 (Image via Microsoft)

Before we actually begin the upgrade process, you must prepare your system for Windows 11. Here are all the things you must do to prepare your system for the Windows 11 upgrade process:

  • There are some apps or even devices that may not be fully compatible with the Windows 11 setup process, but actually run fine on Windows 11. Therefore, you must uninstall any applications or programs that are totally unnecessary. If they are left in the system, they could hinder the upgrade process and may prevent the update from deploying successfully.
  • Unplug any and all devices from your PC except for the mouse and keyboard to minimize any potential device compatibility issues.
  • Also, you may want to close all programs and unsaved documents before the setup starts. Lastly, please install all available updates for Windows 10 before upgrading to Windows 11.

Guide on How To Upgrade to Windows 11 From Windows 10

Picture of Windows Update page in Settings app
Windows Update page in Settings app (Image via Deltia’s Gaming)

Once your PC is all prepared, here’s how to upgrade your Windows 10 PC to Windows 11:

  • Launch the Settings app.
  • Go to Updates & Security > Windows Update.
  • There will be a Windows 11 big banner with the option to download and install it.
  • Click on the Download and install button in the banner, and it will begin downloading.

If this option doesn’t show up for you, then restart your PC and click on the Check for updates button. The banner should appear now. However, if you still don’t see the Windows 11 banner like the image above, then download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Launch the assistant and follow the setup process, and the Windows 11 upgrade will begin momentarily.

We provide the latest news and “How To’s” for Tech content. Meanwhile, you can check out the following articles related to PC GPUs, CPU and GPU comparisons, mobile phones, and more:

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