Quick answer: Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free on PCs that meet Microsoft’s requirements. Check your PC with the PC Health Check app, back up your files, then go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install Windows 11 when it’s offered. Your files and apps come with you.
Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025. Free consumer security updates through Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program now run until 12 October 2027, so there’s no emergency. But if your PC can run Windows 11, upgrading gets you full support, new features and a longer runway.
Here’s the whole process, from checking compatibility to rolling back if you change your mind.
Is the Windows 11 upgrade really free?
Yes. Microsoft’s Windows 11 upgrade FAQ says: “Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 are free.” The only possible cost is your internet data. The download is large, so avoid doing it on a capped mobile hotspot.
Be wary of anyone selling a “Windows 11 upgrade key” for a PC that already runs a genuine copy of Windows 10. You don’t need one.
Can my PC run Windows 11? Check the requirements
These are Microsoft’s minimum Windows 11 system requirements:
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, 2 or more cores, on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB or larger |
| Firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| Security chip | TPM version 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 compatible, WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | 720p, larger than 9 inches diagonally |
Microsoft also says your PC must be running Windows 10 version 2004 or later to upgrade. Windows 11 Home needs an internet connection and a Microsoft account during setup.
The minimums are just that. For everyday use with a browser, video calls and Office apps, 8GB of RAM and an SSD make a much bigger difference to how the PC feels. Our guide on how much RAM you need goes into detail.
The easy way: use PC Health Check
- Download the PC Health Check app from Microsoft (search for it on Microsoft’s website, or it may already be installed).
- Open it and select Check now under the Windows 11 section.
- It tells you whether your PC meets the requirements and, if not, which part fails.
The most common failures are an older processor and TPM 2.0 being switched off. On some PCs, the TPM security chip is present but switched off in the BIOS or UEFI settings. If that’s the only problem, your PC maker’s support site will usually explain how to turn it on.
If PC Health Check says your processor isn’t supported, there’s no setting to fix that. It’s a hardware limit, so skip ahead to the section on what to do if your PC can’t run Windows 11.
Before you upgrade: a five-minute checklist
- Back up your files. Microsoft says files transfer by default but still recommends a backup. Copy your Documents, Pictures and Desktop to an external drive, or use OneDrive.
- Free up space. Aim for plenty of free storage, as the download and install need room.
- Install pending Windows 10 updates first, so your PC is on the latest version.
- Note your important apps and check that their makers support Windows 11. Most mainstream apps do.
- Plug in your laptop and use a stable Wi-Fi or wired connection.
How to upgrade to Windows 11 through Windows Update
This is the route Microsoft recommends in its Ways to install Windows 11 guide.
- Open Settings and select Update & Security, then Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- If your PC is eligible, you’ll see an offer to upgrade to Windows 11. Select Download and install.
- Keep using your PC while it downloads. You can schedule the restart for a convenient time.
- Restart when prompted. The PC will restart several times. Don’t switch it off.
- Sign in and follow the short setup screens. Your files and apps should be where you left them.
How long does it take? Microsoft says it depends mostly on your internet speed and usually takes longer than a normal Windows 10 feature update. Set aside an hour or two to be safe.
Not offered yet? Use the Installation Assistant
If Windows Update doesn’t show the upgrade but PC Health Check says you’re compatible, Microsoft offers the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Download it from Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page, run it and follow the prompts. It keeps your files and apps, just like the Windows Update route.
Microsoft also offers installation media for clean installs. Only use that if you know what you’re doing: booting from it and doing a fresh install “completely wipes the contents of the hard drive,” as Microsoft warns.
Changed your mind? You have 10 days to go back
According to Microsoft’s FAQ, you can return to Windows 10 within 10 days and keep your files. Go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Go back. After 10 days, the option disappears and going back means a clean install and restoring from a backup.
What if my PC can’t run Windows 11?
You have three sensible options:
- Enroll in Windows 10 ESU. It’s free if you sync your settings with a Microsoft account, and covers you until 12 October 2027, according to Microsoft’s ESU page. Our explainer on Windows 10 security updates to 2027 has the steps.
- Plan a replacement. Use the extra year to save and wait for a good sale.
- Consider other systems. Some older PCs can run Linux distributions that are still supported. That’s a bigger change and suits more confident users.
Microsoft doesn’t recommend installing Windows 11 on hardware that doesn’t meet the requirements. Workarounds exist, but you risk missing updates and running into driver problems.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my files if I upgrade to Windows 11?
No. Upgrading through Windows Update or the Installation Assistant keeps your files and apps by default. Back up anyway, because things can go wrong on any big update.
Do I need a new product key for Windows 11?
No. A PC with an activated copy of Windows 10 activates Windows 11 automatically after the free upgrade.
Is 4GB of RAM enough for Windows 11?
It’s the official minimum, but it’ll feel slow with a modern browser and several apps open. 8GB is a more realistic minimum, and 16GB is comfortable.
Can I still upgrade for free in 2027?
As of October 2026, Microsoft’s upgrade FAQ still describes the upgrade from Windows 10 as free. Upgrading while Windows 10 still gets ESU security patches is the safest timing, rather than waiting for a deadline.
See more Windows guides in our Computing section.