How to Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11

Windows 10 will stop receiving security updates from Microsoft in October 2025. After that date, your computer will still work, but it will no longer get patches that protect you from new viruses and security threats. That is why upgrading to Windows 11 — while it is still free — is a smart move for most people.

Before doing anything else, you need to check whether your PC can run Windows 11. Microsoft has a free tool called PC Health Check that does this automatically. Go to microsoft.com, search for "PC Health Check," download and run it. It will tell you in seconds whether your machine qualifies.

The minimum requirements for Windows 11 are: a 64-bit processor (most PCs from 2015 or newer have this), 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage space, and something called TPM 2.0. TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module — it is a small security chip built into most PCs manufactured from 2018 onward. It stores encryption keys and helps protect your system from certain attacks. If your PC was bought before 2017, it may not have TPM 2.0, which would mean it does not qualify.

If your PC passes the check, back up your data before upgrading. Copy important files to an external hard drive or make sure your OneDrive is synced. This is a precaution — upgrades rarely erase files, but it is always safer to have a backup.

To start the upgrade, go to Settings, then Update and Security, then Windows Update. If your PC qualifies, you will see an option to download and install Windows 11 for free. Click it and follow the prompts.

Windows 11 changes the visual look: the Start menu moves to the center, there are new Widgets on the desktop for news and weather, and Snap Layouts help you organize multiple windows side by side. All your programs and files carry over from Windows 10.

Plan for the upgrade to take 30 to 60 minutes. Keep your PC plugged into power during the process and do not turn it off until it is done. If your PC does not qualify, you have two options: buy a newer PC that supports Windows 11, or continue using Windows 10 knowing that security updates will stop in October 2025.