How-toWindowsWindows 11

Windows 11: how to install or upgrade

Confirm your PC qualifies for Windows 11, back up, then upgrade from Windows 10 or do a clean install with only Microsoft's own tools.

  • Updated
  • 45 min
  • Intermediate
Applies to
  • Windows 11
  • Windows 10

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Put Windows 11 on your PC by upgrading from Windows 10 and keeping your files, or by doing a clean install from a USB drive. Every step uses Microsoft's own tools and pages.

Back up first

Copy your photos, documents and other files to an external drive or OneDrive before you start. An upgrade normally keeps your files, but a backup protects you if something goes wrong. A clean install erases the drive you choose. See how to back up your files and create a restore point.

The five stages of installing Windows 115 numbered steps, one under the other. The full text follows the picture.The five stages of installingWindows 111CheckRun PC Health Check to seeif your PC qualifies2Back upCopy your files to an externaldrive or OneDrive3ChooseUpgrade in place, or cleaninstall from a USB drive4InstallFollow the screens. The PCrestarts several times5VerifyConfirm Windows 11 isactivated and up to date
Do the first two stages before anything else.
Text version of this diagram
  1. Check: Run PC Health Check to see if your PC qualifies
  2. Back up: Copy your files to an external drive or OneDrive
  3. Choose: Upgrade in place, or clean install from a USB drive
  4. Install: Follow the screens. The PC restarts several times
  5. Verify: Confirm Windows 11 is activated and up to date

What you need

Windows 11 installs only on PCs that meet Microsoft's minimum requirements. Check them before you download anything.

Windows 11 minimum requirements
PartMinimum
Processor1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores, on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip
Memory (RAM)4 GB
Storage64 GB or larger
System firmwareUEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPMTrusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
GraphicsDirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
DisplayHigh definition (720p), larger than 9 inches diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
InternetWindows 11 Home, and Pro for personal use, need internet and a Microsoft account for first-time setup

To upgrade from Windows 10, your PC must run version 2004 or later. A clean install also needs a blank USB drive of at least 8 GB.

Check that your PC qualifies

  1. Select the search box on the taskbar, type PC Health Check, and open the app. If it is not installed, Microsoft's PC Health Check page explains how to get it.
  2. Select Check now.
  3. Read the result. The app says whether your PC can run Windows 11 and, if it cannot, why.

If your PC does not qualify, see "If something goes wrong" below.

Choose your method

Ways to install Windows 11
MethodKeeps files and apps?Use it when
Windows Update (Microsoft's recommended method)YesWindows Update offers Windows 11 to your PC
Installation AssistantYesPC Health Check says your PC qualifies, but Windows Update has not offered Windows 11
Clean install from USBNo, it erases the drive you chooseYou want a fresh start, or the drive is new or blank

Official sources only

Download Windows only from Microsoft's own site, microsoft.com. Do not use activators, unofficial ISO files or cheap keys from unknown sellers.

Upgrade from Windows 10

Support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025, so Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11. An upgrade keeps your personal files and, by default, your apps.

  1. Plug in your laptop's charger and close your programs.
  2. Open Settings then Update & Security then Windows Update.
  3. Select Check for updates. If Windows 10 updates are waiting, install them, restart, and check again.
  4. If Windows 11 is ready for your PC, select Download and install.
  5. In the license window, select Accept and install.
  6. When the window shows Restart required, select Restart now.
  7. Leave the PC on. It restarts several times. Sign in when you see the sign-in screen.

Option B: the Installation Assistant

This tool upgrades the PC you are using. It needs Windows 10 version 2004 or later, 9 GB of free disk space and an x64 PC (not Arm-based).

  1. On Microsoft's Windows 11 download page, under Windows 11 Installation Assistant, select Download Now.
  2. Right-click the downloaded file and select Run as administrator.
  3. If the tool says Windows 11 is ready, select Accept and install.
  4. When asked, select Restart now and keep the PC on until it finishes.

Clean install from a USB drive

This is the short version. The full walk-through, with every Setup screen explained, is in how to do a clean install of Windows 11 from a USB drive.

Stop and check your backup

A clean install erases everything on the drive you choose. Continue only when your files are copied elsewhere and you have checked that the copy opens.

Make the installation USB drive

  1. Plug a blank USB drive of at least 8 GB into a working computer. Everything on the drive will be deleted.
  2. On Microsoft's Windows 11 download page, under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now.
  3. Right-click the downloaded file, select Run as administrator, and accept the license terms.
  4. Follow the prompts. When asked which media to use, choose USB flash drive, then wait for the tool to finish.

Start the PC from the USB drive

  1. Plug the USB drive into the PC that will get Windows 11, then turn the PC on.
  2. Open the boot menu. The key depends on the PC maker. Microsoft says it is often a function key (F1 to F12) or Delete. A hint such as "Press F12 for boot menu" may show on the first screen.
  3. Use the arrow keys to select the USB drive, then press Enter. If the PC starts its old Windows instead, restart and try again.
A typical boot menuA monitor showing a simple boot menu on a dark screen with the heading "Boot menu", three choices (internal drive, USB drive and network) with the first highlighted, and a hint bar at the bottom. It has 3 numbered markers, explained in the list under the picture.Boot menuInternal driveUSB driveNetworkEnter: select123A typical boot menu
  1. Each line is a drive the PC can start from
  2. A USB drive often shows its brand name or "USB"
  3. A hint bar lists the keys that move and select
Boot menus look different on every PC. This drawing is typical, not exact.
Text version of this diagram

A monitor showing a simple boot menu on a dark screen with the heading "Boot menu", three choices (internal drive, USB drive and network) with the first highlighted, and a hint bar at the bottom.

  1. Each line is a drive the PC can start from
  2. A USB drive often shows its brand name or "USB"
  3. A hint bar lists the keys that move and select

Install Windows 11

  1. Choose your language and keyboard, then select Install now.
  2. If Setup asks for a product key and this PC already ran an activated Windows, select I don't have a product key. Windows should activate itself online later.
  3. If Setup asks which edition to install, choose the one your PC had before, such as Windows 11 Home.
  4. For the installation type, select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
  5. On the screen Where do you want to install Windows 11?, choose the drive for Windows 11, then select Next. Do this only with a backup.
  6. Wait while Setup copies files. The PC restarts several times. Then answer the setup questions.
Drives and partitions shown during setupA horizontal bar for one disk, divided left to right into four parts: a small EFI system partition, a large Windows partition, a recovery partition and a hatched block of unallocated space. It has 4 numbered markers, explained in the list under the picture.Disk 01234Drives and partitions shownduring setup
  1. System (EFI) partition: files that start the PC. Leave it alone
  2. Windows partition: holds your current Windows and files
  3. Recovery partition: repair tools. Leave it alone
  4. Unallocated space: empty space with nothing on it yet
A typical layout. Names and sizes differ between PCs.
Text version of this diagram

A horizontal bar for one disk, divided left to right into four parts: a small EFI system partition, a large Windows partition, a recovery partition and a hatched block of unallocated space.

  1. System (EFI) partition: files that start the PC. Leave it alone
  2. Windows partition: holds your current Windows and files
  3. Recovery partition: repair tools. Leave it alone
  4. Unallocated space: empty space with nothing on it yet

Check that it worked

  1. Open Settings then System then About. Under Windows specifications, the edition should say Windows 11.
  2. Open Settings then System then Activation. You should see "Windows is activated" or "Windows is activated with a digital license". If it says "Windows is not activated", an error message explains why.
  3. Open Settings then Windows Update, select Check for updates, and install everything offered.
  4. Open a few of your files and programs. To add missing programs, see how to install software and apps on Windows 11.

If something goes wrong

Your PC does not meet the requirements

Microsoft says that installing Windows 11 on such a PC "is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues", and the PC may lose update eligibility. Do not look for ways around the checks. See Windows 11 system requirements: can your PC upgrade? and how to install ChromeOS Flex on an old PC or Mac.

You want to go back to Windows 10

For 10 days after an upgrade you can go back. Open Settings then System then Recovery and select Go back. Your personal files stay. Apps and drivers you added after the upgrade, and changes you made in Settings, are removed. During those 10 days, keep the windows.old and $windows.~bt folders, do not remove user accounts you added after the upgrade, and have the USB drive ready if you used one for the upgrade. Apps you added, removed or updated since the upgrade may not work correctly after going back.

Frequently asked questions

Will an upgrade delete my files?

No. By default, an upgrade keeps your personal files and apps. Make a backup anyway, in case something goes wrong.

Do I need a product key?

Often not. A PC that already ran an activated copy of Windows usually has a digital license, so Windows activates itself once you are online. A PC with no license needs one from Microsoft or an authorized seller.

Can I choose what to keep during an upgrade?

Yes, if you start the upgrade by running Setup from installation media inside Windows. On the Ready to install screen, under Change what to keep, choose Keep personal files and apps (the default), Keep personal files only, or Nothing. Choosing Nothing removes your files and apps, so back up first.

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Official resources used

Pages consulted while preparing this guide. Check them for the latest details.

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