Windows 10 to 11 upgrade: step-by-step guide

How do you move from Windows 10 to Windows 11? If your PC meets the requirements, the upgrade is free and runs through Windows Update: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates, then “Download and install”. Programs, files and settings are kept, and so is the license. If Windows Update does not offer the upgrade although the PC is suitable, use Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant or installation media. Within 10 days you can go back to Windows 10.

Quick decision

Your situation	Path
Windows Update offers Windows 11	Path 1: Windows Update (recommended by Microsoft)
PC is suitable, but no offer in Windows Update	Path 2: Installation Assistant
Several PCs or a slow internet connection	Path 3: USB flash drive, start setup from Windows 10
You want a fresh system without legacy clutter	Path 4: clean installation from the USB flash drive
PC does not meet the requirements	No upgrade; see Windows 10 end of support

Preparation

Check the version. Open Settings > System > About. Edition and version are listed under “Windows specifications”. For the free upgrade, Microsoft names Windows 10, version 22H2. Install all pending updates beforehand under Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Check suitability. Start the PC Health Check app and select Check now. What the requirements mean and how to turn on a TPM that is turned off is covered under Windows 11 system requirements.
Back up data. Copy important files to an external hard drive or to cloud storage. The upgrade keeps your data; a backup protects you in the exceptional case.
Free up storage space. The Installation Assistant requires 9 GB of free storage space for the download.
Check activation. Under Settings > Update & Security > Activation it should say that Windows is activated. Note the edition (Home or Pro).

Path 1: Windows Update

Microsoft recommends waiting until Windows Update offers the upgrade.

Open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Select Check for updates. If there are still updates for Windows 10, install them, restart and check again.
If the message appears that Windows 11 is ready, select Download and install.
Confirm the license terms with Accept and install.
Windows downloads the upgrade and installs it in the background. You can keep working.
When the status changes to “Restart required”, select Restart now.
The PC restarts several times. After that you sign in as usual.

If Windows Update shows no offer, this can have three reasons according to Microsoft: the upgrade has not yet been released for your device, there is a known compatibility issue with a driver or program, or the hardware does not meet the requirements.

Path 2: Windows 11 Installation Assistant

The Installation Assistant is a small program from Microsoft. It only runs on PCs with an x64 processor, not on Arm devices, and requires Windows 10, version 2004 or later.

Open Microsoft’s “Download Windows 11” page and download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
Run the file. The assistant checks the hardware.
Select Accept and install.
After download and installation, select Restart now.

If the assistant reports that it needs more information, run PC Health Check and then select
Refresh in the assistant. If it reports that the PC does not meet the minimum requirements, Microsoft recommends staying on Windows 10.

Path 3: Start installation media from Windows 10

This path is suitable if you are moving several PCs or want to download only once.

Create an installation flash drive for Windows 11 (at least 8 GB). The guide is under Install Windows 11 and 10 with a USB flash drive.
Sign in to the PC with Windows 10 and plug in the flash drive.
Open the flash drive in File Explorer under “This PC” and run:

setup.exe

Follow the setup. On the “Ready to install” page, Keep personal files and apps is preselected.
Via Change what to keep you can choose “Keep personal files only” or “Nothing” instead.
Start the installation. The PC restarts several times.

Option	Files	Programs and settings
Keep personal files and apps	kept	kept
Keep personal files only	kept	deleted
Nothing	deleted	deleted

Path 4: Clean installation

For a clean installation you boot the PC from the installation flash drive. This erases the drive; all files and programs are lost. Microsoft recommends confirming beforehand on Windows 10 with PC Health Check that the PC is suitable, because setup does not check all requirements when started from the flash drive. The steps are in the guide
Install Windows 11 and 10 with a USB flash drive.

If setup asks for a product key, select I don’t have a product key if the PC already has a digital license. Choose the same edition as before. Windows 11 then activates online by itself.

After the upgrade

Check activation under Settings > System > Activation. Windows 10 Home becomes Windows 11 Home, Pro becomes Pro.
Check for updates under Settings > Windows Update and install them.
Check printers, scanners and specialist programs.

If activation shows an error, the guide
Activate Windows 11 with a product key helps. If you would like to switch from Home to Pro on this occasion, read
Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro.

Back to Windows 10

Within 10 days after the upgrade you can go back:

Open Settings > System > Recovery.
Under “Recovery options”, select the Go back button next to Go back.
Follow the wizard. When asked about updates, answer “No, thanks”.

If the button is missing, the period has expired. Windows has then deleted the files needed for this to free up storage space. Keep in mind: Windows 10 has not received regular security updates since October 14, 2025.

Typical cases

One PC at home. Path 1. Download and preparation run in the background; you can keep working for the time being.

Six office PCs. Path 3 with one flash drive. Move one PC first and check industry software and printers, then the others.

Old, cluttered PC that meets the requirements. Path 4. The clean installation removes legacy clutter; back up everything beforehand.

PC in a company domain. Talk to your IT department. Microsoft points out that the paths described are intended for PCs that are not centrally managed.

At VivaKeys

You do not need a key to upgrade an activated Windows 10. You need a key for a PC without a valid license, for a self-built PC or for switching from Home to Pro:

All offers: category
Windows 11. The editions compared: Windows 11 editions at a glance.

Frequently asked questions

Is the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 free? Yes. According to Microsoft, it is free for PCs with Windows 10, version 22H2 that meet the minimum requirements of Windows 11.

Are my programs and files kept during the upgrade? Yes, via Windows Update and the Installation Assistant. In setup from installation media, “Keep personal files and apps” is preselected. Only a clean installation deletes everything.

Do I need a new product key for the upgrade? No. An activated Windows 10 receives a digital license for the same edition of Windows 11 during the upgrade.

How long does the upgrade to Windows 11 take? That depends on the internet connection, drive and processor. Download and preparation run in the background; the PC is only unusable during the restarts.

Why am I not offered Windows 11? Either the upgrade has not yet been released for your device, there is a known compatibility issue, or the hardware does not meet the requirements. PC Health Check states the reason.

Can I go back to Windows 10 after the upgrade? Yes, within 10 days under Settings > System > Recovery > Go back.

Can I install Windows 11 on an unsupported PC? Microsoft advises against it. Such devices are not supported and are not guaranteed to receive updates.

Sources

Checked on 2026-11-10 against the publisher’s information:

Moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11