Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11: Requirements and Steps

Written by Fajar Webarq. Updated October 26, 2026.

Summary

• Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for PCs that meet the minimum requirements and run Windows 10 version 2004 or later.
• The fastest way to check eligibility is the PC Health Check app. If it fails, check TPM with tpm.msc, and UEFI mode and Secure Boot with msinfo32.
• Through Windows Update, your files and data move to Windows 11 by default. Still back up first, and remember you have only 10 days to go back to Windows 10.

Windows 10 can be upgraded to Windows 11 for free, as long as the PC meets Microsoft's minimum requirements: among them TPM 2.0, UEFI firmware that supports Secure Boot, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a compatible processor. The upgrade is increasingly urgent because Windows 10 has not been supported since October 14, 2025, and the ESU (Extended Security Updates) program for home users ends on October 12, 2027. This guide explains how to check each requirement and the three official upgrade paths.

Can Windows 10 Be Upgraded to Windows 11?

Yes, and it's free. Microsoft's upgrade FAQ states that upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 carries no charge. There are two conditions: the PC runs Windows 10 version 2004 or later, and the device meets the Windows 11 minimum requirements. If it qualifies, the upgrade offer appears in Windows Update. Microsoft does not state a deadline for this free upgrade.

Windows 11 Minimum Requirements and How to Check Each One

Windows 11 has eight minimum requirements, listed on Microsoft's official specifications page. Three are the hardest to check yourself: the processor, TPM 2.0, and UEFI firmware with Secure Boot. They are covered separately below. This table pairs each requirement with the way to check it.

For processors, Microsoft publishes official lists. For the Intel Core series, the oldest generation on the Windows 11 version 25H2 list is 8th generation. However, Microsoft says that list is intended for manufacturers building new Windows 11 devices. For a PC you already own, the PC Health Check result is what decides.

How to Check with PC Health Check

PC Health Check is a Microsoft app that gives a full assessment of whether a Windows 10 PC is eligible for Windows 11. According to Microsoft's official guide, the result explains why a PC is or isn't eligible, and what you can do if it doesn't meet the requirements.

1. Install the app from aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp if it isn't on your PC yet.
2. Open the app by typing "PC Health Check" in the taskbar search box.
3. Select Check now in the Windows 11 eligibility section.
4. Read the result. If any requirement fails, note its name, then check it in more detail with the TPM and Secure Boot steps below.

If the PC qualifies but the upgrade offer hasn't appeared, Microsoft may have applied a compatibility hold: the upgrade is temporarily delayed until a known issue with that device is resolved.

How to Check TPM 2.0 with tpm.msc

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a hardware-based security component, and Windows 11 requires version 2.0. The fastest way to check it is to open the TPM console with the tpm.msc command. According to Microsoft, most PCs shipped in the last 5 years can run TPM 2.0.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
2. Type tpm.msc, then select OK.
3. If the TPM is ready to use, look at Specification Version under TPM Manufacturer Information. It should read 2.0.
4. If you see the message Compatible TPM cannot be found, the TPM is probably turned off in the firmware. How to enable it is covered in our guide PC doesn't meet Windows 11 requirements.

A second method: open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Device security, then Security processor details. If the Security processor section is missing, the TPM may be turned off.

Use tpm.msc only to view status. Microsoft Learn advises against changing the TPM configuration through this console, because Windows already initializes the TPM automatically.

How to Check Secure Boot and UEFI Mode with msinfo32

The Windows 11 firmware requirement is UEFI with Secure Boot support. For an upgrade from Windows 10, Microsoft says the PC only needs to be Secure Boot capable with UEFI mode enabled. Turning Secure Boot on is still recommended for security. You can check both in the System Information app (msinfo32).

1. Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, then press Enter.
2. Make sure System Summary is selected in the left pane.
3. In the right pane, look at BIOS Mode. It should read UEFI. If it says Legacy, the firmware needs to be switched to UEFI mode, and according to Microsoft the steps differ for each device.
4. Also check Secure Boot State. If it says On, Secure Boot is enabled. If it says Off or Unsupported, Secure Boot is not active.

We cover the risks of moving a PC from Legacy to UEFI in our guide PC doesn't meet Windows 11 requirements.

3 Official Ways to Upgrade to Windows 11 and What Each Keeps

Microsoft offers three official paths: Windows Update, the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, and installation media (the Media Creation Tool or an ISO file). According to the Windows 11 installation page, Microsoft recommends waiting for the upgrade offer to appear in Windows Update, including before using the Installation Assistant.

The requirements for the Installation Assistant and installation media come from the Windows 11 download page, which now offers version 26H2.

Steps to upgrade through Windows Update on Windows 10:

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Check for and install all pending updates. According to Microsoft, the Windows 11 offer can be held back until those updates are installed.
3. Wait for the Windows 11 upgrade offer, then follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
4. Let the PC restart several times until installation finishes. Do not turn off the PC during the process.

Back Up Before You Upgrade

Microsoft always recommends a backup before installing a new version of Windows, even though an upgrade moves files and data by default. If your files already sync to OneDrive, Microsoft's upgrade FAQ says an additional backup may not be needed. For any path that erases the drive, a backup is a must.

• Windows Backup. This app, built into Windows 10 and 11, backs up selected folders, settings, credentials, and apps to the cloud. According to Microsoft, it works only with a Microsoft account.
• A manual copy of important files to an external hard drive or USB flash drive.
• App installers and licenses. According to Microsoft, some apps with known issues are uninstalled during the upgrade and can be reinstalled afterward.

How Long Does the Windows 11 Upgrade Take?

Microsoft gives no exact figure. According to Microsoft's upgrade FAQ, upgrade time varies: download time depends on your internet speed, and downloading and installing Windows 11 usually takes longer than a regular Windows 10 feature update. You can keep using the PC while the files download.

Once the download finishes, you can schedule the installation, for example outside working hours.

You Can Go Back to Windows 10 Within 10 Days

If Windows 11 isn't a good fit, Microsoft gives you 10 days after the upgrade to return to Windows 10 while keeping your files and data. After 10 days, going back to Windows 10 is only possible with a manual backup followed by a clean install. So test your important apps in the first few days.

According to Microsoft's guide, the Go back option is in Settings > System > Recovery. Personal files are kept, but apps and drivers installed after the upgrade are removed, and settings changes are reverted. To keep this option available, don't delete the windows.old and $windows.~bt folders.

Why This Matters

Windows 10 has now been without standard support for more than a year, and consumer ESU runs only until October 12, 2027. For PCs that qualify, the free upgrade to Windows 11 is the simplest long-term path: version 26H2 is supported until October 10, 2028 for Home and Pro.

What to Do Now

1. Run PC Health Check.
2. If it fails on TPM or Secure Boot, check with tpm.msc and msinfo32 before concluding the PC can't be upgraded.
3. Back up your important files.
4. Install all pending Windows 10 updates, then wait for the Windows 11 offer in Windows Update.
5. Test your important apps within the first 10 days after the upgrade.

What to Watch

• Compatibility hold. If the upgrade offer hasn't appeared even though the PC qualifies, check Windows Update again periodically.
• Version support window. Windows 11 25H2 ends on October 12, 2027 for Home and Pro. Make sure your PC is on a supported version after the upgrade.
• Official ESU announcements. Don't delay the upgrade by counting on a second ESU extension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 delete data?

No, not if you use Windows Update or an option that keeps your files. According to Microsoft, an upgrade moves files and data to Windows 11 by default. Data is erased if you choose the option that keeps nothing, or do a clean install from USB.

Is upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 free?

It's free as long as the PC meets the minimum requirements. The only cost you might face is the internet data used to download the upgrade files.

Can I upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without reinstalling?

Yes. Windows Update and the Installation Assistant perform an in-place upgrade. Installation media run from within Windows can also keep your files, apps, and settings if you choose the default option.

Can I upgrade without a USB flash drive?

Yes. Windows Update and the Installation Assistant don't need a flash drive. A blank USB drive of at least 8 GB is only needed if you create installation media with the Media Creation Tool.

How long does updating Windows 10 to Windows 11 take?

Microsoft doesn't give an exact duration. Download time depends on your internet speed, and the process usually takes longer than a Windows 10 feature update.

What if PC Health Check says my PC doesn't meet the requirements?

See which requirement failed. If the problem is TPM or UEFI mode, the setting may only need to be turned on in the firmware. If the processor isn't supported, the official options are ESU, ChromeOS Flex, or replacing the device.

Next Steps

If your PC was rejected, follow our guide PC doesn't meet Windows 11 requirements: check TPM and Secure Boot, then choose a safe path. If you're not ready to upgrade, learn about ESU in Windows 10 is no longer supported. All our Windows guides are in the Windows & PC Update Center.