Firstly, the excellent news: If you’ve gotten Windows 10 put in in your PC, you possibly can improve to Windows 11 24H2 (the newest model of Windows 11) freed from cost. This is sensible, as help for Windows 10 will finish on October 14, 2025. After that date, the working system will nonetheless work, however Microsoft will cease releasing safety updates.
If the direct replace doesn’t seem in Windows 10, you can too obtain the new version directly from Microsoft. There, you’ll discover the set up recordsdata for Windows 11, which can be utilized to create a bootable USB stick. Even if you happen to don’t plan to replace instantly, it’s a good suggestion to create such a USB stick so you possibly can improve to the newest model everytime you’re prepared.
It’s additionally beneficial to retrieve your Windows 10 serial quantity/product key upfront, so you’ve gotten it readily available when putting in or updating to Windows 11.
Who’s eligible for a free improve to Windows 11?
Microsoft will proceed to permit eligible units to improve from Windows 10 to Windows 11 freed from cost. This choice stays accessible so long as the gadget meets the minimal necessities and the improve instruments—such because the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or Windows Update—are used. If you utilize the instruments talked about on this article, you could lose help for Windows 11.
After October 14, 2025, official help for Windows 10 will finish. Microsoft will not present free safety updates, technical help, or bug fixes for Windows 10. For customers who want to proceed utilizing Windows 10, Microsoft provides a paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. This program permits non-public customers to obtain important safety updates for a further yr, for a charge of 30 US {dollars}.
Whether customers will nonetheless be capable to improve from Windows 10 to Windows 11 after October 14, 2025 is determined by future choices by Microsoft. There is at present no official assertion on whether or not the free improve provide will proceed past this date. Users are due to this fact inspired to improve earlier than the tip of help to reap the benefits of the present circumstances.
It’s essential to notice that Windows 11 has particular {hardware} necessities, together with TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and suitable processors from the eighth technology of Intel CPUs or equal AMD fashions. Microsoft has made it clear that these necessities won’t be relaxed, and older units won’t be formally supported. While there are unofficial strategies for putting in Windows 11 on unsupported {hardware}, these can result in stability points and lacking updates.
For customers with units that don’t meet the necessities, it is strongly recommended to buy a brand new PC with Windows 11 pre-installed. Microsoft provides varied applications and instruments to assist make the transition simpler.
How to examine in case your PC could be up to date to Windows 11 24H2
Microsoft supplies the free PC Integrity Checker app, which you should use to examine whether or not the replace is feasible in your Windows 10 system. To do that, merely launch the instrument and click on “Check now.”
If your PC doesn’t (formally) help the replace, the PC Integrity Checker app will point out this and clarify the rationale. If TPM 2.0 is just not activated, you possibly can typically allow the safety chip required by Windows 11 within the BIOS. If your PC doesn’t have this chip, we’ll present you beneath how one can nonetheless proceed.
In most instances, Windows 11 runs simply as stably and rapidly on PCs as Windows 10—typically even quicker and extra steady, even with out a TPM chip. However, this isn’t at all times the case. Running Windows 11 on incompatible {hardware} is at all times at your individual threat.
Updating Windows 10 to Windows 11 24H2
To replace Windows 10 to Windows 11 24H2, open the “Download Windows 11” website. Then click on on “Download now” beneath “Windows 11 Installation Wizard.” If your {hardware} is suitable with Windows 11, the replace will start with none points. All apps, settings, and information will probably be retained.
However, it’s a good suggestion to again up your pc beforehand. This could be accomplished rapidly utilizing the free Microsoft Disk2VHD instrument. Be certain to save lots of the backup on an exterior storage gadget. The instrument creates a digital onerous drive that comprises all the information out of your current drive, guaranteeing that nothing is misplaced.
Once the Windows 11 set up begins, click on “Next” beneath “Install Windows 11.”
The set up wizard will then examine for updates and, in some instances, restart. This course of could take a couple of minutes. After you verify the license phrases, the replace examine typically runs once more. This continues till the set up wizard is absolutely updated. Naturally, these steps solely work if the PC is linked to the Internet.
It’s essential to make sure that “Keep personal data and apps” is chosen within the “Ready for installation” window. If it isn’t, you possibly can change this by clicking on “Change the items to keep.”
Then click on “Install” to start the replace. After upgrading to Windows 11 24H2, it is best to nonetheless set up the newest updates by the Windows settings beneath “Windows Update.”
Thomas Joos
Once that is accomplished, the replace is completed, and you can begin utilizing Windows 11. If you’re not happy with Windows 11, you possibly can uninstall it within the settings beneath “System -> Recovery -> Revert.” Unfortunately, this doesn’t at all times work reliably, as Microsoft could take away the required recordsdata from the system.
Updating Windows 10 to Windows 11 24H2 with out suitable {hardware}
If the Windows 11 Installation Wizard stories that your PC can’t be up to date to Windows 11 24H2, it’s often nonetheless attainable. First, obtain the free Rufus instrument and begin it. You may obtain the moveable model, which doesn’t require set up—simply begin this system. You’ll additionally want a USB keep on with no less than 8 GB of storage (extra is preferable). Connect the USB keep on with the PC on which you need to set up Windows 11. Note that each one information on the stick will probably be deleted throughout formatting.
Start Rufus and ensure to pick “Yes” when prompted in regards to the replace. The instrument will then connect with the Internet, permitting you to obtain the Windows 11 set up recordsdata immediately inside Rufus. If you by accident cancel this feature, you possibly can reconnect later within the Rufus settings (on the backside of the window) by clicking “Check now.”
Next, choose the USB stick you need to use beneath “Drive.” Then click on “Selection” beneath “Start type,” adopted by “Download.” Choose “Windows 11” beneath “Version,” after which click on “Next.”
Under “Release,” choose the choice “24H2.” Choose “Windows 11” because the “Edition,” then choose the language, select “x64” for Architecture, and click on “Download” to save lots of the Windows 11 ISO file to a listing. Alternatively, you possibly can obtain the Windows 11 ISO file outdoors of the instrument from the Microsoft obtain web page linked above. The obtain period will rely in your web connection.
Once Rufus has downloaded the set up recordsdata—otherwise you’ve added the ISO manually by way of “Select”—click on “Start.” In the brand new window, all choices that might forestall the set up of Windows 11 will probably be enabled by default, together with the choice to arrange Windows 11 utilizing an area person account.
Select the choices you want, then click on “OK.” Finally, verify the immediate to format the USB stick.
Attention: All information on the USB stick will probably be erased throughout this course of
You can then use the USB keep on with replace PCs working Windows 10 to Windows 11 24H2, or to reinstall Windows 11 24H2. In Windows 10, open the USB drive in Explorer and click on on “Setup.exe.” The Windows 11 set up will then start. Please notice that it could take a while for the set up wizard to begin. The PC will then be up to date as described within the part above.
This article initially appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.