How to prepare your PC for the Windows 11 upgrade
Here’s what you need to do before upgrading to Windows 11.
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Although Windows 11 is now shippingpre-installed on new computers, if you have a device running Windows 10, it will need to go through the upgrade process to access the new experience.
If this is your case, since the upgrade process requires full reinstallation, there are a few things you want to do to prepare the device before the installation to minimize errors and problems along the way.
For example, even thoughWindows 11is available as a free optional update forWindows 10, the device must meet the new system requirements. Otherwise, you won’t be able to proceed with the setup. You need to ensure that the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and Secure Boot are enabled on the computer. You also need to make sure the device has enough space and there are no problems before continuing with the upgrade. Furthermore, you want to create a backup in the case you need to roll back, check the activation status, and create installation media.
In this Windows 11 guide, we walk you through the things you need to do to prepare a computer before upgrading it to the newest version of the OS.
How to check compatibility of Windows 11
Although Microsoft offers the new version of Windows as a free upgrade for computers already running Windows 10, it does not mean that you can upgrade any device. Windows 11 is increasing the minimum system requirements significantly compared to previous releases, meaning that even before planning to upgrade, you want to confirm whether the device can handle the new version.
Windows 11 requirements
Here are the minimum requirements to upgrade Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 to Windows 11:
If you plan to upgrade to Windows 11 Home, an internet connection will be required to complete the initial setup.
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PC Health Check app
Microsoft has released an app to make it easier to confirm whether your computer meets the minimum requirements.
To check if a device will run Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you will know if your computer meets the requirements to run Windows 11. If there’s a requirement the device didn’t pass, use the available links in the report to determine the steps to fix them
How to enable required features to run Windows 11
In addition to the processor, memory, and hard drive space requirements, Windows 11 needs two security features, including a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and Secure Boot, to be enabled on the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). Furthermore, if you plan to upgrade with a clean installation, you will also need to make sure the computer can start from a USB flash drive.
If you have a system that is still using the legacy Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), then before switching to Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), you first need to convert the main drive using Master Boot Record (MBR) to a GUID Partition Table (GPT) partition style using theMBR2GPT command-line tool. Otherwise, if you enable the UEFI mode and Secure Boot, the computer won’t boot.
It’s important to note that if there’s no TPM version 2.0 on the computer, and you have an AMD processor, the chip might be built into the processor under thefTPM(firmware-based TPM 2.0) orAMD fTPM switchname. Also, in the case of a computer featuring an Intel processor, the TPM module will be noted asPlatform Trust Technology (PTT). You can always confirm this capability by checking your manufacturer support website.
Configure TPM, Secure Boot, and boot order within Windows
On Windows, you can access the settings to change the boot order from within the desktop environment.
UEFI settings on Windows 10
To change the UEFI boot settings on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the device should be able to boot from a USB installation media and pass the minimum system requirements check.
UEFI settings on Windows 8.1
To change the UEFI settings on Windows 8.1, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the computer will be able to start from the USB flash drive to continue with the clean installation process.
Configure TPM, Secure Boot, and boot order from boot
If you do not have access to the Windows desktop, you can configure the UEFI settings with these steps:
After you complete the steps, the computer should be able to boot from the Windows 11 USB flash drive.
If the computer doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, then it might be time to upgrade. You can check our guide withbest laptopsyou buy right now with support for Windows 11.
How to free up space on your computer before install of Windows 11
This time around, devices need at least 64GB of storage space, but the process will still take several gigabytes to process the upgrade. Usually, you want to make sure the device has at least 20GB of free space to prevent running into installation issues.
Clearing up space with Temporary files
To free up space on Windows 10 before upgrading to Windows 11, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the selected files will be deleted permanently, freeing up space to process the upgrade.
Clear space with Storage Sense
To use Storage Sense to free up space, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, Storage Sense will delete unnecessary files from the device to reclaim space to run the Windows 11 update without storage problems.
Clear space with Apps & features
You can also uninstall apps you rarely use to free up space. If you have a lot of games installed on the computer, deleting some of them can help make enough space to proceed with the upgrade process.
To uninstall apps and games on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, repeat the same instructions to remove additional apps and games from the computer.
You cancheck this guidewith virtually all the methods you can use to clean up space on your Windows 10 computer.
How to repair current installation to avoid problems with Windows 11
If you have had the same installation for a long time, you might need to analyze and repair the current setup to fix missing or damaged files. Otherwise, during the upgrade process, the chances of running into issues will be high. However, if you plan to proceed with a clean installation using a bootable USB flash drive, then you can’t skip this suggestion since the previous installation will be erased during the process.
You can repair the system using two command-line tools, including the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC).
To repair the current setup before upgrading to Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool will repair any problems with the local image. Then the System File Checker tool will use the already repaired image to fix issues with the current installation.
How to create backup of device before upgrade of Windows 11
The Backup and Restore feature lets you easily create a full system backup to an external hard drive. You only need to connect a USB hard drive with enough storage to save the backup.
Important:Microsoft no longer maintains the backup feature, but you can still use it to create a temporary full backup while it’s still available.
To create a full backup on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, a backup of the entire system will be created with everything on the primary hard drive and other drives you may have selected.
Create file backup (optional)
Although a full backup should be more than enough, creating a backup of your files separately to an external drive or cloud service is also recommended.
To create a file backup manually, connect a drive with enough storage, and use these steps:
After you complete the steps, repeat the instructions to back up the files on the remaining accounts (if applicable). In addition to making a copy of your files, it’s also recommended to create a list of the installed programs with their respective product keys (if applicable) to know what you need to reinstall in the new setup. If you usually do notsync passwords and bookmarks with an online service, this is a good time to export your browser credentials and links.
How to check current activation to reactivate Windows 11
You don’t need to provide a product key to activate Windows 11 if you had a previous installation correctly activated on the same computer. After the installation, the device will reactivate automatically.
Check Windows 10 activation
To check if Windows 10 is activated, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, Windows 11 should automatically reactivate after the upgrade.
Check Windows 8.1 activation
To check whether Windows 8.1 is activated, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will reactivate automatically.
Get Windows 11 product key
A computer that never had an installation of Windows will need a valid license, which you can purchase from theMicrosoft Store, Amazon, or another retailer. A Windows 11 installation should activate using a Windows 11, 10, 8.1, or 7 product key.
How to uninstall non-essential apps to avoid conflicts with Windows 11
Apps that were not specifically designed for Windows 10 or higher releases and security software may cause compatibility issues during the installation. It’s always recommended to uninstall these apps before proceeding with the Windows 11 upgrade.
To uninstall apps on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, repeat the instructions to uninstall any other app that may cause conflicts.
If you have a third-party antivirus or firewall, confirm with your software support website for specific details on how to disable or uninstall the program. After the installation, you can reinstall the apps one more time.
How to create installation media of Windows 11
If you do not plan to use the Windows Update settings or it’s not working, as part of the preparation process, you will need a bootable USB flash drive, Windows 11 ISO file, or the Installation Assistant to proceed with the upgrade.
Creation USB flash drive
To create install media with the Media Creation Tool, connect a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space, and use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the tool will download the files and create an installation media, which you can then use to upgrade a compatible computer to Windows 11.
Download Windows 11 ISO
To download the Windows 11 ISO file, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the Windows ISO will download on your computer, and you can double-click it to mount it and start the in-place upgrade.
Download Installation Assistant
The Installation Assistant is a tool you can use when it’s not possible to upgrade through the Windows Updates settings, or the new version of Windows is yet not available through Windows Update, but you know your computer is compatible.
To download the Installation Assistant, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the package will download, and you can then use it to upgrade any computer that meets the minimum requirements. However, you will need an internet connection to proceed with the upgrade.
After you have done preparing, you can use this guide toupgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10. If you prefer using a clean installation,follow these instructions.
More Windows resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
