Before a major Windows upgrade, check that your PC is eligible, make and verify a backup of important files, check available storage, and install current updates. Then use Windows Update when it offers the upgrade for your device. If you use installation media, choose an in-place upgrade only if you want to retain files and apps; booting from the media for a clean install erases the existing Windows installation and its files.
1. Check which Windows version you have and whether the PC is eligible
Start by identifying the Windows release already installed. Press Windows+R, enter winver, and press Enter. The About Windows dialog shows the edition and version. You can also open Settings and look under System > About (Windows 11) or System > About (Windows 10).
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If you are moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11, eligibility depends on both the PC’s hardware and its current Windows version. Microsoft provides the PC Health Check app to assess compatibility, and Windows Update also checks whether the upgrade is available for your device. Passing a basic hardware check does not mean the upgrade will be offered immediately: Microsoft says Windows Update indicates when the release has been tested and validated for a specific PC, and timing can vary by device.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchUse those checks together: PC Health Check can help you assess hardware eligibility, while Windows Update tells you whether Microsoft has made the upgrade available to this particular device. If Windows Update does not show the offer yet, that alone does not establish whether the reason is a compatibility issue or rollout timing. Keep the current Windows installation updated, restart if prompted, and check again rather than assuming an immediate offer is guaranteed.
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Windows 11 minimum requirements to check
Microsoft’s Windows 11 requirements include a compatible 1 GHz or faster processor with at least two cores, 4 GB of RAM, a storage device of 64 GB or larger, DirectX 12 or later graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver, and a qualifying display. These are device requirements, not a promise that every Windows 11 feature will work on hardware that only meets the minimum. Some features require more capable hardware.
Keep the two storage figures in perspective. The 64 GB figure is the minimum capacity of the storage device listed in Windows 11’s system requirements. It is not a recommendation to keep exactly 64 GB free, nor is it the amount that every feature update will use. The free space needed during an update varies with the update path and the optional features, languages, and updates involved.
Windows 11 Home and personal-use Pro require an internet connection and a Microsoft account during initial setup. Consider that before starting if you will need to complete setup without internet access or do not have the required account ready.
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Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft says PCs running Windows 10 continue to work, but recommends moving to Windows 11; only devices that meet Windows 11 requirements can upgrade. If the PC is managed by an employer or school, ask its administrator about the supported schedule and process rather than starting a consumer upgrade yourself.
2. Back up the files you cannot afford to lose
Back up important files before installing a new Windows version. Microsoft recommends doing so even though the normal upgrade process is designed to move files and data. An upgrade is not a substitute for a backup: if something goes wrong, a separate copy gives you a way to recover your documents, photos, and other files.
| Backup destination | Works well when | What to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud storage | You want to access backed-up files from other devices or restore them over the internet. | A reliable internet connection, enough cloud storage, and access to the account holding the files. |
| External hard drive | You have a large amount of data or do not want to depend on an internet connection for the copy. | A drive with enough room for the files you plan to copy, connected and accessible to the PC. |
| Network drive | You already have a suitable storage destination on your home or work network. | A working network connection and permission to save and retrieve files from that location. |
Choose according to the amount of data, the connection available, and how you would retrieve the files if Windows did not start. An external drive is one option, not a requirement; cloud and network storage may suit your situation better. If you are considering an external drive, its capacity should be based on the files you intend to copy; there is no single size that fits every PC.
Cloud storage is convenient when you have a dependable internet connection and want to retrieve files from another device, but check that there is enough space and that you can access the account. An external or network drive can be more practical for a large collection of files or when an internet connection is unavailable. The important distinction is whether you can retrieve the copy if the upgraded PC has a problem.
Verify the backup before you upgrade
- Identify the folders and files you need to keep, including files stored outside your usual Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders.
- Copy or back up those files to the destination you chose. Wait for the copy or upload to finish before continuing.
- Open the destination and check that representative files are present and accessible. For a cloud backup, confirm you can sign in to the account; for an external or network drive, confirm the drive or location can be opened.
A file backup is not the same as a full system image: it does not by itself promise to preserve installed applications or every system setting. Keep separate records or installers for anything you may need to set up again. Do not assume that a cloud sync service has automatically copied every file you care about; verify the specific folders and files you want protected.
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Think through recovery as well as copying. If the upgrade prevents Windows from starting, a backup that exists only on that PC will not help. Use a destination you can reach independently, and make sure you know the account, device, or network access needed to get the files back.
3. Check available space on the system drive
There is no single free-space figure that applies to every Windows feature update. Microsoft gives examples ranging from 5.5 GB or more to 20 GB or more, depending on the update path and the optional features, languages, and updates included. These figures describe different update configurations, not a universal amount that every PC must have free.
| Microsoft’s example configuration | Example free space |
|---|---|
| Path optimized for minimal disk space, with minimal optional features, languages, and updates | 5.5 GB or more |
| Path optimized for minimal disk space, with many optional features, languages, and updates | 13.75 GB or more |
| Path optimized for reduced offline time, with minimal optional content | 20 GB |
| Path optimized for reduced offline time, with many optional features, languages, and updates | 20 GB or more |
These update examples are distinct from Windows 11’s 64 GB minimum storage-device requirement. One describes example free space needed during a feature update; the other is a minimum device-capacity requirement.
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The examples also show why a figure from another PC may not predict your own needs. Optional features, language packs, and updates can change the amount required, and Microsoft presents different paths depending on whether the goal is minimal disk-space use or reduced offline time. Treat the figures as configurations, not as a promise that an update will succeed once a particular amount is free.
See what is using storage
- In Windows 11, open Settings > System > Storage. In Windows 10, open Settings > System > Storage.
- Review the categories shown, such as installed apps, temporary files, and system-reserved storage, to understand where space is being used.
- If you need to reclaim room, review Cleanup recommendations or use Storage Sense to identify temporary files that can be removed. Check what is selected before deleting anything.
- Return to Windows Update and follow its space prompt if it says more room is required. Windows checks available storage before starting an update and prompts you to free space when needed.
Do not delete files indiscriminately or aim for an arbitrary amount of unused space. Remove only items you recognize as safe to remove, and keep personal files in your backup rather than deleting them to satisfy a guessed threshold. If a prompt appears, use Storage settings to understand what is taking up room before deciding what to remove.
4. Bring Windows and essential drivers up to date
Before the major upgrade, install important updates for the Windows version you are currently using, including hardware-driver updates offered through Windows Update. Microsoft notes that a device may need current-version updates and a restart before the Windows 11 offer appears.
- On Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update. On Windows 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates and install the important available updates. Follow any prompts to restart.
- After restarting, return to the same Windows Update page and check again. Repeat until the important updates are installed and no restart is pending.
If you rely on a particular printer, storage device, accessibility tool, or other peripheral, make sure you can obtain its driver or setup software if needed. Do not interrupt an update or restart while Windows is still applying it.
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5. Reduce avoidable software conflicts
Most PCs do not need every application removed before an upgrade. However, Microsoft identifies non-Microsoft antivirus software and outdated or nonessential applications as possible causes of upgrade problems. Treat removal as a troubleshooting step if you encounter an installation error, not as a universal pre-upgrade rule.
- If an upgrade fails and third-party antivirus is installed, consult Microsoft’s error guidance and the software maker’s instructions before temporarily removing it.
- Consider uninstalling outdated or nonessential applications only when they may be contributing to a failure.
- Before removing any application, make sure you have its installer and any activation or sign-in details needed to reinstall or use it.
Do not remove security software and then leave the PC unprotected longer than necessary. If you do temporarily uninstall it to troubleshoot, restore protection after the upgrade or once the conflict has been resolved.
Avoid broad cleanup steps based only on the fact that an upgrade is coming. If setup completes normally, there is no reason in this guidance to remove all third-party software. If it fails, use the error and Microsoft’s troubleshooting advice to decide whether an application is a plausible cause, and make sure you can restore it afterward.
6. Choose the upgrade method with the right data consequences
| Method | When to use it | Files and apps |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Update | The normal route when Windows offers the upgrade for this PC. | The standard upgrade experience moves files and data. Back up important files first. |
| Installation media: in-place upgrade | You need to start an upgrade using installation media rather than waiting for the Windows Update offer. | Can preserve files and apps when you start the upgrade from the existing Windows installation and select the appropriate keep option. |
| Installation media: clean install | You intentionally want a fresh Windows installation and understand the consequences. | Booting from the media to perform a fresh install wipes the existing Windows installation and files. |
For most people whose PC is eligible, Windows Update is the simplest path. Microsoft says that when the upgrade has been tested and validated for a specific PC, Windows Update indicates it is ready. If no offer appears, install current-version updates, restart, and check again; availability can still vary by device.
The main decision is not simply whether you use a download or physical media; it is whether the setup is an upgrade from the Windows installation already running or a fresh install started by booting from the media. If retaining apps and files matters, pay attention to that distinction and confirm the keep option shown by setup. If you intentionally want a fresh start, first make a separate backup and be prepared for the existing installation and files to be erased.
If you use installation media
Starting setup from within the current Windows installation and choosing the appropriate option can perform an in-place upgrade that keeps files and apps. Read each setup screen carefully and confirm the retention choice before continuing. The options presented can depend on the installation path and configuration.
Booting the PC from the installation media to perform a fresh install is different: it replaces the existing Windows installation and erases its files. Do not select this route unless that is what you intend and the files you need are backed up. Check eligibility and back up first; do not assume that an installation-media path will preserve data just because another path can.
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7. Final pre-upgrade checklist
- You have checked the installed Windows version with
winveror Settings. - PC Health Check or Windows Update indicates Windows 11 eligibility, if Windows 11 is the target.
- Your important files are backed up to a destination you can access, and you have checked that the copy is usable.
- You have reviewed available space on the system drive and addressed any Windows Update prompt without deleting files blindly.
- Important Windows updates and driver updates are installed, and any requested restart is complete.
- You know whether you are using Windows Update, an in-place upgrade, or a clean install—and understand whether the chosen path keeps or erases files and apps.
- If the PC is managed by work or school, you have followed the administrator’s instructions.
Also make sure you can complete initial setup if Windows 11 Home or personal-use Pro is your target: an internet connection and Microsoft account are required during that setup. For a managed device, the administrator may control the appropriate timing and process, so follow that guidance instead of treating the consumer checklist as authorization to upgrade.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do if the upgrade is not offered or fails
If Windows Update does not offer Windows 11, first check eligibility with PC Health Check and install pending updates for your current Windows version. Restart and check Windows Update again. An offer may take time to appear because Microsoft assesses readiness for individual devices; absence of an offer does not, by itself, explain whether the cause is hardware, software, or rollout timing.
If setup reports that more storage is needed, use Settings > System > Storage to review categories and remove appropriate temporary files, then retry. If an installation error points to software interference, Microsoft advises checking current updates and considering non-Microsoft antivirus or outdated nonessential apps as potential causes. Remove software only as a targeted troubleshooting step and keep the means to reinstall it.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor a managed PC, or one that fails eligibility checks, do not force an installation through an unsupported route based on a generic instruction. The upgrade path and support available depend on the device and its management context.
If the problem is simply that the offer has not appeared, remember that compatibility assessment and offer timing are separate considerations: Windows Update indicates readiness after Microsoft has tested and validated the upgrade for a specific PC. If the issue is a failed attempt instead, address the reported cause—such as storage, pending updates, or a possible software conflict—rather than making unrelated changes.
Frequently asked questions
Should I back up my PC before upgrading Windows?
Yes. Microsoft recommends backing up files before installing a new Windows version, even though the normal upgrade experience moves files and data. Choose cloud storage, an external hard drive, or a network drive based on your connection, the amount of data, and how you would retrieve it if Windows did not start. Verify that important files are present and accessible before proceeding.
How much free space do I need for a Windows 11 feature update?
There is no single number that applies to every configuration. Microsoft’s examples range from 5.5 GB or more to 20 GB or more, depending on the update path and optional features, languages, and updates. Windows checks available storage and prompts you if more space is needed. Check the system drive in Storage settings and follow the prompt instead of treating one example as a universal threshold.
How do I check whether my PC can run Windows 11?
Check the current Windows version with winver or Settings, then use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app or Windows Update to assess eligibility. Windows 11 minimums include a compatible processor of at least 1 GHz with two or more cores, 4 GB RAM, a 64 GB or larger storage device, DirectX 12 or later graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver, and a qualifying display. Meeting minimums does not guarantee every feature is available or that the upgrade offer will appear immediately.
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Why is Windows 11 not appearing in Windows Update?
Microsoft says Windows Update offers the upgrade once it has been tested and validated for a specific PC, and availability timing varies by device. Install current-version updates, restart if prompted, and check again. If you want to understand hardware eligibility, use PC Health Check as well; an absent offer by itself does not identify the cause.
Will installation media keep my files?
It depends how you use it. Starting setup from the existing Windows installation and choosing the appropriate keep option can perform an in-place upgrade that preserves files and apps. Booting from the media for a clean install wipes the existing Windows installation and files. Back up first and check the retention choice shown during setup.
Does Windows 10 still work after support ended?
Microsoft says Windows 10 PCs continue to work after support ended on October 14, 2025, but recommends moving to Windows 11. Only PCs that meet Windows 11 requirements can upgrade, and a work- or school-managed device should follow its administrator’s instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I back up my PC before upgrading Windows?
Yes. Microsoft recommends backing up files before installing a new Windows version, even though the normal upgrade experience moves files and data. Choose cloud storage, an external hard drive, or a network drive based on your connection, data size, and recovery needs, and verify the copy is accessible.
How much free space do I need for a Windows 11 feature update?
There is no universal figure. Microsoft’s examples range from 5.5 GB or more to 20 GB or more depending on the update path and optional content. Check the system drive and follow Windows Update’s prompt if it asks for more space.
How do I check whether my PC can run Windows 11?
Check your current Windows version with winver or Settings, then use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app or Windows Update to assess eligibility. Minimums include a compatible 1 GHz or faster processor with two or more cores, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB or larger storage, DirectX 12 or later graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver, and a qualifying display.
Why is Windows 11 not appearing in Windows Update?
The offer can depend on device-specific testing and rollout timing. Install current-version updates, restart if prompted, and check again. Use PC Health Check to assess hardware eligibility; no offer by itself does not explain the cause.
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Will installation media keep my files?
It depends on the method. Starting setup from within Windows and choosing the appropriate keep option can preserve files and apps. Booting from media for a clean install wipes the existing Windows installation and files, so back up first.
Does Windows 10 still work after support ended?
Microsoft says Windows 10 PCs continue to work, but support ended on October 14, 2025, and Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11. Only devices meeting Windows 11 requirements can upgrade.
The Bottom Line
Before upgrading, verify eligibility, make and check a separate backup, review system-drive space, and install important updates. Use Windows Update when it offers the upgrade for your PC. If you use installation media, confirm whether setup is an in-place upgrade or a clean install: the latter erases the existing Windows installation and files.
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