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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →You can upgrade an eligible Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 and keep your files by using an in-place upgrade and choosing Keep personal files and apps in Windows Setup. Back up your important files first, check that the PC meets Windows 11 requirements, and do not boot from a USB installer to perform a fresh install if you need the files on the drive to remain there.
Before you start: check your Windows version and PC eligibility
For most home users, the simplest route is the Windows 11 upgrade offered through Windows Update. Microsoft says upgrading through Windows Update requires Windows 10 version 2004 or later, and the PC must meet Windows 11’s minimum hardware requirements. A Windows 10 PC is not automatically eligible just because it runs Windows 10.
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- Check your Windows version: Open Settings > System > About and look under Windows specifications. If your PC is managed by an organization, ask your IT administrator which upgrade process to use.
- Check eligibility: Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app or open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates. Review Microsoft’s Windows 11 system requirements.
If Windows Update does not offer the upgrade, the device may not meet requirements, may not be on a qualifying Windows version, or may not yet have the upgrade available. Microsoft notes that rollout timing can vary; check eligibility rather than assuming the PC qualifies.
Back up your files before upgrading
Microsoft recommends backing up files before installing Windows 11. An in-place upgrade is designed to migrate files, but a backup gives you another copy if something goes wrong.
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- OneDrive: If you use OneDrive, confirm the files you care about have finished syncing and that you can access them from your account.
- External drive: For a separate offline copy, copy important documents, photos, and other files to an external drive. Open a few files from the backup to confirm they are readable.
Microsoft’s Windows backup and restore guidance explains backup options. Do not treat the Windows.old folder as a substitute for a backup: recovery options vary, and a fresh installation started by booting from media does not offer the same recovery path.
Choose an in-place upgrade to keep files and apps
An in-place upgrade starts from your existing Windows installation and carries it forward to Windows 11. Microsoft says migration of files and data is the default upgrade behavior. The available method and choices determine what is retained.
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| Method | What happens to files | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Update | Microsoft says the default upgrade experience moves files and data to Windows 11. | Preferred for most eligible users; back up first. |
| Installation Assistant | Used to upgrade compatible hardware. | Microsoft recommends waiting for Windows Update to offer the upgrade before using it. |
| Run Setup from installation media within Windows | Setup offers choices including keeping personal files and apps, keeping files only, or keeping nothing. | Select and verify Keep personal files and apps before proceeding. |
| Boot from installation media for a fresh install | Wipes the existing Windows installation and drive contents. | Do not use this method if you need the files on the drive preserved. |
See Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page for the current upgrade tools and instructions. No third-party upgrade tool is required for the official process.
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Upgrade through Windows Update
- Plug in the PC and connect it to the internet. Make sure your backup is complete and accessible.
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
- If Windows 11 is offered, select Download and install, then follow the prompts. If Windows Update does not offer it, check compatibility and wait for availability rather than assuming an unsupported bypass is safe.
- Allow the PC to restart and complete installation. Avoid powering it off during the upgrade.
Windows Update is the most direct option when it is available. If you choose another Microsoft upgrade method, preserve the in-place setup path and confirm its keep-files selection before installation begins.
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If you use installation media, run Setup from Windows
Installation media can support an in-place upgrade, but only when you start Setup from inside your current Windows installation. Do not restart the PC and boot from the USB drive if your goal is to preserve the existing installation and files.
- While signed in to Windows 10, connect or open the Windows 11 installation media and launch Setup.
- Follow the installer prompts until you reach the screen showing what to keep.
- Choose Keep personal files and apps and verify that this exact option is displayed before continuing.
- Proceed with the installation and allow the PC to restart as needed.
If the keep option is unavailable or Setup shows that it will keep nothing, stop and check the selected installation path and compatibility before proceeding. Microsoft’s installation media guidance distinguishes running Setup from Windows from booting media for a fresh installation.
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After the upgrade: check files and know the rollback window
Once Windows 11 finishes setting up, open your important folders and a few key files, and confirm that the apps you rely on are present. If a file was synced to OneDrive, check that it is available there as well.
If you need to return to Windows 10, Microsoft’s Go back option is generally available for a limited time, usually 10 days after the upgrade. It keeps personal files, but removes apps and drivers installed after upgrading and reverses settings changes made since then. Required rollback files must remain on the PC. See Microsoft’s instructions for going back to a previous version of Windows.
Why upgrading now matters
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, according to Microsoft’s Windows 10 lifecycle notice. Microsoft says eligible Windows 10 version 22H2 PCs that meet Windows 11’s minimum hardware requirements may upgrade to Windows 11 for free. Eligibility still depends on the specific PC and Windows version, so confirm it before starting.
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