Eligible Windows 10 PCs can upgrade to Windows 11 for free, but hardware eligibility and a Windows Update offer are separate checks. Before starting, confirm compatibility, back up important files, and know that Microsoft’s built-in rollback usually lasts only 10 days. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.
Can my PC run Windows 11?
Your PC must meet Microsoft’s hardware requirements, and the Windows 10 version and installation route also matter. Microsoft lists these minimum hardware specifications:
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- A compatible 1 GHz or faster processor with at least two cores, on Microsoft’s approved CPU list.
- At least 4 GB of RAM and a storage device of 64 GB or larger.
- DirectX 12-compatible graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
- A display larger than 9 inches, with 720p resolution and 8 bits per color channel.
- Required TPM and firmware capabilities, which you should verify on Microsoft’s current Windows 11 system requirements page.
Some Windows 11 features, apps, and additional hardware may need more than the minimum. For a Windows Update upgrade, the PC must be running Windows 10 version 2004 or later and meet the applicable requirements. Microsoft’s upgrade eligibility guidance recommends checking with PC Health Check or Windows Update. If you recently changed hardware, check again using Microsoft’s instructions for checking eligibility after a hardware change. If the PC is managed by your employer or school, ask its IT administrator before upgrading.
Why isn’t Windows 11 showing up in Windows Update?
An absent offer does not, by itself, mean the PC is incompatible. Microsoft says availability can depend on device validation and rollout timing, and recommends waiting until Windows Update says Windows 11 is ready for your device. Install any available updates for your current Windows version, restart, then check again. See Microsoft’s Windows 11 installation options for its guidance.
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- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates and install available updates for Windows 10.
- Restart the PC, return to Windows Update, and check whether the Windows 11 readiness offer appears.
- If the device is managed or remains ineligible, consult your administrator or use PC Health Check to identify the compatibility issue.
Windows Update is Microsoft’s recommended consumer route when it offers the upgrade. Microsoft also describes the Windows Update Assistant as a manual way to get a feature update on a compatible PC, but that assistant does not run on ARM-based PCs and is supported only on x86/64 devices. It is not presented as the universal way to move from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Do not install Windows 11 on hardware that fails the requirements; Microsoft recommends rolling back if it was installed on an unsupported device.
How long does the Windows 11 upgrade take, and is it free?
Microsoft says upgrading an eligible device from Windows 10 is free. The download is large, and download time depends on your internet connection. Your provider may charge for data used over a metered connection. You can use the PC while the download runs and schedule installation after it finishes. Microsoft says the download and installation usually take longer than a typical Windows 10 feature update, but gives no universal time estimate.
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Will I lose my files, apps, or accessories?
Microsoft says the default upgrade experience moves files and data to the Windows 11 installation. It still recommends backing up important files before installing a new Windows version. If you use OneDrive, confirm syncing has finished and separately protect anything that is not synced.
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- Apps: Most Windows 10 software is expected to work, but compatibility is not guaranteed for every app. Check with the publisher for critical software. Setup may remove apps that could cause upgrade problems or may not work correctly; Microsoft says apps known not to work correctly cannot be reinstalled, so check whether the publisher offers an updated version.
- Accessories: Most accessories that worked with Windows 10 are expected to work with Windows 11, but check with the manufacturer for products you depend on.
Before starting, make sure you can access your backup and any account or recovery information you may need. The upgrade’s default file transfer is not a substitute for a backup.
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Can I go back to Windows 10 after upgrading?
In most cases, Windows provides 10 days to use Go back. The option keeps personal files but removes apps and drivers installed after upgrading and reverses settings changes made since then. The route is Settings > System > Recovery > Go back. Follow Microsoft’s rollback instructions if the option is available.
Rollback depends on the previous-version files remaining on the PC. Microsoft identifies the windows.old and $windows.~bt folders, removal of accounts added after the upgrade, and—if USB media was used to upgrade—the USB drive as requirements that may affect whether you can go back. Do not delete the previous Windows installation during the rollback window if you may need it; deleting it removes the ability to go back. Microsoft explains this in its guidance on deleting the previous version of Windows.
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After the 10-day period, Microsoft says you must back up files manually and perform a clean installation to return to Windows 10. That is different from the in-place rollback: plan for a fresh setup and take care to preserve the files you need.
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Choose recovery based on what changed and what you need to preserve. Microsoft’s Windows recovery options distinguish these tools:
| Problem or goal | Option | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| A new Windows version is causing problems, and Go back is still available | Go back | Returns to the previous Windows version; keeps personal files but removes post-upgrade apps and drivers and reverses later settings changes. |
| A problem began after a recent Windows update | Uninstall an update | Removes a recent update; it is not the same as returning to a previous Windows version. |
| You need to reverse system changes and have a restore point | System Restore | Reverses system changes made since that restore point. |
| You want to reset Windows and choose whether personal files stay | Reset this PC | Can be configured to keep or remove personal files. |
| You are reinstalling from a recovery drive | Recovery drive reinstall | Removes personal files, apps, and settings. |
These options are not interchangeable: check what each will remove before proceeding, and back up files you cannot afford to lose.
What does Windows 10 support ending mean if I roll back?
Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. It no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. A rollback can restore the older operating system, but it does not restore Microsoft support for it. Check Microsoft’s Windows 11 upgrade FAQ for current support details.
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