Users of genuine Windows 10 that meet the criteria can upgrade to Windows 11 for free. 1. First, use the "PC Health Check" tool to check whether the device meets the hardware requirements, including Intel processors above the 8th generation, 4GB memory, 64GB space, TPM 2.0, DirectX 12 graphics card and 720p resolution monitor; 2. If the detection is passed, you can download and install it through "Windows Update", but it should be noted that Microsoft pushes it in batches; 3. You can also manually download the ISO image and create a USB disk installation media to complete the upgrade while retaining the files; the license will be automatically activated after the upgrade. If the old device is not supported, it cannot be upgraded, and it can be rolled back to Windows 10 within 10 days after the upgrade, otherwise the system needs to be reinstalled. It is recommended to back up data in advance throughout the process and ensure that the hardware meets the standards.
Microsoft officially provides a free way to upgrade to Windows 11, provided that your device meets system requirements. If you are currently using genuine Windows 10, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free in most cases. The following are the specific operation methods and precautions.

Check whether the device supports Windows 11
Before you start the upgrade, you must first confirm whether your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements of Windows 11. Microsoft's compatibility requirements for new systems are more stringent than ever:

- Processor : It must support 8th generation or newer Intel, AMD Ryzen, 2nd generation or above, or some ARM processors
- Memory : at least 4GB RAM
- Hard disk space : at least 64GB of free space
- TPM chip : TPM 2.0 must be enabled (trusted platform module)
- Graphics card and monitor : Support DirectX 12 or higher, with a resolution of at least 720p
You can download Microsoft's official "PC Health Check" tool to automatically detect whether the device is compatible.
Upgrade with Windows Update
If your device has passed the compatibility check, the easiest way is to upgrade it through the system's own update function:

- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
- Click "Check for updates"
- If there is an update for Windows 11 for you, "Download and Install" will appear
- After the installation is completed, you can restart and enter the new system
It should be noted that Microsoft pushes upgrades in batches. Even if your device meets the criteria, it may have to wait for several days or even weeks before receiving update notifications.
Manually download and install the mirror (suitable for those who can't wait)
If you don't want to wait for Windows Update to push, you can also manually download the official ISO image to upgrade:
- Go to the Windows 11 download page of Microsoft's official website
- Click "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" to download the Installation Assistant
- Insert a USB drive with a capacity of at least 8GB
- Run the Installation Assistant, select the current system language and version, and then write the installation file to the USB flash drive
- After inserting the USB flash drive, run the installer and select "Keep My Files" to complete the upgrade
This method is equivalent to an online upgrade and will not delete your personal files and applications, but it is recommended to back up important data in advance just in case.
Frequently Asked Questions and Notes
- License activation : If your Windows 10 is activated with a digital license, it will be automatically bound to your Microsoft account after upgrading without re-activated.
- Unsupported situations : Some old devices may not be upgraded, such as motherboards without TPM 2.0 support, or the CPU is not in the support list.
- Recover back to Windows 10 : You can return to the old system through "Settings > System > Recover" within 10 days after the upgrade. If the time is exceeded, you need to reinstall it.
Basically that's it. The whole process is not complicated, but the key is to ensure that the hardware meets the standards and make data backups. If you are not in a hurry, it will be fine to wait for the system to automatically push it.
The above is the detailed content of How to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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