If your Windows 10 computer meets all the necessary requirements for an upgrade to Windows 11, there are a number of ways you can get the newer operating system for free. If your PC doesn’t officially support Windows 11, Microsoft recommends that you consider purchasing a new PC. Before you rush to Best Buy, however, check out how to sneak past the update requirements with a third-party utility. (You can also eke out an extra few months on Windows 10 with these workarounds.)
Check for Compatibility
Microsoft has strict Windows 11 upgrade requirements. To qualify, your computer needs Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 support, Secure Boot enabled in the BIOS, and a supported processor model. The TPM restriction is especially onerous since it puts many older Windows 10 PCs out of the running. Thankfully, Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool makes it easy to know if your PC is compatible.
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By now, your machine should have it installed by default, but you can go to the PC Health Check support page to view the system requirements and download it. Once you’ve installed the program, click Check now inside the app to see if you qualify. If your computer is compatible, a message tells you that your PC meets Windows 11 requirements.
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Check for the Update
Windows 11 has been accessible for some time as an update on compatible Windows 10 systems, so your next step should be to see if it’s already available on your PC. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click the Check for updates button. If Windows 11 is waiting, you can then install it directly as an update.
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Download With the Installation Assistant
If Windows 11 isn’t appearing as an update on your PC, you can still install it through Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Browse to the Download Windows 11 page, click the Download now button under the Windows 11 Installation Assistant section, and run the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe file.
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Click the Accept and install button, and your Windows 10 PC will be upgraded to Windows 11. You should be able to use your PC during the download and installation. When the process is finished, restart your computer immediately or wait for the 30-minute timer to end so you can save changes to any open files or documents.
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After your PC reboots, sign into Windows again. Once the final setup is complete, you’re deposited at your new Windows 11 desktop.
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Another option is to use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, a program that lets you create installation media for the new OS. This is a handy method, not just to update your current PC, but to also set up the necessary media to update other computers.
NOTE: As of Oct. 10, there is a bug in the tool, which might cause it to “close unexpectedly, displaying no error message,” Microsoft says. It also doesn’t work on Windows 10 devices that use Arm64 processors. Microsoft says it’s working on a fix; in the meantime, bootable media can be downloaded directly on the Microsoft site for Windows 11 under the section titled Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.
When it’s back, go to the Download Windows 11 page, click Download now under the Create Windows 11 Installation Media section. Run the downloaded MediaCreationTool.exe file, accept the license terms, confirm your language, and select the edition of Windows you need. You can choose to copy the installation files to a USB drive or generate an ISO file and burn it to a disk.
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If you take the USB route, make sure you have a flash drive with at least 8GB of storage plugged into the PC. The tool then downloads the necessary Windows 11 installation files and copies them to the USB drive. After this process is finished, open the drive and double-click the setup.exe file to kick off the upgrade. If you decide to generate an ISO file instead, choose a location for the download and double-click the ISO file in File Explorer. Double-click the setup.exe file inside the ISO file.
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Click Next to prompt Windows 11 to check for any updates, then accept the license terms. The Ready to Install screen shows that Windows 11 will be installed, and that your personal files and apps will be kept. To modify those choices, click Change. You can then opt to keep your personal files and apps, retain just your personal files, or delete everything. In this case, you’ll likely want to keep all your personal files and apps.
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Click Next and then select Install to run the upgrade. After your PC reboots, sign in to finish the setup. Depending on what you chose to keep, Windows may prompt you to customize your privacy settings. You’re then taken to your Windows 11 desktop.
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Download Disk Image
You can also choose a direct download of the Windows 11 ISO file. At the Download Windows 11 page, go to the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) section and select Windows 11 from the drop-down menu. Choose the product language, click Confirm, and then click the Download button to get the ISO file.
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After the download is finished, double-click the ISO file and then double-click the setup.exe file. Click Next at the initial install screen to check for and download any updates to Windows 11. The Ready to Install screen tells you that Windows 11 will be installed and that your personal files and apps will be kept by default.
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If you want to change these options, click Change and switch to Personal files only or Nothing. Click Next, then select Install to run the upgrade. After your PC restarts, sign into Windows 11 to view your new operating system.
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Use Rufus to Upgrade an Unsupported PC
What if your PC doesn’t qualify for Windows 11? With the free third-party Rufus tool, you’re able to install an operating system such as Windows 11 by sneaking past the usual requirements. To set this up, download or create the Windows 11 ISO as explained above. Next, install Rufus and launch the program.
Insert a USB stick that has at least 8GB of free space into your PC. Note that the USB drive will be completely reformatted. At the Rufus window, click the SELECT button near the top and select the Windows 11 ISO file. Under Image option, make sure the field says Standard Windows installation. At the top of the screen, confirm that the Device field is pointing to the USB drive you wish to use. If not, click the drop-down menu and manually select the device.
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When ready, click the START button at the bottom. At the pop-up window, check the box for Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. Click OK to confirm, then click OK again to set up your USB drive.
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After the USB drive has been set up, insert it into the Windows 10 PC that you want to update. Open the drive in File Manager and double-click the setup.exe file.
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Allow the Windows 11 update to proceed. At the appropriate screen, make sure that you’ve opted to keep your personal files and apps. After the setup is complete, you’ll be deposited into your new Windows 11 environment.
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What If I’m Not Ready to Upgrade?
Not ready to upgrade? Microsoft offers two free ways to receive extended support for Windows 10—use 1,000 points from Microsoft’s Rewards program or sync your Windows Backup to Microsoft OneDrive to receive extended coverage through Oct. 13, 2026. (Or you can pay $30.)
Need another reason to switch? Check out some of the recent Copilot upgrades.
About Our Expert
Lance Whitney
Contributor
Experience
I’ve been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I’ve written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I’ve also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.
I’ve used Windows, Office, and other Microsoft products for years so I’m well versed in that world. I also know the Mac quite well. I’m always working with iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and Android on my various mobile devices. And these days, I write a lot about AI, so that’s become another key area for me.
My wife always jokes about all the tech products we have around the house, but I manage to put them to good use for my articles. I like Lenovo computers, so I own a couple of Lenovo desktops and several laptops. I have three MacBooks and a Mac mini. For my mobile life and work, I use an iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad mini as well as an Apple Watch. But since I write about Android, I own several Android phones and tablets. Like any tech person, I have a cabinet full of cables, wires, and assorted mysterious gadgets. And when it’s time to take a break from writing, I have an old Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, both of which I use for exercise and fitness games.
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