If your family PC still runs Windows 10, it has gone without regular security fixes since October 14, 2025, and that matters on a machine that handles banking, school logins and years of photos. The way out costs nothing: you can upgrade windows 10 to 11 for free, and your files come along by default.
Microsoft’s download page now lists Windows 11 version 26H2 as the current release, and its Installation Assistant accepts PCs on Windows 10 version 2004 or higher. A supported PC can head straight for the newest version rather than stepping through older ones.
What you need before you upgrade windows 10 to 11
Microsoft publishes a fixed list of minimums, and PC Health Check tests your machine against it. Here is what it looks for.
| What Windows 11 checks | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Current Windows 10 version | Version 2004 or later |
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, 2 or more cores, on Microsoft’s approved CPU list |
| Memory | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB or larger drive |
| System firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| Security chip | TPM version 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | 720p, larger than 9 inches diagonally |
| Free space for the Installation Assistant | 9 GB |
Two smaller catches apply if you upgrade windows 10 to 11 with the Installation Assistant. It runs only on x64 processors, so Arm-based PCs cannot use it, and you need an administrator account to start it. The download is also large, so a metered connection or phone hotspot is a poor choice.
How to upgrade windows 10 to 11 in 5 steps
Work through these in order. The prep in the first three steps is what spares you most of the headaches.
- Run PC Health Check. Use the search box on the taskbar to find PC Health Check. If it is not on the machine, get it from aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp. Select Check now and the app reports whether this PC qualifies, along with the reason if it does not.
- Back up what you would hate to lose. Open Start, type backup and pick Windows Backup. Under Folders, switch on Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music, then select Back up. A free Microsoft account comes with 5 GB of OneDrive space, so a big family photo library may need a paid plan or a second copy elsewhere.
- Clear some room. The Installation Assistant wants 9 GB free just for the download. Old installers in Downloads are the easy first target.
- Look for the offer in Windows Update. Open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then choose Check for updates. If this PC passes Microsoft’s checks, the free upgrade shows up here. You can keep using the computer during the download, then schedule the install for a time that suits the household.
- No offer? Use the Installation Assistant. Open Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page, select Download Now under the Assistant, choose Run, then Accept and Install. Expect several restarts along the way.
Microsoft does not give a fixed time for the install, saying only that it usually takes more time than the feature updates Windows 10 owners are used to. Pick an evening when nobody needs the computer for homework.
One known issue is worth a look before you start. Microsoft’s 26H2 status page, last updated October 30, 2026, lists a mitigated problem where USB Audio Class 1.0 devices might fail to start or stay silent. If your PC relies on an older USB headset or speaker, keep a backup option nearby. Some PCs may also be held back for a while if Microsoft spots a compatibility issue.
Can I upgrade windows 10 to 11 without losing data?
Yes, in the normal path. Microsoft’s upgrade FAQ says files and data carry over to the new installation by default, and it still recommends a backup first. If everything already syncs to OneDrive, you may not need a separate copy.
Apps are a little less certain when you upgrade windows 10 to 11. Most programs and accessories that ran on Windows 10 should keep working, but the upgrade can remove software known to cause problems. Many of those can go back on afterward. Some cannot, because they do not work on Windows 11 at all, so check any old scanner or printer utility you depend on.
You get 10 days to change your mind
After you upgrade windows 10 to 11, Microsoft gives you 10 days to return to Windows 10 and keep the files that moved across. Use that window to test the printer, the school apps and anything else the household needs. Past day 10, going back means saving your files yourself and doing a clean install.
Already on Windows 11? Our guide on how to get the Windows 11 26H2 update covers that path instead. If you are on an older Windows 11 release, it is also worth reading why Windows 11 24H2 is losing support.
What to do if your PC cannot run Windows 11
A common snag is a message headed What needs your attention. It means the machine might fall short of the minimums, and PC Health Check will show which part. If you cannot upgrade windows 10 to 11 on that PC, Extended Security Updates can buy time:
- Who qualifies: people on Windows 10 version 22H2 for personal use, not PCs managed by an organization.
- How to join: a built-in enrollment tool in Settings, on eligible devices.
- What it costs: nothing extra if you sync your PC settings, or 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a one-time $30 plus tax. Regional differences may apply.
- What you get: critical and important security updates only, on up to 10 devices, ending October 12, 2027 no matter when you enroll.
Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 will keep receiving security updates until October 10, 2028. Treat all of this as a bridge. Those Extended Security Updates stop on October 12, 2027, so a replacement PC belongs in next year’s budget.
Frequently asked questions about the free upgrade
Can I upgrade Windows 10 to 11 for free?
Yes. Microsoft states that moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11 costs nothing, as long as the PC meets the minimum requirements. Your internet provider could still charge for the large download on a metered connection.
Is there a time limit on the free upgrade?
Microsoft’s upgrade FAQ does not list a deadline. It also has not promised the offer will last forever, so waiting has no real upside.
What happens if I stay on Windows 10?
The PC keeps working, but it no longer gets free security fixes, feature updates or technical help from Microsoft. Enrolling in Extended Security Updates covers critical and important security fixes through October 12, 2027.
Should you upgrade windows 10 to 11 this week?
If PC Health Check gives you the green light, yes: back up tonight and upgrade windows 10 to 11 before the next busy stretch of school or tax paperwork. If your PC fails, enroll in Extended Security Updates now and start shopping without panic. A free upgrade with a 10-day exit is about as low-risk as a big computer change gets.
