Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free

A major new Windows version has been announced, and fans of the operating system are excited and eager to upgrade their computers. However, as with any OS upgrade, it’s important to proceed carefully to ensure a smooth transition.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of upgrading to Windows 11 without losing any data. Additionally, we’ll cover how to recover deleted files in case of unexpected data loss after the upgrade.

How to Check if Your PC Can Support Windows 11

As operating systems continue to evolve, they demand more hardware resources from the machines that support them. Trying to run a modern operating system on an underpowered machine will surely lead to a frustrating and unproductive experience. If the OS works at all, it will be slow and is likely to exhibit many unpleasant characteristics.

Microsoft has published the minimum system requirements required for a PC to be compatible with Windows 11 on this support page. They recommend that you DO NOT upgrade to Windows 11 if your system does not meet these specifications.

Here are some of the specs that stand out.

• Your current system must be running Windows 10, version 2004 or later, to upgrade.


• The processor needs to be operating at 1GHz or faster and have 2 or more cores. It can be a compatible 64-bit processor or a System on a Chip (SoC).


• Your system has to include TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) support.


• The system has to have at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. More RAM and storage will result in better performance in virtually all instances.


• System firmware must include UEFI and be Secure Boot capable.


• An internet connection and a Microsoft account are both required to upgrade to Windows 11.

These are not trivial specifications, and not all systems will be ready to move to Windows 11. Even meeting these minimum requirements does not mean all Windows 11 features will work smoothly on your machine. We suggest you visit the Microsoft support page for full details on the requirements for advanced Windows 11 features.

In some cases, you will be able to determine compatibility relatively easily. For instance, if you are running Windows 8, you can’t upgrade to Windows 11. In other cases, it may be hard to tell if you can safely attempt an upgrade.

To help you answer that question, Microsoft has made the PC Health Check App available for Windows 10. Downloading and running the app will let you know if your system is capable of supporting Windows 11.

Once you have determined your system can handle the hardware requirements of Windows 11, you can get on with the upgrade.

Will Upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11 Erase All My Files?

Upgrading your system from Windows 10 to Windows 11 will not erase all your files. After the update is completed, you should have access to all user files that were previously available in Windows 10. Some system files will have changed with the upgrade to the new OS, and in some cases, it may be advantageous to have the original files available for use.

In a perfectly executed upgrade, there is no impact on the user and they can enjoy the new features of Windows 11 immediately. But anyone who has been around computers and software upgrades for more than five minutes knows that not every update works perfectly. While no data loss should occur during the update from Windows 10 to Windows 11, we have to accept that something could go wrong and some files may get lost or deleted.

IMPORTANT: Backups are critically important. You are understandably concerned about the security and safety of your files and data. Now is the perfect time to discuss backups. We strongly recommend that you perform a full backup of your system before proceeding with an operating system upgrade. Making a backup prior to a major upgrade is considered best practice across the computing world.

You can use whichever method you currently use to back up your machine. If you are not backing up your computer regularly, now is a great time to start. Backups offer an excellent source of protection against all types of data loss, not only those caused by a faulty operating system upgrade. A little time spent backing up your data can save the day when disaster strikes.

How to Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 Without Losing Data

Now, we will show you three ways to safely install Windows 11 without losing data. Hopefully, you have taken our advice and backed up your machine before performing the upgrade.

Use the Windows Update feature

Follow these steps to see if you can use the Windows Update feature to install Windows 11 on your machine.

1. 1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.


2. 2. Click Check for Updates.


3. 3. Look for Feature update to Windows 11.


4. 4. Click Download and install.

Follow the prompts and allow Windows 11 to be installed. If the OS is available to you in this way, it’s the simplest way to get Windows 11 on your PC.

The next two methods make use of the same Microsoft support page that provides download links and additional information where appropriate. It offers more detailed instructions on creating bootable media and using the ISO file.

Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant

Here’s an alternative method you can use to install Windows 11 without losing files that makes use of the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.

1. 1. Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.


2. 2. Run the tool using an ID with administrator’s privileges.


3. 3. The tool will verify that the machine is compatible and present you with license terms. Select Accept and Install.


4. 4. When prompted, click the Restart Now button to complete the installation.

The installation can take several hours and multiple restarts may occur during which you cannot turn off your computer’s power.

Use Windows 11 Installation Media

This option allows you to cleanly install Windows 11 via bootable media. Follow these steps to create a bootable DVD or USB drive.

1. 1. Download the Media Creation Tool and run it as an administrator.


2. 2. Accept the license terms.


3. 3. Select Create installation media for another PC and click Next.


4. 4. Select the language, edition, and 64-bit architecture.


5. 5. Choose the media on which to create the installation files.


6. 6. Connect the installation media to the computer on which you want to install Windows 11.


7. 7. Restart the computer and have it reboot using the installation media.


8. 8. Select your language, time, and keyboard preferences on the Install Windows page.


9. 9. Click Next.


10. 10. Choose Install Windows.

What if I Still Lose Data After Upgrading to Windows 11?

As mentioned previously, there is always the chance that something could go wrong during an upgrade that results in unexpected data loss. That’s why you need to be prepared when updating your operating system.

Hopefully, the backups you created before starting the upgrade can be used to restore any files that were lost during the procedure. But if you decide to gamble and skip the backup step, or if your backup media fails, there is another option that can get your lost data back.

Data recovery software can help you locate and recover data that was lost or deleted during the upgrade to Windows 11. It’s also useful for any other time you accidentally delete or mysteriously lose files.

We like Disk Drill for a variety of reasons. It has great recovery capabilities, supports a wide array of file formats and device types, and has a very user-friendly interface. You can also use its free trial version to recover 500 MB of data to fully test the product’s functionality.

Here’s the procedure you would use to search for lost data on your PC after upgrading to Windows 11.

1. 1. Download and install Disk Drill for Windows. Don’t install it on your main system disk, as this risks overwriting the files you want to recover. We suggest using a USB-connected drive of some kind for downloading and installing the tool.


2. 2. Launch the app and select the disk where Windows 11 was installed from the list of available devices.


3. 3. Click the Search for lost data button to start scanning the disk for recoverable files.


4. 4. Preview the found files to determine which ones you want to recover. Make your selections.


5. 5. Click the Recover button. You will be prompted to select a storage location to save the recovered data. Once again, stay away from the main disk to avoid inadvertently overwriting or corrupting the files you want to recover.


6. 6. Click OK once the location is selected to complete the recovery.

Rolling Back to Windows 10

Hopefully, after upgrading your computer to Windows 11, everything is fine and you are enjoying its new features. But what can you do if you realize you made a mistake by upgrading? Perhaps your system barely met the specifications resulting in degraded Windows 11 performance.

Fortunately, if you determine that Windows 11 is not for you, it may be possible to roll your system back to Windows 10 if you act quickly. To perform this trick, you need to have used the Windows Update feature when the software was made available for your device.

If you used that installation method, you have 10 days from the upgrade to go back to Windows 10. At any point within those 10 days, you can use the following steps to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10.

1. 1. Open Windows Settings.


2. 2. Open the System tab and click on Recovery.


3. 3. Scroll down to Recovery options.


4. 4. Click the Go Back button.


5. 5. Choose your reason for downgrading and click Next.


6. 6. On the Check for Updates screen, select No, thanks.


7. 7. Click Next and then click Go back to earlier build for confirmation.

The process can take some time. Keep your machine powered on until the downgrade is complete.

Why Should I Upgrade to Windows 11?

Now that you know all about upgrading to Windows 11, you might be wondering if you should go ahead and install it right now on your machine. Here’s a brief look at the features of Windows 11 that might influence your decision.

• Android Apps – Though not part of the earliest releases of Windows 11, the OS will provide the ability to download and run Android apps on your PC. Apps will be available for purchase through the Amazon Appstore and will require you to have an Amazon account.


• Windows 11 Widgets – Widgets extend the capacities of the Windows 10 news and interests feature. Widgets are customizable feeds powered by artificial intelligence that help you quickly access important information.


• Microsoft Teams – Teams is built directly into Windows 11 to make it easier for users to access the tool and its features.


• Multiple desktops – Windows 11 lets users create multiple virtual desktops to organize different activities or parts of their lives. For example, create a different desktop for work, school, and relaxation that contains shortcuts to the appropriate tools.


• Snap Layouts – This feature will be welcome by anyone who works with multiple windows open simultaneously. Snap layouts enable you to save an arrangement of windows so you can easily replicate it with a few clicks.

If these features appeal to you, then go ahead and use one of the methods described above to install Windows 11. If you take the proper precautions and ensure the computer meets minimum requirements, the upgrade should go smoothly and you shouldn’t lose any data. If you do, backups and data recovery software should be able to retrieve the lost data. Good luck with your upgrade!