Microsoft has finally released the latest version of Windows OS i.e. Windows 11. Some of the highlights of Windows 11 are rounded corners, a new start menu, a centered taskbar, new desktop backgrounds, cool animations, new sounds, and even more.
The company has already started rolling out Windows 11 to eligible devices. You need to keep in mind, the company is performing the rollout of Windows 11 in different phases. So it’s highly possible that you might not see an upgrade to Windows 11 option in Windows Update settings.
The information is confirmed in this blog post by that all eligible devices will get Windows 11 by mid-2022.
If can’t wait to try Windows 11, then the first thing you need to make sure if your device meets the minimum requirement to install Windows 11 includes:
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor System on a Chip (SoC)
- RAM: 4 gigabyte (GB)
- Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
- System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
- Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
- Display: High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
- Internet connection and Microsoft accounts: If you’re running Windows 10 Home edition, then you need to have Microsoft Account to install it. Learn How to Install Windows 11 Home without Microsoft Account or Internet Connection.
You can also make use of Microsoft PC Health Check to figure out if your Windows 10 device can run Windows 11 or not.
If Yes, you will see a dialog with the message “This PC can run Windows 11“. Apart from that, if NO, then “This PC Can’t Run Windows 11“.
Check out our blog post on how to fix “This PC Can’t Run Windows 11” due to Secure Boot, TPM, and Minimum System requirements.
Once you get the green signal from the app, then you can head over to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Here on the right side, check if you’re seeing the message “Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready- and it’s free”
Here, click on Download and Install button and let the system complete the upgrade process.
If not, click on Check for update button and let the system check if any update is available. If you won’t see the same message, then it is highly possible that an update is not available for your device.
In this situation, you can force upgrade to Windows 11 using Windows 11 Installation Assistant. For detailed instructions, check out the post on How to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
In case, PC health Check application is showing your device is incompatible due to TPM (it requires 2.0 or above), but your device is running TPM 1.2 then there’s a workaround to install Windows 11 on Incompatible hardware PC.
Install Windows 11 on Laptop or PC
Apart from the upgrade option, you can also install Windows 11 on your PC. Installing Windows 11 is super easy. There are two ways to do that. You can either upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 using ISO image or clean install Windows 11. Let’s start with the first method:
Before doing that, you need few things:
- Windows 11 ISO Image – Check, how to download ISO Image of Windows 11
- Windows 11 Bootable Installation Media – Learn, Two Ways to Make Windows 11 Bootable USB
- USB Flash Drive 8GB or Above, we need this to create bootable Windows 11 Installation Media
Now that, you’re all set to install Windows 11. There are two ways to do that. You can either upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 using ISO image or clean install Windows 11. Let’s start with the first method:
Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11
Once you have the ISO images of Windows 11, double-click to mount it.
Next, click on the Setup file and when UAC dialog box appears, click Yes to continue. Doing this will instantly show you Preparing Windows 11.
Windows 11 Setup window will appear, click Next to continue.
Application Notices and License terms window will appear, click Accept to continue.
Next, you need to wait until the “Ready to Install Windows 11” dialog appears. Here, you can click the “Change what to keep” link to customize the installation of Windows 11.
Under this, you will find three options:
- Keep Personal files and apps – You will be able to manage settings
- Keep Personal files – Your settings and apps will be deleted, except files
- Nothing – Everything will be deleted; Settings, files, and apps.
Once done, click on the Install button. After installation is completed, you will be presented with the new Windows 11 OOBE screen.
Clean Install Windows 11
Now that you made it upto this section we assume that you’ve bootable Windows 11 USB Drive, right? The process to install Windows 11 on PC and Laptop is the same as you install Windows 10. Here’s what you need do to:
Insert USB Drive in the PC or laptop
Reboot your device and when it turns on keep pressing the boot key to bring the Boot Options Menu on your device so that you can select Windows 11 bootable device to start the installation.
The different devices have different keys to bring Boot Options Menu. You can try any of these: Esc, F9, F12, F10, etc.
Select the Windows 11 USB drive from the Boot Options Menu. Doing this will instantly take you to Windows 11 Installer screen.
Select Language to install, Time and Currency format, and Keyboard or input method, and then click Next.
Click on Install Now button.
In Activate Windows screen, enter the product key of Windows 11. Since its not officially available and we’re testing it without product key, click on “I don’thave a product key” and select Next.
Select the edition of Windows 11 of your choice. You need to select the one of which you have a key.
Select Terms and conditions of Windows 11, click Next.
Here, you need to select the drive where you want to install Windows 11. In case, you have the fresh drive, then click on the New option and then create the Drive.
Create new drive in which you want to install the Windows 11.
Select the drive where you want to install Windows 11 and then click Next.
Now you will following screens back to back, follow the instructions as suggested:
Select Country or Region and then Click Yes
Select the Input method and then click Yes.
Add a Secondary keyboard if you want, else click on Skip
Select whether you want to setup this device for Personal use or Work or School and then click Next.
Here, you need to Add Microsoft account for Windows 11. You need to enter your Microsoft Account credentials and click Next.
Click on the Create Pin button and then enter PIN of your choice and select Next.
Select Various Privacy Settings in Windows 11 and then click Next.
The above screen will show you various tips and suggestion that you might want to turn ON, select the one you want and then click Accept. You can make these changes later too. So, you can skip this too.
Here, select where you want to store the files. One Drive or locallly
Once all is done. You will be presented with a new Windows 11 OOBE setup screen. Now you can eject the USB drive and complete the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of Windows 11.
Check out YouTube video on How to Install Windows 11
This is how to Home screen of Windows 11 looks like:
There are various sections of Windows 10 that you might love to check:
In case, after upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 11, if you figure out Windows 11 is not your cup of tea and would like to stay with Windows 10, then you can Downgrade Windows 11 to Go Back to Windows 10.
That’s all about this blog post on how to install Windows 11. Why don’t you give it a try and let us know your opinion in the comments.
