How to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without losing your files

Still on Windows 10 and want to move to Windows 11 without losing your files, programs and settings? It takes less than an hour, and if your Windows 10 is genuine the upgrade is free. This guide shows how to check whether your PC is compatible, the three ways to upgrade and what to do about the licence.

Why upgrade now

Official support for Windows 10 ended in October 2025. Microsoft still offers Extended Security Updates (ESU) for home users until October 2027, but it’s a temporary solution: Windows 10 gets no new features and more and more programs and games require Windows 11. Moving now saves you a last-minute rush.

Step 1: check whether your PC is compatible

Windows 11 requires:

• a compatible processor (usually Intel 8th generation or newer, AMD Ryzen 2000 or newer);
• 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage;
• TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled, with UEFI firmware.

The easiest way to find out is Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app: open it and click Check now. If your PC is compatible, you can go ahead. If it says TPM or Secure Boot are turned off, you can often just enable them in your PC’s BIOS/UEFI.

Step 2: back up

The upgrade keeps your files and programs, but a backup is always a good idea. Copy documents, photos and your desktop to an external drive or OneDrive. Also note down the licences of the programs you use (for example Office).

Before you start, install all Windows 10 updates and keep at least 30 GB free on the drive.

Step 3: upgrade to Windows 11

Method 1: Windows Update (the easiest)

1. Press Win + I and go to Update & Security → Windows Update.
2. If you see Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready, click Download and install.
3. Follow the instructions and restart when asked. The PC will restart a few times: that’s normal.

Method 2: Windows 11 Installation Assistant

If Windows Update doesn’t offer the upgrade, download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft’s official website, run it and click Accept and install. Your files and programs stay where they are.

Method 3: ISO file

Download the Windows 11 ISO from our Download links page, double-click it and run setup.exe. When asked, choose Keep personal files and apps.

Step 4: activation

If your Windows 10 was genuine and activated, Windows 11 activates automatically with the same edition: Windows 10 Home becomes Windows 11 Home, Pro becomes Pro. You can check it in Settings → System → Activation.

You need a product key if:

• Windows 10 wasn’t activated or the licence isn’t valid;
• you want to move from Home to Pro for BitLocker, Remote Desktop and Hyper-V (see Windows 11 Home vs Pro: which one do you need?);
• you changed the motherboard or are installing Windows 11 from scratch on a new PC.

In these cases go to Settings → System → Activation → Change product key and enter the code. If you see an error such as 0xC004C008, follow our Windows activation guide with the Get CID tool.

See Windows 11 Pro

What if my PC isn’t compatible?

You can keep using Windows 10 with Extended Security Updates until October 2027 while you consider a new PC. When you move to a computer with Windows 11, you can bring your files along with a backup on OneDrive or an external drive.

Frequently asked questions

Is the upgrade free?

Yes, if your Windows 10 is genuine and your PC is compatible. You only pay if you need a new licence, for example to move to Pro.

Will I lose files and programs?

No: with Windows Update, the Installation Assistant or by choosing “Keep personal files and apps”, everything stays in place. The backup is just for peace of mind.

Can I go back to Windows 10?

Yes, within 10 days of the upgrade: go to Settings → System → Recovery → Go back.

Will Office keep working?

Yes, Office and your other programs stay installed and activated. If you want a newer version, read Office 2024 vs Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365: which is worth it?

Need help with the upgrade? Message us: support is free.