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Upgrading to Windows 11 is easier than you might think. If your device is eligible, you can start the process right from the Windows Update section in Settings. Follow this quick guide to check availability and begin your upgrade with just a few clicks.
Windows 11 migration via Windows Update in Settings
If upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, Microsoft recommends waiting until Windows Update notifies that the upgrade is ready for the device. To check if Windows 11 is ready for a device using Windows Update, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Start menu and then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- In the Windows Update window that opens, select the Check for updates button.
Note: If there are updates available for the current version of Windows, the Windows 11 upgrade might not be made available until those updates are installed. Install any updates for the current version of Windows, restart the device, and then try checking for the Windows 11 upgrade again. - If Windows 11 is ready to be installed on the device, a message is displayed in the Windows Update window showing that Windows 11 is ready. Select the Download and Install button to start the Windows 11 upgrade.
- In the Software License Terms window that opens, select the Accept and install button.
- The Windows Update window refreshes, and the Status shows the progress of the Windows 11 upgrade downloading and installing.
- Once the installation portion of the Windows 11 upgrade is done in Windows 10:
- The Windows Update window refreshes and changes to Restart required. The Status: also updates to Pending restart.
- A Windows Update notification is displayed in the notification area with the message Restart to install the newest Windows feature update.
To continue the Windows 11 upgrade, restart the device by selecting the Restart now button in the Windows Update window or Restart now in the Windows Update notification. - The device restarts and the Windows 11 upgrade process continues. The device restarts automatically a few more times to finish installing Windows 11.
- The Windows sign-on screen is displayed once the Windows 11 upgrade is done. Sign in to the device to complete the upgrade.
If Windows 11 isn’t shown in Windows Update
If a message isn’t displayed in the Windows Update window that Windows 11 is ready, it could be for one of the following reasons:
- The device meets the hardware requirements for Windows 11, but the Windows 11 upgrade isn’t ready to install yet.
- The device meets the hardware requirements for Windows 11, but there might be a known compatibility issue with the device and Windows 11. The Windows 11 upgrade will eventually be offered if the compatibility issue is resolved. For more information, see the notification “What needs your attention” displayed during a Windows upgrade.
- The device doesn’t meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11.
That's it!
And that’s all it takes to migrate to Windows 11 via Windows Update! The process is simple, and you’ll be up and running with the new OS in no time.
