Windows 11 23H2 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, and it comes with a number of new features and improvements. If you want to upgrade your PC to Windows 11, you might be wondering how to do it. In this article, explore how to download and install Windows 11 on your PC in a few easy steps. Before you start, you need to make sure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.
How to Upgrade to Windows 11
Before you begin, it’s crucial to ensure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.
Windows 11 Minimum system requirements:
– A processor that is 1 GHz or faster with at least two cores
– 4 GB of RAM or more
– 64 GB of storage space or more
– A graphics card that is compatible with DirectX 12 or later
– A display that has a resolution of at least 720p and a diagonal size of at least 9 inches
– A TPM (Trusted Platform Module) version 2.0 or higher
– System firmware- UEFI, Secure Boot capable
You can check if your PC meets these requirements by using the PC Health Check app from Microsoft. You can download it from here: https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp
Make sure your device is eligible for the upgrade.
Before making any major changes to your operating system, it’s always wise to back up your important data. Create a backup of your files to prevent any potential data loss during the installation process.
Once you have verified that your PC is compatible with Windows 11, you can proceed to download and install it. There are two ways to do this: either through Windows Update or by using a USB flash drive.
Download and Install Windows 11 through Windows Update
This is the easiest and recommended way to upgrade your PC to Windows 11. You just need to have a stable internet connection and enough battery power. Here are the steps to follow:
– Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
– Click on Check for updates. If Windows 11 is available for your PC, you will see a message saying “The Windows 11 upgrade is ready for your device”.
– Click on Download and install. This will start downloading the Windows 11 installation files in the background.
– Once the download is complete, you will be prompted to restart your PC to begin the installation process.
– Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. This may take some time, so be patient and do not turn off your PC.
– After the installation is finished, you will be greeted by the new Windows 11 setup screen. Here you can customize your settings, sign in with your Microsoft account, and enjoy the new features of Windows 11.
Download and Install Windows 11 using a USB Flash Drive
This option is useful if you want to install Windows 11 on a different PC or if you want to have more control over the installation process. You will need a USB flash drive that has at least 8 GB of space and another PC that has Windows 10 installed. Here are the steps to follow:
– Go to this website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
– Click on Download now under Create Windows 11 installation media.
– Run the downloaded file and accept the license terms.
– Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click Next.
– Choose the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) of Windows 11 that you want to install and click Next.
– Select USB flash drive and click Next.
– Choose the USB flash drive that you want to use and click Next. This will erase all the data on the USB flash drive, so make sure you back up any important files before proceeding.
– Wait for the tool to download and create the Windows 11 installation media on the USB flash drive. This may take some time, depending on your internet speed and USB drive speed.
– Once the process is complete, click Finish and eject the USB flash drive safely from your PC.
– Now you can use the USB flash drive to install Windows 11 on any compatible PC. To do this, you need to boot from the USB flash drive. This may vary depending on your PC model and BIOS settings, but usually, you can press a key like F12, F10, or Esc during startup to access the boot menu and select the USB flash drive as the boot device.
– Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 11 on your PC. You will need to enter a product key or choose to activate later. You will also need to choose a partition where you want to install Windows 11. If you want to replace your existing Windows version with Windows 11, you can select the partition where it is installed and click Next. This will erase all the data on that partition, so make sure you back up any important files before proceeding. If you want to keep your existing Windows version and install Windows 11 alongside it, you can create a new partition or shrink an existing one and select it as the destination for Windows 11. This will create a dual-boot system where you can choose which version of Windows to use each time you start your PC.
– After the installation is finished, you will be greeted by the new Windows 11 setup screen. Here you can customize your settings, sign in with your Microsoft account, and enjoy the new features of Windows 11.
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