Still using Windows 10 and thinking about upgrading to Windows 11 26H2? You don’t need to wipe your PC or reinstall all your programs from scratch. If your computer meets the Windows 11 requirements, you can upgrade from Windows 10 and keep your personal files, installed apps, and most of your settings. However, it’s still a good idea to back up important files before you start, just in case something goes wrong during the upgrade. In this guide, I’ll show you how to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 26H2 without losing your data. We’ll check whether your PC is ready first, then go through the easiest ways to upgrade while keeping your files and apps.
Check If Your PC Can Run Windows 11 26H2
Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10. Your PC needs to meet the required CPU, RAM, storage, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and other requirements before you can officially upgrade.
| Requirement | Minimum requirement |
|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, 2 or more cores, and compatible with Windows 11 |
| RAM | 4 GB or more |
| Storage | 64 GB or larger |
| System firmware | UEFI, with Secure Boot capability |
| TPM | TPM 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | 720p display larger than 9 inches |
| Internet & Microsoft account | Required for Windows 11 Home and some setup features |
If you’re not sure whether your computer is compatible, use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. It checks whether your PC meets Windows 11 requirements, including the processor, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, memory, and storage.
If PC Health Check says your PC is eligible, you can move on to preparing Windows 10 for the upgrade.
Tip: If the tool reports a problem with TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot, you may be able to enable those features in your PC’s UEFI/BIOS settings instead of replacing the computer.
Back Up Your Important Files
Before upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11 26H2, back up your important files even though an in-place upgrade is designed to keep your personal data and apps. Use OneDrive, Windows Backup, or an external USB drive to back up important files from your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, and other folders.
Also make sure you know your Microsoft account details and have enough free storage for the upgrade.
Quick tip: Keep at least one backup on a separate drive or cloud storage rather than relying only on the Windows installation drive.
Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 26H2 Using Windows Update
If your Windows 10 PC is eligible for Windows 11 26H2, Windows Update is the easiest way to upgrade without losing your files and installed apps.
Before starting, connect the PC to power and make sure you have a stable internet connection.
- Open Settings and go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- If Windows 11 26H2 is offered, review the available update and select Download and install.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and restart your PC when prompted.
- Windows will complete the upgrade and boot into Windows 11 26H2.
Your personal files, installed programs, and Windows settings should remain in place after the upgrade.
Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 26H2 Using Installation Assistant
If Windows Update isn’t offering Windows 11 26H2, Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant provides another way to upgrade a compatible Windows 10 PC.
Open Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page and download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
- Run Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe.
- If Windows asks for administrator permission, select Yes.
- The Assistant will check your PC’s compatibility. If the PC meets the requirements, it will offer to install Windows 11.
- Select Accept and install to begin the upgrade.
- Wait while the Installation Assistant downloads and installs Windows 11 26H2. The download time depends on your internet speed.
- When prompted, select Restart now. Your PC will restart several times to complete the upgrade.
- Sign in to Windows when the installation finishes.
- You will notice it getting things ready; just wait for Windows 11 to load. This may take a few minutes, and again, don’t turn off your PC.
That’s all. You have successfully upgraded to the latest Windows 11.
Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 26H2 Using an ISO
If Windows Update and the Installation Assistant don’t work for you, you can perform an in-place upgrade using the Windows 11 26H2 ISO. This method helps because Windows Setup lets you choose exactly what you want to keep. Microsoft’s current download page provides the Windows 11 26H2 ISO for x64 PCs.
- Go to Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page and download the Windows 11 26H2 ISO.
- After the download finishes, right-click the ISO file and select Mount.
- Open the newly created virtual DVD drive in File Explorer.
- Double-click setup.exe.
- If User Account Control appears, select Yes.
- Windows Setup will check for available updates and prepare the installation.
- When you reach the Ready to install screen, make sure it shows Keep personal files and apps.
- If it shows a different option, select Change what to keep and choose Keep personal files and apps.
- Select Next, then select Install to begin the upgrade.
- Windows will restart several times while Windows 11 26H2 is installed.
Important: If Windows Setup reports a compatibility hold, don’t force the upgrade immediately. The hold may be preventing a known compatibility problem from affecting your PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A supported in-place upgrade is designed to keep your personal files, installed apps, and Windows settings. However, you should still back up important files before starting the upgrade.
Yes. If your Windows 10 PC meets Microsoft’s Windows 11 hardware requirements and has a valid Windows 10 license, you can upgrade to Windows 11 without buying a new Windows license.
Yes. When you perform an in-place upgrade and keep your apps, your installed programs should remain available after Windows 11 26H2 is installed. Some older or incompatible programs may require an update or reinstall.
First, make sure your PC meets the Windows 11 requirements and that Windows 10 is fully updated. If 26H2 still isn’t offered, use Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant to upgrade your PC.
Yes, Windows provides a limited period after an upgrade during which you can use the Go back option to return to the previous Windows version. You can find the option in Settings > System > Recovery when the required recovery files are still present.
