Yes, you can upgrade Windows 10 to 11 for free and keep your files, apps and most settings, as long as your PC meets Windows 11’s requirements. Back up first, then open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and select Download and install under the Windows 11 offer.
No offer showing? Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant does the same in-place upgrade. Keep the laptop plugged in and expect several restarts.
This guide walks through the three official ways to move a Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 without wiping it: Windows Update, the Installation Assistant and the ISO file. It also covers what to check before you start, what the restarts look like, the error codes you’re most likely to see and how to roll back if you don’t like it.
Our own PC already runs Windows 11, so the Windows 10 steps below follow Microsoft’s support pages and its download page as of October 2026. If you haven’t confirmed your PC is eligible yet, start with how to check if your PC can run Windows 11 and come back.
Is the Windows 11 upgrade still free in 2026?
Yes. Microsoft’s upgrade FAQ says upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 are free, and it doesn’t list an end date. You need a genuine, activated copy of Windows 10 and a PC that meets the hardware requirements. At the time of writing (October 2026), Microsoft’s download page offers Windows 11 version 26H2.
There’s also less pressure than there was a year ago. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, but Microsoft has extended the consumer Extended Security Updates program, so enrolled Windows 10 PCs get security fixes until October 12, 2027. Our Windows 10 end of support guide explains ESU and your other options. If your PC can run Windows 11, though, upgrading is still the simplest long-term fix.
Before you upgrade Windows 10 to 11: a quick checklist
- Your PC is eligible. This guide assumes it passed the check in our compatibility guide.
- You have a backup. In-place upgrades are designed to keep everything, but a backup of your Windows PC is your only safety net if something fails halfway.
- At least 20 GB free on drive C: Microsoft’s troubleshooting page asks for 20 GB free on 64-bit Windows. Check in Settings → System → Storage.
- Windows 10 version 2004 or later. Press Win + R, type
winverand press Enter to see your version. The Installation Assistant won’t run on anything older. - All Windows 10 updates installed, including optional driver updates.
- Your BitLocker recovery key saved if your drive is encrypted. You rarely need it, but if Windows asks for it after a restart, you can’t continue without it.
- Your Windows sign-in password or PIN. You’ll need it after the restarts, and again if you ever roll back.
- Laptop plugged in, and spare USB devices (printers, drives, docks) unplugged except your mouse and keyboard.
Method 1: Upgrade through Windows Update (easiest)
This is the route Microsoft recommends. Windows Update only offers Windows 11 to PCs it has already checked, so if the offer appears, your hardware and drivers have passed.
- Open Settings (Win + I) → Update & Security → Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates and install anything pending for Windows 10 first. Restart if asked.
- When the Windows 11 upgrade offer appears, select Download and install.
- Read and accept the license terms. The download runs in the background, and you can keep using the PC.
- When it’s ready, select Restart now, or schedule the restart for a time you won’t need the PC.
- Let it restart several times. Don’t turn it off or close the lid, even if the screen sits on one percentage for a while.
- Sign in with your usual password or PIN and wait for the desktop to finish setting up.
Method 2: Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant
Use this if your PC is eligible but Windows Update hasn’t shown the offer yet, or if you’d rather start the upgrade yourself. It performs the same in-place upgrade and keeps your files, apps and settings.
According to Microsoft’s download page, the Installation Assistant needs Windows 10 version 2004 or later, a valid Windows license, 9 GB of free space for the download and an administrator account. It only works on PCs with Intel or AMD (x64) processors. Arm-based PCs have to upgrade through Windows Update.
- Go to Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 page (linked in Sources).
- Under Windows 11 Installation Assistant, select Download Now, then open the downloaded file and allow it to make changes.
- The tool checks your hardware. If it passes, select Accept and install to agree to the license terms.
- Wait while it downloads Windows 11 and prepares the upgrade. You can keep working, but save your files.
- Select Restart now when prompted (it restarts on its own after a short countdown), then let the PC restart several times.
- Sign in and let Windows finish setting up.
Method 3: Mount the ISO and run Setup
The ISO is useful when the Installation Assistant fails, your internet connection is unreliable, or you’re upgrading more than one PC. Run from inside Windows 10, it can keep everything just like the other two methods.
- On the same Microsoft download page, under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices, pick Windows 11 from the dropdown, select Download Now, choose your language, select Confirm and download the 64-bit file.
- Right-click the ISO in File Explorer and choose Mount. It opens as a virtual DVD drive.
- Open the drive and double-click setup.exe.
- Follow the prompts and accept the license terms.
- On the Ready to install screen, check that it says Keep personal files and apps. If it doesn’t, select Change what to keep and pick that option.
- Select Install and let the PC restart several times.
Don’t boot the PC from a USB stick or DVD to upgrade. Microsoft warns that starting from installation media does a clean install that completely wipes the drive. To keep your files, always start Setup from inside Windows 10.
Which method should you use?
| Method | Best for | Keeps files and apps | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Update | Most people, if the offer is showing | Yes | Nothing extra |
| Installation Assistant | Eligible PCs with no offer yet | Yes | Windows 10 version 2004+, x64 processor, 9 GB for the download |
| ISO + setup.exe | Assistant fails, slow internet, several PCs | Yes, if you choose Keep personal files and apps | A 64-bit ISO download (several GB) |
What happens during the upgrade, and how long it takes
The upgrade has three stages. First Windows 11 downloads in the background while you work. Then it prepares the installation, which still lets you use the PC. Finally, after you restart, it installs offline through several restarts, showing a percentage on screen.
Microsoft only says the upgrade usually takes longer than a normal Windows 10 feature update. In practice, your internet speed sets the download time, and an SSD is much faster than an old hard drive for the offline part. Plan for it to take a good part of an evening rather than a few minutes.
Your documents, photos and other files are moved into the new installation, and your user account carries over. Most apps and settings come across too. Microsoft notes that some apps are removed if they’re known to cause problems with Windows 11.
After you upgrade Windows 10 to 11: first things to check
- Run Windows Update again: Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates. The first round after an upgrade usually brings drivers and the latest security patches.
- Check your files are where you left them. If your Desktop looks empty and you see a message about a temporary profile, restart and sign in again before doing anything else.
- Check activation: Settings → System → Activation should say Windows is active.
- Test the things you rely on: printer, scanner, VPN, banking or work apps, and any older software. Check your PC maker’s support site for Windows 11 drivers if something misbehaves.
- Leave the old Windows files alone for 10 days. Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense may offer to delete “Previous Windows installation(s)”. Doing that removes your way back.
- Then tidy up: our list of Windows 11 settings to change after you upgrade covers the taskbar, ads, privacy and notifications.
How to go back to Windows 10 within 10 days
If something important doesn’t work, you can roll back. Microsoft keeps the option for 10 days after the upgrade, then deletes the files it needs to free up space.
- Open Settings → System → Recovery.
- Next to Go back, select Go back. If the button is missing or greyed out, the 10 days have passed or the old files were removed.
- Answer the short survey and follow the prompts. Have your old Windows 10 password ready.
Going back keeps your personal files, but removes apps and drivers installed after the upgrade and undoes settings changes. It only works if the windows.old and $windows.~bt folders are still there and you remove any user accounts you added after upgrading. After 10 days, the only way back is a clean install of Windows 10 plus your backup.
If the upgrade doesn’t work
Most failures roll back to Windows 10 on their own and leave your files untouched. Write down the error code, then match it below. These meanings come from Microsoft’s upgrade error page.
| Error or problem | What it usually means | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| No Windows 11 offer in Windows Update | Offers roll out gradually, or the PC hasn’t passed Microsoft’s checks | Use the Installation Assistant. If it says the PC isn’t supported, see what each compatibility failure means |
| 0xC1900101 (any suffix) | A driver problem | Install all Windows updates, unplug extra hardware, uninstall third-party antivirus, update drivers from your PC maker |
| 0x80070070 | Not enough free space | Free up space on C: (aim for 20 GB+) and try again |
| 0x800F0922 | Couldn’t reach Windows Update, or the System Reserved partition is too small | Turn off any VPN, use a stable connection, retry |
| 0xC1900208 | An incompatible app is blocking the upgrade | Uninstall the app Setup names, then retry |
| 0x80073712 | A Windows Update file is damaged or missing | Run Microsoft’s DISM repair steps from the error page, then retry |
If one method keeps failing, try another. The ISO route in Method 3 often gets past download problems, because Setup has everything it needs locally.
FAQ
Will I lose my files if I upgrade from Windows 10 to 11?
Not with any of the three methods here, as long as you start the upgrade from inside Windows 10 and keep “Keep personal files and apps” selected. Files, most apps and most settings carry over. Back up anyway, because a power cut or failed drive mid-upgrade can still cause damage.
Is the Windows 11 upgrade free?
Yes. Microsoft says upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11 are free and hasn’t announced an end date. You need an activated copy of Windows 10 and a PC that meets the requirements.
How long does it take to upgrade Windows 10 to 11?
It depends mostly on your internet speed and whether the PC has an SSD or a hard drive. Microsoft says it usually takes longer than a normal feature update. Set aside an evening and don’t interrupt the restarts.
Can I go back to Windows 10 after upgrading?
Yes, for 10 days, from Settings → System → Recovery → Go back. Your files stay, but apps installed after the upgrade are removed. After 10 days you’d need to reinstall Windows 10 and restore your backup.
Can I keep using my PC while Windows 11 downloads?
Yes. Microsoft says you can use the PC during the download and schedule the install for later. You can’t use it during the offline part after the restart.
Sources
- Download Windows 11 — Microsoft
- Ways to install Windows 11 — Microsoft Support
- Upgrade to Windows 11: FAQ — Microsoft Support
- Go back to the previous version of Windows — Microsoft Support
- Get help with Windows upgrade and installation errors — Microsoft Support
- Windows 10 Extended Security Updates — Microsoft
