Upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11 for Free

Upgrading your operating system is not just a casual “Update” click; it’s a step that affects the stability, security, and performance of the applications you rely on daily. With the rapid evolution in technology, the question is no longer Should I upgrade Windows? but When and how should I do it correctly without losing data or facing errors?

In this article from the technical section of Wiki Arabic, we will take you step by step to understand the right time for upgrading, how to prepare your device, and then execute the upgrade safely, whether you are using Windows 10 or Windows 11.

You may also want to check our detailed article “Partitioning the Hard Drive without Formatting on Windows 11” as it is crucial to partition your hard drive.

When Should You Consider Upgrading Your Operating System?

Before making the decision to upgrade, it’s important to know whether you truly need it. Upgrading is not always mandatory, and in some cases, it is very necessary.

When is an upgrade necessary?

You may feel your device is functioning well, but there are clear indicators that tell you it’s time, such as:

1. Your system is no longer supported by Microsoft
   When support stops, so does access to security updates. This leaves your device vulnerable to threats. For example: Windows 10 support officially ends in October 2025, meaning continuing to use it now puts your device in direct confrontation with security vulnerabilities and cyber threats due to the lack of new security updates. For Windows 7 users, upgrading the entire system will be inevitable in most cases based on the age of the device.
2. Recurring performance issues
   Such as slow booting, app freezes, or unexplained error messages.
3. Your modern applications only work on a newer version
   Some modern design software or games require Windows 11 to take advantage of better graphics technologies.
4. You need new features
   Such as security enhancements (Core Isolation) or AI features that Microsoft has begun integrating into recent versions.
5. AI Features (Windows Copilot)
   Fully take advantage of the integrated AI assistant Copilot and advanced AI features in photo and video editing, and managing daily tasks, which have become exclusive to modern Windows updates and are not supported by older systems.

But the more important question now is Is your device capable of upgrading? The answer will follow in the next paragraph.

Checking the Upgrade Requirements for Windows 11

Before you start the upgrade steps, you need to ensure your device can run the new version of Windows. Not every device running Windows 10 is capable of running Windows 11, for example.

How Do You Check if Your Device is Ready?

Microsoft has a simple tool to help you determine whether your device qualifies for a newer system like Windows 11.

Steps:

1. Download the Microsoft PC Health Check tool from the official link:
   https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp
2. Install the tool and then open it.
3. Click “Check now”.
4. A message will tell you if your device is eligible or not.

If the program tells you that your device is not eligible, the issue is often due to: the presence of TPM 2.0, Secure Boot support, or processor generation. Don’t worry, you can enable TPM and Secure Boot through the BIOS if it’s available.

How Do I Check if My Device Can Run TPM 2.0

Press Windows key + R then type in the run box tpm.msc

1. If you get a message saying Compatible TPM cannot be found or the module is missing, there’s no need to worry, as it may be there but not enabled. In the following paragraph is how to enable it.
2. If the TPM program opens, you need to check the tool version. If it’s less than 2.0, your device does not support Windows 11 (but don’t worry, there are solutions that we will mention in the next paragraph).

Solution for TPM 2.0 or Unsupported Processor Compatibility Issues

How to bypass the TPM 2.0 and unsupported processor restrictions officially: If the PC Health Check tool shows that your device is not supported due to the processor or TPM, you can manually activate the TPM by entering the BIOS settings and enabling the PTT option (for Intel devices) or FTPM (for AMD devices). Here are the detailed steps to enable TPM 2.0:

1. Follow these steps: Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > in the Advanced startup section, click Restart now.
2. On the next screen, choose Troubleshoot > then Advanced options > then UEFI Firmware Settings > then Restart to apply the changes.
   These settings are sometimes available in a sub-menu within the UEFI BIOS interface called Advanced, Security, or Trusted Computing. The option to enable the TPM may appear under names like Security Device, Security Device Support, TPM State, AMD fTPM switch, AMD PSP fTPM, Intel PTT, or Intel Platform Trust Technology.

If the processor is very old, you can use the well-known Rufus tool while burning the Windows system onto a USB stick, as it provides a built-in option to bypass TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot constraints and successfully install Windows 11.

You can check my article Resolving the Issue This PC can’t run Windows 11 and Overcoming TPM 2.0 Requirements for detailed solutions.

Minimum Requirements for Upgrading Windows 11:

If you are someone who remembers or can figure out the basic specifications of your device. You can see the basic requirements to run Windows 11 in the following table:

Component	Minimum Required for Upgrade
Processor	1 GHz or faster, with 2 or more cores, 64-bit architecture (8th generation Intel or newer / AMD Ryzen 2000 or newer).
RAM	4 GB (RAM) or more.
Storage Space	64 GB or larger SSD (recommended for performance).
System Firmware	UEFI, capable of secure boot.
Trusted Platform Module	TPM version 2.0 (a prerequisite).
Graphics Card	Compatible with DirectX 12 or newer. With WDDM 2.0 driver.
Display	720p resolution and not less than 9 inches in diagonal. 8 bits color channel.

Before Upgrading: Properly Prepare Your Device

Many jump straight to the “Upgrade” button and are then surprised by unforeseen issues: lost files, slowness after the update, or some programs freezing. Thus, it’s essential to prepare the device well.

1. Back Up Your Computer Before Upgrading

Skipping the backup is a bad idea, as even a small mistake during the upgrade can lead to loss of your files.

• Connect an external USB.
• Open the Start Menu.
• Type: File History
• Select “Backup to drive”.
• Enable backup for documents, photos, and important folders.

Alternatively, you can use OneDrive directly if you prefer cloud backup.

2. Clean Your Device Before Upgrading

The idea here is not for aesthetics, but to speed up the upgrade process and reduce the chances of errors.

• Open Start.
• Type Storage.
• Click on Storage Sense.
• Enable the option to clean temporary files.
• Remove old Windows updates.

3. Disconnect Any Non-Essential Devices

Such as:

• Printer.
• Additional USBs.
• External drives.
• Old network adapters.

All of these can cause conflicts during the upgrade process.

How to Upgrade Windows – The Correct Method (Step by Step)

After ensuring your device is ready and prepared, you can start the upgrade.

Method 1: Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 for Free via Windows Update (Safest)

This method is best if you want to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 or one of the major Windows 11 updates. Here are the steps for upgrading:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. If the new version is available, the option Download and Install will appear.
4. Click to download the update.
5. Wait for the installation.
6. Restart the device when prompted.

This method ensures that drivers remain intact and files are not affected.

Method 2: Use Microsoft’s Official Upgrade Tool

Sometimes the update doesn’t appear in Windows Update even though your device is eligible. You can use the upgrade tool here.

Official Links:

– To upgrade from Windows 10 → 11:
https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

– To upgrade Windows 10 to the latest version of Windows 10:
https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10

How to Use the Tool:

1. Visit the link and select Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
2. Download the tool.
3. Run it.
4. Agree to the terms.
5. Click Start.
6. Wait for the upgrade process to complete (this may take between 20–60 minutes).

The advantage of this method is that it forces the upgrade even if the update does not appear automatically.

Third: Clean Installation of Windows 11 from USB – For Better Performance

This method wipes the old system and installs a completely new version. It’s best for those facing recurring issues or extreme slowness, or those who bought a used device and want to start fresh.

Practical Steps in Brief:

1. Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
2. Prepare an empty USB with at least 8GB capacity.
3. Create a bootable USB.
4. Restart the device and press F12 or F9 to boot from USB.
5. Select Install Windows.
6. Delete the old system partition, then complete the installation.

The advantage of this method: better performance, fewer problems.
The disadvantage: requires reinstalling programs from scratch.

After Upgrading: Important Steps to Ensure Stable Performance

The process doesn’t end just when the desktop appears; there are essential steps to take after upgrading.

1. Update Drivers

It’s important to make sure that all drivers are compatible with the new version.

• From Device Manager:
• Start.
• Device Manager.
• Right-click on all essential components.
• Update Driver.

Or you can visit the manufacturer’s website:
Intel – Nvidia – AMD

2. Check the System for Errors

Open CMD as administrator then type:

sfc /scannow

This scans system files and ensures everything is intact.

3. Enable New Security Features

• Open Settings then Privacy & Security then Windows Security.
• Now choose Device Security.
• Enable Core Isolation and go into Core Isolation Details, then enable Memory Integrity if available.

You might find it useful: Check the article Memory Integrity to understand its importance in securing and protecting Windows.

Should You Always Upgrade to the Latest Version of Windows 11? (An Important Point)

Many users think that the latest version is always the best, which is not true.
Upgrading is beneficial when:

• Support for the old version ends.
• You need new features.
• You face recurring issues.
• Your device is new and suitable for the latest version.

But if your device is old or works efficiently on a particular version, there’s no need to upgrade just for appearances.

Frequently Asked Questions