To upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on supported hardware, download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft’s download page and run it — your files, apps, and settings are preserved automatically. Alternatively, you can mount the Windows 11 ISO file and run setup directly.
Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) upgrading to Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 1, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Use the PC Health Check app first to confirm your PC meets Windows 11 requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, compatible CPU). If it does not pass, use my guide for upgrading unsupported hardware instead.
- The Installation Assistant is the simplest method — it downloads and installs Windows 11 in one step while keeping all your files, apps, and settings intact.
- The ISO method works offline — download the Windows 11 ISO file, mount it, and run setup. Useful if the Installation Assistant fails or you want to upgrade without an active internet connection during install.
- The upgrade takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on your hardware. Systems with an SSD finish significantly faster than those with an HDD.
Quick Steps (Installation Assistant)
- Run the PC Health Check app and confirm your PC is compatible.
- Go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows11 and download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
- Run the assistant, accept the license terms, and let it download and install Windows 11.
- Restart when prompted — your PC will reboot several times to complete the upgrade.
- Log in to your Windows 11 desktop with all files and apps intact.
In This Guide
This guide covers two methods to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on supported hardware:
- Method 1: Windows 11 Installation Assistant — The easiest approach. Downloads and installs everything automatically. (Recommended)
- Method 2: Windows 11 ISO File — Mount the ISO and run setup manually. Useful for offline upgrades or when the assistant fails.
How to Check if Your PC Supports Windows 11
Before upgrading, you need to confirm your hardware meets the Windows 11 requirements. Microsoft requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and a compatible processor. The quickest way to check is with Microsoft’s PC Health Check app.
- Download the PC Health Check app from Microsoft.
- Install and run it, then click Check Now.
- If your PC passes, you will see “This PC meets Windows 11 requirements” and you can proceed with either upgrade method below.
Note: If your PC does not pass the compatibility check, you can still upgrade using a bypass method. See my guide on how to upgrade to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware for three different approaches.
Method 1: Upgrade Using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant
The Installation Assistant is the simplest way to upgrade. It handles the entire process — downloading the files, verifying them, and installing Windows 11 — while keeping all your files, apps, and settings.
Step 1: Download and Run the Installation Assistant
Go to Microsoft’s Windows 11 download page and find the Windows 11 Installation Assistant section. Click Download Now, then run the downloaded file.
Step 2: Accept the License and Start the Upgrade
The Installation Assistant will launch and ask you to accept the license terms. After accepting, it runs through three stages automatically:
- Downloading — downloads the Windows 11 files (speed depends on your internet connection).
- Verifying — checks the downloaded files for integrity.
- Installing — installs Windows 11 in the background. You can continue using your PC during this stage, but save your work regularly since a restart is coming.
Step 3: Restart and Complete the Upgrade
Once the installation finishes, you will be prompted to restart. You can restart immediately or wait for the 30-minute countdown. Your PC will reboot several times — this is normal. The entire process takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on whether you have an SSD or HDD.
After the final reboot, log in with your existing password. All your files, apps, and settings will be exactly where you left them — you are now running Windows 11.
Method 2: Upgrade Using the Windows 11 ISO File
If the Installation Assistant fails, or if you prefer to upgrade without depending on an active internet connection during the install, you can use the Windows 11 ISO file. This method mounts the ISO and runs the setup wizard directly on your Windows 10 machine.
Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO
Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s download page. Scroll down to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO), select the edition, and choose your language. For detailed instructions, see my guide on how to download the Windows 11 ISO file.
Important: The ISO language must match your current Windows 10 installation language. If they do not match, the setup wizard will not give you the option to keep your personal files and apps. Check your current language at Settings > Time & Language > Language.
Step 2: Mount the ISO and Run Setup
Once the ISO is downloaded, right-click on it and select Open with > Windows Explorer (or just double-click it). This mounts the ISO as a virtual drive and shows the setup files inside.
Double-click the setup application to launch the Windows 11 installation wizard. If User Account Control prompts you, click Yes.
Step 3: Configure and Install
In the setup wizard:
- Click Change how setup downloads updates and select Not right now. Uncheck “I want to help make the installation better.” Click Next.
- Accept the license terms.
- On the “Ready to install” screen, confirm it shows Install Windows 11 and Keep personal files and apps. If the “keep” option is missing, the ISO language likely does not match your Windows 10 language — download the correct version.
- Click Install. Your PC will restart several times. The upgrade takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on your hardware.
After the final reboot, you will land on the Windows 11 desktop with all your files and apps preserved.
What to Do After Upgrading to Windows 11
Once you are running Windows 11, I recommend a few post-upgrade steps:
- Check for updates — go to Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates to make sure you are on the latest build.
- Verify your version — press Win + I, go to System > About, and confirm it shows Windows 11 with the expected version number.
- Optimize and debloat — use Winhance to remove bloatware, disable telemetry, and customize Windows 11 to your liking.
- Update drivers — check that your graphics, audio, and network drivers are up to date. Windows Update usually handles this, but you can also use Snappy Driver Installer Origin for a thorough check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my files or apps during the upgrade?
No. Both the Installation Assistant and the ISO method preserve your personal files, apps, and settings by default. The upgrade installs Windows 11 on top of your existing Windows 10 installation. That said, it is always a good idea to back up important files before any major OS change.
What if my PC does not meet Windows 11 requirements?
You can still upgrade using bypass methods. I have a dedicated guide on how to upgrade to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware that covers three different approaches including FlyOOBE, the CMD /product server trick, and the appraiserres.dll edit.
Can I go back to Windows 10 after upgrading?
Yes, but only within 10 days of upgrading. Go to Settings > System > Recovery and click Go back. After 10 days, Windows deletes the old installation files and you would need to do a clean reinstall of Windows 10 to revert.
How long does the upgrade take?
The upgrade typically takes 30 minutes to 2 hours. The biggest factor is your storage drive — systems with an SSD finish much faster than those with an HDD. You can continue using your PC during the download phase, but save your work before the restart.
Why does the ISO setup not show the option to keep my files?
This happens when the language of the Windows 11 ISO does not match your current Windows 10 installation language. Check your current language at Settings > Time & Language > Language, then download the ISO that matches it exactly. A mismatch forces a clean install instead of an upgrade.
