Starting today, October 5, 2021, Windows 11 will be available to users on new devices with Windows 11 pre-installed, or through an update on an eligible Windows 10 device.
While Windows is still an integral part of the connectivity, learning, entertainment and work activities of more than 1 billion people, Windows 11 has been officially launched to bring users closer to the conveniences that they offer. they love, enhancing creativity and productivity, and improving key factors like security and reliability. In this article, I'll explain the phased release process Microsoft is implementing with Windows 11 and how to upgrade when your device is ready.
Overview of Windows 11 upgrade plans
In rolling out the Windows 11 upgrade, we leveraged systems and processes that have been applied to 1.3 billion Windows 10 devices over the past 5 years. We're rolling out Windows 11 cautiously and in phases, as we've done with Windows 10 feature upgrades. Our goal is to provide users with a smooth upgrade experience. but. And like previous releases, we'll make upgrades available to eligible new devices first1,2, and then study device health and other information to determine when. update points for the rest of the devices through Windows Update.
Windows 11 will gradually be available on existing devices on the market based on hardware conditions, reliability metrics, and other factors that affect the upgrade experience. If your Windows 10 computer is eligible for the upgrade, you'll receive a notification in your Windows Update settings. We expect that by mid-2022, all eligible Windows 10 devices will receive the Windows 11 upgrade.
October 4, 2021 marks the first day of the 24-month lifecycle for the Home and Pro versions of Windows 11.
Windows 11 is now officially available. If you decide you want to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10, here's how to get the upgrade for free.
For Windows 11 devices
Many devices with Windows 11 pre-installed are available in the market from today. New devices on which Windows 10 is installed will be among the first to receive the upgrade to Windows 11.
How to check if Windows 11 supports your PC
To check if Windows 11 officially supports your PC hardware, download and run Microsoft's PC Health Check app.
The good news is that even if your PC isn't officially supported, you can still upgrade to Windows 11. It's up to you, but Microsoft warns that you may experience problems and it doesn't guarantee the future updates to Windows on your hardware.
Use Windows Update to update. This is the safest and most secure way
For the safest possible update process, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update on your Windows 10 PC. (You can press Windows + I to quickly open the Settings app.)
Click the Check for updates button to see if there are any updates available. If Microsoft thinks your PC is ready to go to Windows 11, you will see the message “Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready—and it’s free!” here. Click Download and install to download.
Note: Microsoft will distribute this update to users in turn from time to time. If an update hasn't been offered here, chances are you'll see it in a few weeks or months. For the best hardware update experience, Microsoft recommends waiting for Windows Update to deliver the update to your PC. When Microsoft thinks your PC is ready, you will receive the update.
If Windows 11 doesn't officially support your PC, you'll never see an update offered through Windows Update.
Microsoft says there are ways for you to upgrade your Windows 10 PC to Windows 11, even if your current PC's hardware isn't officially supported by Windows 11. It's up to you to accept the risk of problems or not, but it's best to leave your old PCs running Windows 10 as-is, unless there's a specific reason to upgrade.
Safe and effective
As I've mentioned in previous articles, the latest version of Windows offers the best protection, the most innovative design, and the best performance. You will feel this even more clearly with Windows 11! Windows 11 minimum system requirements will usher in a new era of experience, reliability, and security. As Panos Panay shared in June, this is the first version of the new generation of Windows. For customers whose devices are not eligible to upgrade to Windows 11, Windows 10 is still a great option. Windows 10 will continue to be supported through October 14, 2025, and as we announced, the next feature update for Windows 10 will be available soon, helping you continue to receive support and many options for the operating system.
