Question:

What are the best practices for upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10? I attempted this upgrade two years ago by following the instructions in the settings tab, but I encountered many problems and had to restore Windows 10. I learned that this method of upgrading can corrupt some files and cause system instability. How can I avoid these issues and perform a successful upgrade to Windows 11? I am willing to erase all my files if necessary, as I have a backup.

Answer:

How to Upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 without Problems

Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, which offers new features, improved performance, and enhanced security. However, upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 can be a tricky process, especially if you have an older device or a lot of files and programs. In this article, we will explain the best practices for upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10, and how to avoid common issues that can cause system corruption or instability.

Before you start the upgrade process, you need to make sure that your device meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. These include:

• A 64-bit processor with at least 1 GHz speed and two or more cores
• 4 GB of RAM
• 64 GB of storage space
• A TPM 2.0 chip or a compatible firmware
• A DirectX 12 compatible graphics card with a WDDM 2.0 driver
• A display with a resolution of at least 720p and a diagonal size of at least 9 inches
• A compatible internet connection and a Microsoft account

You can check your device’s specifications by going to Settings > System > About. You can also use the [PC Health Check app](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11#pchealthcheck) to see if your device is eligible for the upgrade.

If your device does not meet the system requirements, you will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11. You can either buy a new device that is compatible with Windows 11, or stick with Windows 10, which will continue to receive security updates until October 14, 2025.

Backup Your Data

Even if your device meets the system requirements, it is always a good idea to backup your data before upgrading to Windows 11. This way, you can avoid losing any important files, photos, videos, or documents in case something goes wrong during the upgrade process.

You can backup your data using an external hard drive, a cloud service, or a built-in tool like [File History](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-your-documents-pictures-and-desktop-folders-with-file-history-19537d7d-3b86-4c03-ba2b-da8df0cdd8eb) or [OneDrive](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/back-up-your-documents-pictures-and-desktop-folders-with-onedrive-d61a7930-a6fb-4b95-b28a-6552e77c3057). Make sure to backup all the files and folders that you want to keep, as well as any settings, passwords, bookmarks, or licenses that you may need.

Choose the Upgrade Method

There are two main methods for upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10: the in-place upgrade and the clean install. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your situation and preference.

In-Place Upgrade

An in-place upgrade is the easiest and fastest way to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10. It allows you to keep all your files, programs, and settings intact, without having to erase or format your device. You can perform an in-place upgrade by using the [Windows Update](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/update-windows-10-3c5ae7fc-9fb6-9af1-1984-b5e0412c556a) tool, which will automatically download and install Windows 11 when it is available for your device.

However, an in-place upgrade can also have some drawbacks. It can cause some compatibility issues with some programs or drivers that may not work well with Windows 11. It can also leave behind some unwanted files or registry entries that can slow down your device or cause errors. Moreover, an in-place upgrade can fail or get stuck due to various reasons, such as low battery, insufficient storage space, or network interruptions.

To avoid these problems, you should do the following before performing an in-place upgrade:

• Make sure your device is plugged in and has enough battery power
• Free up some storage space by deleting unnecessary files or using the [Disk Cleanup](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/disk-cleanup-in-windows-10-8a96ff42-5751-39ad-23d6-434b4d5b9a68) tool
• Update all your programs and drivers to the latest versions
• Uninstall any programs or features that you don’t use or need, especially those that may interfere with the upgrade process, such as antivirus software, disk encryption software, or third-party system utilities
• Disable any unnecessary startup programs or services that may slow down your device or cause conflicts
• Run a [system scan](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-system-file-checker-in-windows-10-365e0031-36b1-6031-f804-8fd86e0ef4ca) and a [disk check](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/check-your-drive-for-errors-in-windows-10-791c6b9b-29ce-9f0c-f9a8-9bf25f8a9b11) to fix any errors or corruption in your system files or disk sectors
• Create a [system restore point](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-a-system-restore-point-77e02e2a-3298-c869-9974-ef5658ea3be9) or a [system image](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-and-restore-your-pc-ac359b36-8d68-1c41-6b72-9b7d28d76f31) that you can use to restore your device in case the upgrade fails or causes problems

Clean Install

A clean install is a more thorough and reliable way to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10. It involves erasing your device and installing Windows 11 from scratch, which means you will lose all your files, programs, and settings. However, this also means you will get a fresh and optimized system, without any compatibility issues, unwanted files, or errors.

You can perform a clean install by using a [Windows 11 installation media](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11), such as a USB flash drive or a DVD, that you can create using the [Media Creation Tool](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11). You will need a valid Windows 10 product key or a digital license to activate Windows 11 after the installation.

To perform a clean install, you should do the following:

• Backup your data to an external hard drive or a cloud service, as you will lose everything on your device
• Insert the Windows 11 installation media into your device and boot from it
• Follow the on-screen instructions to select your language, keyboard layout, and region
• Choose the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option when prompted
• Delete all the partitions on your device and create a new one for Windows 11
• Select the newly created partition and click Next to start the installation
• Wait for the installation to complete and restart your device
• Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device, such as creating a user account, connecting to a network, and choosing your privacy settings
• Activate Windows 11 using your Windows 10 product key or digital license
• Restore your data from your backup and reinstall your programs and drivers

Enjoy Windows 11

Once you have successfully upgraded to Windows 11 from Windows 10, you can enjoy the new features and improvements that Windows 11 offers, such as:

• A redesigned Start menu and taskbar, with centered icons, rounded corners, and dynamic widgets
• A new Snap Layouts and Snap Groups feature, which allows you to easily arrange and switch between multiple windows on your screen
• A new Microsoft Store, which offers a better user interface, faster downloads, and more apps, including Android apps
• A new Microsoft Edge browser, which is faster, more secure, and more compatible with modern web standards
• A new File Explorer, which offers a simplified ribbon, a compact mode, and a dark mode
• A new Settings app, which offers a more intuitive and consistent layout, with more options and features
• A new Voice Typing feature, which allows you to dictate text using your voice, with auto-punctuation and commands
• A new Focus Sessions feature, which allows you to set goals, track your progress, and stay focused with music and timers
• A new Chat app, which allows you to communicate with your friends and family using Microsoft Teams
• A new Gaming Dashboard, which allows you to access your games, settings, and features, such as Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Game Bar

And many more!

We

hope this article has helped you learn how to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 without problems. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below. Thank you for reading! 😊