• long running

Free Upgrade to Windows 11 for Windows 10 Users

7560

Microsoft is suggesting this is only for a limited time – mirroring the upgrade strategy it used to entice Windows 7 users to make the leap to Windows 10.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/windows-11-specifica…
Requirements are listed here: Main things are TPM2.0 and i9 7th gen, 8th Gen Intel or 2nd Gen Ryzen or newer
Clear stated:Still possible to use Windows 11 without meeting the TPM requirements with steps documented here: https://winbuzzer.com/2021/08/09/how-to-install-windows-11-w…
Check compatibility with this program: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/windows-11#pchealthc…
Windows 11 Installation Assistant, Create Windows 11 Installation Media, Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Microsoft has announced that it will allow users to install Windows 11 on all modern hardware, including 1st Gen Ryzen and 6th and 7th Gen Core processors. There is a catch, though. You won’t be able to upgrade your PC directly from Windows 10 to 11 if you are running older hardware, not in the official requirement list. Instead, you’ll have to download the Windows 11 ISO from the official Microsoft website and do a clean install.

The upgrade will then roll out over time to in-market devices based on intelligence models that consider hardware eligibility, reliability metrics, age of device and other factors that impact the upgrade experience. We expect all eligible devices to be offered the free upgrade to Windows 11 by mid-2022.

Here are 11 highlights of this release

  1. The new design and sounds are modern, fresh, clean and beautiful, bringing you a sense of calm and ease.
  2. With Start, we’ve put you and your content at the center. Start utilizes the power of the cloud and Microsoft 365 to show you your recent files no matter what device you were viewing them on.
  3. Snap Layouts, Snap Groups and Desktops provide an even more powerful way to multitask and optimize your screen real estate.
  4. Chat from Microsoft Teams integrated into the taskbar provides a faster way to connect to the people you care about.
  5. Widgets, a new personalized feed powered by AI, provides a faster way to access the information you care about, and with Microsoft Edge’s world class performance, speed and productivity features you can get more done on the web.
  6. Windows 11 delivers the best Windows ever for gaming and unlocks the full potential of your system’s hardware with technology like DirectX12 Ultimate, DirectStorage and Auto HDR. With Xbox Game Pass for PC or Ultimate you get access to over 100 high-quality PC games to play on Windows 11 for one low monthly price. (Xbox Game Pass sold separately.)
  7. Windows 11 comes with a new Microsoft Store rebuilt with an all-new design making it easier to search and discover your favorite apps, games, shows, and movies in one trusted location. We look forward to continuing our journey to bring Android apps to Windows 11 and the Microsoft Store through our collaboration with Amazon and Intel; this will start with a preview for Windows Insiders over the coming months.
  8. Windows 11 is the most inclusively designed version of Windows with new accessibility improvements that were built for and by people with disabilities.
  9. Windows 11 unlocks new opportunities for developers and creators. We are opening the Store to allow more developers and independent software vendors (ISVs) to bring their apps to the Store, improving native and web app development with new developer tools, and making it easier for you to refresh the look and feel across all our app designs and experiences.
  10. Windows 11 is optimized for speed, efficiency and improved experiences with touch, digital pen and voice input.
  11. Windows 11 is the operating system for hybrid work, delivering new experiences that work how you work, are secure by design, and easy and familiar for IT to deploy and manage. Businesses can also test Windows 11 in preview today in Azure Virtual Desktop, or at general availability by experiencing Windows 11 in the new Windows 365.

Related Stores

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Comments

    • I tried 10 when it came out and hated it. Buggy, crashed, lack of driver support. It made things that were simple in 7 overly complicated. I eventually got used to it though. I'm in no hurry to get 11. I assume I will get it eventually.

  • +1

    I'll let you guys go first

  • I hear Windows 11 doesn't have the option to 'never combine' on taskbar icons. That's a hard no from me then.

    • Does it have combine when taskbar is full? That's what I use.

  • Have an i5-4430. Hard pass on this free upgrade :s

  • +11

    My cousin's friend took this upgrade and his balls swoll'd up. Do your research. stay safe

    • +2

      I see how you nikki menajed this topic :-D

  • Worst mistake I did at work.

    Give me back my start menu!!!!

    • Give me back my classic right click menu options ( need to click another button to get to them)

    • Not my start menu!

  • +2

    Windows 11 Requirements Check Tool
    - https://bytejams.com/

    A free tool to see if your PC meets the requirements to run Windows 11.
    The tool performs the following checks as specified in this document from Microsoft:
    https://download.microsoft.com/download/7/8/8/788bf5ab-0751-…

    In addition it checks if your PC can support (gaming) features like AutoHDR and DirectStorage.

    • +1

      https://www.xda-developers.com/install-windows-11-unsupporte…

      Also use this at your own discretion. Editing registry to make upgrade possible

      • That is handy to know, but I'm in no rush for Win11 :-)

        I don't want more AI in my personal computer,
        and also eventually needing a M$ login,
        (which can happen to Win10 too), just to use my computer.

  • Looking forward to the surge of older hardware for cheap because it can't run Windows 11!

    • Well you can easily just use a modified ISO and it will install. But i dunno about a surge for cheap, big doubt, old CPUs and motherboards went up in value during covid…I sold a 6th gen msi board and 6700k i7 for over $350 the other day, the chips go for over $200 on their own. That’s not cheap when you can get a prebuilt system practically free with a GPU now haha. I’m not giving my old stuff away for nothing!

      • Most people probably won't bother to try and use a modified ISO.

    • It's already happening, but not because of W11. New i3s are cheap and more powerful than older i7s. That puts downward pressure on the second hand market.

  • My work only updated to windows 10 2years ago lol

    Like to test out windows 11 but then switching back and forth from Win 11 at home and then Win 10 at work will be annoying me thinks

    • Is your OS on your phone Windows 10 too?

      • my phone? No its Android

  • …but Bill said W10 was the last version!

    • +2

      It's almost as though you can't trust anything they say.

  • Be aware that if your BIOS is more that about five years old you will NOT be able to install Windows 11 as the BIOS must support TPM (Trusted Platform Module). To check this run the command TPM.MSC.

    • +1

      TPM.MSC will tell you if windows can see a TPM, but this doesn't mean there is no TPM, it may just be disabled in BIOS as is the case with many mobos in DIY builds. Check your Mobo manual for where to find this option - AMD cpus it will be called fTPM, for intel its called patform Trust Technology (PTT).

  • +1

    But will it run Crysis?

  • Exactly 600 upvotes at the time of this comment but a lot people saying no to the upgrade in the comments. Am I missing something?

  • +2

    Can I force this onto my first gen i7 920 from last century?

  • I'm in the Release Preview Channel, both my laptop and NUC received the update today. I'm enjoying Windows 11 so far!

  • +1

    I've been running Windows 11 on my HTPC for a few months now and I'm very happy with it. Win 11 looks very nice and it has been glitch free so far. The layout and simplicity of navigation is superb and just seems to be a lot lighter, less bloated. On my first install attempt, it advised advised that my system wasn't compatible, which I thought was a bit odd as it's a fairly recent build with decent spec (Intel i5 8th gen, 16GB Ram). I found a guy on Youtube that showed how to create a bootable USB drive that bypasses this issue and it works a treat. Give it a go, I'm sure you'll be impressed. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL_X_Sxt0vQ

  • +2

    my 2500K doesn't qualify.. oh well… haha

  • When Windows 10 came out you could upgrade for years using this method:
    https://www.howtogeek.com/265409/you-can-still-get-windows-1…
    Doesn't work now, but did for ages.

  • Will Win10 support remain?

    I'd much prefer to just stay with 10.

  • Office was not working locally (Only office 365 works) so went back to Windows 10

  • +1

    I wouldn't call Win 10 -> 11 an upgrade!

  • -6

    Anyone seeing the coincidence of Vaccinations and Windows 11 both Bill Gates and now TPM 2.0 Chips

  • +1

    The highlights mentioned in the original post is only one side of the story. Microsoft have removed many features. The one that makes it unusable for me is that they have removed toolbars from the taskbar.

  • +4

    Absolute trash. The taskbar is no longer a taskbar and simply a ChromeOS/MacOS dock. Do not upgrade. You will be immeasurably disappointed.

    • I was disappointed too when they copied apple. Apple should NOT be the standard these days, when ironically Apple have been stealing designs from other companies and designers. How do I know? I've done a huge essay on how Apple steals and appropriates design with in-depth references and quotes from Apple design himself admitting he takes "inspiration" (inspiration my a$$) from other companies and designers. Surprisingly enough, that essay received a HD, maybe because I was so passionate about revealing Apple's unethical processes for profit. I did admit they have an amazing marketing team

      • +1

        Would love to read your essay if you can share

  • +1

    that dock looks like a royal piece of junk from 2005

  • It will likely always be free for home users. Microsoft needs users to stay updated and in their ecosystem. They make the $ through other means. If you had Win 7 you can get a legal upgrade for anything through to Win 11 (and who knows what else in the future).

    Does anyone charge for the operating system anymore other than Microsoft and then only if your PC never came with any Windows license at all (or you can't source one).

  • would this upgrade work if I have windows 10 via bootcamp on a 2020 13 inch MacBook Pro? (Intel version)

  • Will this work if you have pirated windows 10
    (Asking for a friend)

    • +3

      My friend at M$ is also asking if you can provide your friends contact details so they can help him personally.. lolz

      • My friend said he can find out if its compatible, just send him your credit card details (:

    • Just tell your friend to pirate windows 11

      • But pirating is unethical so best to do it as little as possible

        • Easy solution buy a cheap laptop with Windows 8.1 or 10 bundled upgrade to 11. Make sure the CPU is compatible or use registry hack. No piracy involved

  • Got my TPM chip delivered last thursday and immediately upgraded to Windows 11 that night.
    Its running nice and looks nice. My bluetooth speaker drops out intermittently now though…

  • No chance of it running on my Xeon 😴💤

  • +3

    Windows 7 was the best version of Windows.

    Change my mind.

    • no, it was Windows XP

    • Yeah with the glass multi thumbnail was awesome no idea why they took it out

  • +1

    Oh wait, Windows 10 isn't the last version?…. lol

    M$ keeps reskinning and dumbing down the GUI, making it more and more difficult for administrators (like me) to keep control of the machines.

    It's not a "deal" that you can get Win 11 for free, you can still get Win 10 for free and always have been able to. You will never have to pay for Win 11.

    They want their store built into your desktop and you to be using subscription 365 and cloud storage, xbox and other subscription services.

    This is not a deal, it's simply bait on a hook. You, your internet usage and your data are the product and that is the business they want.

    • A business model which Apple has done for years but nobody notices it. hahaha

  • im still on windows 8.1 can i upgrade for free?

    • I would guess yes though I don't think there's a direct way to go from 8 to 11
      I assume you would need to either:
      - Fresh install Windows 11
      - Upgrade to Windows 10 then upgrading to Windows 11 using the Windows upgrade tool both times

  • Has anyone received the update yet?

  • As someone with an ultrawide monitor, the thing I'm most looking forward to are the Snap Layouts.

  • +2
  • how is windows 11?

    • I am running on my PC (Win 10 upgrade to Win 11).

      The whole process was smooth, with no errors. Running smoothly now, no compatibility issue.

      • +1

        Worth the upgrade? Or should just wait for a few months and do we need a outlook acc to log in now?

        • +1

          I think no urgency. If you are an early adopter, why not!

  • +2

    You brave souls upgrading to a new version of Windows on Day 1 of mass release.

  • Yeah don't think i'll upgrade ('free testing of it') for about a year or two at least.
    Just noticed in update it says 'this pc doesn't currently meet all the system requirements for Windows 11 - get pc health check)

  • Ryzen 1600 not compatible!? what a joke

    • +1

      I installed Windows 11 with my older PC with an Intel i5-6400 without any issues. You can probably install it after enabling TPM in your BIOS. But yeah, official support for this version is pretty poor. It's practically a reskinned Windows 10 at the moment so it's not worth the upgrade regardless.

  • -2

    Micro$oft wants us to have TCM, but why do we have to have it, if we don't want to have it? Does TCM do some special stuff, or does it just spy on the user better? Most builders who do their own builds will find TCM disabled by default in BIOS

  • My machine has TPM but since the processor is intel i5-5200 will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11.
    Maybe Microsoft might release a Windows 11S version for the older machines.

  • I know its not officially supported. Is there any way to setup a 'local account' in Win11 Home?
    Also, my processor is 1 gen older than on the spec list. But it is actually more powerful than may newer Gen intel processor. Is there a way for me to still run Win11?

    • +1

      Haven't got Home to try it myself. But if in the setup process you pick that you don't have internet, then it will let you proceed without an account.

      Also, I think the main limitation is TPM 2.0 for older machines. But I have installed it on TPM 1.2 (6th gen i5) and so far it looks to be fine.

    • +1

      When you get to the part where it asks you to create a Microsoft account you can unplug your LAN cable if using a desktop PC and then press the back arrow in the setup and it will let you use a local account.

      If you are using WiFi press Shift+F10 to open cmd in the installer and type

      ipconfig /release

      Then continue the setup, when it's come up with the local account press alt+tab to bring back the cmd window and type

      ipconfig /renew

      Then you can finish the install

      • +1

        This is really bloody important… local accounts the way to go.

  • Install if you have balls larger than Minaj's cousins friend!!!!!

  • does anyone experience audio chippering ? I tried Win 11 by installing to different SSD and getting audio chippering even with latest audio drivers (Realtek ALC887)

    • Usually caused by "audio enhancement" features on your audio driver. You can try ticking the box to disable intermediate processing and see if that fixes it. Otherwise may be more complicated to disable it.

  • Done it for my surface pro 3

  • So is it worth Updating now ?

    Any current thoughts would be appreciated

    • Has been no issues for me, updated when Win11 hit RTM. I do like Windows Linux Subsystem and now Android apps subsystem too. Nice OS to use on my devices.

  • Updated my Surface Go. Works well with minor hiccups. Occasionally, the setting app crashes abruptly. Anyone else has this issue?

  • -1

    So if your CPU doesn't support and you use registry hack to upgrade, then next release of Windows 11 probably won't work on totter old CPU

    • To be exact sse4.2. Don't bother using workaround on CPU if you don't have it

      • Windows 10 22H2 end of support is Oct 14, 2025
        Windows 11 23H2 end of support is Nov 11, 2025

        Similar timing so there isn't much difference if you update or not, may as well have the newer Windows 11.

        Although it's worth mentioning Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 has support until Jan 12, 2027

        • What does end of support mean?

          Is it all computer stop working

          Or only affect computer with cpu with no tpm2.0?

          • @ATTS: no more updates/ patches/ etc

          • @ATTS: End of support just means Microsoft won't be releasing any new updates into it, the computer still keeps working same as any Windows XP / Windows Vista / Windows 7 computer today.

            Computers with no TPM can upgrade to Windows 11 using the bypass, if these computers are lacking SSE4.2 in their CPU they won't be able to upgrade to any version after Windows 11 23H2.

  • Why not try projectbluefin.io

    Unless i explicitly need windows, that's all I install.

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