window 11 upgrade

Question

i currently have windows 10, but my pc is too old for the windows 11 upgrade. i am currently looking to build a new pc as this one is 10 years old. is there a way to get my upgrade on the new pc or will i have to purchase windows again.

Answer 1

A Windows 10→11 upgrade offer does not transfer to a completely new PC with new hardware. On a new build, a new Windows license is required.

For staying on a supported Windows version there are these options:

1. New PC with Windows 11 (recommended)
   • Buy a new device that comes with Windows 11 preinstalled. This includes a new license.
2. Install Windows 11 on a PC that meets requirements
   • On hardware that meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, a full Windows 11 license (Home or Pro) can be purchased and installed. This path requires reinstalling apps and moving files because the installation overwrites the drive.
3. Install Windows 10 on the new PC instead
   • Windows 10 is still available and supported until October 14, 2025. A full Windows 10 license can be purchased for the new build, and later upgraded to Windows 11 for free if the hardware meets Windows 11 requirements.

There is no free upgrade path from an old device to a different, newly built PC; the free upgrade is from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on the same eligible device.

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References:

• Windows 8.1 support ended on January 10, 2023
• What does it mean if Windows isn't supported?
• Retrieve Product Key / New Windows 11 install - Microsoft Q&A