Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 using ISO file - ARTICLE

Question

Technical Level: Intermediate. 

Applies to: All Windows 10 editions. 

Demonstrated with: Windows 11 Preview Build 22000.132 ISO file (first official Windows 11 ISO file).

Revision: 1.0.

Summary

Usually, you can upgrade to Windows 11 from your eligible Windows 10 system via Windows Update. An eligible Windows 10 system is that one which meets minimum Windows 11 requirements. For an eligible Windows 10 system, Windows 11 update should be offered automatically. It should be offered at Windows Update page on Settings app. You may also receive notifications about this update. Let it downloaded, installed and follow on-screen instructions to complete upgrade to Windows 11. However, if Windows 11 upgrade is not offered to you via Windows Update, you can perform this upgrade manually using Windows 11 ISO file. This will be equally helpful, in case if your system is eligible for Windows 11 but you do not get any updates for Windows 11, till date. For this upgrade, you will only need Windows 11 ISO file, which can be obtained from Microsoft’s website, free of cost. 

Preparing for the upgrade to Windows 11

• Make sure your Windows 10 device has enough battery, above 60% is recommended. Alternatively, you can let your device connected to the power source.
• You can perform upgrade with different ways. For example, if you want to keep your data and apps after upgrade, you will get the option for this. However, if you are curious about your data, I recommend you to back up it to external drive or cloud (such as OneDrive) and restore it back after the upgrade. In case, you do not want to keep your data and apps, you will also get an option for this. 
• Usually, you will be upgraded to same edition of Windows. For example, if you are on Windows 10 Pro before upgrade, you will have Windows 11 Pro after upgrade.
• This upgrade will not affect your Windows activation state. If your system is activated now, it will remain activated after the upgrade.
• After upgrade to Windows 11, you will have 10 days timeframe, in case if you want to go back to Windows 10 for anonymous reason.
• You can download Windows 11 ISO file from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11. If you're upgrading to Insider Preview build, you can download Windows 11 Insider Preview ISO file from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewiso. Note that downloading Windows 11 Insider Preview ISO file requires sign-in with your Windows Insider Program email ID to download this file. Irrespective of the Windows 11 ISO file you get, steps mentioned below are valid for both.
• You will need administrator rights to perform the upgrade.

Steps to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11

1. First of all, run winver command to check or verify your current Windows 10 version and edition. In About Windows screen, your current Windows 10 version and edition are mentioned.

2. Locate the Windows 11 ISO file on your system and right click on it, select Mount.

3. Once the file is mounted, you will be taken to the DVD drive where it is mounted. Double click on setup.exe file there.

4. Click Yes in the User Account Control prompt. You may need administrative privileges here, in case if you’re on a standard or non-administrative account. 

5. Now your system will start preparing for Windows 11 Setup.

6. In the Install Windows 11 screen, the first screen of Windows 11 Setup, if you like, you can uncheck I want to help make the installation better. Then click on Change how Setup downloads updates link.

7. If you want updates during this upgrade, check Download updates, drivers and optional features (recommended). Else, you can select Not right now. Click Next after your selection.

8. Now setup will start Checking your PC. If your system meets Windows 11 requirements, you should directly taken to next step. However, if your system does not meet Windows 11 requirements, you might receive some error at this stage after which you may not be able to proceed further.

9. Moving on, the click Accept for license terms.

10. After this, again setup will make a check for everything to ensure your device is ready to install.

11. In few moments, you will get Ready to install screen. Here, you can click Change what to keep link.

12. If you want to keep your data and apps you installed plus your settings, select Keep personal files and apps. To keep your data and remove apps and settings, choose Keep personal files only option. To delete everything and start like fresh install, you can choose Nothing. Click Next after your selection.

13. Finally, in the Ready to install screen, click Install button.

14. Now in the first phase, Windows 11 be installed. This will take time depending upon your system. 

15. When Installing Windows 11 screen reaches 100% percent, your system is about to restart.

16. Then you will see Getting Windows ready screen and then a restart will occur. 

17. Since Windows 11 is now installed, during restart Windows 11 boot screen can be seen. Note that the Windows logo will not visible on secure boot enabled devices, because instead you will be seeing the device manufacturer’s logo. 

18. After restart, your data will be upgraded to newly installed Windows 11. This will also take time depending upon your system and data you’ve currently. 

19. Once Working on updates screen is completed 100%, you will see the login screen where you can sign-in to your account. If you selected to keep nothing at step 12, you’ll be asked to create a new user account and then sign-in to it.

20. After signing in, you’ll see first time sign-in animation. Let it completed.

21. Finally, you are on Windows 11.

22. You can now check your Windows 11 version by running winver command. 

To help you more with above steps, here's the video demonstration of this entire guide:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUC5Rc-q4OM

That’s it!