{"id":30257,"date":"2025-07-05T10:18:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T17:18:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=30257"},"modified":"2025-07-11T05:43:49","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T12:43:49","slug":"update-to-windows-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Upgrade to Windows 11 (Even on Unsupported PCs)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Windows 10 has been one of Microsoft\u2019s most popular and reliable operating systems. Many have been reluctant to upgrade to Windows 11, even though it\u2019s been available since the fall of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Microsoft has announced the end of life for Windows 10, and it will stop providing free updates and security patches in October 2025. There will still be an option to pay for the Extended Security Update (ESU) program to receive updates beyond that date, but it\u2019s mostly available for enterprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the sake of stability and online security, now is the time to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. We\u2019ve created an easy-to-follow guide for every step of the upgrade process, including how to install Windows 11 on older or incompatible PCs, what to do if your device isn\u2019t eligible, and how to make sure your files stay safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bu\">What to Do Before You Upgrade to Windows 11<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you get started, there are a few things you should do to avoid potential issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li><strong>Back up your files:<\/strong> The upgrade <em>should<\/em> save your apps, documents, and files, but it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Install all pending Windows 10 updates:<\/strong> Check your computer to make sure that you\u2019re using the latest version of Windows 10 before you upgrade to Windows 11. Sometimes the upgrade option won\u2019t be available until you\u2019ve installed every currently available update.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Check your system and hardware:<\/strong> Go to the <em>About <\/em>section in your computer settings to see the specs. Windows 11\u2019s minimum system requirements are:<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>64-bit processor\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n<li>4 GB of RAM\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n<li>64 GB of storage<\/li>\n\n\n<li>UEFI firmware<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Secure Boot<\/li>\n\n\n<li>TPM 2.0<\/li>\n\n\n<li>DirectX 12-compatible graphics card.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"772\" height=\"541\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-1.png\" alt=\"Find your device specs in the About section of the settings\" class=\"wp-image-30262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-1.png 772w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-1-300x210.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-1-768x538.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p><div style=\"background-color: #cfe2f3; padding: 1em; border-radius: 1em;\"><p><strong>\ud83d\udca1 Note:<\/strong> If your computer doesn\u2019t meet the minimum requirements, it\u2019s not the end of the world. We\u2019ll provide several <a href=\"#ooi\">proven methods for installing Windows 11 on an unsupported PC<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"uos\">How to Upgrade to Windows 11 on a Supported PC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are several ways to install Windows 11, depending on your PC and how hands-on you want to be. We\u2019ll walk you through all the options so you can pick the one that works best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re running Windows 10, you have two choices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"margin-bottom: 0\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li><strong>Upgrade:<\/strong> Best if you want to keep all of your apps, files, and preferences intact.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Clean install: <\/strong>A good option if you\u2019re looking to remove old files and settings that can slow down your computer.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re not sure, we recommend the upgrade option. It\u2019s faster and generally works without issues. Just make sure you back up your important files first. If something feels off afterward, you can always reinstall Windows 11 from scratch later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Upgrading this way feels like any Windows 10 update. Your PC will restart a few times and then boot into the new system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-option-1-use-windows-update\">Option 1: Use Windows Update<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The easiest way to upgrade to Windows 11 is via Windows Update. It\u2019s the built-in tool that automatically keeps your system current with the latest features and security patches from Microsoft.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your device meets Microsoft\u2019s hardware requirements, is running a supported version of Windows 10, and passes compatibility and stability checks through Windows Update, the option to upgrade will appear automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open <em>Settings<\/em> and go to <em>Update &amp; Security.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-2-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Windows 10 Settings menu.\" class=\"wp-image-30263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-2-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-2.png 1999w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"continue wp-block-list\" start=\"2\">\n\n<li>Select <em>Windows Update<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-3-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Updates &amp; Security menu on Windows 10.\" class=\"wp-image-30264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-3-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-3-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-3-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-3-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-3.png 1999w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 1em;\" class=\"continue wp-block-list\" start=\"3\">\n\n<li>Click <em>Check for updates<\/em>. If Windows 11 is available, select <em>Download and install<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-4-1024x576.png\" alt='Update &amp; Security menu on Windows 10 with the \"Check for updates\" button highlighted.' class=\"wp-image-30265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-4-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-4-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-4-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-4-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-4-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-4.png 1999w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once the installation starts, follow the prompts. Your apps, files, and settings will be preserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"o2\">Option 2: Use the Windows 11 Update Assistant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If Windows Update isn\u2019t offering you a Windows 11 upgrade, the Windows 11 Update Assistant is your best bet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Installation Assistant is a free tool from Microsoft that helps you upgrade to Windows 11 manually. It checks your PC for compatibility and guides you through the upgrade, step by step, without needing to wait for the update to appear automatically in Windows Update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On Microsoft\u2019s website, go to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/software-download\/windows11\" target=\"blank_\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Windows 11 Installation Assistant page.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-5-1024x467.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of the Windows 11 Installation Assistant on the Microsoft website.\" class=\"wp-image-30266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-5-1024x467.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-5-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-5-768x350.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-5-1536x700.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-5-1200x547.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-5.png 1746w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol style=\"margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 1em;\" class=\"continue wp-block-list\" start=\"2\">\n\n<li>Download and run the tool.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Accept the license terms.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Let the tool check your PC for compatibility.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>If all is well, click <em>Install <\/em>to begin.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"o3\">Option 3: Use Microsoft\u2019s Media Creation Tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Media Creation Tool is a free program from Microsoft that you can use to create installation media (like a USB stick) to update your PC or another PC. (Note, this only works if your device has a 64-bit (x64) processor; it doesn\u2019t work on devices with an ARM-based processor).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On Microsoft\u2019s website, go to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/software-download\/windows11\" target=\"blank_\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Windows 11 Installation Assistant page.<\/a> Scroll to <em>Create Windows 11 Installation Media.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"407\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-6-1024x407.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of Mircosoft's Windows 11 Media Creation tool.\" class=\"wp-image-30267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-6-1024x407.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-6-300x119.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-6-768x306.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-6-1200x477.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-6.png 1287w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 1em;\" class=\"continue wp-block-list\" start=\"2\">\n\n<li>Download and open the tool.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Select <em>Create installation media<\/em> (USB or ISO).<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Pick your preferred media:<\/li>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>USB flash drive (must be at least 8 GB and blank).<\/li>\n\n\n<li>ISO file, which you can later mount in File Explorer or use to create a bootable USB with a tool like Rufus.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This method is great for clean installs. If you want more control over the process, you can choose to perform a clean install to wipe your system, as well as pick the language, edition (like Home or Pro), and system type during setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"o4\">Option 4: Use an ISO File<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want more flexibility or need to install Windows 11 in a specific way (like on a virtual machine), you can download a Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft\u2019s website. This method gives you more control than the Media Creation Tool but is only available for devices with 64-bit processors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An ISO is a full copy of the operating system. You can mount it in File Explorer and run the installer or use it to create a bootable USB drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On Microsoft\u2019s website, go to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/software-download\/windows11\" target=\"blank_\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Windows 11 Installation Assistant page.<\/a> Scroll to <em>Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO).<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-7-1024x489.png\" alt=\"Download the Win11 ISO file from Microsoft's website\" class=\"wp-image-30270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-7-1024x489.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-7-300x143.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-7-768x367.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-7-1200x573.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-7.png 1241w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol style=\"margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 1em;\" class=\"continue wp-block-list\" start=\"2\">\n\n<li>Download the ISO from Microsoft.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Double-click the file to mount it.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Open the mounted drive and run <em>setup.exe<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The setup process will check your PC and ask what you want to keep. It defaults to keeping files, apps, and settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ooi\">How to Install Windows 11 on Older or Incompatible PCs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p><div style=\"background-color: #cfe2f3; padding: 1em; border-radius: 1em;\"><p><strong>\u2139\ufe0f Reminder:<\/strong> Always back up your data before using unsupported upgrade methods. These options work, but they\u2019re not officially supported by Microsoft and could affect future updates.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Windows 11 has <a href=\"#bu\">strict system requirements<\/a>, which we listed above. If your computer doesn\u2019t have the right specs, you won\u2019t get an upgrade notification. The good news is, this doesn\u2019t have to stop you from upgrading. Here are two safe and popular workarounds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-option-1-use-rufus-to-upgrade-to-windows-11-on-an-unsupported-pc\">Option 1: Use Rufus to Upgrade to Windows 11 on an Unsupported PC<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rufus is a free tool you can use to create bootable USB drives for installing operating systems. What makes it especially helpful are the options to bypass Windows 11\u2019s hardware checks, such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which often block older computers from upgrading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can download Rufus from its <a href=\"https:\/\/rufus.ie\/\" target=\"blank_\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">official website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you have it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#o4\">Download the <em>Windows 11 ISO<\/em><\/a> from Microsoft\u2019s official site.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open Rufus and insert a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select your USB drive under <em>Device<\/em>, then choose the ISO file you downloaded.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When prompted, pick the option for <em>Extended Windows 11 Installation. <\/em>This disables the hardware checks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start the process and let Rufus build your USB installer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boot the target PC from this USB and run <em>setup.exe<\/em> to begin the upgrade or clean installation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"783\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-8.png\" alt=\"Use Rufus to install WIn11 on unsupported computers\" class=\"wp-image-30271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-8.png 783w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-8-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-8-768x466.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-option-2-do-a-registry-edit-to-bypass-tpm-and-cpu-checks\">Option 2: Do a Registry Edit to Bypass TPM and CPU Checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your computer says it can\u2019t upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 because it doesn\u2019t have TPM 2.0 or a supported processor, you can use a registry tweak to skip past the Windows 11 hardware checks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It sounds very technical, but in reality it\u2019s just a small change to the Windows Registry, a tool built into the operating system. Here\u2019s how to do it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Press <em>Windows + R<\/em>, type <em>regedit<\/em>, and press <em>Enter<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\Setup\\MoSetup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Right-click and choose <em>New &gt; DWORD (32-bit) Value.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"621\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-9-1024x621.png\" alt=\"Registry Tweak to update to Windows 11\" class=\"wp-image-30272\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-9-1024x621.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-9-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-9-768x466.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11-9.png 1161w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure><br>\n\n\n\n<ol style=\"margin-bottom: 0\" class=\"continue wp-block-list\" start=\"4\">\n\n<li>Name it: AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Double-click and set its value to 1.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Close the editor and restart your PC.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This will allow you to run the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or mount the ISO file and run the installer. You will still be given the choice to keep your files and apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faq\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751670365400\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I upgrade to Windows 11 by myself?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Microsoft has several free tools that keep the process simple. You can follow <a href=\"#uos\">our step-by-step guides<\/a> to use the Windows Update, the Windows 11 Update Assistant, or download an ISO file. Check that your PC meets the system requirements first \u2013 you can still <a href=\"#ooi\">install Windows 11 on an old, unsupported PC<\/a>, but you\u2019ll have to take some extra steps.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751670391513\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Why can\u2019t my new PC upgrade to Windows 11?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">If your new computer won\u2019t upgrade, it\u2019s often because TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is disabled in the BIOS. These features are required by Windows 11 and are sometimes turned off by default. Running the PC Health Check app will help identify what\u2019s missing.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751670457135\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What steps should I follow before upgrading to Windows 11?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">There are a couple of <a href=\"#bu\">things you should do before upgrading to Windows 11<\/a>. Start by creating a backup of your important files. Next, install any outstanding Windows 10 updates and use the PC Health Check app to confirm your PC is eligible. This ensures the process goes smoothly and avoids frustrating errors.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751670471697\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can all PCs upgrade to Windows 11?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><a href=\"#bu\">Windows 11 has minimum system requirements<\/a> that can prevent you from upgrading your computer. These include TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and a supported processor. If you\u2019re using a computer that\u2019s more than 5 years old, it\u2019s probably not supported, so you\u2019ll need to use a workaround to install Windows 11. These aren\u2019t difficult to run, but they may carry risks and don\u2019t guarantee future updates.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751670586934\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Do I need to back up my data before upgrading to Windows 11?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">It\u2019s always a good idea to <a href=\"#bu\">back up your important files<\/a> when doing any major update to your computer, and this is no exception. Backing up files ensures that if something goes wrong, such as a failed install or file corruption, your documents and photos are safe and recoverable.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751670617980\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How long does the Windows 11 upgrade take?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">That depends on the computer you have. For most users, it takes between 30 minutes and an hour. Faster computers may complete it more quickly. If you\u2019re doing <a href=\"#o3\">a clean install or using a USB drive<\/a>, the total time can be longer depending on your setup.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751670644978\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Will I lose my files during the upgrade to Windows 11?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You shouldn\u2019t, as <a href=\"#uos\">most upgrade methods<\/a> offer the option to keep your apps, files, and settings. But accidents happen, and unexpected errors can occur. That\u2019s why it\u2019s always a good idea to back up your data first.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751670670042\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I revert back to Windows 10 after upgrading?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. You have a 10-day window to use Windows 11\u2019s built-in rollback feature, which restores your previous system with files and apps intact. After that, you\u2019ll need to reinstall Windows 10 manually, using installation media.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1751670692251\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What should I do if the Windows 11 upgrade fails?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You should first make sure all Windows 10 updates are installed and check your system specs. Try using <a href=\"#o2\">the Installation Assistant or an ISO file<\/a> instead. Restart your PC and disable unnecessary startup programs before trying again.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Windows 10 has been one of Microsoft\u2019s most popular and reliable operating systems. Many have been reluctant to upgrade to Windows 11, even though it\u2019s been available since the fall of 2021. However, Microsoft has announced the end of life for Windows 10, and it will stop providing free updates and security patches in October &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;How to Upgrade to Windows 11 (Even on Unsupported PCs)&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":30258,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[845],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Upgrade to Windows 11 (Windows 10 End-of-Life Update)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Step-by-step guide for how to install Windows 11 on any PC. Learn how to use ISO files, the Installation Assistant, and workarounds for unsupported devices.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Upgrade to Windows 11 (Even on Unsupported PCs)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Step-by-step guide for how to install Windows 11 on any PC. Learn how to use ISO files, the Installation Assistant, and workarounds for unsupported devices.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PIA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/privateinternetaccess\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-05T17:18:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-11T12:43:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Shauli Zacks\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@buyvpnservice\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Shauli Zacks\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Shauli Zacks\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/7c7096e719972ef142423d7c59e3aaa6\"},\"headline\":\"How to Upgrade to Windows 11 (Even on Unsupported PCs)\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-05T17:18:35+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-11T12:43:49+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/\"},\"wordCount\":1854,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Guides\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/\",\"name\":\"How to Upgrade to Windows 11 (Windows 10 End-of-Life Update)\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Upgrade-to-Windows-11.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-05T17:18:35+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-11T12:43:49+00:00\",\"description\":\"Step-by-step guide for how to install Windows 11 on any PC. 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He doesn't just write about VPNs; he uses them constantly in his day-to-day life, both for security and entertainment purposes. When he's not writing, Shauli likes to spend time with his family, watch TV, play sports, and relax.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/author\/shauli-zacks\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670365400\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670365400\",\"name\":\"Can I upgrade to Windows 11 by myself?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. Microsoft has several free tools that keep the process simple. You can follow <a href=\\\"#uos\\\">our step-by-step guides<\/a> to use the Windows Update, the Windows 11 Update Assistant, or download an ISO file. Check that your PC meets the system requirements first \u2013 you can still <a href=\\\"#ooi\\\">install Windows 11 on an old, unsupported PC<\/a>, but you\u2019ll have to take some extra steps.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670391513\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670391513\",\"name\":\"Why can't my new PC upgrade to Windows 11?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"If your new computer won\u2019t upgrade, it\u2019s often because TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is disabled in the BIOS. These features are required by Windows 11 and are sometimes turned off by default. Running the PC Health Check app will help identify what\u2019s missing.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670457135\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670457135\",\"name\":\"What steps should I follow before upgrading to Windows 11?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"There are a couple of <a href=\\\"#bu\\\">things you should do before upgrading to Windows 11<\/a>. Start by creating a backup of your important files. Next, install any outstanding Windows 10 updates and use the PC Health Check app to confirm your PC is eligible. This ensures the process goes smoothly and avoids frustrating errors.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670471697\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670471697\",\"name\":\"Can all PCs upgrade to Windows 11?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"#bu\\\">Windows 11 has minimum system requirements<\/a> that can prevent you from upgrading your computer. These include TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and a supported processor. If you\u2019re using a computer that\u2019s more than 5 years old, it\u2019s probably not supported, so you\u2019ll need to use a workaround to install Windows 11. These aren\u2019t difficult to run, but they may carry risks and don\u2019t guarantee future updates.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670586934\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670586934\",\"name\":\"Do I need to back up my data before upgrading to Windows 11?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It\u2019s always a good idea to <a href=\\\"#bu\\\">back up your important files<\/a> when doing any major update to your computer, and this is no exception. Backing up files ensures that if something goes wrong, such as a failed install or file corruption, your documents and photos are safe and recoverable.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670617980\",\"position\":6,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670617980\",\"name\":\"How long does the Windows 11 upgrade take?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"That depends on the computer you have. For most users, it takes between 30 minutes and an hour. Faster computers may complete it more quickly. 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That\u2019s why it\u2019s always a good idea to back up your data first.<br\/><br\/>\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670670042\",\"position\":8,\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670670042\",\"name\":\"Can I revert back to Windows 10 after upgrading?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. You have a 10-day window to use Windows 11\u2019s built-in rollback feature, which restores your previous system with files and apps intact. 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Check that your PC meets the system requirements first \u2013 you can still <a href=\"#ooi\">install Windows 11 on an old, unsupported PC<\/a>, but you\u2019ll have to take some extra steps.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670391513","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670391513","name":"Why can't my new PC upgrade to Windows 11?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If your new computer won\u2019t upgrade, it\u2019s often because TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is disabled in the BIOS. These features are required by Windows 11 and are sometimes turned off by default. Running the PC Health Check app will help identify what\u2019s missing.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670457135","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670457135","name":"What steps should I follow before upgrading to Windows 11?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"There are a couple of <a href=\"#bu\">things you should do before upgrading to Windows 11<\/a>. Start by creating a backup of your important files. Next, install any outstanding Windows 10 updates and use the PC Health Check app to confirm your PC is eligible. This ensures the process goes smoothly and avoids frustrating errors.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670471697","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670471697","name":"Can all PCs upgrade to Windows 11?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<a href=\"#bu\">Windows 11 has minimum system requirements<\/a> that can prevent you from upgrading your computer. These include TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and a supported processor. If you\u2019re using a computer that\u2019s more than 5 years old, it\u2019s probably not supported, so you\u2019ll need to use a workaround to install Windows 11. These aren\u2019t difficult to run, but they may carry risks and don\u2019t guarantee future updates.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670586934","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670586934","name":"Do I need to back up my data before upgrading to Windows 11?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It\u2019s always a good idea to <a href=\"#bu\">back up your important files<\/a> when doing any major update to your computer, and this is no exception. Backing up files ensures that if something goes wrong, such as a failed install or file corruption, your documents and photos are safe and recoverable.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670617980","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670617980","name":"How long does the Windows 11 upgrade take?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"That depends on the computer you have. For most users, it takes between 30 minutes and an hour. Faster computers may complete it more quickly. If you're doing <a href=\"#o3\">a clean install or using a USB drive<\/a>, the total time can be longer depending on your setup.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670644978","position":7,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670644978","name":"Will I lose my files during the upgrade to Windows 11?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"You shouldn\u2019t, as <a href=\"#uos\">most upgrade methods<\/a> offer the option to keep your apps, files, and settings. But accidents happen, and unexpected errors can occur. That\u2019s why it\u2019s always a good idea to back up your data first.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670670042","position":8,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/update-to-windows-11\/#faq-question-1751670670042","name":"Can I revert back to Windows 10 after upgrading?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. You have a 10-day window to use Windows 11\u2019s built-in rollback feature, which restores your previous system with files and apps intact. 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