Microsoft provides free upgrades to Windows 11 for qualified Windows 10 users, but meets hardware requirements. 1. First, confirm whether the device supports Windows 11, including processor, memory, storage, firmware, TPM, graphics card and screen conditions, and can be detected through the PC Health Check tool; 2. If the conditions are met, you can receive gradual push updates and install them through Windows Update; 3. If you do not want to wait for push, you can manually download the installation assistant or ISO file for on-site upgrade; 4. Old devices that do not meet the configuration can also be installed by modifying the registry or third-party scripts, but there are risks and are not officially supported. In short, as long as the equipment meets the standards and follows the steps, most users can successfully complete the free upgrade.

Microsoft does offer Windows 10 eligible users the opportunity to upgrade to Windows 11 for free, but this "free" has a premise. If your device meets the official requirements and you have not upgraded it, it is still possible to complete a free upgrade through the official channel.

1. Confirm whether your computer supports Windows 11

Not all devices running Windows 10 can be upgraded to Windows 11 smoothly. Microsoft has clear requirements for hardware, mainly including:

• Processor: Need to be a supported 64-bit CPU, such as Intel 8th Gen or newer, AMD Ryzen 1000 or newer, Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c and above.
• Memory: At least 4GB of RAM.
• Storage: At least 64GB of hard drive space.
• Firmware: UEFI must be enabled and Secure Boot is supported.
• TPM: TPM 2.0 (Trustable Platform Module) must be supported and enabled.
• Graphics card: Supports DirectX 12 or later, WDDM 2.0 drivers.
• Display: The resolution is at least 720p, and the screen size is greater than 9 inches.

You can use the PC Health Check tool officially provided by Microsoft to check whether your computer meets these conditions. If the tooltip is incompatible, it may be due to lack of TPM support or the CPU is not on the list.

2. Upgrade through Windows Update (the easiest way)

If your computer meets the requirements, the easiest way is to upgrade it through the system's own update mechanism:

• Open Settings → Windows Update
• Check if there are available Windows 11 updates (sometimes delay pushing)
• If so, click "Download and Install"
• Restart after installation and enter the installation process

It should be noted that Microsoft adopts a gradual push method. Even if your device meets the criteria, it may take some time to receive an update notification. If you don't want to wait, you can try the following method.

3. Manually download and install ISO files (bypass update push)

If you can't wait, or the system does not push it actively, you can download the Windows 11 installation image file directly from Microsoft's official website:

1. Visit the Windows 11 download page of Microsoft's official website
2. Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or ISO file
3. Run the installation assistant and select "Upgrade this computer now"
4. Follow the guidance to complete the upgrade process

This method does not require backing up the data first, because it is "in-place upgrade" and will not delete your personal files and applications. However, it is recommended to backup important information in advance just in case.

4. Old equipment can also be installed forcibly (at your own risk)

Even if your computer does not meet the official recommended configuration, such as not having TPM 2.0 or using an old processor, you can force Windows 11 to install by modifying the registry or using third-party scripts. However, doing so may bring stability issues and will not be officially supported by Microsoft. If there is any problem, technical support may not be available.

If you decide to try, you can by creating a USB boot disk and bypass TPM detection during installation. There are many tutorials online, but you must pay attention to risks, and it is best to try it on the test equipment.

Overall, upgrading to Windows 11 can be free, but only if your device meets the standards, or you are willing to take some additional risks. As long as you follow the above method step by step, most users can complete the upgrade smoothly. Basically that's it.

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