Windows 10 now end of life. How to upgrade to Windows 11 free?

Upgrade to Windows 11 is free, if your system is eligible or meets primary requirements. You can keep your data while upgrade, so no data will be lost.

If you get This PC meets Windows 11 requirements with PC Health Check app, then you can use Windows 11 Installation Assistant which you can download from here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Alternatively, you can try manual upgrade using ISO file. Follow these steps: 

1. Download Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft website.
2. Double click on it to mount it to a DVD drive.
3. Then go to DVD drive, double click on setup.exe to proceed.
4. Follow on-screen instructions to complete upgrade.

Refer detailed instructions in this step-by-step guide: 

https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-upgrade-windows-10-to-windows-11-using-iso-file 

Let us know if this helps! 

Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP. 

Yeah, you can still upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 for free in 2025!

Eligible Windows 10 PCs can upgrade to Windows 11 for free. This offer has no expiration date. During the upgrade process, your digital license and all personal files and applications will be automatically transferred, so you don't need to worry.

How to check if your Windows 10 is eligible for the upgrade

Step 1. Confirm your PC meets three key requirements:

• It must have a TPM 2.0 security chip, a supported processor, and support for and enable Secure Boot.

Step 2. Download the Microsoft PC Health Check app:

• Open your browser and download the official PC Health Check app.

Step 3. Install and run the check:

• Double-click the downloaded installer. After installation, open the app and click the Check Now button on the main interface. Wait for the system to automatically detect hardware compatibility.

Step 4. Review the check results:

• After the check completes, the app will clearly indicate whether your PC can run Windows 11. If it's incompatible, it will list detailed reasons to help you address the issues later.

The good news is that you can confidently upgrade to Windows 11 anytime before October 2025 or even after that date. This free upgrade offer never expires, so enjoy the fresh experience Windows 11 brings!

To upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 if Windows 10 end of life, follow these steps:

1. Check System Compatibility, Ensure your PC meets Windows 11 requirements:

• 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor
• 4 GB RAM
• 64 GB storage
• UEFI Firmware with Secure Boot capability
• TPM version 2.0
• Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 enabled
• Compatible graphics card with DirectX 12 support

2. Update Windows 10

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Click Check for updates if Windows 10 end of life.
• If your device is compatible, you'll see an option to Download and install Windows 11.
• Click Download and install to begin the upgrade process automatically via Windows Update.
• Download Windows 11 ISO

3. Visit the official Microsoft Windows 11 download page.

• Scroll down to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO).
• Select Windows 11 and click Download.
• Choose your language and click Confirm.
• Download the ISO file.

4. Create Bootable USB Drive 

• Boot from this USB to perform a clean install or upgrade.

5. Upgrade Using ISO

• Mount the ISO file by right-clicking and selecting Mount.
• Open the mounted drive and run setup.exe.
• Follow the prompts to upgrade your existing Windows 10 installation to Windows 11.

Windows 10 end of life, Why? Microsoft wants users to transition to Windows 11, which offers improved security features, better performance, and modern capabilities aligned with current hardware and software standards. Older OS versions eventually become less secure and less compatible with new hardware and software. Ending support reduces these risks and encourages users to stay updated.

If your hardware is compatible, upgrade to Windows 11 for continued support before Windows 10 end of life, security updates, and new features.  If your hardware isn’t compatible with Windows 11, consider upgrading your hardware or installing a supported version of Windows 10 (if still available before the end date).

If upgrading Windows isn't feasible, consider Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora, which are free and receive regular security updates. While support is active, you can continue using Windows 10, but be aware that security and support will no longer be available after the end date.

Windows 10 end of support ，to ensure the safe and stable use of personal computers, if your computer is compatible with Windows 11, not only the upgrade process will be very simple, the system will also automatically provide the corresponding upgrade portal.

1. Open PC Settings → Go to Update and Security → Select Windows Update and install all available updates.
2. When your computer meets the upgrade conditions, the Windows 11 upgrade package will automatically appear in the Windows Update settings screen as a feature update, so you don't need to find it manually.
3. In the Windows Update screen, find the Windows 11 upgrade prompt and click Download and Install to start the upgrade process.
4. The installer will guide you through the entire process. The upgrade process will take a long time and your computer will restart several times. When prompted to choose what to keep, be sure to check the box to keep your personal files and applications to avoid losing data and software.
5. After the upgrade is complete, your computer will automatically log in to Windows 11, and your personal files, the location of installed applications, and their usage status will remain as they were before the upgrade, so you can use them as normal.

Note: The system must be upgraded to the latest version of Windows 10, which is the basis for receiving the Windows 11 upgrade push.

Windows 10's end of support is scheduled for October 14, 2025, meaning you can continue using it safely until then. However, if you want to upgrade to Windows 11 before the end of support, here's how you can do it for free while keeping your apps and files intact:

What to Do if Windows 10 end of life?

1. Update Windows 10 :
Make sure your current Windows 10 installation is fully updated via Windows Update.

2.Use Windows Update for the Upgrade:
Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Check for updates. If your PC is eligible, you should see an option to upgrade to Windows 11.
Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install Windows 11.

3. Using the Installation Assistant:
Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
Run the tool and follow prompts to upgrade your existing Windows 10 system.

4. Create a Bootable USB:
Download the Windows 11 ISO from the Microsoft site.
Use tools like Rufus to create a bootable USB.
Upgrade via the ISO without formatting, preserving files/apps.