Question about Windows 11 free upgrade from windows 10

If your Windows 10 was activated, Windows 11 will auto-activate with a digital license. If not, enter your Windows 10 product key when prompted.

How to Free Upgrade Windows 11 with Media Creation Tool

1. Download the Media Creation Tool from the same link above.
2. Run it and select "Upgrade this PC now".
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

During Windows 11 free upgrade, you can see the following error message:

This PC can't run this version of Windows 11

This is a common issue as some of the hardware is not supported by Windows 11, the most important ones are: CPU, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.  You need to enable TPM and Secure Boot in BIOS if available.

If still blocked, use Registry Hack (for unsupported PCs):

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup

2. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) named AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU and set it to 1.

3. After that, you can free upgrade Windows 11 from Windows 10 on any unsupported PC.

Upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 is still free and the license key will be activated automatically. This means you don't need to purchase an additional key for Windows 11. However, the computer should meet the minimal system requirements of Windows 11.

The Dell Precision T1700 is powered by an Intel Xeon E3-1020 CPU, which is not supported by Windows 11 according to this document:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors

This means you have to apply some hacks in order to free upgrade Windows 11 from Windows 10. You can't directly upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 update center.

You're thinking about jumping from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on your Dell T1700 — that’s cool. About Windows 11 free upgrade from windows 10, even if your PC meets the specs, sometimes drivers or certain hardware components (like your Xeon CPU or graphics card) can act up after the upgrade. You might run into some weird bugs or performance hiccups until updates come through. 

Windows 11 has a different UI and some new features, but not all of them are useful for everyone. Some folks find the new interface a bit cluttered or unnecessary, and it can take a while to get used to it. If you're used to Windows 10, switching to Windows 11’s new layout and settings can be a bit confusing at first. It might slow you down until you're familiar with where everything moved. If you opt for a clean install using bootable media, you’ll need to back up your stuff first. Otherwise, you risk losing files, apps, or settings if you forget to back up.

Upgrading your Dell T1700 workstation from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free is generally possible. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process of Windows 11 free upgrade from windows 10:

1. Check Windows 11 Compatibility
Before proceeding, verify that your system meets Windows 11 requirements:

• Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor (your Intel Xeon E3 should be checked for compatibility).
• RAM: 4 GB minimum (you have 16 GB, so yes).
• Storage: 64 GB or larger (you have 1 TB SSD, so yes).
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 is required.
• Secure Boot: Enabled in BIOS.
• Other: UEFI firmware, DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x.

2. Enable TPM and Secure Boot in BIOS

• Restart your workstation and enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, DEL, or ESC during boot).
• Ensure TPM 2.0 is enabled.
• Enable Secure Boot.
• Save and exit.

3. Prepare for the Upgrade
Make sure Windows 10 is fully updated (via Windows Update).
Disable or uninstall any incompatible software or drivers if advised.

4. You can upgrade to Windows 11 via several methods:
a. Using Windows Update

• Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Click Check for updates.
• If your device is eligible, the Upgrade to Windows 11 option will appear.
• Follow on-screen instructions to download and install.

b. Using Installation Assistant

• Download Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft: Download here.
• Run the tool and follow prompts to upgrade.

c. Creating a Bootable USB (for clean install, if desired)

• Use the Media Creation Tool to create bootable media.
• Boot from USB and choose Upgrade option during setup to keep files/apps/settings.

5. Windows 11 free upgrade from windows 10 via Windows Update or Installation Assistant will preserve your files, apps, and settings. However, a clean install (bootable media) usually requires reinstallation of apps and reconfiguration.

From my own experience, Windows 11 free upgrade from windows 10 is pretty smooth most of the time, especially if your PC meets the system requirements. The upgrade process is straightforward—Windows does most of the work behind the scenes. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid any headaches:

• About Windows 11 free upgrade from Windows 10. Make sure your PC meets the hardware requirements for Windows 11. Some older hardware might not be supported, and you could run into issues or be unable to upgrade.
• Sometimes, certain apps or drivers might not play nice with the new OS right away. After upgrading, keep an eye out for updates from your hardware or app providers.
• With any new OS, there might be some bugs or glitches early on. Usually, these get sorted out with updates, but just be aware.

In my own experience, I did a clean install rather than an upgrade, which gave me fewer issues in the long run. But if you’re just upgrading over Windows 10, it’s generally safe if your system is compatible and you follow the backup step.