Windows 11 Installation Assistant: A Simple Tool to Upgrade Your PC
From Where to Download Windows 11
Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft's operating system that was released in October 2021. It offers a fresh and modern look, new features and improvements, and better performance and security. If you are curious about Windows 11 and want to try it out on your PC, you might be wondering how and where to download it.
from where to download windows 11
Before you rush to download Windows 11, however, you need to make sure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements for running the new OS. These include a compatible processor, enough RAM and storage space, a UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled, a TPM 2.0 chip, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, and a high-definition display. You also need an internet connection and a Microsoft account to complete the initial setup.
In this article, we will show you how to check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11, how to download and install Windows 11 using different methods, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of upgrading to Windows 11. Let's get started!
How to Check If Your PC Is Compatible with Windows 11
The easiest way to check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11 is to use the PC Health Check app that Microsoft provides. This app will scan your device and tell you if it meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. It will also inform you of any potential issues or incompatibilities that might affect your upgrade experience.
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To use the PC Health Check app, follow these steps:
Go to the Windows 11 software download page and scroll down to the section that says "Check for compatibility".
Click on "Download app" and save the file on your PC.
Run the file and follow the instructions to install the app.
Launch the app and click on "Check now" under "Introducing Windows 11".
Wait for the app to analyze your device and display the results.
If your PC is compatible with Windows 11, you will see a message that says "This PC can run Windows 11". You will also see a button that says "Sign up" that will allow you to register for notifications about when Windows 11 is available for your device.
If your PC is not compatible with Windows 11, you will see a message that says "This PC can't run Windows 11". You will also see a link that says "See why" that will show you which system requirements your device does not meet.
If you want to check your system specifications manually, you can do so by following these steps:
Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Type msinfo32 and press Enter to open System Information.
Under System Summary, look for the following information:
Processor: This should be a 1 GHz or faster processor with at least two cores and 64-bit architecture. You can see the name and speed of your processor here.
Installed Physical Memory (RAM): This should be at least 4 GB. You can see the amount of RAM you have here.
System Type: This should be x64-based PC. You can see the type of your system here.
BIOS Mode: This should be UEFI. You can see the mode of your BIOS here.
Secure Boot State: This should be On. You can see the state of your Secure Boot here.
Device Encryption Support: This should be Meets prerequisites. You can see the status of your device encryption here.
Close System Information and press Windows + R again to open the Run dialog box.
Type tpm.msc and press Enter to open TPM Management.
Under Status, look for the following information:
TPM Manufacturer Information: This should show that you have a TPM 2.0 chip. You can see the specification version of your TPM here.
Close TPM Management and press Windows + R again to open the Run dialog box.
Type dxdiag and press Enter to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
Under System, look for the following information:
DirectX Version: This should be DirectX 12. You can see the version of your DirectX here.
Click on Display and look for the following information:
Name: This should be a compatible graphics card that supports DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.x driver model. You can see the name of your graphics card here.
Display Memory (VRAM): This should be at least 128 MB. You can see the amount of VRAM you have here.
Click on Sound and look for the following information:
Name: This should be a compatible sound card that supports High Definition Audio. You can see the name of your sound card here.
Close DirectX Diagnostic Tool and right-click on an empty area of your desktop and select Display settings.
Under Scale and layout, look for the following information:
Resolution: This should be at least 720p (1280 x 720). You can see the resolution of your display here.
How to Download and Install Windows 11
If your PC is compatible with Windows 11, you have three options to download and install it:
Option 1: Use Windows Update in Settings (recommended)
This is the easiest and safest way to upgrade to Windows 11, as it will preserve your files, settings, and apps. However, this option might not be available for everyone right away, as Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 gradually to eligible devices over time. To use this option, follow these steps:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
If you see a message that says "Windows 11 is ready for you", click on "Download now" and wait for the download to complete.
If you don't see this message, click on "Check for updates" and see if there are any available updates for your device. If there are, install them and restart your PC if prompted.
Repeat step 2 until you see the message that says "Windows 11 is ready for you".
Once the download is complete, click on "Install" and follow the instructions to complete the installation.
Your PC will restart several times during the installation process. Do not turn off your PC or interrupt the installation.
After the installation is complete, sign in with your Microsoft account and follow the steps to finish setting up Windows 11.
Option 2: Use the Installation Assistant to upgrade
This is another way to upgrade to Windows 11, but it might not preserve all your files, settings, and apps. You should back up your important data before using this option. To use this option, follow these steps :
Go to the Windows 11 software download page and scroll down to the section that says "Create Windows 11 installation media".
Click on "Download now" and save the file on your PC.
Run the file and follow the instructions to install the Installation Assistant.
Launch the Installation Assistant and click on "Accept and install" to start the upgrade process.
Your PC will restart several times during the installation process. Do not turn off your PC or interrupt the installation.
After the installation is complete, sign in with your Microsoft account and follow the steps to finish setting up Windows 11.
Option 3: Create Windows 11 installation media
This is the most advanced way to install Windows 11, as it requires you to create a bootable USB drive or DVD with the Windows 11 installation files. You can use this option to perform a clean install of Windows 11, which means that you will erase everything on your PC and start from scratch. You can also use this option to install Windows 11 on a different PC, as long as it meets the system requirements. You should back up your important data before using this option. To use this option, follow these steps:
Go to the Windows 11 software download page and scroll down to the section that says "Create Windows 11 installation media".
Click on "Download tool now" and save the file on your PC.
Run the file and follow the instructions to install the Media Creation Tool.
Launch the Media Creation Tool and accept the license terms.
Select "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC" and click on "Next".
Select the language, edition, and architecture of Windows 11 that you want to install and click on "Next".
Select "USB flash drive" or "ISO file" depending on whether you want to create a bootable USB drive or a DVD with Windows 11 and click on "Next".
If you selected "USB flash drive", insert a blank USB drive with at least 8 GB of space and select it from the list. Click on "Next" and wait for the tool to download and copy the Windows 11 files to your USB drive.
If you selected "ISO file", choose a location to save the ISO file and click on "Save". Wait for the tool to download and create the ISO file.
Once the tool has finished creating the installation media, click on "Finish".
If you created a bootable USB drive, you can use it to install Windows 11 on your PC or another PC by plugging it in and changing the boot order in the BIOS settings.
If you created an ISO file, you can use it to install Windows 11 on your PC by burning it to a DVD using a third-party software or mounting it as a virtual drive using File Explorer.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation of Windows 11.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Windows 11
Windows 11 is a major update that brings many changes and enhancements to the Windows operating system. However, not everything is perfect and there are some pros and cons that you should be aware of before upgrading. Here are some of them:
Pros:
Beautiful design: Windows 11 features a sleek and elegant design that makes it more visually appealing than ever. It has rounded corners, soft shadows, translucent effects, new icons, new sounds, new wallpapers, and a new Start menu that is centered on the taskbar. It also has new themes, widgets, snap layouts, snap groups, desktops, and animations that make it more customizable and dynamic.
Improved productivity: Windows 11 offers many features and improvements that make it easier and faster to get things done. It has a new Microsoft Store that is more streamlined and secure, a new Microsoft Edge browser that is faster and more compatible, a new File Explorer that is more intuitive and modern, a new Task Manager that is more informative and powerful, a new Settings app that is more organized and comprehensive, and a new Action Center that is more accessible and useful. It also has improved multitasking, search, voice typing, clipboard history, emoji panel, touch keyboard, pen support, accessibility, and security features.
Enhanced security: Windows 11 is designed to be more secure than ever by using advanced technologies such as UEFI firmware, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, Windows Hello, BitLocker, Windows Defender, and Windows Sandbox. It also has regular updates that keep it up to date and protected from threats and vulnerabilities.
Better gaming experience: Windows 11 is optimized for gaming by using features such as DirectX 12 Ultimate, Auto HDR, DirectStorage, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox app, and Xbox Game Bar. It also supports a wide range of games and devices, including PC games, console games, VR games, and Android games. It also has a Game Mode that boosts the performance and quality of your games.
Cons:
High system requirements: Windows 11 has higher system requirements than Windows 10, which means that some older or lower-end PCs might not be able to run it. Some of the requirements, such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, might not be enabled or supported by default on some devices, which might require you to change some settings in the BIOS or firmware. Some of the requirements, such as processor and graphics card compatibility, might not be met by some devices at all, which might prevent you from upgrading to Windows 11.
Compatibility issues: Windows 11 might not be compatible with some of your apps, drivers, hardware, or peripherals that work fine on Windows 10. Some of these might need to be updated or replaced to work on Windows 11. Some of these might not work at all on Windows 11 and might cause errors or crashes. You can check the compatibility of your apps and devices using the PC Health Check app or the Compatibility Report in the Installation Assistant.
Missing features: Windows 11 might not have some of the features that you are used to or like on Windows 10. Some of these include Cortana, Timeline, Live Tiles, Tablet Mode, Internet Explorer, Paint 3D, Skype, OneNote, and more. Some of these might be removed completely or replaced by other features or apps. Some of these might be available as optional features or downloads that you can install separately.
Bugs and glitches: Windows 11 is a new operating system that might have some bugs and glitches that affect its performance and functionality. Some of these might be minor or temporary issues that can be fixed by restarting your PC or updating your OS. Some of these might be major or persistent issues that can cause serious problems or damage to your PC or data. You can report any issues or feedback to Microsoft using the Feedback Hub app or the online forums.
Conclusion
Windows 11 is an exciting and innovative update that offers many benefits and improvements for your PC. However, it also has some drawbacks and challenges that you should consider before upgrading. If you want to download and install Windows 11 on your PC, you should first check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11 using the PC Health Check app or the manual methods. Then, you can choose one of the three options to download and install Windows 11 using Windows Update, Installation Assistant, or Media Creation Tool. You should also back up your important data before upgrading and be prepared for any potential issues or changes that might occur after upgrading.
We hope this article has helped you understand how and where to download Windows 11 and what are the pros and cons of upgrading to Windows 11. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Q: When will Windows 11 be available for everyone?
A: Windows 11 was released on October 5th, 2021 for eligible devices. However, it will be rolled out gradually over time based on device age, hardware compatibility, reliability metrics, and other factors. Microsoft expects to complete the rollout by mid-2022. You can check if Windows 11 is available for your device using the PC Health Check app or Windows Update.
Q: How much does Windows 11 cost?
A: Windows 11 is free for existing Windows 10 users who have a genuine license and meet the system requirements. You do not need to pay anything to upgrade to Windows 11. However, if you are buying a new PC with Windows 11 pre-installed or a new license for Windows 11 separately, you will need to pay the retail price set by Microsoft or its partners.
Q: Can I downgrade to Windows 10 if I don't like Windows 11?
A: Yes, you can downgrade to Windows 10 if you are not satisfied with Windows 11 within 10 days of upgrading. You can do this by going to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and clicking on "Go back" under "Previous version of Windows". You will need to have enough disk space and your Windows.old folder intact to perform this operation. You will also need to reinstall some apps and drivers that you installed after upgrading to Windows 11.
Q: What are some of the new features in Windows 11?
A: Windows 11 has many new features and improvements that make it more user-friendly, productive, secure, and fun. Some of these include:
A new Start menu that is centered on the taskbar and shows your pinned and recommended apps, files, and settings.
A new Taskbar that is more customizable and adaptive, with new icons, widgets, search, chat, and notification features.
A new Snap feature that lets you arrange your windows in different layouts and groups using the maximize button or keyboard shortcuts.
A new Widgets feature that lets you access personalized and curated information such as news, weather, calendar, photos, and more from the Taskbar or by swiping from the left edge of the screen.
A new Chat feature tha