Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025. For millions of UK users still running it, the upgrade to Windows 11 remains free — but only if your PC meets Microsoft’s hardware requirements. This guide covers how to check, how to upgrade, how to fix common blockers, and what to do if your hardware isn’t compatible.
Before You Start: Check Whether Your PC Is Compatible
The most important step before attempting the upgrade is confirming your PC meets Microsoft’s minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11. Attempting an upgrade on an incompatible device will either be blocked outright or — if forced — result in a machine that no longer receives security updates.
The fastest method is Microsoft’s own PC Health Check app:
- Download the PC Health Check app from Microsoft and install it.
- Open the app and click “Check now” under the Windows 11 section.
- You’ll receive an immediate pass or fail result. If your PC fails, the app will tell you the specific reason — this matters for the troubleshooting steps below.
Alternatively, go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and click Check for updates. If your PC is eligible, you may already see the Windows 11 upgrade offer waiting there.
Windows 11 Minimum System Requirements View full specs ↗
How to Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 for Free
If your PC passed the Health Check, the upgrade is straightforward. There are two main routes depending on your situation.
Method 1: Via Windows Update (Recommended)
The simplest route for most users. The upgrade is downloaded and installed in the background.
- Click Start, open Settings, and go to Update & Security → Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates. If your PC is eligible, you will see an option to download Windows 11.
- Click Download and install. The download is several gigabytes — allow 30–60 minutes depending on your connection speed.
- When prompted, click Restart now or schedule the restart for a convenient time.
- Your PC will restart several times during installation. Do not power it off during this process.
- Once complete, sign in as normal. Your files, applications, and settings will be preserved.
Method 2: Via the Windows 11 Installation Assistant
Use this if Windows Update hasn’t offered the upgrade yet, or if you prefer to initiate it manually.
- Visit Microsoft’s official Windows 11 download page and download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
- Run the tool as administrator and accept the licence terms.
- The assistant will verify compatibility, download Windows 11, and begin the installation automatically.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. Your PC will restart as part of the process — allow 20–40 minutes for the installation to complete.
After the Upgrade: Confirming Activation
If you upgraded from a genuinely activated copy of Windows 10, Windows 11 will activate automatically using a digital licence tied to your hardware — no product key entry is required. To verify, go to Settings → System → Activation. You should see “Windows is activated with a digital licence.”
Common Upgrade Blockers — and How to Fix Them
If the PC Health Check fails your device, it will state the specific reason. The three most common blockers are fixable without replacing hardware — so it is worth working through them before concluding your PC is incompatible.
🔒 TPM 2.0 Not Detected
Many PCs manufactured from around 2016 onwards have a TPM 2.0 chip installed but with it disabled in the BIOS/UEFI firmware. To check and enable it:
- Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI by pressing
F2,Delete, orF10during startup (the key varies by manufacturer — check your PC’s documentation). - Look for a setting labelled TPM, Security Device, PTT (Intel Platform Trust Technology), or fTPM (AMD Firmware TPM) and set it to Enabled.
- Save changes and exit. Re-run the PC Health Check app.
🔐 Secure Boot Disabled
Secure Boot is a UEFI feature required by Windows 11. It is often disabled on older systems, systems running dual-boot Linux configurations, or machines that were set up in Legacy/CSM mode.
- Enter BIOS/UEFI as above.
- Locate Secure Boot — typically under a Security or Boot tab — and set it to Enabled.
- If your system is running in Legacy/CSM mode, you will need to switch to UEFI mode first. This is a more involved process — research the specific steps for your hardware before proceeding, as it carries risk on some systems.
⛔ Unsupported CPU
If your processor is below Intel 8th generation or AMD Zen 2, it is not on Microsoft’s supported list for Windows 11. This cannot be resolved by a BIOS update. On most affected machines, the CPU and motherboard would both need replacing — which makes a new PC the practical solution. See below for your options.
What to Do If Your PC Cannot Upgrade
If your PC is genuinely hardware-incompatible, you have three broad options — each with meaningful trade-offs.
Extended Security Updates (ESU): Microsoft offers a paid ESU programme for Windows 10 users who need more time. The consumer ESU costs approximately £25 in year one and doubles in year two. This buys a limited extension but does not solve the underlying problem — you remain on an ageing, eventually abandoned operating system. Year three ESU availability for consumers is not guaranteed.
Forcing the upgrade via unsupported methods: It is technically possible to bypass Windows 11’s hardware checks. Microsoft explicitly does not support this configuration, and devices upgraded in this way may be blocked from future Windows Updates — which defeats the primary purpose of upgrading. This route is not recommended.
Purchasing a new PC and a genuine Windows 11 licence: For most users with incompatible hardware, this is the practical path. A genuine Windows 11 Home or Pro licence from Software Supplies is a one-time cost with no ongoing subscription — and over three years, it costs significantly less than the escalating ESU fees.
ESU costs are indicative based on Microsoft’s published pricing structure (Year 1 ~£25, doubling annually). Windows 11 licence prices are current live prices shown flat across all three years.
Windows 11 Home vs Pro: Which Licence Is Right for You?
Whether you’re activating Windows 11 on a new machine or your PC arrived without a genuine licence, a digital licence from Software Supplies is the most cost-effective solution. Both are genuine, perpetual licences — a single one-time purchase with instant delivery, no subscription, and lifetime use.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 genuinely free?
Yes. If your PC meets the minimum hardware requirements and is running a genuine, activated copy of Windows 10, the upgrade to Windows 11 is completely free via Windows Update or the Installation Assistant. There is no cost and no subscription involved.
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Will I lose my files and applications when upgrading?
No. The in-place upgrade preserves your files, installed applications, and settings. We still recommend backing up important data beforehand as a precaution — unexpected issues during any major OS change are rare but not impossible.
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What happens if I stay on Windows 10 now that support has ended?
Your PC will continue to function, but it will no longer receive security updates from Microsoft. This means newly discovered vulnerabilities will go unpatched, leaving your device progressively more exposed to malware and exploits. Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 11, purchasing Extended Security Updates as a short-term bridge, or moving to new hardware.
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My PC failed the Health Check. Can I force the upgrade anyway?
It is technically possible to bypass the hardware checks, but Microsoft does not support this configuration. Devices upgraded in this way may not receive future Windows Updates — which undermines the core reason for upgrading in the first place. For a hardware-incompatible machine, the safer long-term approach is to purchase a genuine Windows 11 licence for a compatible replacement PC.
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Do I need a new product key to activate Windows 11?
Not if you’re upgrading from a genuinely activated Windows 10 installation — Windows 11 activates automatically using a digital licence linked to your hardware. You only need a product key if you’re activating Windows 11 on a new PC without an existing licence, or performing a clean installation on hardware that has never been activated.
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What is TPM 2.0 and why does Windows 11 require it?
TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 is a security chip — either a dedicated component on your motherboard or built into your processor — that stores encryption keys and underpins security features like Windows Hello and BitLocker. Microsoft made it a hard requirement for Windows 11 to establish a consistent security baseline across all supported devices. Importantly, many PCs have a TPM 2.0 chip installed but with it disabled in the BIOS — enabling it is often the only change needed to pass the compatibility check.
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Can I upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro?
Yes. You can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro even from Windows 10 Home. During or after the upgrade, entering a Windows 11 Pro product key will activate the Pro edition. Software Supplies offers genuine Windows 11 Pro keys with instant digital delivery.
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How long does the upgrade take?
Allow between 30 minutes and 2 hours in total, depending on your internet connection speed (for the download) and your PC’s processor and storage speed (for the installation). The download alone is typically 4–6 GB. Your PC will restart several times — it is normal for it to sit at a progress screen for an extended period during this phase.
Gary Walsh is the Head of Tech Support at Software Supplies, with more than 20 years in the IT industry. Fully Microsoft-certified and experienced across the full business software stack — from Windows and Office to cloud infrastructure and device management — Gary delivers practical, no-nonsense advice that helps users and businesses get the most from their technology.
