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Skip to main content Menu * Search * ComputingComputing * Computing * * * * Trending Topics * Laptops * Software * PC Gaming * Graphics Cards * Artificial Intelligence * Trending Guides * What is ChatGPT? * What is a Chromebook? * How to Choose a Laptop * Windows 11 vs Windows 10 * Download YouTube Videos * Trending Reviews * RTX 4070 Review * LG Gram Style Review * Razer Blade 15 Review * Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Review * Mac Mini (M2 Pro) Review * Browse by Type * Computing News * Computing Deals * Computing Guides * Computing Reviews * Computing Features * See All Computing * MobileMobile * Mobile * * * * Trending Topics * 5G * Apps * iPhone * Android * Wearables * Trending Guides * What is 5G? * How to Unlock a Phone * How to Stop Spam Calls * How to Use WhatsApp Web * Share a Wi-Fi Password on iPhone * Trending Reviews * iPhone 14 Review * Google Pixel 7 Review * Apple Watch Ultra Review * Google Pixel Watch Review * Samsung Galaxy S23 Review * Browse by Type * Mobile News * Mobile Deals * Mobile Guides * Mobile Reviews * Mobile Features * See All Mobile * GamingGaming * Gaming * * * * Trending Topics * Xbox * PlayStation * PC Gaming * Cloud Gaming * Nintendo Switch * Trending Guides * Wordle Today * Xbox Series X vs PS5 * Upcoming PS5 Games * All Cross-Platform Games * Upcoming Switch Games * Trending Games * Fortnite * Resident Evil * Grand Theft Auto * Hogwarts Legacy * Star Wars Jedi: Survivor * Browse by Type * Gaming News * Gaming Deals * Gaming Guides * Gaming Reviews * Gaming Features * See All Gaming * EntertainmentEntertainment * Entertainment * * * * Trending Topics * Sci-Fi * Action * Marvel * Fantasy * DC Comics * Trending Guides * Best New Movies * Best New Shows * Best Shows on Netflix * Best Movies on Netflix * Best Shows on Disney Plus * * Best Movies on Disney Plus * Best Shows on Amazon Prime * Best Movies on Amazon Prime * Most Popular Movies on Netflix * See All Streaming Guides * Browse by Type * Entertainment Deals * Entertainment News * Entertainment Guides * Entertainment Reviews * Entertainment Features * See All Entertainment * Audio / VideoAudio / Video * Audio / Video * * * * Trending Topics * TV * Speakers * Soundbars * Headphones * Streaming Services * Trending Guides * FuboTV * Sling TV * YouTube TV * QLED vs OLED * What is Sonos? * Trending Reviews * Sonos Era 100 Review * Sonos Era 300 Review * LG G3 OLED TV Review * Apple TV 4K (2022) Review * Roku Plus Series TV Review * Browse by Type * Audio / Video Deals * Audio / Video News * Audio / Video Guides * Audio / Video Reviews * Audio / Video Features * See All Audio / Video * Smart HomeSmart Home * Smart Home * * * * Trending Topics * Google Nest * Amazon Alexa * Home Security * Robot Vacuums * Portable Power Stations * Trending Guides * What is a Smart Lock? * What is Google Home? * What is Amazon Alexa? * Trending Reviews * Apple HomePod Review * Roborock S8 Pro Ultra review * Ring Spotlight Cam Pro review * EcoFlow River 2 Pro Review * Browse by Type * Smart Home News * Smart Home Deals * Smart Home Guides * Smart Home Reviews * Smart Home Features * See All Smart Home * Cars * Best ProductsBest Products * Best Products * * * * Best Computing Products * Best Laptops * Best Chromebooks * Best Graphics Cards * Best Gaming Laptops * Best Desktop Computer * Best Mobile Products * Best Phones * Best Tablets * Best Smartwatches * Best Fitness Trackers * Best Samsung Phones * Best Audio / Video Products * Best TVs * Best Speakers * Best Projectors * Best Soundbars * Best Headphones * Best Video Games * Best Mac Games * Best PS5 Games * Best Games on PS Plus * Best Xbox Series X Games * Best Nintendo Switch Games * See All Best Products * ReviewsReviews * Reviews * * * * Computing Reviews * Mac Reviews * Laptop Reviews * Monitor Reviews * Desktop Reviews * Windows Reviews * Mobile Reviews * Phone Reviews * Tablet Reviews * Smartwatch Reviews * Fitness Tracker Reviews * iPhone and iPad Reviews * Audio / Video Reviews * TV Reviews * Speaker Reviews * Soundbar Reviews * Headphone Reviews * Media Streamer Reviews * See All Reviews * News * MoreMore * More * * * * Brands * Dell * Apple * Google * Samsung * Microsoft * Deals * TV Deals * Phone Deals * Laptop Deals * Gaming PC Deals * See All Tech Deals * Original Series * ReSpec * Life on Mars * Genius Home * Tech for Change * See All Original Series * More Topics * Space * Versus * Business * See All Topics * Trending * Windows 11 vs Windows 10 * Split Screen in Windows 11 * Windows 11 Requirements * Get Windows 11 for Free * Screenshot on Windows 11 * Uninstall Windows 11 * Android Apps on Windows 11 1. Home 2. Computing 3. Guides HOW TO GET WINDOWS 11 FOR FREE By Jon Martindale January 10, 2023 Share Microsoft is still keen for everyone to upgrade to Windows 11 if they can. And it's not just Microsoft. Updating to Windows 11 is well worth it. If you have a Windows 10 PC or laptop already, then you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free very easily, but you can also get it for free by buying a new PC, or even building a new computer yourself. Contents * Check that your PC is compatible * Upgrade to Windows 11 for free using Windows Update * Update to Windows 11 for free using the Installation Assistant * Update to Windows 11 for free using the Media Creation Tool * Get Windows 11 for 'free' when you buy a new PC Whatever your situation, here's how to upgrade to Windows 11 for free. Recommended Videos Powered By 10 Sec Windows 11-sounds Next Stay DIFFICULTY Easy DURATION 15 minutes WHAT YOU NEED * A Windows 10 key, or Windows 10 PC or laptop * Internet access * A USB drive with at least 8GB of free space (optional) CHECK THAT YOUR PC IS COMPATIBLE Before you try to upgrade your PC to Windows 11 for free, make sure that it is compatible. You'll need a PC that supports Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and has the Secure Boot option in your BIOS. It must also meet some basic hardware requirements. To find out whether your PC is capable of running Windows 11, search for PC Health Check in Windows search, and run the corresponding application, or check Microsoft's Windows 11 specs page and cross-reference it with your system. If you're not sure what hardware you have, follow these steps to check your PC specs. UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 11 FOR FREE USING WINDOWS UPDATE If you have a Windows 10 PC or laptop that's ready for Windows 11, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free just by running the update tool. Step 1: Search for Windows Update in the Windows search bar and select the relevant result. Step 2: If your PC is fully up to date, there's a good chance it will already be pushing the Windows 11 update on you. All you have to do is select the blue Download and Install button to get started. Then just follow the on-screen instructions to complete your Windows 11 installation. Related * How to take a screenshot on a Windows PC or laptop * Microsoft Teams is getting new AI tools — and they’re free * Microsoft teases design overhaul of major Windows 11 app UPDATE TO WINDOWS 11 FOR FREE USING THE INSTALLATION ASSISTANT If Windows Update isn't giving you a quick option to upgrade to Windows 11, you can use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Step 1: Visit the Windows 11 download website and look for the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Select the blue Download now button. Step 2: When it's finished downloading, run the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe and give administrator approval, if requested. Step 3: Select Accept and install to accept the terms and conditions, then begin the Windows 11 update process. Step 4: The installation will then proceed without much input from you. It will download the Windows 11 installation media, then run the update. This could take up to 30 minutes, so you may need to wait, but when it's complete, you should have a free update to Windows 11 installed. UPDATE TO WINDOWS 11 FOR FREE USING THE MEDIA CREATION TOOL If you are starting a new PC build, or want to install Windows 11 on a new drive for your existing Windows 10 PC, the Windows Update tool and Installation Assistant won't work so well. What you can use instead, is the Media Creation Tool. Step 1: Head to Microsoft's Windows 11 upgrade page and under the heading Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select the blue Download Now button. This will download mediacreationtool.exe file to your PC. Step 2: Launch the Media Creation Tool like you would any other program, and give administrator approval, if requested. Step 3: Accept the Microsoft terms and conditions, then choose your language and the version of Windows 11 you want to install, if necessary. Otherwise, leave the default recommended options. Select Next when you're ready to proceed. Step 4: Find a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space and plug it into your PC or laptop. Then select the USB Flash Drive option in the Media Creation Tool setup process. Select Next. Alternatively, if you want to virtually mount the Windows 11 installation media, you can select ISO file and follow the on-screen instructions to create it for later mounting. Step 5: Select the USB drive you want to use for the installation. Then, when ready to setup the drive, select Next. Wait for the setup process to complete. Step 6: Once the installation media is created, you can reboot your PC and boot to the USB drive to begin upgrading to Windows 11. Follow our guide on how to install Windows 11 for tips on the installation process and, if prompted, input your Windows 10 key to activate. GET WINDOWS 11 FOR 'FREE' WHEN YOU BUY A NEW PC If you're buying a new PC, you're almost certainly going to get it with Windows 11 included, so if you don't want to buy a Windows license and don't have an upgradeable PC, this might be the best way. Alternatively, you can look for Windows 10 PCs and use their valid key to update to Windows 11 for free using the above methods. Unfortunately, you can't update from Windows 8 or Windows 7 straight to Windows 11, but if you have an older system with a valid key, you can always upgrade to Windows 10 first. Follow these steps on downloading Windows 10 for free, then see if you can update to Windows 11 for free afterwards. EDITORS' RECOMMENDATIONS * ChatGPT can now generate working Windows 11 keys for free * Windows 11 is about to make RGB peripherals way easier to use * The new Windows 11 Backup App takes another cue from the Mac * The Windows Copilot puts Bing Chat in every Windows 11 computer * How to uninstall a program in Windows 10 Topics * How-To Guides * Microsoft * Microsoft Windows * Windows 10 * Windows 11 * Windows Guides Jon Martindale Computing Coordinator linkedin twitter Email Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to… * Computing How to use iMessage on Windows Apple's iMessage isn't as universal as some of the best messaging applications, but as a default app, it's exceedingly popular, and could be considered one of the best Mac apps. It's an Apple-exclusive app, however, so getting it working somewhere else isn't easy. Fortunately, though, there are some tricks you can use to get iMessage working on Windows. Here's how to do it. Read more * Computing Windows 11 just gained one of the primary reasons to buy a Mac The Apple ecosystem is the reason many people flock to the Mac over Windows devices. They already own an iPhone, so buying a Mac that works easily with it seems like an obvious next step. Now, however, the highly requested Phone Link app for Windows 11 finally supports iPhone, finally making some of those ecosystem features a bit more cross-platform. The update to the app was announced in late April but is available to use today. Read more * Computing How to share a printer on Windows A new printer can inspire creative projects and is a great way to share moments with friends and family. You can also share the printer itself. It doesn't even need to be a wireless printer since Windows can provide a Wi-Fi connection to a USB-only or ethernet-only printer. 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