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How to Prepare Your Computer to Install the Windows 11

If you are interested in trying out the next version of Windows, this article will point you resources and steps for getting your device ready for Windows 11.

Step 1: Backup your computer:

When making significant changes to your computer such as updating the operating system, you should always backup. See links to resources about backing up by clicking the link for the respective version of Windows you are running: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1


Step 2:  Check if your computer is Windows 11 compatible:

Microsoft provides a handy app that lets you check if your computer is Windows 11 compatible

How to Check if your Computer or Device is Windows 11 Compatible

Step 3: Create Recovery Drive for reinstalling Windows 10:

Step 4:  Join the Windows Insider Program to get early access to Windows 11:

Windows 11 Preview is available to early adopters who would like to share feedback about the operating system before its general availability. If you are finding it difficult to download the preview, you might need to first sign up:

How to Join the Windows Insider Program 2020 Edition

How to Join the Windows Insider Program from within your current version of Windows 10 then upgrade to Windows 11:

How to Install the Latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build - Microsoft Community

Step 5: Decide how you are going to Install Windows 11 - Partition or Virtual Machine:

There are multiple ways to try Windows 11, you can upgrade your existing Windows installation or you can install on a separate partition or in a virtual machine.

If you are already in the Windows Insider Program, here are steps to upgrade your existing build to Windows 11:

Install in a Virtual Machine:

Install on a Partition:

How to Install Windows with Other Versions of Windows

Step 6: Troubleshoot Windows 11 Installation Problems

As with every preview, you might encounter problems installing Windows 11, here are some steps you can try to ensure your installation goes smoothly:

Step 7: How to Go Back to an earlier version of Windows from Windows 11:

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As Windows 10 is going to continue I did Feedback to have two Insider forums,One for Windows 10 and one for Windows 11.

.

Glad to see that you are around again.

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Around computers
since 1952
lacrumb

2 people found this comment helpful

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As Windows 10 is going to continue I did Feedback to have two Insider forums,One for Windows 10 and one for Windows 11.

.

Glad to see that you are around again.

Hi Lawrence,

Great idea. Could you please share that link in this Forum. I can run Win11 in virtual machines without issue, however all my test laptops, have been rendered obsolete. My Dev laptop has win11 installed already, had to use the workaround, however attempting to join Insider after clean install, only offered RP channel. It is legacy bios.

Strange thing is Win11 runs faster and smoother on this device compared to Win10. I only have one laptop that can run Win11 officially as it was purchased not even year ago.

Regards,

Johnny

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As Windows 10 is going to continue I did Feedback to have two Insider forums,One for Windows 10 and one for Windows 11.

.

Glad to see that you are around again.

Hi Lawrence,

Great idea. Could you please share that link in this Forum. I can run Win11 in virtual machines without issue, however all my test laptops, have been rendered obsolete. My Dev laptop has win11 installed already, had to use the workaround, however attempting to join Insider after clean install, only offered RP channel. It is legacy bios.

Strange thing is Win11 runs faster and smoother on this device compared to Win10. I only have one laptop that can run Win11 officially as it was purchased not even year ago.

Regards,

Hi Johnny,

Had the same on Legacy BIOS Win11 machines, only offered RP channel, I will have to try on the supported UEFI Win11 to see if it lets me select Development channel, perhaps will have to wait for the official MS Build ?

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Hi Johnny,

This is on Dell XPS 8930 desktop with all the prerequisites, it was updated without any problem from current public build 21H1 19043.1081.

It offers the usual 3 insider channels. Dev, Beta, RP.

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My Feedback link;

.

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Around computers
since 1952
lacrumb

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My Feedback link;

.

Upvoted

Johnny

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As Windows 10 is going to continue I did Feedback to have two Insider forums,One for Windows 10 and one for Windows 11.

.

Glad to see that you are around again.

Hi.

I did not upvote your feedback hub report because I know for sure I will not be able to run W11 and join in the W11 Insider forum.

Quote from the PC Health Checker app:

This PC cannot run Windows 11. You will continue to receive Windows 10 updates.

Unquote:

Have a nice weekend.

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Uzun ve müreffeh yaşayın / Have a long and prosperous life.

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I got the same email but I have ignored it for most of my PCs as I have had only one old laptop in the Beta channel.  Looking at the required specs I found that most of my computers meet the specs.

I have noticed that the community has the selection in the forums other than the Insider that you can pick Windows 10 or Windows 11 or All.

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Around computers
since 1952
lacrumb

Was this comment helpful?

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I got the same email but I have ignored it for most of my PCs as I have had only one old laptop in the Beta channel.  Looking at the required specs I found that most of my computers meet the specs.

I have noticed that the community has the selection in the forums other than the Insider that you can pick Windows 10 or Windows 11 or All.

Hi.

I haven't received an e-mail from Microsoft. The screenshot was the result of running WindowsPCHealthCheck app that is released by Microsoft.

The said app reads my PC can't run Windows 11.

As I see, a huge number of people are talking about Windows 11, although negatively, about their PCs' inability to run Windows 11. This is a good marketing move to make people talk solely about Windows 11. So I congratulate Microsoft deeply with all my heart. 😎

Uzun ve müreffeh yaşayın / Have a long and prosperous life.

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@suat.cini,

At least this laptop (Lenovo Yoga 920) has all the requirements. 😉

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Last updated January 7, 2025 Views 17,457 Applies to: