Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11

Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11

Microsoft ended regular support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. Computers running a regular version of Windows 10 have therefore no longer been receiving regular security updates for some time. To keep these computers secure and supported, they need to be upgraded to Windows 11.

For lab computers, the management of the system (including the upgrade) is the responsibility of the user. This guide explains how to check which version of Windows is installed, determine whether the computer is compatible with Windows 11, and perform the upgrade yourself.

Note: Not every Windows 10 installation can be upgraded in the same way. Always check the installed Windows edition first, as described in Step 1. If this guide instructs you to contact the Helpdesk, do not perform the upgrade yourself.

Step 1 – Check which version of Windows 10 is installed

First, check which edition of Windows 10 is installed on the computer:

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type winver and press Enter.
3. Check which Windows edition is displayed.
4. Find the edition in the table below.

Windows 10 Pro

If you are running Windows 10 Pro, you can continue with the steps to upgrade the computer to Windows 11.

Enterprise, Education or LTSC

If you are running Windows 10 Enterprise, Education, Enterprise LTSC, or an edition that is not listed above, do not perform the upgrade yourself at this point. Contact the Helpdesk so that we can help you determine the correct upgrade procedure.

Please provide the following information:

• Computer name
• Windows edition shown by winver
• Location of the computer

Step 2 – Check whether the computer is compatible with Windows 11

Before performing the upgrade, check whether the computer meets the system requirements for Windows 11.

Check compatibility

1. Download and install Microsoft's Windows PC Health Check application.
2. Open PC Health Check.
3. Find the Introducing Windows 11 section.
4. Click Check now.

The application will tell you whether the computer meets the requirements for Windows 11.

Computer not compatible?

Do not change security settings such as TPM or Secure Boot in the BIOS/UEFI yourself, and do not use methods to bypass the Windows 11 system requirements.

Contact the Helpdesk and provide the computer name and, if possible, the reason given by PC Health Check for why the computer does not meet the Windows 11 requirements.

Step 3 – Back up important data

Before starting the Windows 11 upgrade, make sure that any important data stored locally on the computer is backed up.

The upgrade is designed to keep your personal files and installed applications. However, problems can occur during an operating system upgrade. A backup ensures that important data is not lost if the upgrade fails or the computer needs to be reinstalled.

Before continuing:

• Back up any important files that are stored locally on the computer.
• Make sure you know where important experiment or measurement data is stored.
• Check that the backup is complete and that the files are accessible.
• If you are unsure which data needs to be backed up or where to store the backup, contact the Helpdesk before continuing.

Important: Do not continue with the upgrade if the computer contains important data for which no backup exists.

Once you have verified that your important data is backed up, continue.

Step 4 – Create a Windows 11 installation USB drive

You will need a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage.

Warning: All files currently stored on the USB drive will be deleted. Make sure there are no important files on the USB drive before continuing.

Download the Windows 11 installation media

1. Go to the official Microsoft Windows 11 download page:
   https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
2. Find Create Windows 11 Installation Media.
3. Click Download Now to download the Media Creation Tool.
4. Insert the USB drive into the computer.
5. Start the downloaded MediaCreationTool.exe.
6. Accept the licence terms.
7. Check the selected language and edition and click Next.
8. Select USB flash drive and click Next.

9. Select the correct USB drive.

   Make sure you select the correct drive. All data on the selected USB drive will be deleted. 10. Click Next.

Windows 11 will now be downloaded and the installation USB drive will be created automatically. This may take some time.

When the Media Creation Tool reports that the USB drive is ready, click Finish.

Step 5 – Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11

Once the Windows 11 installation USB drive is ready, you can start the upgrade.

Important: Do not boot the computer from the USB drive. The upgrade must be started from within the existing Windows 10 installation.

Start the upgrade

1. Start the computer normally in Windows 10.
2. Save your work and close any applications you do not need.
3. Insert the Windows 11 installation USB drive.
4. Open File Explorer and open the USB drive.
5. Double-click setup.exe.
6. Windows 11 Setup will start. Follow the instructions on the screen.
7. When you reach the Ready to install screen, carefully check that it says:

Install Windows 11 Pro
Keep personal files and apps 8. If this is correct, click Install.

Stop the installation and contact the Helpdesk if Keep personal files and apps is not displayed, or if Windows Setup displays an error or compatibility warning.

During the installation

The computer will restart automatically several times during the upgrade. This is normal.

• Do not turn off the computer during the installation.
• Do not remove the USB drive during the installation.
• Keep in mind that the computer will be unavailable for some time while the upgrade is being performed.

When the installation has completed, the computer will automatically start Windows 11.

Step 6 – Check Windows 11 after the upgrade

After the upgrade, check that Windows 11 has been installed correctly and is fully up to date.

Check the Windows version

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type winver and press Enter.
3. Check that Windows 11 is displayed.

Install Windows updates

1. Open Start → Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Install all available updates.
5. Restart the computer if Windows asks you to do so.

Repeat these steps until Windows Update reports that the computer is fully up to date.