Windows 11 is the most recent release from Microsoft. It has some great new features. The upgrade is free of cost and eligible users can get it on their PC from official sources now. Before you install or upgrade to Windows 11, there are some factors you need to take care of. To get you started with Windows 11 installation without any problem, we are going to mention a checklist that you should do before installing Windows 11.
What should you do first before installing an operating system upgrade?
There are some key elements that you should consider before installing an operating system upgrade. These elements include factors like compatibility, usability, vendor support, security, upgrade time and cost, and features. In case you are planning to get Windows 11 on your PC, you can check out the guide to know the things you should do or consider before performing the upgrade.
When should I upgrade to Windows 11?
The upgrade to Windows 11 is available for free since 5th October 2021. So, you can install Windows 11 on your system now. You can check whether the upgrade is available for your device under the Windows Update section in your Settings app. Just tap on the Check for updates option and it will show you the available upgrades or updates. You can then download and install the new OS. But, before that, do check this guide to prepare your PC before installing Windows 11.
Why should I upgrade to Windows 11?
Although some older features have also been removed, Windows 11 has some great new features for end-users as well as for Business and Enterprise. Its new security features go a step further in making your computing and browsing even safer. Its Multitasking Settings and Productivity features are such that you may have never seen before! If you are physically challenged then its new Accessibility Features are sure to make things easier.
Things to do before installing or upgrading to Windows 11
Here are the key elements you should take care of before installing or upgrading to the new Windows 11:
- Make sure your PC will run Windows 11.
- Enable TPM 2.0 on the BIOS.
- Enable Secure Boot on the BIOS.
- Backup Important Data.
- Clear up Disk Space.
- Uninstall conflicting and non-essential apps.
- Check and fix system errors.
- Disconnect non-essential peripherals.
- Select a method to install Windows 11
- Remember to plug in your laptop to the Mains.
1] Make sure your PC will run Windows 11
The first thing you should do prior to installing Windows 11 is to make sure your PC can run Windows 11. Windows 11 is free for everyone, however, your device needs to pass the minimum specifications to get the new OS. As Microsoft has imposed some minimum requirements to run Windows 11, it is necessary that your PC fulfills the minimum criteria to install and run Windows 11. You can use Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool to determine that. Download this app from the Microsoft website and then run it to know whether or not your system can run Windows 11.
TIP: This PC can’t run Windows 11? Fix it!
2] Enable TPM 2.0 on the BIOS
Windows 11 needs the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 chip for enhanced security. You might not be able to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation of Windows 11 in case your device doesn’t meet this requirement. So, to pass Windows 11 requirements, enable TPM 2.0 on the BIOS. Here are the steps to do that:
- Firstly, open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I hotkey and then navigate to the Update & Security > Recovery section.
- Now, under the Advanced startup section, click on the Restart button.
- Next, press the Troubleshoot and then Advanced options button on the advanced startup screen.
- Then, tap on the UEFI Firmware settings option and click on the Restart button.
- Depending upon your motherboard, click on the advanced, security, or boot settings page and then choose the TPM 2.0 option.
- Finally, select the Enabled option for TPM 2.0.
TIP: How to bypass the TPM requirement and install Windows 11?
3] Enable Secure Boot on the BIOS
To run Windows 11, secure boot is another requirement. This module makes sure that your PC boots only using trusted software. In most cases, the devices having UEFI firmware include Secure Boot. You can enable Secure Boot before installing Windows 11 using the below steps:
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and under Advanced startup section, click on the Restart now button.
- On the advanced startup screen, press the Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware settings option.
- Click the Restart button and then the advanced, security, or boot settings page.
- Choose the “Secure Boot” option and select the Enabled option.
Read: How to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.
4] Backup Important Data
Before proceeding with Windows 11 upgrade process, make sure you have taken a backup of all your important data. Take a backup of all necessary files and folders to an external hard drive or USB. In a rare case, if something goes wrong during the installation process, you will have your data back up to restore it later.
Here is a guide to automatically backup files on your PC. You can also check out some free backup software to use like EASEUS Todo Backup Home, etc.
5] Clear up Disk Space
Sufficient disk space is required to install the new OS or even updates. We have seen installation failing due to insufficient disk space required for the upgrade. So, make sure you have enough disk space on your PC to install Windows 11 without any error. To clear up dis space, you can use the Disk Cleanup Utility. There are some more methods to increase your disk space by freeing up space. In case you can you prefer third-party software, you have some free options like CCleaner. In addition to that, you may also try deleting and getting rid of duplicate files from your PC and make some free space.
Read: Error 0x8007007f when using Windows 11 Installation Assistant
6] Uninstall conflicting and non-essential apps
It is common that during an upgrade to a new version of OS or even during the feature update process, third-party apps and software conflict and interfere with the installation process and result in many errors. This generally happens when you are using a third-party antivirus on your PC. So, before proceeding with Windows 11 installation, remove any conflicting third-party software installed on your PC.
Also, if you have some non-essential or poorly designed apps installed on your PC, get rid of them to avoid any errors and problems during the upgrade process. You can easily uninstall the software via Settings. Open the Settings app and then go to the App & features section. Here, select the conflicting apps one by one and then uninstall them using the Uninstall option.
7] Check and fix system errors
Another thing you should consider before installing Windows 11 is to check for system file corruption. In many cases, corrupted system files on your PC result in errors and prevent you from upgrading to the newer version. So, before initiating Windows 11 installation process, verify your system files and repair them if there is some corruption. You can use System File Checker i.e., SFC scan and Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management (DISM) to do that. These are command-based utility tools to restore the healthy state of your PC.
See: How to install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation Player.
8] Disconnect non-essential peripherals
You may disconnect non-essential peripherals like printers, scanners, USBs, etc before you commence.
9] Select a method to install Windows 11
When you are ready to install Windows 11, you need to select an appropriate method to perform the upgrade. Microsoft has made it easier for everyone to install Windows 11 with different methods. To upgrade or install Windows 11, you can use the following methods:
- You can use upgrade to Windows 11 via Windows Update. It is the most recommended method to easily get Windows 11 on your PC. Just open the Settings app and then go to the Updates & security > Windows Updates section. Here, you can check for the upgrade available and then directly download and install it on your system.
- You can also use Windows 11 Installation Assistant to install Windows 11 on your PC. It is one of the easiest ways to upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft offers a dedicated Windows 11 Installation Assistant application that you can run to automatically install Windows 11 on your system.
- If you want to perform a fresh or clean install of Windows 11, you can create Windows 11 bootable installation media and then install Windows 11 through it.
- Another popular method to install Windows 11 is to download Windows 11 ISO image file and use it to install Windows 11. Mount the ISO file and create a “virtual” bootable disc. After that, you can run the setup.exe file and follow the onscreen instructions to complete Windows 11 installation.
10] Remember to plug in your laptop to the Mains
Make sure that your laptop is fully charged and plugged in before you start the upgrade or installation.
TIP: Check out the full guide to get the full version of Windows 11.
What do you need to consider before doing a clean installation?
You can perform a clean installation of Windows 11 using a Windows 11 ISO image file. Before doing a clean installation of Windows 11, there are some important factors that you need to take care of. Here are the minimum requirements before proceeding with clean install:
- At least 8GB USB flash drive or blank disc.
- Sufficient data storage to download the ISO image file on your system.
- Stable internet connection.
Besides that, you should also consider the things we have mentioned in this article.
That’s it!
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