Windows 11 Home Single Language ISO

If you want to upgrade to Windows 11, you can always buy a new computer with the OS already installed. However, if your current Windows 10 PC meets all the necessary requirements to upgrade, why shell out money for a whole new machine when Windows 11 is free?

Microsoft offers a few different ways to update your instance of Windows 10 to Windows 11. Not ready to make the switch permanently? You can also try Windows 11 for 90 days. For the permanent upgrade, it could be as easy as updating your PC. Otherwise, there is an Installation Assistant, the Media Creation Tool, or an ISO file available for download. Pick the method that works best for you.

Check for Compatibility

Microsoft's PC Health Check app

The requirements needed to upgrade to Windows 11 have been confusing because Microsoft has been more stringent about who qualifies than any previous version of the OS. To reach compatibility, your computer needs Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 support and Secure Boot enabled in the BIOS. The TPM restriction is especially onerous since it may put many older Windows 10 PCs out of the running.

Before you attempt to download and install the free update, first make sure that your current Windows 10 PC is compatible. The best way to do this is to run Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool. If the program hasn't been force-installed onto your computer already, you can go to Windows 11 Specifications page(Opens in a new window) to view all the system requirements and download the tool.

Scroll down to the bottom of the screen until you see the Check for compatibility section. Click the Download PC Health Check App link and install the program. Click the Check now button inside the app to see if you qualify. If your computer is compatible, a message tells you that your PC meets Windows 11 requirements.

Check for an Update

Windows 11 has been accessible for some time as an update on compatible Windows 10 systems, so your next step should be to check to see if the update is already available on your PC. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click the Check for updates button. If Windows 11 is waiting for you, it can then be installed as an update.

Download With the Installation Assistant

If Windows 11 is not showing up as an update on your PC, you can still install it through Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Browse to the Download Windows 11 page(Opens in a new window) and click the Download now button under the Windows 11 Installation Assistant section, then Run the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe file.

Click the Accept and install button and your Windows 10 PC will be upgraded to Windows 11. You should be able to use your PC during the download and installation. When the process is finished, you need to restart your PC. You can either restart immediately or wait for the 30-minute timer to end so you can save any open work.

After your PC reboots, you can sign into Windows again. Once the final setup is complete, you’re deposited at your new Windows 11 desktop.

Another option is to use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, a program that lets you create installation media for the new OS. This is a handy method not just to update your current PC but to set up the necessary media to update other PCs as well.

At the Download Windows 11 page(Opens in a new window), click the Download now button under the Create Windows 11 Installation Media section. Run the downloaded MediaCreationTool.exe file, then accept the license terms, confirm your language, and select the edition of Windows you want to install. You can then choose to copy the installation files to a USB drive or generate an ISO file and burn it to a disk.

If you take the USB route,make sure you have a flash drive with at least 8GB of storage plugged into your PC. The tool then downloads the necessary Windows 11 installation files and copies them to the USB drive. After this process is finished, open the drive and double-click the setup.exe file to kick off the upgrade.

If you opt to generate an ISO file instead, choose a location for the download, then double-click the file in File Explorer. You must then double-click the setup.exe file.

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Click Next to have Windows 11 check for any updates, then accept the license terms. The Ready to install screen shows that Windows 11 will be installed and that your personal files and apps will be kept. To modify those choices, click Change. You can then opt to keep your personal files and apps, just your personal files, or deelte everything.

Click Next and then select Install to run the upgrade. After your PC reboots, sign in to finish the setup. Depending on what you chose to keep, Windows may prompt you to customize your privacy settings. You are then taken to the desktop.

Download Disk Image

You can also choose a direct download of the Windows 11 ISO file. At the Download Windows 11 page(Opens in a new window), go to the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) section and select Windows 11 from the dropdown menu. Choose the product language, click Confirm, and then click the Download button to get the ISO file.

After the download, double-click the ISO file and then double-click the setup.exe file. Click Next at the initial install screen to check for and download any updates to Windows 11. At the Ready to Install screen, you’ll see that Windows 11 will be installed and that your personal files and apps will be kept by default.

If you wish to change this, click Change and switch to Personal files only or Nothing. Click Next, then Install to run the upgrade. After your PC restarts, sign into Windows 11 to view your new operating system.

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