Windows 11, set to be released in late 2021, brings a revamped user interface, a new Start menu, and a refreshed Windows logo. The operating system promises faster performance in areas like waking from sleep and browsing, and introduces the ability to install and run apps. Additionally, the "Direct Storage" feature enables games to directly upload assets to the graphics card, resulting in faster game launches and a better gaming experience. These changes, along with others, aim to enhance the overall user experience.
Before upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10/8/7, it's essential to refer to a guide that outlines what you should know before the update, the detailed steps to upgrade, and what you need to know after the update. This guide will help you prepare and navigate the process of upgrading to the new OS.
Before upgrading your current OS to Windows 11, it's essential to check if your PC hardware is compatible with the new OS, ensuring a smooth transition.
☞ To view your computer's processor, RAM, right-click This PC and choose "Properties".
☞ To check TPM version of your PC, follow these steps:
Step 1. Press "Windows" + "R", input "tpm.msc" and press Enter.
Step 2. In the pop-up window, you can view the TPM specification version that your chip supports.
Note: If you see the message "Comptiabel TPM cannot be found", you can enable TPM in BIOS by entering the BIOS settings, changing to "Advanced Mode", going to the "Settings" or "Miscellaneous" section, and enabling TPM.
☞ To check the graphics card on your computer, walk through the steps below:
Step 1. In the Search box, type "System Information" and click it to open it.
Step 2. Expand "Components" and click "Display".
Step 3. Then, you'll see the type of Graphics card.
The PC Health Check app can help you determine if your PC is eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11, making it easier to check the requirements on your PC.
To avoid data loss during the Windows 11 update, back up your system and important files in advance.
With a complete hardware check and system & files backup in place, you can now proceed with the Windows 10 to Windows 11 update process, which will be available after Windows 11's release.
Step 1. Click "Start" and "Settings".
Step 2. On the window, click "Update & Security".
Step 3. On the "Update & Security" window, click "Check for update" and Windows 11 will show up in the Download updates section, allowing you to proceed with the installation.
Step 4. Then, wait for the update to download and install.
After updating to Windows 11, you can explore its new features, but if you find that a device isn't compatible or you prefer Windows 10, you can downgrade to a previous version. If you encounter a full C drive after the update, consider using a professional partition manager like Qiling Disk Master Professional to adjust the partition size. This tool allows you to extend the C drive by allocating unallocated space or by taking space from another drive on the same disk, helping to solve the inadequate space issue after upgrading from Windows 10.
Step 1. Right-click the drive that has extra unused space and choose "Move/resize".
Step 2. Input how much space that you want to allocate from partition D and choose C drive as the target space.
Step 3. Now, you can preview what will happen after you allocate free space to C drive, click "Proceed" after you confirm it.
Notes:
▪ To free up space on your C drive, you can run Disk Cleanup, disable hibernation, move installed apps to another drive, and consider other space-saving options.
▪ The partition tool allows for various operations such as cloning a hard disk drive to a solid state drive, converting a GUID Partition Table (GPT) to a Master Boot Record (MBR), and performing other tasks.