How to Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 with the Installation Assistant

Published ✓ Verified ⏱️ 3 min read January 8, 2025 · by Ryan Bennett

You want Windows 11 on a compatible PC, but Windows Update still shows only Windows 10 updates — no upgrade offer in sight.

Why: Microsoft rolls out the Windows 11 upgrade in waves, so an eligible PC can wait weeks for the Windows Update offer. The Windows 11 Installation Assistant is Microsoft’s official tool to upgrade right now without waiting, while keeping your files, apps, and settings (an in-place upgrade, not a wipe).

Fix 1: Confirm your PC is eligible first

Don’t download anything until you know the PC passes. The upgrade will refuse on unsupported hardware.

Go to aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp, download and install the PC Health Check app.
Open it and click Check now at the top.
A green “This PC meets Windows 11 requirements” means you’re good to go. If it fails, it names the gate — usually TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot, both fixable in UEFI — so resolve that before continuing.

Microsoft actually recommends waiting for the Windows Update offer when possible, because it includes a compatibility safeguard. The Installation Assistant is the supported shortcut when you’d rather not wait.

Fix 2: Run the Installation Assistant

Open the Download Windows 11 page.
Under Windows 11 Installation Assistant, click Download Now, then run the downloaded Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe.
The tool re-checks your hardware. When it confirms eligibility, accept the license terms and click Accept and install.
It downloads Windows 11 and prepares the installation — leave the PC on and plugged in. When prompted, click Restart now (or it restarts on its own after a 30-minute warning).
The PC reboots several times during install. Don’t force a shutdown — when it finishes, sign in at your normal Windows screen, now on Windows 11.

Requirements: you need Windows 10, version 2004 or later, an x64 processor (the Assistant won’t run on Arm PCs), and at least 9 GB of free disk space for the download.

Fix 3: Don’t like it? Roll back within 10 days

An in-place upgrade keeps a copy of your old Windows so you can reverse it.

Go to Settings → System → Recovery.
Under Recovery options, find Go back and click Go back, then follow the prompts.

This restores Windows 10 with your files and apps intact. The window is 10 days by default — after that the rollback files are cleaned up and you’d need a clean reinstall to return to Windows 10.

FAQ

Will I lose my files and programs? No. The Installation Assistant performs an in-place upgrade that keeps your personal files, installed apps, and settings. Back up anyway before any major OS change.

My PC fails PC Health Check — can I still use this? Not through the supported path. The Assistant requires eligible hardware. The right move is to fix the failing gate (enable TPM 2.0 / Secure Boot in UEFI), not force an unsupported install.

Do I need a product key? No. A PC with an activated Windows 10 license is automatically entitled to Windows 11 — it activates with a digital license.

Sources: Microsoft Support — Ways to install Windows 11, Microsoft Support — How to use the PC Health Check app