So you want the new microsoft Windows 11 and have seen all the popups saying
that you can get it for free... ??
This is where all the confusion begins. Yes you can get Windows 11 for free
but unlike Windows 10, Microsoft is going to make you jump thru a few hoops just
for you to be able to get it, namely a few requirements dealing with the bios in
your computer motherboard.
Microsoft basically gave away Windows 10 before but this time around some of
us will have to "pay the pipper" as the saying goes.
Almost similar to what Apple does with it's desktop Mac computers - make the
user buy a new one every couple of years because an upgraded version of an
existing application will no longer run on their current Mac computer,
and you cannot upgrade your current version of Mac computer beyond a certain point,
so you basically toss it to the curb
if you have the money to burn to invest in a new Mac...
Yep, that's what happens when you buy a Mac unlike buying a PC.
Microsoft might be slowly following suit but time will tell...
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1 - You first need a motherboad with a UEFI bios
a few computers, namely Dell's, have had this type bios type for quite some time now
2 - Secure boot with CSM
3 - TPM
4 - Windows 10 installed and activated
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Next question of course, what is a bios ??
The bios is the first thing you see when you power on or boot up your computer
and it will usually give instructions on how to get into it like pressing the
DEl, F2, or ESC keys on your keyboard
otherwise those are usually the standard keys for getting into most standard bios.
On the first page or the boot menu page you will see the type of bios.
Normally you don't have to make any changes since it will default to
booting in UEFI mode
Otherwise you will need to find the settings memtioned above and make sure
that they are active or enabled.
In some cases, if you have to enable those settings the computer may or may not
continue to boot and you will have to reload windows using those settings
in order to satisfy the Windows 11 requirement
Ok now you have verified those requirements and if your windows still boots
you should be ready for the last couple of steps
Next You boot back into Your Windows 10
and go into settings and windows update where in most cases you are greeted
with a tab telling you that you can upgrade to windows 11 for free.
This is usually the last couple of steps in the requirement
- namely letting the computer verify that you are indeed eligible
to get Windows 11.
Click on the box telling you to verify your computer and there's a small program
that it tells you to download and install on your computer that will scan
and let you know Ya or Nay if your computer meets all the requirements.
If you meet all the requirements, the computer will then give you a tentative ETA
of when you can get Windows 11 installed on your computer giving you hourly,
daily or weekly updates from that point on.
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SO what if your computer said Nay, it doesn't meet all the requirements for upgrading
or installing windows 11.
It will usually tell you why your computer didn't meet the requirements and what you
need to do in order to fix it in most cases - namely turning on the UEFI settings in
your bios.
Otherwise, this is where a lot of computers will get kicked to the curb because they
probably don't have a UEFI bios to begin with
meaning that if you want Windows 11 you will have to buy a new computer - no exceptions...
OR
If you are a computer builder or know that your computer is a PC Clone with a standard
type motherboard, you can just have the motherboard replaced with one that is Windows 11
compatible or has a UEFI bios with prices ranging from $50+..
You will need an experienced PC Tech or take to a Computer store if you go this route
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Another possibility...
You actually have all the requirements mentioned above but your computer won't boot
once you change the settings to UEFI mode...
Well, you are in luck maybe depending on how much work you want to put into this...
The solution to this problem is to change the settings back to what was working before
,backup your data in your prior running version of windows which should boot right up again,
power the computer down after you have saved everything you want to save,
change the settings in the bios to the recommened microsoft requirements
and then wipe or erase your harddrive
and reinstall Windows 10 as UEFI mode now
This step is what I ended up having to do myself.
I had to wipe my harddrive clean, reinstall windows along with all of my applications
one by one, as well as restore my backed up data.
So you ask, was it worth it ??
Well I'm up and running Windows 11 now so yes it was worth it for me instead of buying a whole new computer...
