How To Upgrade/Clean Install and Activate Windows 11
(During the installation you need to use the license we sent via email to activate, or you are using Windows 10 with an activation license from our store to upgrade to windows 11.)
Method 1: Upgrade a Windows 10 PC to Windows 11
Click here to download the tool Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 >> Download Now
Before you begin, check to see if the following conditions apply to you:
- You have a Windows 10 license: If you do not have a Windows 10 license, please order here
- Your PC must have Windows 10, version 2004 or higher installed to run Installation Assistant.
- Your PC meets the Windows 11 device specifications for upgrade requirements and supported features. Certain features require additional hardware. We also recommend that you visit your PC’s manufacturer’s website for information about updated drivers and hardware compatibility.
- Your PC must have 9 GB of free disk space to download Windows 11.
After you download the Installation Assistant:
- Select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.
- Once the tool confirms the device hardware is compatible, you will be presented with the license terms. Select Accept and Install.
- Once the tool is ready, click the Restart Now button to complete installation on your computer.
- It might take some time to install Windows 11, and your PC will restart a few times. Make sure you don’t turn off your PC.
Method 2: If you want to perform a reinstall or clean install of Windows 11 on a new or used PC, use this option to download the media creation tool to make a bootable USB or DVD:
Click here to download and Create Windows 11 Installation Media >> Download Now
Before you begin: Make sure you have:
- An internet connection (internet service provider fees may apply).
- Sufficient data storage available on the computer, USB, or external drive you are downloading the .iso file to.
- A blank DVD disc with at least 8GB (and DVD burner) to create a bootable disc. We recommend using a blank USB or blank DVD, because any content on it will be deleted during installation.
- If you receive a “disc image file is too large” message while attempting to burn a DVD bootable disc from an ISO file, consider using a higher capacity Dual Layer DVD.
Ensure the PC you want to install Windows 11:
- Has a 64-bit CPU: Windows 11 can only run on 64-bit CPUs. To see if your PC has one, go to Settings > System > About, or search “System Information” in Windows and look under “System Type.”
- Meets system requirements: Not all devices running Windows 10 are eligible to receive a Windows 11 upgrade. See the Windows 11 device specifications for upgrade requirements and supported features. Certain features require additional hardware. We also recommend that you visit your PC’s manufacturer website for information about updated drivers and hardware compatibility.
- WARNING: Installing Windows 11 media on a PC that does not meet the Windows 11 minimum system requirements is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11 on a PC that does not meet the requirements, that PC will no longer be supported and won’t be entitled to receive updates. Damages to the PC due to lack of compatibility aren’t covered under the manufacturer warranty.
- Matches your current language: You’ll need to choose the same language when you install Windows 11. To see what language you’re currently using, go to Time & language in PC settings or Region in Control Panel.
Using the Media Creation Tool to create installation media:
- After downloading, run the media creation tool. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.
- If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
- On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.
- Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit) for Windows 11.
- Select which media you want to use:
- USB flash drive: Attach a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. Any content on the flash drive will be deleted.
- ISO file: Save an ISO file to your PC. This can be used to create a bootable DVD. After the file is downloaded, you can go to location where the file is saved, or select Open DVD burner, and follow the instructions to burn the file to a DVD.
After the installation media is created, follow the steps below to use it.
- To check for updates now, select the Start button, and then go to Settings > Windows Update, and select Check for updates. You may also wish to visit your device manufacturer’s support site for any additional drivers that may be needed.
Note: Drivers for Surface devices may be found on the Download drivers and firmware for Surface page.
Before you install Windows 11, it’s a good idea to save any work and back up your PC before you start. If you used the Media Creation Tool to download an ISO file for Windows 11, remember to burn it to a DVD before following these steps:
- Attach the USB flash drive or insert the DVD on the PC where you want to install Windows 11.
- Restart your PC.
- If your PC does not automatically boot to the USB or DVD media, you might have to open a boot menu or change the boot order in your PC’s BIOS or UEFI settings.
- To open a boot menu or change the boot order, you’ll typically need to press a key (such as F2, F12, Delete, or Esc) immediately after you turn on your PC. For instructions on accessing the boot menu or changing the boot order for your PC, check the documentation that came with your PC or go to the manufacturer’s website.
- If you do not see the USB or DVD media device listed within the boot options, you may need to reach out to the PC manufacturer for instructions for temporarily disabling Secure Boot in your BIOS settings.
- If changing the boot menu or order doesn’t work, and your PC immediately boots into the OS you want to replace, it is possible the PC had not fully shut down. To ensure the PC fully shuts down, select the power button on the sign-in screen or on the Start menu and select Shut down.
- On the Install Windows page, select your language, time, and keyboard preferences, and then select Next.
- Select Install Windows.
Method 3: Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO). This option is for users that want to create a bootable installation media (USB flash drive, DVD) or create a virtual machine (.ISO file) to install Windows 11. This download is a multi-edition ISO which uses your product key to unlock the correct edition.
Click here to download the tool: ISO/Disk Image
Before you begin Make sure you have:
- An internet connection (internet service provider fees may apply).
- Sufficient data storage available on the computer, USB, or external drive you are downloading the .iso file to.
- A blank DVD disc with at least 8GB (and DVD burner) to create a bootable disc. We recommend using a blank USB or blank DVD, because any content on it will be deleted during installation.
- If you receive a “disc image file is too large” message while attempting to burn a DVD bootable disc from an ISO file, consider using a higher capacity Dual Layer DVD.
Ensure the PC you want to install Windows 11:
- Has a 64-bit CPU: Windows 11 can only run on 64-bit CPUs. To see if your PC has one, go to Settings > System > About, or search “System Information” in Windows and look under “System Type.”
- Meets system requirements: Not all devices running Windows 10 are eligible to receive a Windows 11 upgrade. See the Windows 11 device specifications for upgrade requirements and supported features. Certain features require additional hardware. We also recommend that you visit your PC’s manufacturer website for information about updated drivers and hardware compatibility.
- WARNING: Installing Windows 11 media on a PC that does not meet the Windows 11 minimum system requirements is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11 on a PC that does not meet the requirements, that PC will no longer be supported and won’t be entitled to receive updates. Damages to the PC due to lack of compatibility aren’t covered under the manufacturer warranty.
Installation instructions (DVD):
- Locate the folder where you downloaded the Windows 11 ISO to.
- To use Windows Disk Image Burner to create the installation DVD, right-click on the ISO file and select Properties. Under the “General tab”, click “Change…” where it says, “Opens with:” and select Windows Explorer. Select Apply. This will enable the Burn disc image to display when you right-click on the ISO file.
- To use a third-party DVD burning program, you can right-click on the ISO file and select Open with.
Installation instructions (ISO):
- If you want to install Windows 11 directly from the ISO file without using a DVD or USB flash drive, you can do so by mounting the ISO file. This will perform an upgrade of your current operating system to Windows 11.
- To mount the ISO file:
- Go to the location where you downloaded the ISO file. Then, right-click the ISO file and select Properties.
- On the “General” tab, click ”Change…” where it says, “Opens with:” and select Windows Explorer for the program you would like to use to open ISO files and select Apply.
- Right-click the ISO file and select Mount.
- This will create a “virtual” bootable disc. Double-click on it to view the files within. Double-click setup.exe to start Windows 11 setup.
Method 4: Upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Professional using CMD
Step 1.Open CMD with Run as Administrator: Important Note: You need to select “Run As Administrator” to get upgrade permission.
Step 2: You need to copy the entire following code and paste it into CMD, then Enter :
slmgr.vbs /upk
Then you type this code:
DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions
If you see Target edition: Professional, your Windows 11 Home can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro
Step 3: You need to copy the entire following code and paste it into CMD, then Enter : (It uses Microsoft’s Default Key to upgrade from Home to Pro):
sc config LicenseManager start= auto & net start LicenseManager
sc config wuauserv start= auto & net start wuauserv
changepk.exe /productkey VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
exit
Then you enter and wait for a moment.
Note: If you see “Windows upgrade failed”, you restart your pc. It will upgrade Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro. (It will show as Windows 11 Pro)
Step 4: Restart the computer to finish upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro.
Step 5: After the upgrade to Windows 11 Pro is completed, You need to Restart your computer and do the following steps to Activate Windows 11 Pro license:
Select the Start button, and then select Settings > System > Activation > Update product key > Change product key.
