I know how to install Windows OS from USB drive but it is not the way I am looking for currently. My laptop has a lot of designed apps that I won’t want to reinstall and reactivate. This could be time consuming and expensive.

I need some advice to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 by keeping the files and apps. It is a HP Pavilion Laptop 17 (Intel Core i7 7700HQ, 16 GB RAM, GeForce GTX 1050 and 128GB SSD.)

Answer from IHaTheLetterF on community.spiceworks.com
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Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-us › software-download › windows11
Download Windows 11
There are 3 options below for installing or creating Windows 11 media. Check out each one to determine the best option for you. Before installing, check the Windows release information status for known issues that may affect your device. If you’re running a prior version of Windows, see the Upgrade to Windows 11:FAQ for additional information.
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Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-us › windows › get-windows-11
How to Get Windows 11 for Your Compatible PC | Microsoft
If your PC is eligible, upgrade to Windows for free via Settings > Privacy and Security > Windows Update. If your PC isn’t eligible or you’re ready for a new device, consider purchasing a Windows 11 PC and leveraging trade-in and recycling ...
Discussions

HELP: UPDATING TO WINDOWS 11 FROM WINDOWS 10 FOR TOTAL DUMMIES
Making changes to your system BIOS settings or disk setup can cause you to lose data. Always test your data backups before making changes to your PC. For more information please see our FAQ thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/q2rns5/windows_11_faq_read_this_first/ I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. More on reddit.com
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January 9, 2025
How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11
How to run an in-place upgrade in Windows 11 In-place upgrade is a process wherein it will upgrade the device to the latest version and repair many issues without deleting any files. Usually, it is used to repair corrupted system files, apps, and even… More on learn.microsoft.com
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July 9, 2025
How to upgrade to WINDOWS 11?
How do I upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11? I cannot find an install under my settings. Moved from: Microsoft 365 and Office | Other More on learn.microsoft.com
🌐 learn.microsoft.com
2
0
January 5, 2026
How can I upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 for free?
Hi all,I heard Windows 11 is much better now, especially for the gaming experience. Now, I need some help to upgrade my gaming pc to from windows 10 to... More on techcommunity.microsoft.com
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August 11, 2025
People also ask

Why should I upgrade to Windows 11?
Windows 11 brings next generation performance, security, and a modern design built for today’s PCs. With AI-powered experiences like Copilot, advanced gaming optimizations, and smart tools, it’s easier than ever to stay productive and entertained. Explore streamlined navigation, enhanced speed, and features designed to help you do more with confidence. Learn more.
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microsoft.com
microsoft.com › en-us › windows › get-windows-11
How to Get Windows 11 for Your Compatible PC | Microsoft
How much does it cost to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11?
To upgrade to Windows 11, devices must meet the Windows 11 minimum system requirements. Some Windows 10 features aren't available in Windows 11. For more information, see Find Windows 11 specs, features, and computer requirements.
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microsoft.com
microsoft.com › en-us › windows › get-windows-11
How to Get Windows 11 for Your Compatible PC | Microsoft
What edition of Windows 11 will I get when I upgrade?
The free upgrade is for the same edition as you have on your Windows 10 device. If you have Windows 10 Home edition, you will be upgraded to Windows 11 Home edition.
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microsoft.com
microsoft.com › en-us › windows › get-windows-11
How to Get Windows 11 for Your Compatible PC | Microsoft
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ZDNET
zdnet.com › home › tech › services & software › operating systems › windows › windows 11
How to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 - for free | ZDNET
May 18, 2026 - Those pesky restrictions prevent you from automatically upgrading to Windows 11 using Windows Update or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Yet, as hundreds of ZDNET readers have reported over the past few years, there are documented workarounds for most PCs that were originally built for Windows 10.
Find elsewhere
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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › upgrade-to-windows-11-faq-fb6206a2-1a0f-448a-80f1-8668ee5b2bf9
Upgrade to Windows 11: FAQ | Microsoft Support
Windows Update in Windows 10 analyzes and validates if a specific device meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11. Once this verification completes, Windows Update indicates that the Windows 11 upgrade is ready for installation. To manually check if a device is eligible for Windows 11, download the PC Health Check app.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
UPGRADE Any OLD PC Computer To WINDOWS 11 In 3 EASY Steps! - YouTube
How to easily upgrade any OLD Windows 10 computer to Windows 11 even with hardware error, "This PC doesn't currently meet the minimum system requirements to ...
Published   September 27, 2025
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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › can-i-upgrade-to-windows-11-14c25efc-ecb7-4ce6-a3dd-7e2e24476997
Can I upgrade to Windows 11? | Microsoft Support
You can upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 if your device meets hardware specifications, and if the Windows 11 release has been made available to your device.
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Stanford University IT
uit.stanford.edu › service › helpdesk › windows › window-11-upgrade
Windows 10 to 11 Upgrade Instructions | University IT
The Windows 11 Installation Assistant will download, verify, and install Windows 11. Note: The installation process may take up to an hour to complete. However, you can continue using your device throughout the installation.
Top answer
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Following the instructions here has hit a dead end. The download has been stuck at zero% for the past hour after a restart. My first attempt was at zero% for 2hrs.

More context:
My ISO is saving to desktop,
The C drive is a Gen4 NVMe SSD with plenty space for this,
My internet d/l speed is 80mbit (ethernet via network switch to modem/router).

The reason I'm trying to do this is that my search function is absolutely broken. No search works, be that via the start menu or in Explorer. The troubleshooter does not work, and the OFFICIAL Microsoft tech support directed me to a 3RD PARTY WEBSITE that advised me to buy and install some software called "Restoro PC Repair Tool" to see if that resolves my issue.

Does anyone know if there is a way to get this moving? The search feature is critical to my work and I've already lost half a days work on this today so far.

EDIT: Unsure if this is relevant, but I'm using Windows 11 Pro - Version 21H2 - Build 22000.446
EDIT2: Another point to add: I do not use an antivirus, the only security features on my computer is Windows Defender.

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Using the ISO file is a good way to repair a badly corrupted Windows 11.

You can't download the ISO file? Try pausing OneDrive if you are syncing your Desktop. Maybe OneDrive sync is getting in the way. Try saving to Downloads.

Forget that Restoro or any 3rd party repair tools to download.

Do you have indexing turned on? Forget downloading any repair tools:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-configure-indexing-options-settings-for-windows-11-search

The built-in Windows Security Service is all you need in my opinion.

Hi Craig, thanks for taking your time to reply to me.

You're absolutely right. I decided to just download the ISO instead of the Media Creation Tool and ran that in minutes without issue. This did indeed resolve my issues. I do not use One Drive (I really dislike it, and have 3 different storage devices that I backup to at home) so that wasn't stopping me this time around. I rely and actually trust Windows Defender to keep my computer safe (I don't download anything from un-trusted places).

I have absolutely no clue why the Official Microsoft Tech Support are referring people to a 3rd party website that instructs you to pay for that Restoro PC Repair Tool. I think that those type of programs are basically malware. The scarry thing is though that a lot of people trust Microsoft Tech Support, and if they instruct them to get that tool, then they will.

In my opinion, Microsoft will cost a lot of people a lot of damage and money doing this.

Thankfully the help community are vastly superior (it shouldn't have to be like this) than the company that provides the OS and support.

Again, thank you for taking your time to respond to me though.

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USNH
td.usnh.edu › TDClient › 60 › Portal › KB › Article › 5035 › Computer-Upgrading-from-Windows-10-to-Windows-11
Computer: Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11
As Windows 10 nears end-of-support from Microsoft in 2025, the option to Upgrade to Windows 11 may appear on computers that have hardware able to handle the upgrade. If you see that option, ET&S recommends that you install the upgrade when it is convenient. This is an in-place upgrade, meaning your applications, settings, and locally stored data should carry through the upgrade process.
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › 5693516 › how-to-upgrade-to-windows-11
How to upgrade to WINDOWS 11? - Microsoft Q&A
January 5, 2026 - Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft. Create a bootable USB using the Windows Media Creation Tool. Launch the upgrade by running Setup.exe from the mounted ISO.
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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › install-windows-updates-3c5ae7fc-9fb6-9af1-1984-b5e0412c556a
Install Windows Updates - Microsoft Support
Learn how to check for the latest Windows Updates and install them to keep your device running smoothly and securely.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Effortless Windows 11 Install on ANY PC: Ultimate Upgrade Assistant Guide - YouTube
This is the easiest method yet for installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. We will be using a custom upgrade assistant that will hold your hand throu...
Published   June 23, 2025
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Upgrade EVEN UNSUPPORTED PCs To Windows 11 EASILY and FREE | Windows 10 EOL - YouTube
Windows 10 is officially EOL, let's show you how to upgrade even unsupported hardware to Windows 11.https://github.com/pbatard/rufushttps://www.microsoft.com...
Published   October 25, 2025
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ASUS
asus.com › support › faq › 1046904
[Windows 11] How to upgrade to Windows 11 | Official Support | ASUS Global
April 7, 2026 - If the notification of Windows 11 upgrade is available, click [Download and install] to start to upgrade④. If your computer doesn’t receive the upgrade notification yet, it means that Microsoft is still on-going with deployment.
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Quora
quora.com › How-can-I-upgrade-my-Windows-to-11
How to upgrade my Windows to 11 - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): I downloaded the PC health app to double check my PC was suitable - several years, I was told it wasn’t, then told it was. It confirmed my PC was OK. I took an image of my hard disk to an external hard disk using clonezilla, just in case I neede3d to revert, and used windows ...
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Microsoft Community Hub
techcommunity.microsoft.com › microsoft community hub › communities › products › windows › windows 11
How can I upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 for free? | Microsoft Community Hub
August 11, 2025 - https://www.wintechhow.com/safely-update-from-windows-10-to-windows-11 · P.S. It took me 20 mins to complete the upgrade for a legacy PC bought 12 years ago.
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Eleven Forum
elevenforum.com › windows support forums › installation, updates and activation
Windows 10 to Windows 11 upgrade | Windows 11 Forum
August 24, 2024 - This tutorial will show you how to bypass the Windows 11 CPU, RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0 system requirements allowing you to clean install or upgrade to Windows 11 on a unsupported PC that doesn't meet these requirements.
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Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-us › windows › windows-11
Windows 11: Windows Copilot, Features and Benefits | Microsoft Windows
October 16, 2025 - Check to see if this is an option for you by opening Settings > Privacy and Security > Windows Update. If your PC meets the minimum system requirements and is able to upgrade, you should see an option in Windows Update to upgrade from Windows ...