Windows 11 update instructions (personal or self-managed computers)

These instructions are for personal computers or self-managed computers only. For computers managed by the University of Waterloo:

Academic Support Units: see Windows 11 in-place upgrade instructions - IST Knowledge Base - Confluence
Faculties: please consult with your IT support team.

Before you upgrade

Check system requirements: Ensure your device meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. You can use the PC Health Check app to verify compatibility: Meet Windows 11: Features, Look, Benefits & More | Microsoft
Test any specialized applications/peripherals with Windows 11, and upgrade as needed
Ensure there is enough free space on your computer’s hard drive, before installing Windows 11. Windows 11 requires ~20-30 GB of free space. See Freeing up hard drive space in Windows 10 - IST Knowledge Base - Confluence.
Backup your data: Before upgrading, it's a good idea to back up any important files saved to the local hard drive, to an external drive or cloud storage.

Complete the ‘Before you upgrade’ steps above
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
If Windows 11 is available for your device, you will see an option to download and install it. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade.

Complete the ‘Before you upgrade’ steps above
Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from the Microsoft website: Download Windows 11
Run the tool and follow the prompts to upgrade your device.