- Originally published on June 25, 2021; since then the PC Health Check app has been removed and re-issued.
- Jump to the end of this page for steps to check the eligibility
After the release of Windows 10 back in 2015, Microsoft had promised free upgrades for eligible devices for one year. However, that offer was extended and continues to work to this day. Now that the company is ready to move on with the introduction of Windows 11, it was expected that it'll still be a free upgrade.
This has just been confirmed by Microsoft itself and through its health checker that just went live. Microsoft's system health checker verifies if your device meets the requirements to make the Windows 11 upgrade.
Windows 11 will be a free upgrade for eligible devices
if you want to get this free upgrade when it goes live, you will need to confirm whether your device is ready for the new Windows 11. You can download this app through this link or just check the list of minimum requirements here.
If you do download the health checker, it will show you whether you can make the upgrade to Windows 11 or not. As shared earlier, the company has dramatically increased several of the minimum Windows 10 system requirements with the release of Windows 11. Once you install it, just go through the steps and you will see the following message:
"Introducing Windows 11. Let's check if this PC meets the system requirements. If it does, you can get the free upgrade when it's available."
Apparently, this health checker isn't just checking the hardware minimum requirements but also software for any potential compatibility issues. Several users with eligible hardware are getting the following alert:
There's also a lot of concern around the TPM 2.0 requirement, however, as our hardware team confirms, users should be okay with TPM 1.2, as well. They also added that if you are seeing the "This PC can't run Windows 11" message, try checking if the technology is disabled through the BIOS and needs to be enabled. A BIOS firmware update might be required for some older platforms.
Do note that things might change as Microsoft develops the operating system further. And with so much uproar around this specific requirement, we might just see some exceptions being made by the Windows maker. We will know more once the Preview Builds start dropping for Windows Insiders next week. Microsoft is also making exceptions for Insiders already registered with the Dev Channel; for details, check out this piece.
Check if your Windows 10 PC can run Windows 11
- Download the PC Health Check app (clicking this link will begin the downloading process).
- Open the downloaded file and you will see a prompt asking if you want to run this file. Click on the Run button to confirm.
- On the setup screen, accept the terms, and click on the Install button.
- This will begin the installation process, which could take a minute.
- Once done, you will see a screen with two checkboxes.
- Check the Open Windows PC Health Check and click on the Finish button.
- You will now see the "PC health at a glance" screen.
- Under the Introducing Windows 11 section, click the Check now button.
- This will finish the process and you will either get the "This PC can run Windows 11" or "This PC can't run Windows 11" message.
In this stream:
- Bummer? Taskbar fixed at the bottom
- Windows 11 is official with a centered Start menu
- List of minimum requirements
- Microsoft will deliver one feature update every year to Windows 11
- Windows 11 Chat App Will Appear on the Taskbar Powered by Microsoft Teams
