How to download Windows 11: Get the free Windows update now

Windows 11 is coming and will be available as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users starting from 5 October 2021. From that date onwards, you should be able to download and use Windows 11 as long as your PC meets the minimum system requirements. 

The quickest way to get a final Windows 11 version from Microsoft will most likely be to download it manually or to - rather expensively - buy a new PC or laptop. 

• Windows 11 first impressions: Our initial thoughts on using Microsoft's new OS

Windows 11 will, however, be a free update for existing users and for anybody buying a PC now.

How to download Windows 11

The new OS will be available for all via Windows Update and that process is likely to continue into 2022. 

To see the latest Windows Updates, go to Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update. When it becomes available, it will explicitly offer you to upgrade to Windows 11 so you'll be able to do it at a time that suits you. 

If you don't have Windows 10 yet, you can still get it for free by downloading the installation file (ISO) onto the PC in question, running it and choosing Upgrade this PC now when prompted.

Is there a Windows 11 beta available first? 

In a word, yes there is. An early Windows 11 version is currently rolling out to members of the Windows Insider program. Anyone can become a Windows Insider, but you absolutely must install early versions of Windows on a system that you don't rely on every day. Early software like this contains bugs and things that just don't work and you shouldn't put yourself in a position where you need to rely on it. 

That said, you can join up to the Microsoft Windows Insider program here. 

How to get the Windows 11 beta

You can access the Windows Insider Program directly from your Windows 10 PC with ease:

• Click on the Start menu
• Click the settings cog
• Click "Update & Security"
• Click "Windows Insider Program" on the left-hand menu
• Choose "Get Started" and link your Microsoft account
• Then you have the choice to select dev channel or beta channel - the beta channel is the most stable choice
• Click confirm
• Restart your PC and check for Windows Updates.

The Windows Insider Dev channel will get the update first so you'll need to choose that option when registering to get Windows 11 before it is released to the Beta Channel. The Release Preview channel won't get Windows 11 until later in the year, maybe a few weeks before it's actually released to the public. 

Want to know if your PC will be compatible?

There are a few hoops you need to jump through before you can install Windows 11. We've talked about the Windows 11 system requirements elsewhere, but this time Microsoft says you can only install it on processors made from roughly 2016-17 onwards. That's thanks to the security measures that processors made from that date onwards have. 

Microsoft has upgraded its PC Health Check tool (download link) to check whether you can upgrade your PC to Windows 11. 

• Windows 11 system requirements: Can your PC run Microsoft's new OS?

Source : https://www.pocket-lint.com/laptops/news/microsoft/157469-how-to-download-windows-11