Are you looking to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 11, regardless of whether your computer officially supports it? Whether you're using Windows 10 or an older version of Windows 11, this guide will show you step-by-step how to perform the upgrade. Let's dive right in!
If you're interested, I also have a video version of this guide:
Step 1: Access Disk Management
Right-click on your start button and select "Disk Management" to open the Disk Management window.
Step 2: Create a Virtual Hard Disk
In the Disk Management window, click on "Action" and then select "Create VHD." Click on "Browse," navigate to your C drive, and create a new folder named "VHD." Select this folder, name your file "VHD," and click "Save." Set the virtual hard disk size to 16 GB (change MB to GB) and leave the other settings as default. Click "OK."
Step 3: Initialize and Format the New Disk
You'll see a new disk that is not yet initialized. Right-click on this new disk and select "Initialize Disk." Choose GPT and click "OK." Next, right-click on the unallocated space, select "New Simple Volume," and keep clicking "Next." Name the volume "VUSB" and finish the setup.
Step 4: Download Rufus
Open your browser, search for "Rufus," and navigate to the official Rufus webpage. Download the standard version of Rufus (not the portable version) appropriate for your system (64-bit or 32-bit).
Step 5: Set Up Rufus
Open Rufus, and it should automatically detect the virtual USB drive. If not, select it manually from the drop-down menu. Click on the arrow next to "Select," then "Download." Click on "Download" again to fetch the ISO image file of Windows 11. Ensure you choose the correct language that matches your current system
Check this via PowerShell with the command
get-winsystemlocale
Step 6: Create the Installation Media
Once the ISO is downloaded, it should appear under "Boot Selection" in Rufus. Leave all settings as default but you can change the volume label to "Win11." Click "Start," ensure all confirmation boxes are checked, and proceed.
Step 7: Install Windows 11
After Rufus completes, open File Explorer, navigate to "This PC," and open the "Win11" drive. Double-click the "Setup" file, confirm any prompts, and begin the Windows 11 installation process. Opt for "Not right now" for updates, accept the terms, and choose to keep your personal files and apps for a smooth transition.
Step 8: Finalize Installation
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Your computer will upgrade to the latest version of Windows 11, which is version 23H2 at the time of this tutorial. After the upgrade, you can delete the VHD folder and the downloaded files (Rufus and the ISO) to free up space.
Step 9: Optional: Roll Back to Previous Windows
If necessary, you can revert to your previous version of Windows via the "Recovery" option in "Settings" under "Windows Update." This option is available only for a few days post-upgrade.
Conclusion:
That's it! You've successfully upgraded to Windows 11. If this guide was helpful, please like and subscribe for more tutorials.
Talk Soon!
Memory
Thanks a lot for the instruction and video. I have some problem.
ReplyDeleteMy Win11 is still 21H, so I want to upgrade to 23H2 by using your instructions. My current Windows is using Microsoft Account to login, so before rufus write the ISO fille, I did not check two options (i.e., ignore ms account, and create a login).
After the ISO was written to the virtual disk, installing windows, I can't choose "Keep personal files and apps" because it said my current Windows installation uses different locale language. I've checked with command line as you suggested, it report English US, and I definitely download the English US version. I repeated the ISO download and installation, and still can't choose the Keep personal filles and apps.
Any idea to avoid this?...thanks.
Ok. I've done it. I tried this command
ReplyDeletedism /online /get-intl
and the result is as below
`Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool Version: 10.0.22000.653`
`Image Version: 10.0.22000.2538`
`Reporting online international settings. Default system UI language : en-GB`
`The UI language fallback is : en-US`
`System locale : en-US`
`Default time zone : SE Asia Standard Time Active keyboard(s) : 0409:00000409, 041e:0000041e`
`Keyboard layered driver : PC/AT Enhanced Keyboard (101/102-Key)`
`Installed language(s): en-GB` `Type : Partially localized language, MUI type. Fallback Languages en-US Installed language(s): en-US Type : Fully localized language. Installed language(s): th-TH Type : Partially localized language, MUI type. Fallback Languages en-US`
Now instead of downloading the Eng-US iso, I downloaded English International iso, and still unchecked "remove requirement for a Microsoft online account" and "create a local account with a username" because I want to retain my login with MS account, the installation went smoothly.
Thanks again.
Thanks a lot for your detailed explanation. I'm glad you managed to figure it out!
Delete