8 things to do before updating to Windows 11 Prepare a stable connection and more 8 things to do before updating to Windows 11

The goal is to make sure your PC meets Microsoft's requirements and have a complete backup in case something goes wrong.

So let's get started.

1. Check compatibility

Let's start by checking if Windows 11 can work properly on your PC. Officially, the minimum system requirements for Microsoft's new OS are:

CPU1 Gigahertz (GHz) or faster 64-bit compatible processor or System on a Chip (SoC) GPUDirectX 12 compatible with WDDM 2.0 drivers RAM4GB or more Storage64GB or more Firmware UEFI with secure boot TPM version 1.2 or 2.0 Display diagonal size9 Inch or larger HD (720p) display with 8 bits per color channel Internet Windows 11 Home edition requires stable Internet

Specifications for your system can be found in Settings > System > About I can confirm.

However, Microsoft's new "PC Health Check App" (download here) is recommended as it will give you a clear indication if your PC is compatible.

After installation, click the blue "Check Now" button to get a detailed report.

If "TPM 2.0" and "UEFI Secure Boot" are disabled, the app will show "Upgrade not recommended".

So let's see how to enable each one individually.

2. Enable the "Trusted Platform Module (TPM)"

The "Trusted Platform Module (TPM)" is a chip on the motherboard that allows of sensitive security data is stored.

To enable this, first make sure your system includes this chip. Open Run (Windows key + R) and search for tpm.msc.

If your TPM is ready, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Under "Advanced Startup" there is a "Restart Now" button.

2. Next, from the blue menu, click "Troubleshoot" → "Advanced Options" → "UEFI Firmware Settings" → "Reboot" → "Boot" and change "TPM 2.0" to Enabled. .

3. If the TPM chip is not available, you need to put the chip on the motherboard.

Note: The option to enable the TPM switch may be labeled differently. Microsoft has a helpful page about this.

3. Enable "Secure Boot"

Similar to TPM, "Secure Boot" is also a security feature. It ensures that the system only boots trusted OSes. To enable "Secure Boot", proceed as follows.

1. Reboot from "Settings" → "Update & Security" → "Recovery" → "Advanced Startup".

2. Proceed to "Troubleshooting" → "Advanced Options" → "UEFI Firmware Settings" → "Reboot" → "Boot".

3. Change the state of "Secure Boot" to "Enabled".

However, if you are using a desktop PC with BIOS, your system may not boot after enabling this security feature. To prevent this, convert MBR to GPT and switch BIOS to UEFI.

4. Back up your data

Early versions of new software like Windows 11 usually have tons of bugs and errors.

So you run the risk of disrupting your workflow or even losing all your data. The best course of action is to back up your data.

You can either take advantage of the handy cloud backup option or use an external hard drive (SSD or HDD).

Remember that backups are essential, even if you have Windows 11 installed as a secondary system.

5. Optimize Storage

Another important thing is to make room for the new Windows. Microsoft requires Windows 11 to have at least 64GB of free space.

For now, try one of the methods below to free up space on your drive.

Using Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a built-in feature to quickly fix a cluttered disk drive.

You can use this maintenance utility to remove temporary and unnecessary files on the primary partition that hosts the new OS.

1. To launch "Disk Cleanup", type "Temporary Files" in the "Start Menu".

2. Click "Temporary Files" on the right side.

3. Check all the options and click "Delete Files" to complete the cleanup.

However, be careful not to accidentally delete the "Downloads" folder.

The "Downloads" folder may appear in the "Temporary Files" options.

Although Disk Cleanup will do most of the work, you can also use other methods to remove junk files in Windows.

Using External Storage

Arguably the best way to free up space is to move large, infrequently-used files to an external hard drive.

It can be anything from photo albums to software setups.

6. Remember your Microsoft account

Updating Windows 11 requires logging in to your Microsoft account.

If you're syncing data with that account (such as Skype or Email), make sure you know the account's login information.

You may lose access to multiple accounts if they are all synced with your main Microsoft account.

Timely note-taking (and resetting if necessary) of your login details will help you maintain your contacts and calendars, and thus your workflow.

7. Have a stable internet connection

An unstable internet connection is often the main reason Windows 11 OS updates fail.

Windows 11 is software updates delivered from Microsoft's servers. Therefore, you must always be connected to the web during installation.

Using mobile data hotspots, public wifi or unstable private connections can lead to failure.

Avoid hotspots and public network connections, and make sure your wifi is stable enough to support the installation of Windows 11, which can take at least 30 minutes to an hour.

8. Connect to a charger

If you are using a laptop, connect the power cable to prevent the battery from running out. Similarly, if you're updating on a desktop PC, make sure the power supply isn't interrupted.

Inadvertent power loss can cause data loss or reset installation progress.

Bonus: 2 Steps to ``Be Prepared''

Before you update, make sure your workflow is smooth and have a backup of your system in case things go wrong. We strongly recommend that you keep it.

1. Check your apps

It would be wise to check that the work tools and apps you use are also available in Windows 11.

It's possible that certain apps you use every day aren't available on Microsoft's newer OS yet.

2. Creating a recovery drive

Creating a system recovery on an external hard disk means copying Windows as is.

If something goes wrong after the update, you can always go back to the state before the update with the recovery drive.

Now you are ready to update!

Once you've done that, you're ready to update to Windows 11.

Optimizing your storage and backing up your data are the most important steps in preparing for an update. These steps will ensure a smooth workflow and usability.

If your PC doesn't have a TPM or the PC Health Check app says it's incompatible for some reason, don't worry.

Microsoft has announced it will update and support Windows 10 through 2025, so you still have plenty of time to upgrade.

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Source: Microsoft(1, 2)

Original Article: 9 Things to Do Before Updating to Windows 11 by MakeUseOf