Windows 10 to 11 upgrade issue

Hello Rajesh Singh,

Windows 10 systems do not automatically upgrade to Windows 11 unless they meet Microsoft’s hardware and configuration requirements. The most direct reason your machines are not upgrading is that either the hardware does not satisfy the minimum specifications, or the update is blocked by policy or compatibility checks. To confirm, open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and run the compatibility check. If the system is eligible, you should see the option “Upgrade to Windows 11.” If you do not see it, the machine is either not compliant or the update is deferred.

The minimum requirements include TPM 2.0 enabled in BIOS/UEFI, Secure Boot enabled, and supported CPU models. You can verify TPM status by running tpm.msc and checking that the specification version is 2.0. Secure Boot can be checked in msinfo32.exe under “Secure Boot State.” If either is disabled, you must enable them in BIOS before Windows Update will offer the upgrade.

If the hardware meets requirements but the upgrade still does not appear, you can manually trigger it using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft’s official site. This tool bypasses the staged rollout and forces the upgrade if the system is eligible. Alternatively, you can download the ISO and run setup.exe, but this should only be done after confirming compatibility to avoid unsupported installations.

If your systems are managed by Group Policy or Intune, check that policies under Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Update → Windows Update for Business are not deferring feature updates. A deferral policy will prevent the upgrade from appearing even if the hardware is compliant.

I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer. Should you have more questions, feel free to leave a message. Have a nice day!

Domic Vo.

To upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 when it is not auto-upgrading, follow these steps and checks:

1. Confirm the device is eligible
   • The device must be running a currently supported version of Windows 10.
   • The hardware must meet the Windows 11 minimum system requirements. For details, see Find Windows 11 specs, features, and computer requirements.
2. Check eligibility using PC Health Check
   • Download and run the PC Health Check app from the Windows 11 page: PC Health Check app.
   • This will confirm whether the device meets the requirements for Windows 11.
3. Check via Windows Update
   • On the Windows 10 device, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
   • Select Check for updates.
   • If the device is eligible and validated, Windows Update will indicate that the Windows 11 upgrade is ready for installation and allow starting the upgrade.
4. If Windows 11 still does not appear in Windows Update
   • Ensure Windows 10 is fully updated and supported.
   • If the device meets all requirements but the upgrade is still not offered, use one of the manual upgrade paths:
     • Windows 11 Installation Assistant: Download the tool from Microsoft’s Windows 11 page, run it as administrator, and follow the on-screen instructions to download and install Windows 11.
     • ISO/USB in-place upgrade (advanced):
       1. Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft.
       2. Create installation media (bootable USB) using the Media Creation Tool.
       3. From Windows 10, mount the ISO or open the USB and run Setup.exe.
       4. In Setup, choose Keep personal files and apps to retain data and applications.
       5. Complete the installation; the PC will restart several times.
5. If errors occur during upgrade
   • If an error code appears, compare it with the common Windows 11 upgrade errors list and follow the specific guidance (for example, checking minimum requirements, drivers, VPN, or system reserved partition space).
6. After upgrade
   • Run Windows Update again to install the latest patches and drivers.
   • Verify that Windows is activated and that user settings and apps are intact.

If managing multiple business devices, repeat the eligibility checks and use the Installation Assistant or ISO method on each device that meets the requirements.

References:

• Upgrade to Windows 11: FAQ
• Can I upgrade to Windows 11?
• Ways to install Windows 11
• Windows 10 upgrade to Windows 11 considerations
• Get help with Windows upgrade and installation errors