HP PCs - Upgrading to Windows 11 using Windows Update

Important information about installing Windows 11

Review the following information before upgrading your computer to Windows 11.

Make sure that the computer is eligible for Windows 11 by checking the "How do I know if my computer meets Windows 11 minimum system requirements?" section in HP PCs – Support for Windows 11. The Windows 11 upgrade option might not be available in Windows Update if your computer is not eligible for the upgrade.
Some computers might be configured with components that do not meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11. HP recommends that you install PC Health Check from Microsoft to determine if your computer is eligible.
Devices that do not meet the minimum system requirements will remain on Windows 10 and continue to be supported with security updates. Customers using long term service releases (LTSC and LTSB) will continue to be supported through the published end of support dates. For more information about Windows 10 support, see HP products tested with Windows 10.
Back up your important files.

CAUTION:
HP recommends that you always back up all important data (such as personal files, photos, videos, documents, applications, and software) before upgrading to avoid losing your data. For more information, see HP PCs - Back up your files (Windows 11, 10).
Before installing Windows 11, update your antivirus software and the antivirus definitions. Set the antivirus application to update automatically. Go to the antivirus software manufacturer website for more information.
After you install Windows 11, you automatically receive updates and security fixes from Microsoft. You cannot opt out of this service.
Not all Windows 11 features are available on all computers. Your experience with Windows 11 is determined by the capabilities of your computer.
Apps are sold separately.
Software designed for Windows 10, or earlier operating systems, might not work after installing Windows 11.
If you installed third-party software after purchasing your HP computer, you can verify that it is supported in Windows 11 by contacting the software vendor.
For computers with available storage of 128 GB or less, the installation might require you to provide a USB flash drive (64 GB or larger). HP does not recommend using an SD card.
Windows Hello requires either a camera configured for near infrared (IR) imaging or a fingerprint reader for biometric authentication.
S mode is only supported on the Home edition of Windows 11. If you are running a different edition of Windows in S mode, switch out of S mode prior to upgrading. See Windows 10 in S mode FAQ.
If you seek assistance from HP Support after the installation, HP Support might request that the original Windows operating system be restored to verify product functionality. If your computer is sent to service for repairs after installing Windows 11, your computer could be reimaged with the original Windows operating system and Windows 11 removed. After repairs are made, you can reinstall Windows 11. Be sure to remember your Microsoft account login and password.
Specific versions of some models might have the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) disabled by request of the customer. These computers might not have an option in the BIOS for TPM. HP recommends that you do not upgrade these models to the Windows 11 operating system.

System requirements for installing Windows 11

Microsoft requires that your computer hardware meets the following system requirements before you can install Windows 11.

See Find Windows 11 specs, features, and computer requirements.

System requirements
Requirement	Minimum
Processor	1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC). See Windows 11 supported Intel processors or Windows 11 supported AMD processors.
Memory (RAM)	4 GB or greater
Graphics card	Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
Display screen	High-definition display (720p), 9 in monitor (or greater), 8 bits per color channel
TPM	Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
System firmware	UEFI, Secure Boot capable
Hard disk space	64 GB (or greater) available storage Additional storage space might be required to download updates and enable specific features.
Other	Internet connectivity is necessary to perform updates, and to download and use some features. Windows 11 Home edition requires an internet connection and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.

Prepare to install Windows 11

Before you install Windows 11, install updated drivers, software, and BIOS, and then create recovery media and back up your data. You might also need to decrypt your hard drive.

Update software, drivers, and BIOS and enable Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Download and install the latest software and drivers and the latest version of the BIOS. If necessary, enable TPM.

Download and install the latest version of software and drivers from HP. See HP PCs - Downloading or Updating Software and Drivers for more information.
Download and install the latest version of the BIOS for your computer. See one of the following options for more information.
Based on your location and the model of your computer, you might need to enable the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to meet the minimum system requirements.
1. Restart the computer, and then press f10 to open BIOS Setup Utility.
2. On the Security tab, check to see if the TPM Device option is Hidden.
3. Change the TPM Device option to Available.
4. Change the TPM State option to Enabled.
5. Press f10 to exit, and then click Yes to save changes. If prompted, press f1 to confirm the changes and restart the computer.

Create recovery media and back up important files

You can create recovery media and use File History to back up your data before upgrading to Windows 11.

If you have not already done so, create a set of system recovery media or save a recovery image to a USB flash drive. If a problem occurs during the installation process, you can use HP System Recovery to restore your computer to its original software configuration. To create your recovery solution, see the following cloud recovery option for your computer:
- HP Business PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery tool in Windows 11 and Windows 10
- HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery tool in Windows 11 and Windows 10
You can use File History to back up your files and transfer them to Windows 11. To create a backup of your files, see HP PCs - Back up your files (Windows 11, 10).

Install Windows 11 from Windows Update

You can download and install Windows 11 from the Windows Update app in Windows 10.

Note:

If you are upgrading a notebook computer, connect the AC adapter before downloading and installing Windows 11.

In Windows 10, click Start, type Windows Update, and then select Windows Update Settings.
Click Check for updates. If the Windows 11 update is available, Feature update to Windows 11 is displayed. Click Download and install.

Note:
Depending on the network connection speed, the download may take up to two hours.
If prompted, restart the computer.
If your computer has less than 128 GB of free hard drive space, you are prompted to connect a USB flash drive to continue with the installation. Use a blank USB flash drive that is 32 GB or larger. When the installation is complete, Windows 11 Upgrade copies the windows.old file to the USB flash drive. Keep this file on the USB flash drive. The file is required if you decide to revert to the previous operating system.
If you are prompted to provide the BitLocker key, see HP PCs - Using BitLocker and finding the recovery key (Windows 11, 10).
After you download Windows 11 in Windows Update and are prompted to restart the PC, Windows 11 Setup begins downloading additional files. When prompted, click Next.
In the Choose what to keep window, select the personal files, settings, and apps that you want to keep, and then click Next.
- Keep personal files and apps: Keeps all your personal files, settings, and apps.
- Keep only personal files: Keeps your personal files, but no settings or apps.
- Keep nothing: Keeps nothing and erases all data.
In the Ready to install window, click Install to start the installation.
During the installation process, your computer restarts several times. Do not turn off your computer or interrupt the installation process. If the sign-in window is displayed, sign in to your account.
- If you chose Keep personal files and apps or Keep only personal files, the desktop opens when the installation completes.
- If you chose Keep nothing, activate Windows.

Windows activation

To verify that you have a genuine copy of Windows 11 that has not been used on more devices than the license agreement allows, you must activate Windows 11 after installation.

Depending on where you acquired your copy of Windows 11, you can activate it using either a digital entitlement or a 25-character product key. See HP PCs - Windows 11 product activation for more information about activating Windows 11.

Steps to take after installing Windows 11

After you install Windows 11, HP recommends that you update your drivers, apps, and software.

Connect to the internet, if your computer is not already connected.
Install the latest updates from Windows Update.
Sign in to the Microsoft Windows Store and update any Windows apps.
If you use HP Wolf Security, install updated HP Wolf Security applications, including HP Sure Click, HP Sure Run, HP Sure View, and HP Sure Sense.
To resolve any printer issues after installing Windows 11, see HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows.
Learn how to use Windows 11. To learn about new Windows 11 features, the apps that come with Windows 11, and much more, go to HP PCs - Understanding and using Windows 11.

Solving common problems after installing Windows 11

HP recommends doing the following if you have problems with hardware or software after installing Windows 11.

If a specific hardware component (such as the touchpad, video display, or keyboard) is not working correctly, or is missing functionality, update the component driver in Device Manager.

In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
In the list of devices, expand the device that you want to update.
Right-click the device, and then click Update driver.
Click Search automatically for drivers, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart your computer to complete the installation.

For information about setting up your printer in Windows 11, see HP printer does not work after upgrading to Windows 11.

Go back to the previous version of Windows

Use the Go back feature to return your computer to the operating system that you used before installing Windows 11.