Windows 11 is now available since October 5th. Windows 11 is not yet visible under Windows Update on most systems. Therefore you can download a Windows 11 ISO file and install the update manually.
Other options are the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool or the Windows 11 installation wizard. The full versions (System Builder) of Windows 11 Home and Pro will be available to buy from October 11th. Microsoft Windows 11 Home 64-Bit DSP/SB German (KW9-00638) Best offer of: €49.90 incl.
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However, the installation only works if the hardware requirements for Windows 11 are met. You can check this in advance with the PCHealth Check app from Microsoft. TPM 2.0 must be activated for the installation, which most current platforms already have integrated. TPM 2.0 is activated via the BIOS.
For example, at MSI under Setting / Security / Trusted Computing and set the Security Device Support to Enabled. The largest motherboards have published a list of compatible motherboards with instructions: ASRock, Asus, EVGA, Gigabyte, MSI
More modern & intuitive:
Microsoft will not set everything up from scratch with the free Windows 11 upgrade. However, the new Windows version will be more modern, clearer, simpler, and at the same time more secure and diverse. In the future, the start button will be placed in the middle of the taskbar, and new sounds, fonts, and symbols should bring a breath of fresh air.
However, the button can also be moved back to the usual left side. New functions such as “snap layouts” and “snap groups” improve clarity when several windows are open, the arrangements can be saved and different desktops for different scenarios should be possible at the same time.
In addition, Microsoft Teams is fully integrated into Windows 11 and can be controlled directly from the taskbar. If you want to test Windows 11 in advance, you can do this directly via the browser.
Just try Windows 11 via this link. For gaming, the upcoming Windows 11 should be the best of all Windows versions. DirectX 12 Ultimate, faster loading times, Auto HDR for stronger colors, and many other features should convince gamers of the new operating system.
In Windows 11, widgets are implemented again, providing faster access to news and tools.
More security:
Security is one of the most important points in Windows 11. Windows 11 should bring high-security standards, especially for companies. TPM 2.0, which is only integrated in newer systems, is also mandatory for this.
The so-called Trusted Platform Module in version 2.0 is built into mainboards from the 8th Intel generation or AM4 mainboards from AMD and can be activated in the bios.
Some mainboard manufacturers also offer TPM modules for retrofitting, provided the existing mainboard has a suitable header for it. If retrofitting is not possible, the requirements for operating Windows 11 are not met.
Compared to Windows 10, input by pen, touch, or voice is optimized for tablets and convertibles. The exact requirements that Windows 11 requires and all other important questions and answers about Windows 11 can be found in the following FAQ:
What are the system requirements of Windows 11?
Anyone who has previously used Windows 10 can also use Windows 11 via a free upgrade, provided the system requirements are met. With a PC integrity check that will soon be available for download, you can then check whether the minimum requirements for Windows 11 have been met.
However, you must have at least an 8th-generation Intel processor or an AMD CPU from 2015. Microsoft justifies the new minimum requirements by saying that they are essential when it comes to more security, reliability, and compatibility. This applies to the new protection functions and device encryption, among other things.
In this way, up to 60 percent less malware infestation should be achieved.
What are the minimum requirements of Windows 11?
Your PC or laptop should at least meet these requirements:
What will Windows 11 cost?
Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is absolutely free. So anyone who has a valid license of Windows 10 will be able to install Windows 11 for free, as long as the minimum requirements above are met.
If you don’t have Windows 10 yet, you can later (probably at the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022) also get a Windows 11 full version with a license to Buy a laptop or PC with Windows 11 preinstalled. As soon as the full versions are available, we will link them in the article.
Can you test Windows 11 in advance?
Yes! Simply register with the Windows Insider program. There you can then download and test a pre-release version of Windows 11. Alternatively, there is a clickable browser version of Windows 11. However, with quite limited functions.
What new features does Windows 11 bring?
Windows 11 focuses primarily on more clarity, greater security, and better performance. The corners of the windows are now rounded and the widgets known from previous versions come back. Additional encryption and TPM ensure greater security.
In order to be able to guarantee all of this, the system requirements are now significantly higher than with Windows 10.
Can I also install Windows 11 on older PCs?
Yes, but then you have no update support. Computerbase explains in detail how an installation without TPM 2.0 works.
What versions of Windows 11 will there be?
So far there is not too much information about it. The following versions have been named so far: Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 Pro Education, Windows 11 Pro for Workstation, Windows 11 Education, Windows 11 Enterprise, and Windows 11 Mixed Reality
What’s the deal with the TPM 2.0 module and Windows 11?
Source: asus.com TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module and is a physical security module that is required for Windows 11 version 2.0.
Among other things, it can sign digital certificates, store cryptographic keys, help with encryption, protect the PC from manipulation, and thus increase security.
What motherboards does Windows 11 support?
Trusted platform modules have been installed on AMD mainboards since around 2015, and on Intel usually from the 8th generation, i.e. from the Z370 or H370 chipset. You can also check whether such a module already exists. Just search for “device security” in the Windows settings.
If TPM is enabled, then this is there under “Standard hardware security”. Asus has published a detailed list of all supported mainboard series with TPM 2.0.
However, this information only applies to Asus mainboards. There are also corresponding lists from other mainboard manufacturers: ASRock, EVGA, Gigabyte, MSI
How do I enable TPM 2.0?
If your PC or laptop has TPM 2.0, this must still be activated in most cases. To do this, simply go to the bios, click on Security or Sicherheit (designation may vary depending on the mainboard manufacturer and language setting), and then activate the “security chip” there. If this option is not yet available, a bios update may be required.
How can I buy or upgrade a TPM module?
Some mainboard manufacturers offer TPM modules for retrofitting. These are often only compatible with certain mainboard series, with the appropriate TPM header. This applies to many professional mainboards or server series.
Simple consumer mainboards usually do not have such a TPM header. Then retrofitting is not possible and Windows 11 cannot be installed either.
Can Windows 11 also be installed without TPM 2.0?
No, TPM 2.0 is one of the minimum requirements of Windows 11. Consequently, Windows 11 can only be installed with an activated TPM 2.0. Although there is still a “hack” for the Insider test version that can be used to bypass this, it will certainly no longer work with the release of Windows 11.
How much disk space will Windows 11 use?
Windows 11 will take up about the same amount of disk space as Windows 10. Therefore, Microsoft still recommends 64 GB of storage space as a minimum. Of course, when upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, more storage space is required for unpacking and installing.
How long will it take to install Windows 11?
The download time depends on the internet connection and server load and can vary accordingly. The installation will definitely take longer than previous Windows updates.
An exact time specification is not possible here, however, since this also depends on the performance of the respective computer.
Can I just keep using Windows 10 without upgrading to Windows 11?
That is of course possible. If you don’t want Windows 11 or if the minimum requirements are not met, you can continue to use Windows 10. However, Windows 10 will be officially supported by Microsoft until October 14, 2025. After that, there will be no more security updates.
Is my data safe when upgrading to Windows 11?
When upgrading to Windows 11, all own files should be and settings are accepted. However, to be on the safe side, we recommend backing up your data before upgrading.
Where can I download Windows 11?
The official release will be available via the Windows update function in October 2021. If you don’t want to wait, you can download a Windows 11 ISO file and install the update manually.
Can I upgrade my PC to Windows 11?
Two things have to be considered here. First: Is Windows 10 installed with a valid license. Second: Is the hardware compatible with Windows 11. If both criteria are met, nothing stands in the way of an upgrade to Windows 11.
How do I enable TPM 2.0 on my PC?
If you have hardware with TPM 2.0, this function must also be activated for Windows 11. For AMD systems, the required setting is “fTPM” for Intel “Intel Platform Trust Technology”. You can easily check whether the TPM is already active by running “TPM.MSC”.
If this is not the case, TPM can be activated in the UEFI BIOS – usually in the Security or Trust area and set TPM to enable there.
Will my accessories work with Windows 11?
Most of what works on Windows 10 will also work fine on Windows 11. To be on the safe side, especially with older peripherals, before upgrading to Windows 11 you should check the respective manufacturer’s website to see whether the existing devices are really supported by Windows 11.
Can I upgrade from Windows 10 S to Windows 11?
In most cases, you can answer this with “Yes”. However, since Windows 10 S is mainly installed on notebooks or convertibles, the hardware of these devices must meet the minimum requirements. This is not the case with a few devices.
Therefore, the same applies here: Before upgrading, it is best to check the PC compatibility (at the bottom) Do you have any other questions about Windows 11?