Many Windows 10 users are still upgrading to Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest OS version for desktop computers. The update process often gets stuck, various errors pop up on the screen, or the OS suddenly decides to undo the changes made to your computer. If you’re struggling to upgrade to Windows 11, pursue the troubleshooting steps below.
On a side note, you may want to wait for a few more days before updating your computer. There are quite a lot of bugs affecting Windows 11 right now. Check for updates in one week to buy Microsoft enough time to patch some of the most common bugs reported by users.
How to Fix Windows 11 Not Installing
1. Check Windows 11 Compatibility
Before hitting the Update button, make sure your computer is compatible with Windows 11. To do that, run the PC Health Check App. If the app says your device meets the Windows 11 requirements, you’re good to go.
By the way, there are two security settings that you need to turn on before launching the update process: Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. Go to BIOS settings to do that.
Don’t force the update if your device is not compatible with Windows 11. You may risk bricking your computer. If you really want to join the Windows 11 club, you’ll need to buy a new computer. Just double-check the specs to make sure your new device is compatible with Windows 11.
2. Check Your Disk Space
If you’re running out of storage space, the OS won’t be able to download the updates file on your machine. Go to your main drive and free up some space if it’s full. You can run Disk Cleanup to get the job done.
Keep in mind that you need at least 64 GB of free space to install Windows 11. But to stay on the safe side, make sure you have at least 70 GB of free space.
3. Run the Update Troubleshooter and Reset Update Components
Run the built-in Update Troubleshooter to automatically fix the problem.
- Go to Settings, and select Update and Security
- Click Troubleshoot in the left-hand pane
- Then scroll down to Additional troubleshooters
- Run the Update Troubleshooter
Then reset the Windows Update components via Command Prompt.
- Launch Command Prompt with admin rights
- Run the following commands and hit Enter after each one:
net stop wuauservnet stop cryptSvcnet stop bitsnet stop msiservernet start wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver
- Restart your computer and try again.
4. Install the Latest Driver Updates
Make sure to install the latest driver updates before upgrading to Windows 11. Go to Update & Security, and check for optional updates. If there are any pending driver updates, make sure to install them.
Alternatively, you can also download the latest drivers from your hardware manufacturer’s website. For example, to update your GPU drivers, go to Nvidia’s or AMD’s web pages.
5. Close Background Apps and Processes
Make sure to close all the apps and programs running in the background before hitting the Update button. Some of them might be interfering with the update process. Speaking of which, disable your third-party antivirus or firewall programs, and check if you can install the updates. Don’t forget to re-enable your security tools afterward.
6. Disconnect All Peripherals
Disconnect all the external devices connected to your computer before launching the upgrade process. This includes your keyboard, mouse, headphones, external storage devices, and so on. If your peripherals are connected via Bluetooth, make sure to disable Bluetooth.
7. Check Your Disk for Errors
Run the DISM commands to repair corrupted disk sectors.
- Launch Command Prompt with admin rights
- Enter the commands below one by one:
dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealthdism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealthdism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
- Restart your machine and try again.
Conclusion
If you can’t install Windows 11, enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in BIOS Settings. Check if your machine is compatible with Microsoft’s latest OS release. Then free up some space on your main drive, and run the Update Troubleshooter. Additionally, use Command Prompt to reset the Update Components and check your disk for errors. Make sure to install the latest driver updates, close background apps, and disconnect all peripherals.
Did these solutions help you fix the problem? Which of these methods worked for you? Let us know in the comments below.
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