How to Prepare for a Smooth Windows 11 Upgrade

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If you’re planning to upgrade your HP computer from Windows 10 to Windows 11, here’s a simple and effective way to prepare your system and ensure the upgrade goes smoothly.

First, check if your system is compatible with Windows 11. If your device is approved for Windows 11 and you have a Windows 10 Pro 64-bit license, you can generally upgrade to Windows 11 Pro automatically, as it’s already registered with Microsoft. To be sure everything is up to date, run Windows Update before starting the upgrade process.

Next, do a bit of maintenance on your current system. Use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility to clear unnecessary files. Make sure to check all boxes except the ones you want to keep. This will free up space and make the upgrade easier.

For additional system health checks, you can perform three commands—discussed here as a quick setup—by running them in an elevated Command Prompt (make sure to run as administrator):

Type: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Then: sfc /scannow
Finally: chkdsk C: /f

To make running these commands easier, create a simple Notepad document. Paste those three lines into it and add about five blank lines after the chkdsk command to include the /f parameter properly. Save the file with any name, such as “SystemTuneUp.bat” or “cleanup.bat.”

When ready, right-click the saved file and choose “Run as administrator.” Your system will automatically go through those three steps in order, which might take some time. During the process, you’ll be prompted to confirm a restart, so be prepared for that.

Keep in mind, sometimes old Windows 10 drivers get carried over during an in-place upgrade to Windows 11. For the best results, doing a clean installation from scratch is recommended. For that, only keep the drive you’re installing on connected, and ensure it’s formatted with GPT partitioning to support UEFI mode.

HP also offers a Cloud Recovery Tool, which can help you create a fresh install based on HP’s factory image. While this can be a little outdated, you can update everything with Windows Update afterward. Some HP models might have both Windows 10 and Windows 11 recovery options; others might only have one. Alternatively, you can use the official Microsoft Windows 11 installer for a clean install. Before installing, it’s a good idea to reset your BIOS to factory defaults, then fine-tune as needed after the installation.

Following these steps should help you smoothly upgrade your HP device to Windows 11 while keeping your system healthy and ready for future updates.