Does Windows 10 Pro Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for Free?

Does Windows 10 Pro upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for free? Yes. If your PC meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements and Windows 10 Pro is genuinely activated, Microsoft offers the upgrade at no cost. You stay on the Pro edition, keep your files and apps, and your existing licence activates Windows 11 Pro. You do not need to buy a new product key.

Is the Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro Upgrade Really Free?

Yes, the upgrade is free, and that did not change when Windows 10 support ended. Microsoft's Upgrade to Windows 11 FAQ states plainly that upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11 are free. The only cost Microsoft mentions is possible data charges from your internet provider for the large download on a metered connection.

The timing matters. Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025, so a Windows 10 Pro PC no longer gets regular security updates unless it is enrolled in Extended Security Updates (ESU), which for consumers now runs to 12 October 2027. Our Windows 10 end of life guide explains what that means day to day. If your hardware qualifies, moving to Windows 11 Pro is the simplest long-term fix and costs nothing.

Which Windows 11 Edition Will You Get?

You get the matching edition: Windows 10 Pro upgrades to Windows 11 Pro, and Windows 10 Home upgrades to Windows 11 Home. The upgrade does not change your edition, so a Home PC does not become Pro for free.

Your licence type (OEM, retail or digital licence) stays the same through the upgrade. An OEM licence that came with the PC remains tied to that PC; it does not become a transferable retail licence.

What Does Your PC Need to Qualify?

Your PC must meet the Windows 11 minimum hardware requirements and be running a recent enough Windows 10 build. Microsoft's Windows 11 requirements list the essentials:

• A compatible 64-bit processor, 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores
• 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage
• UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability
• TPM version 2.0
• DirectX 12 compatible graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver
• Windows 10 version 2004 or later, with the September 14, 2021 security update or later installed

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a security chip, or a firmware feature in the processor, that stores encryption keys. Windows 11 depends on it for features such as BitLocker and Windows Hello. Many PCs that "fail" the check have TPM switched off in firmware rather than missing. Our full Windows 11 requirements checklist walks through each item. The free PC Health Check app or Windows Update itself will tell you whether your PC qualifies.

How Do You Upgrade Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro?

The easiest way is through Windows Update, which offers Windows 11 when your PC is eligible.

1. Back up your personal files to an external drive or cloud storage. Microsoft moves files across by default, but a backup protects you if something goes wrong.
2. Confirm Windows 10 Pro is activated: open Settings → Update & Security → Activation.
3. If you use a Microsoft account, make sure the digital licence is linked to it on the same Activation page.
4. Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and select Check for updates.
5. If the Windows 11 upgrade is offered, select Download and install and follow the prompts.
6. After the restarts, open Settings → System → Activation in Windows 11 and confirm it shows Windows 11 Pro as activated.

If Windows Update does not show the offer on an eligible PC, Microsoft's Installation Assistant or an ISO also work. Microsoft lets you go back to Windows 10 within 10 days of upgrading if you change your mind; after that, returning means a clean install.

Can You Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 Without TPM 2.0?

Not in a way Microsoft supports. Microsoft does not recommend installing Windows 11 on hardware that fails the requirements. If you do, the PC is not entitled to updates, including security updates, a desktop watermark appears, and Microsoft will not support the device. Setup also asks you to accept that compatibility damage is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Before assuming your PC lacks TPM 2.0, check the firmware settings. Many desktops ship with firmware TPM (often labelled fTPM or Intel PTT) turned off. Our guide on how to enable TPM 2.0 for Windows 11 shows where to look. If the PC is genuinely too old, the supported options are Windows 10 ESU until October 2027 or new hardware.

What If You Have Windows 10 Home and Want Windows 11 Pro?

Upgrade to Windows 11 Home for free first, then upgrade the edition to Pro with a Pro key. Microsoft does not offer Home to Pro as part of the free upgrade, but the edition change takes only minutes and keeps your files.

Once Windows 11 Home is activated, open Settings → System → Activation, select Change product key and enter a Pro key. A Windows 11 Home to Pro upgrade key is made for exactly this. Our step-by-step guide on how to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro covers the process and the errors to watch for.

Does a Windows 10 Pro Key Work for a Clean Install of Windows 11 Pro?

Generally, yes. Windows 11 accepts a genuine Windows 10 Pro product key for the same edition, and a digital licence from an upgraded Windows 10 Pro PC reactivates Windows 11 Pro on that same machine. Select I don't have a product key during setup if your PC has a digital licence, and Windows activates once it is online.

The licence rules still apply. A retail Windows 10 Pro licence can move to a new PC once removed from the old one, but an OEM licence stays with the original computer. If you are installing on a new drive in the same PC, our guide to moving Windows to a new SSD with a fresh install covers the reactivation steps.

A Common Mistake We See

A common assumption is that the free upgrade ended when Windows 10 support ended, and that Windows 10 Pro owners must buy Windows 11 Pro. They do not. If the hardware qualifies, the existing licence carries across. The reverse mistake also happens: people expect an old Windows 10 Pro OEM licence from a retired PC to activate Windows 11 on a new one. It will not, because OEM licences stay with the first device they activated on.

Before buying anything, check two things: whether the PC meets the requirements, and what type of licence you already have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Windows 10 Pro upgrade to Windows 11 Pro automatically?

Not automatically in the sense of a forced install. Windows Update offers the free upgrade to Windows 11 Pro when your PC is eligible, and you choose to download and install it. The edition stays Pro, and your existing activation carries across, so you do not need a new product key.

Do I need a new product key to upgrade Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro?

No. A genuinely activated Windows 10 Pro PC upgrades to Windows 11 Pro using its existing licence. The digital licence or product key you already have activates Windows 11 Pro on the same hardware. You only need a new key if the PC was never activated or you are moving to a different PC with an OEM licence.

How do I upgrade to Windows 11 Pro from Home?

On an activated Windows 11 Home PC, open Settings → System → Activation, select Change product key and enter a Windows 11 Pro key. Windows changes the edition in place and keeps your files and apps. The free Windows 10 to 11 upgrade does not change Home to Pro, so this step needs a Pro key.

Can I upgrade Windows 10 to 11 without TPM?

Microsoft does not support it. On hardware that fails the requirements, Windows 11 is not entitled to updates, including security updates, and shows a watermark. First check whether TPM is simply switched off in firmware, which is common. If the PC truly lacks TPM 2.0, Windows 10 ESU or new hardware are the supported routes.

Will I lose my files upgrading from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro?

No. By default, the upgrade moves your files, apps and most settings to Windows 11. Microsoft still recommends backing up first. You can also roll back to Windows 10 within 10 days of upgrading and keep your files; after that, going back requires a clean install.

Is the free Windows 11 upgrade still available after Windows 10 end of support?

Yes. Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025, but Microsoft's upgrade FAQ still says upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11 are free. Your PC needs to meet the hardware requirements and run an activated copy of Windows 10.

Conclusion

So, does Windows 10 Pro upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for free? Yes, on eligible hardware with an activated licence, and your Pro edition carries straight across. If you are on Home and need Pro, or building a new PC that needs its own licence, browse our Windows 11 product keys, each with instant email delivery and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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