Upgrading to Windows 11 sounds pretty straightforward on paper, but anyone who’s given it a go knows it’s not always smooth sailing. Sometimes, the upgrade gets stuck, errors pop up, or you find out your PC isn’t quite up to scratch even after running the compatibility check. That’s when a few tricks come in handy, and honestly, some little things often get overlooked — like having enough free space or making sure TPM modules are enabled, which aren’t always obvious straight away. So, this guide’s here for anyone keen to push through the hiccups and actually get Windows 11 up and running without pulling their hair out. Once everything’s in order, the new look, better security, and extra features are usually worth the effort.
How to Fix Common Windows 11 Upgrade Issues
Compatibility issues? Check your hardware and BIOS
If Windows 11 refuses to install, chances are your machine doesn’t tick all the boxes. Aside from running the PC Health Check app (which Microsoft makes easy to grab from their site), have a squiz at your BIOS settings. Sometimes, TPM (Trusted Platform Module) or Secure Boot aren’t turned on, which can block the upgrade. On most machines, you can jump into BIOS/UEFI during startup (usually by pressing Delete or F2) and look for options like Secure Boot and TPM. Make sure those are enabled. The official specs are here: Microsoft’s Windows 11 requirements — compare your specs with that. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of flicking a switch, but on newer laptops, it can be buried in security settings, so give your BIOS a quick look.
And if you’re trying to upgrade from inside Windows and it still says no go, try running the microsoft.visualstudio.windows10upgrade tool or check out the Windows Update troubleshooter. You’ll find it in Settings > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
Free up disk space — it’s often the sneaky culprit
Most upgrade fails happen because there’s not enough free space. Windows 11 needs around 20 GB minimum, but extra space helps things run smoother. If your drive’s nearly full, tidy up the temp files, old downloads, or apps you don’t use anymore. Quick tip: Settings > System > Storage, then use the Temporary Files cleanup option. Or, run cleanmgr from Command Prompt if you’re comfortable with that. Sometimes, you just need to delete a few big files or move stuff to an external drive to make room. Even a few gigabytes can make a difference.
Update drivers before you try again — because Windows has to make it harder than it needs to
Outdated or incompatible drivers can stop the upgrade in its tracks. Particularly graphics cards, network adapters, or storage controllers. It’s worth heading into Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager) and updating the key drivers, or better still, visit your hardware manufacturer’s website and grab the latest versions. This is especially important if your gear’s a few years old or if you’ve customised your setup a lot. Sometimes, a clean driver update sorts out the issues blocking the OS install.
Temporarily disable or remove antivirus software
Antivirus tools can sometimes cause grief during the upgrade. If you’re hitting a wall, try disabling your third-party antivirus software before attempting the upgrade again. Just don’t forget to turn it back on afterwards. Windows Defender usually plays nice, but apps like Norton, McAfee, or others can be a bit finicky. Sometimes, turning them off for a short while is enough to get things moving again.
What if it still won’t cooperate? Go for a manual install
If you’re still stuck, doing a clean install with the Media Creation Tool or an ISO from Microsoft’s website might be the way to go. Sure, this means you’ll lose your apps and settings, but it’s often the easiest way to bypass stubborn upgrade errors. Just boot from the USB and follow the prompts. Before that, double-check your backups — because once you start a clean install, there’s no turning back if you forget. Sometimes, the upgrade path is too broken, and a fresh start is quicker in the long run.
This stuff can be a pain, and Windows updates can be pretty frustrating at times. But most issues boil down to hardware compatibility, disk space, driver glitches, or background software conflicts. Stay patient, and don’t rush into a clean install unless everything else has failed.
Summary
- Check your hardware specs, BIOS settings, and turn on TPM & Secure Boot if needed.
- Clear some space on your drive before trying again.
- Update your drivers—especially graphics and network adapters.
- Temporarily turn off third-party antivirus if the upgrade stalls.
- If all else fails, try a manual install with the Media Creation Tool or ISO.
Wrap-up
Getting Windows 11 sorted can be a bit of a hassle, especially if your hardware’s a bit old or there are software conflicts lurking. But with a little patience and some troubleshooting, it’s usually doable. The revamped interface, beefed-up security, and new features make it worth the effort. And sometimes, a clean install is the fastest way to get it done rather than battling failed upgrades. Fingers crossed, this helps you get your upgrade over the line — good luck!