How can I update windows 10 pro to windows 11 pro without losing data?

[Stephennen]

Hi all,

Bought an refurbished Asus GR8 II-T069Z desktop PC. And I want to upgrade this PC to the latest Windows 11 25H2. Currently, this PC is running Windows 10 Pro.

However, there is no upgrade option available from Windows Update. How can I update Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro without data loss?

P.S. Some of the hardware specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5-7400

RAM: 8GB DDR4

SSD: 512GB

[Judith897]

To upgrade your refurbished Asus GR8 II-T069Z desktop from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro without data loss, you can perform an in-place upgrade manually. Here's a step-by-step guide for updating Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro:

1. Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant
2. Run the Installation Assistant

• Launch the tool and follow the on-screen prompts.
• It will check your PC's compatibility again.
• If compatible, it will download and install Windows 11, preserving your files and apps.

3. Alternatively, Use Media Creation Tool or ISO

If the Installation Assistant doesn't work:

• Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft's site.
• Create a bootable USB using tools like Rufus.
• Run the setup from within Windows 10 to perform an in-place upgrade:
• Mount the ISO or run the setup.exe from the USB.
• Choose "Upgrade this PC now" and follow instructions.

4. Post-Upgrade Checks

• After the upgrade, verify all your data and applications are intact.
• Update device drivers if necessary.

[HaBailey]

What I recommend - The Manual ISO Mount Method if you are going to update Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro.

• Download the Windows 11 ISO from the official Microsoft page as described in Method 2.
• Mount the ISO: Right-click the downloaded .iso file and select "Mount". This will create a virtual DVD drive in your File Explorer.
• Run Setup: Open the newly mounted drive and run setup.exe.
• Bypass the Check: If you get the "This PC can't run Windows 11" error, you have two choices:
  Use the Registry Edit from Method 1 before running setup.
  When the error appears, press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt. Type regedit and press Enter, then add the registry key from Method 1. Close the windows and proceed.

Upgrading Windows 10 Pro to Windows 11 Pro is free and should activate automatically. Your digital license is tied to your motherboard. HP Pavilions often come with pre-installed software. After upgrading to Windows 11, take some time to check "Apps & features" and uninstall any HP bloatware you don't need. This will make your system even faster.

[WitDaniels]

The "Product.ini" Registry Hack is one of the best and powerful methods if you are going to update windows 10 pro to windows 11 pro without losing data. It tricks the Windows Setup engine into thinking it's performing an upgrade for a volume-licensed enterprise, which bypasses many of the consumer-level checks, including some hardware compatibility blocks.

You manually create a registry key that mimics a volume licensing configuration, which tells the setup process to skip the Microsoft Account (MSA) requirement and be more lenient with upgrades. Go back to the Windows Setup window and proceed with the installation. You should find that the process is more lenient and may bypass the requirement for a Microsoft account during the final OOBE.

[Bacon89Pint]

If you decide to use WinPE for an advanced deployment or update Windows 10 pro to Windows 11 pro, the general workflow is here. This approach is complex and typically only recommended for IT professionals or those experienced in enterprise deployment.

1. Create a WinPE bootable media (USB or ISO).
2. Boot the target device with WinPE.
3. Use tools like DISM or ImageX to apply a Windows 11 image.
4. Configure the system and drivers as needed.
5. Complete the upgrade or deployment process.