Microsoft is still giving Windows 10 users a few free paths to Windows 11, according to a PCMag how-to by Lance Whitney that was updated June 26, 2026. That timing matters because PCMag says Microsoft’s Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program was extended through Oct. 12, 2027, giving holdouts more time even as it lays out upgrade options.
Whitney writes that Windows 10 still holds about 26% market share, partly because Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements. Under PCMag’s summary of Microsoft’s official requirements, a supported upgrade needs TPM 2.0, Secure Boot enabled in the BIOS, and a supported processor model. PCMag points readers to Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool to see whether a machine qualifies.
Free upgrade options for supported PCs
If a compatible Windows 10 system already shows Windows 11 as available, PCMag says users can install it through Windows Update.
If it does not appear there, Whitney says Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant can still handle the upgrade.
PCMag also points to Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool, which it says can create Windows 11 installation media. Whitney describes that as useful both for updating the current PC and for preparing media to update other computers. He also says users can copy the installation files to a USB drive or generate an ISO file.
What PCMag says to do with unsupported PCs
For PCs that do not officially qualify for Windows 11, PCMag says the third-party utility Rufus can be used to install Windows 11 by bypassing the usual requirements.
In Whitney’s walkthrough, that includes an option to remove checks for Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and 4GB of RAM during setup.
If you are not ready to move yet, PCMag says Windows 10’s Extended Security Updates program now runs through Oct. 12, 2027.
