Microsoft has released the final version of Windows 11 to its Release Preview channel today, following months of testing. It is the final step before it is made available to existing devices on October 5th. If you don’t want to wait until October 5th, you can switch to Windows 10’s Release Preview today and get the free Windows 11 upgrade sooner.
Here’s how to get an early upgrade to Windows 11:
- Using Microsoft’s PC Health App, determine whether your PC is compatible with Windows 11. (download here).
- If your PC is supported, you must register as a Windows Insider on Microsoft’s website to receive the Windows 11 upgrade early.
- Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program on your existing Windows 10 PC.
- Click the Get Started button and sign in with the Microsoft account you used to become a Windows Insider.
- Select the Release Preview ring when prompted to choose your Insider settings.
- Confirm and agree to Microsoft’s terms before restarting your computer.
- Return to Settings > Update & Security, and you should see a new banner with the optional Windows 11 update.
- To get Windows 11 early, select the download and install option and follow the prompts.
After successfully upgrading to Windows 11, go to Settings > Windows Update and select “Stop getting preview builds” to unenroll from Windows 11 preview updates and keep on the final version.
Microsoft has also released ISO files for Windows 11, build 22000.194, the final version of the operating system. From Microsoft’s Windows Insider website, you can download the ISO file that will allow you to clean install Windows 11.