windows 11 upgrade option is not showing in Windows Update on WIN 10 operating system

Hello Srinivasan,

The good news is that you do not have to wait. You can perform an in-place upgrade, which is the official method designed to preserve your applications, settings, and personal files exactly as they are. It effectively replaces the Windows 10 core files with Windows 11 while leaving your user profile and installed programs intact.

Here is the safe and recommended procedure:

Step 1: Create a Backup (Highly Recommended Precaution) While the in-place upgrade is very reliable, creating a backup is a critical best practice before any major system change.

Connect an external hard drive with enough free space.

Use the built-in File History tool or the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) tool in Control Panel to back up your most important files.

Step 2: Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant This is the official tool from Microsoft for your exact situation.

Go to the official Microsoft Windows 11 Download page (https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11).

Under the "Windows 11 Installation Assistant" section, click "Download Now".

Run the downloaded file (Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe). You will need administrator privileges.

The tool will launch and check your hardware compatibility one final time. After accepting the license terms, it will begin downloading and installing Windows 11.

The process is fully automated. Your laptop will restart several times and may take an hour or more. Do not turn off the power or interrupt the process.

What to Expect After the Upgrade You will log in to a Windows 11 desktop with all your applications, files, and most settings migrated.

Your previous Windows 10 installation will be moved to a folder called C:\Windows.old. You can safely delete this folder later using Disk Cleanup to free up space, but wait at least a week to ensure you have no issues with the new installation.

Alternative Method: Create Installation Media If the Installation Assistant encounters an issue, you can use the "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" tool from the same download page. When you run the setup.exe from the USB drive on your existing Windows 10 desktop, it will offer you the same in-place upgrade option to "Keep personal files and apps."

This in-place upgrade process is the functional equivalent of the update you are waiting for in Windows Update, but it gives you direct control. It is the safest way to move to Windows 11 without a clean installation.

I hope this guide helps you upgrade smoothly to Windows 11.

If this solution works for you and you successfully upgrade without data loss, please feel free to mark this as "Accept Answer" 😊.

Best regards, VP

Hi Srinivasan R,

Has your issue been solved? If it has, please accept the answer so that others can benefit too. If not, is there anything I can help you with? Please let me know.

Vivian