How anyone can get Windows 11


The method I've given you is the easiest and simplest way to do it, and with the backup, there is no chance of failure.
Plus, all your current programs and files will already be on Windows 11 when you're done.

Additionally, you can always do a clean install of Windows 11 at a later time if you want.
With backups... nothing is permanent, things can always be undone if desired.

After you do the In-Place upgrade, and get Win 11 personalized as you like, you can make a backup of Windows 11.
Then if you want to go back to Windows 10, you can... or you can just stay on Windows 11.
Ok mate I have emptied the second drive onto a USB stick so apart from the small EFI partition it is totally free, so I will try to do a backup with either Macrium or Reflect from the C: drive to the now empty D: drive.
The in-place upgrade I take it that you mean the one offered through Windows updates? I would rather do that than have to download anything such as ISO's etc
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 (OS Build 22621.2361)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Vivo notebook X712P
    CPU
    i7 -10510U
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    Samsung 16GB DDR4 2666 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    On board Intel CPU graphics
    Sound Card
    N/a
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Pro NMe
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    Asus in built
    Keyboard
    Generic
    Mouse
    Logitec Wireless
    Internet Speed
    50MB max
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    ESET Smart Security
Ok mate I have emptied the second drive onto a USB stick so apart from the small EFI partition it is totally free, so I will try to do a backup with either Macrium or Reflect from the C: drive to the now empty D: drive.
The in-place upgrade I take it that you mean the one offered through Windows updates? I would rather do that than have to download anything such as ISO's etc
The image backup process by Macrium Reflect is incredibly easy. Install the program, create a bootable Rescue media USB, and then image your C: drive to the D: drive. If you want to be extra careful then select the verify option (it makes the process run longer).
Then download the WIndows ISO, and runthe Win in-place upgrade. Next, delete the ISO from the C: drive and do another image copy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP / Spectre x360 Convertible 13
    CPU
    i5-8250U
    Motherboard
    83B9 56.50
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio(SST)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256GB SSD
    Internet Speed
    500Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
The image backup process by Macrium Reflect is incredibly easy. Install the program, create a bootable Rescue media USB, and then image your C: drive to the D: drive. If you want to be extra careful then select the verify option (it makes the process run longer).
Then download the WIndows ISO, and runthe Win in-place upgrade. Next, delete the ISO from the C: drive and do another image copy.
Yes Q I have done an image to the D: drive using Macrium but as I have just posted in the upgrade thread/tutorial I am still concerned about having to disconnect any other drives before going ahead with the upgrade. I have disabled the drive in the boot option in the BIOS (as there is no way of disconnecting/disabling the SATA ports) and taken it offline in disk management and am wondering if that will be sufficient instead of the tedious job of physically removing the drive from the machine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 (OS Build 22621.2361)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Vivo notebook X712P
    CPU
    i7 -10510U
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    Samsung 16GB DDR4 2666 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    On board Intel CPU graphics
    Sound Card
    N/a
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Pro NMe
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    Asus in built
    Keyboard
    Generic
    Mouse
    Logitec Wireless
    Internet Speed
    50MB max
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    ESET Smart Security
@ICIT2LOL I had seen those comments. I think you are being overly cautious, but if that helps you sleep well at night then that is your choice. I have never had an upgrade or install to the C: drive affect other user partitions.

It is suggested that a backup is useless if it cannot be restored, so it is important to verify that the restore works correctly. So, now that you have done an image backup are you prepared to test it by doing a restore to its original location? Just asking:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP / Spectre x360 Convertible 13
    CPU
    i5-8250U
    Motherboard
    83B9 56.50
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio(SST)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256GB SSD
    Internet Speed
    500Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I have been installing windows for more years than I can remember - I have never disconnected any drives to ease the install, and I have never had any issue with the install that can be blamed on the fact that other drives were connected.

I used to disconnect drives when I was installing dual boot copies of Linux distro's but this was due to the potential due to the Linux grub loader.

Being safe rather than sorry, if it's possible to disconnect additional drives then it will give better peace of mind, but if it's not possible to disconnect the drives ( simply opening the case should allow a physical disconnect of either the power or data connector or both ) then it is not very likely that you will have any issue.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release Preview] [Win11 PRO HighEnd MUP-00005 DD]
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Scan 3XS to my design
    CPU
    AMD RYZEN 9 7950X OEM
    Motherboard
    *3XS*ASUS TUF B650 PLUS WIFI
    Memory
    64GB [2x32GB Corsair Vengeance 560 AMD DDR5]
    Graphics Card(s)
    3XS* ASUS DUAL RTX 4060 OC 8G
    Sound Card
    On motherboard Feeding SPDiF 5.1 system [plus local sound to each monitor]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    3XS Samsung 980Pro 2TB M.2 PCIe4 4 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 8TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    3XS Corsair RM850x 850w Fully Modular
    Case
    FDesign Define 7 XL BK TGL Case - Black
    Cooling
    3XS iCUE H150i ELITE Liquid Cool, Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitec MX Keys + K830 [Depending on where I'm Sat]
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitec - MX Master 3S +
    Internet Speed
    950 MB Down 55 MB Up
    Browser
    Latest Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security [Latest]
    Other Info
    Also run...
    Dell XPS 17 Laptop
    HP Laptop 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64 HP 15.2"
    Nexus 7 Android tablet [x2]
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview 10.2 Tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Samsung S9 Plus Smartphone
    Wacom Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom ExpressKey Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest release]
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 17 9700
    CPU
    i7 10750H
    Motherboard
    Stock
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Stock Intel + GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    Stock 4 speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Stock 17" + 32" 4K 3840 x 2160 HDR-10
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400 HDR touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock Aluminium / Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock + 2 fan cooling pad
    Mouse
    Stock Trackpad +Logi Mx Master 3 or MX Ergo Trackball
    Keyboard
    Stock Illuminated + Logi - MX Keys
    Internet Speed
    950 MB Down 55 MB Up
    Browser
    Latest Chrome
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security 2021
    Other Info
    Also use an Adjustable Support for Laptop and Adjustable stand for monitor
I have been installing windows for more years than I can remember - I have never disconnected any drives to ease the install, and I have never had any issue with the install that can be blamed on the fact that other drives were connected.
This problem happens when you try to install Windows to a partition in a disk that has other partitions.
If you give the entire disk to the Widows installer, it creates its own partition setup, by creating the required partitions.
If you don't and try to install into a partition on a disk that has other partitions, windows will set up boot files on some other disk, if it finds other disks.
That had happened to me once, and I had to copy boot files into that partition via the cmd and format the other disk using diskpart>clean (of course backing up the data on that disk and copying it over once 'clean'.
Regards
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Assembled
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700k
    Motherboard
    Asrock Z270 Taichi
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 630 onboard
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 1080p
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe, SSD and HDD
    Case
    Cooler Master
    Keyboard
    Asus wireless
    Mouse
    Asus Wireless
    Internet Speed
    75 Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome, Edge, Arc
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
It is suggested that a backup is useless if it cannot be restored, so it is important to verify that the restore works correctly. So, now that you have done an image backup are you prepared to test it by doing a restore to its original location? Just asking:)
No Q I don't want to try that as I don't want to mess up the one machine with Windows 10 that can take Windows 11and the backup is on the D: drive and I am not savvy enough to even try it as there are a couple of Windows.old folders on the drive as the supplier had to reinstall 10 when I first got the machine via Team Viewer as the original install went haywire after a month of using the machine.
As for removing the D: drive I won't worry about removing it as this is a laptop and is not as easy as taking out drives as my desktops. I will wait until the upgrade comes through updates though I don't know if that will still mean using an ISO? Hopefully, there will be a tutorial by then on how to do that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 22H2 (OS Build 22621.2361)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Vivo notebook X712P
    CPU
    i7 -10510U
    Motherboard
    Asus
    Memory
    Samsung 16GB DDR4 2666 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    On board Intel CPU graphics
    Sound Card
    N/a
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Pro NMe
    PSU
    N/A
    Case
    N/A
    Cooling
    Asus in built
    Keyboard
    Generic
    Mouse
    Logitec Wireless
    Internet Speed
    50MB max
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    ESET Smart Security
No Q I don't want to try that as I don't want to mess up the one machine with Windows 10 that can take Windows 11 and the backup is on the D: drive and I am not savvy enough to even try it as there are a couple of Windows.old folders on the drive as the supplier had to reinstall 10 when I first got the machine via Team Viewer as the original install went haywire after a month of using the machine.
I thought that would be your response. Let me give you some assurances that if you were able to perform the image backup that you can do the restore. It is just the reverse process.
You should take an image just before any significant changes, and then one again after the changes. After accumulating multiple backups you can even be aggressive and perform a disk /system cleanup to get rid of those windows.old. This will shrink the size of your backup.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP / Spectre x360 Convertible 13
    CPU
    i5-8250U
    Motherboard
    83B9 56.50
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 620
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio(SST)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256GB SSD
    Internet Speed
    500Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I have been installing windows for more years than I can remember - I have never disconnected any drives to ease the install, and I have never had any issue with the install that can be blamed on the fact that other drives were connected.

I used to disconnect drives when I was installing dual boot copies of Linux distro's but this was due to the potential due to the Linux grub loader.

Being safe rather than sorry, if it's possible to disconnect additional drives then it will give better peace of mind, but if it's not possible to disconnect the drives ( simply opening the case should allow a physical disconnect of either the power or data connector or both ) then it is not very likely that you will have any issue.
My desktop computer has got 3 NVMe SSDs installed so I am not about to go in there and disconnect multiple NVMe drives and SATA drives just to install Windows. And if, by chance, Windows decides to put boot files somewhere other than where I want, it takes less time and less physical effort to just move the boot files where I want them then it would to even just open the case to disconnect something - less than five minutes to move boot files to where I want them. Anyway...we are off topic for this thread, but I agree, unless you are messing with Linux there is no need to disconnect other drives for either an upgrade or a clean install.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!

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