Upgrading to Windows 11: What to Expect

Windows 11 is now generally available for all primary individual use computers!

The update will not install on its own and will appear on a banner in the windows update application.

At a time yet to be determined but prior to the 10/14/25 end of life deadline, Windows 11 will be a required update that will install during the normal update cycle of your pc.

What to Know Before Upgrading

Windows 11 is Microsoft's latest operating system.
Windows 10 will be end of life and no longer receive quality or security updates after 10/14/25.
Windows 11 is very similar to Window 10 and almost all programs that run on Windows 10 will run on Windows 11.
The total upgrade should take up to 2 hours. Up to 1 hour to download and pre-install the update and up to 1 hour to install. You will not be able to use your computer during the install portion of the update.
Ensure your laptop is connected to power prior to starting the update. Once the install portion of the update begins, the update cannot be interrupted or your Windows installation may be damaged.
You will need 40 GB of free space on your hard drive to complete the update. If you need to free up space on your Hard drive, please review our article here.

How to Upgrade

Move any of your important files not in a OneDrive synced folder to a synced folder and ensure OneDrive has completed syncing before starting the update. OneDrive synced folders include; Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. If you need any help backing up your documents, contact the Solutions Hub.
Free up space on your hard drive. Click here to learn how to free up space using OneDrive.
Type Software center into the search box on your task bar.
Select the Software Center application to open it.
Find the EFI Cleanup Tool.
Click on the EFI Cleanup tool and then click Install.
Type updates in the search box on your task bar.
Select check for system updates.
If you have outstanding Windows 10 updates you will need to install them before the Windows 11 banner will appear.
The Windows 11 banner will appear at the top of your update app.
Click Download and Install.
Windows 11 will complete a system compatibility check. If you receive any errors after the check, please contact the Solutions Hub for assistance.
The Windows 11 update will begin downloading.
Once the download is finished you will receive a notice to restart your computer. Upon restarting Windows will begin installing the update. This portion of the update will take up to 60 minutes (average is 45 minutes) and you will not be able to use your computer during this part of the update.
Your computer will reboot several times during the update install. Once it is complete it will boot to the login screen where you can log in as normal.
If you encounter any issues or have questions contact the Solutions Hub.

Known Errors

Doesn't meet Windows 11 Requirements - We Couldn't update the System Reserved Partition.
To Resolve this Error, run the EFI Cleanup Tool from Software Center. See the How to Upgrade section for instructions.
Setup Needs Space to Update
The Windows 11 update needs 40GB free to complete. If you receive this error some common options for cleaning up space include; deleting items in your download folder, use the OneDrive "Free Up Space" option, and move your files to w:\ drive or an external USB drive temporarily during the update.
Incompatible Software Installed
When attempting to update to Windows 11 on a computer with Incompatible Software, you may receive the following error.

Known Incompatible Software

Adobe Photoshop Elements Versions 11 and 12
Older versions of Photoshop Elements are incompatible with Windows 11. Please contact the Solutions Hub to get an updated version.
When attempting to upgrade to Windows 11 on a computer with Photoshop Elements installed, you may receive the following error.