How to get Windows 11 free upgrade ahead of time

After months of testing, Microsoft is releasing the final version of Windows 11 today on its Release Preview channel. This is the last step ahead of its wider release to existing devices on October 5. If you don’t want to wait until October 5, you can downgrade to Windows 10 today and get the free Windows 11 upgrade ahead of time.

Here’s how to upgrade to Windows 11 early:

• Check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11, using Microsoft’s PC Health app (download here).
• If your PC is supported, you will need to register as a Windows Insider on Microsoft’s site to get the Windows 11 upgrade sooner.
• On your existing Windows 10 PC, go to Settings> Update & Security> Windows Insider Program

• Click the Get Started button and link the Microsoft account that you used to sign up as Windows Insider.
• When prompted to choose your Insider settings, select the Release Preview ring.
• Confirm and accept Microsoft’s terms, then restart your PC.
• Go back to Settings> Update & Security, and you should see a new banner with the optional update to Windows 11.
• Click on the download and install option and follow the instructions to get Windows 11 earlier.

Once you have successfully upgraded to Windows 11, you can then go to Settings> Windows Update and select “Stop getting preview versions” to unsubscribe from preview updates for Windows 11 and stay on the final version.

Microsoft has also released ISO files for the release version of Windows 11, build 22000.194. You can download the ISO file, which will allow you to clean up the Windows 11 installation, from Microsoft’s Windows Insider website.