Everyone wants to know how to download Windows 11 now that it’s official, and while many people should wait until Microsoft’s new operating system is actually released in “Holiday 2021,” you can now download a (very) early build of it to test it out yourself.
There was a leaked build of the new operating system floating around a couple of weeks ago, but we would really, really stress that you don’t go looking for it. Most of the sites claiming to have it are likely going to load up your system with malware instead, possibly even locking you out entirely with some good old fashioned ransomware. Save yourself the stress and Bitcoin payment and only download Windows 11 from Microsoft when it becomes available. After all, Holiday 2021 isn’t that far away.
What’s more, the Windows 11 download is going to be a free upgrade if you have Windows 10, so there’s no reason to try and find a pirated version of an incomplete operating system.
Microsoft has now also officially released an early version for Windows Insiders, which is a much safer way of trying out Windows 11 before the official release. However, as this is an early version, it’s likely there will be bugs and incomplete features, so we only recommend installing Windows 11 on a secondary PC.
If you only have a PC that you rely on every day, we recommend holding off until the official launch of Windows 11, which is rumored to be around October time.
We know, waiting sucks, but when it is released you’ll know how to download Windows 11 by following this handy little guide.
Windows 11 Minimum system requirements
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with at least two cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- System Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module 2.0
- Graphics Card: DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
- Display: 720p, 8-bit per color channel, at least 9-inch diagonal
- Internet Connection and Microsoft Account: Windows 11 Home requires an active internet connection and a Microsoft Account to complete initial, first-use setup of the operating system, or when switching a device out of Windows 11 Home in S-mode.
For a complete list of additional, non-essential requirements, check out Microsoft’s Windows 11 specification page.
How to download Windows 11
Before you begin, make sure your PC meets the Windows 11 minimum specifications listed above. If it does, you should then back up your PC before continuing.
This ensures that if anything goes wrong – and updating to an early version of a new operating system is full or risks – your important files and settings can at least be restored.
Once done, you’ll need to sign up to the Windows Insider Program.
1. Join the Windows Insider Program
To do this, open up the Setting app and click on ‘Update & Security’, then ‘Windows Insider Program’.
You may need to turn on optional diagnostic data to see this option. To do that go to Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & feedback and choose ‘Optional diagnostic data’.
In the ‘Windows Insider Program’ window, click ‘Get started’ to join. From the window that appears, click ‘Link an account’ and pick your Microsoft Account and click ‘Continue’.
2. Join the Dev Channel
At the moment, the Windows 11 Insider build is only available to people using the Dev Channel. This is meant for app developers, and gives people access to very early versions of Windows 11. Again, make sure you are happy to install what is likely to be quite an early build with various issues included.
If you just want a PC that works as normal, we’d avoid Windows 11 for now. However, if you really want to try out Windows 11, in the ‘Pick your Insider settings’ page that appears, select ‘Dev Channel’, then ‘Confirm’.
Another window will appear with an explanation of what you can expect from this early build. As long as you are happy to proceed, click ‘Confirm’.
You’ll then need to restart your PC. Make sure everything is saved, and click ‘Restart Now’ on the window that appears.
3. Install the Windows 11 Insider Preview build
Once you’ve restarted, open up the Windows Update app. You can do this by searching for ‘Windows Update’ in the search bar in the taskbar of Windows 10.
You can also open it by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
In the window that appears, click ‘Check for updates’. The Windows 11 Insider Preview build should appear, and you can download and install it as if it was a regular Windows 10 update.
4. Perform a clean install of Windows 11
The above steps upgrade your Windows 10 PC to Windows 11. However, if you want to install Windows 11 from scratch, you can download the Windows 11 Insider Preview ISO.
Make sure you are signed up to the Windows Insider Program and are in the Dev Channel (shown in steps 1 and 2 of this guide), then scroll to the bottom of the page.
Under ‘Select edition’ pick Windows 11. Once the ISO is downloaded, you’ll need to make a bootable USB or DVD with it.
Follow our how to install Windows 10 via USB or DVD guide for more information. Although it is for installing Windows 10, the process for Windows 11 will be the same.
