If your Douglas College computer is running Windows 10, Microsoft requires it to be upgraded to Windows 11 by October 2025. To ensure a smooth transition, IT Services has made an in-place upgrade available for all Windows 10 computers that are compatible with Windows 11. Compatible computers have a B number of B66301 and above, or between L90012 and L90472 - you can find this number on a sticker with a barcode, located on the top of desktop towers or the bottom side of laptops.
Please note, the in-place upgrade to Windows 11 will NOT remove your existing applications and data on your computer. However, in the event of a malfunction during the upgrade process, please make sure to back up your files onto your OneDrive before running the upgrade.
For your convenience, you can initiate the in-place upgrade to avoid an unscheduled interruption. The upgrade will run in the background and you may work while it downloads and installs. A reboot is required, which you may initiate or schedule at your convenience. Initial configuration of Windows 11 after rebooting may take up to 30 minutes.
If your computer is a laptop, it doesn't need to be connected to the college network to obtain and run the in-place upgrade.
You can use the following instructions to initiate the in-place upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11:
- Open Settings. You can find it by clicking the Start button and clicking on the gear icon that pops up.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on the Windows Update tab.
- Click on the Check for updates button.
- Run any Windows 10 updates that appear first, such as the Cumulative Updates for Windows 10 Version 22H2. The Windows 11 upgrade will not appear until all outstanding Windows 10 updates are installed. Note that if you need to install Windows 10 updates, you will need to reboot the computer afterwards. If no Windows 10 updates appear, you may continue to the following step.
- Click on the Check for updates button again. If your computer is compatible, you should see the Windows 11, version 23H2 optional update. If you don’t see the update, your computer isn’t eligible, and no further action is needed.
- Click on Download and install to begin upgrading to Windows 11. The computer will run the upgrade in the background until finished. You may continue working on the computer during this process.
- When the computer has finished upgrading, it will need to reboot. You can choose between rebooting right away or scheduling the reboot for another day or time.
- To schedule the reboot for another day or time, click the Schedule the restart button. You will be taken to the Schedule the restart screen.
- Under Schedule a time, switch the toggle to On. Under Pick a time, pick the time of day you want your computer to reboot. Under Pick a day, select the day you want your computer to reboot from the drop-down menu.
After rebooting, your computer will have Windows 11 installed. Post-reboot configuration may take up to 30 minutes to complete.