How to Prepare Disk for Windows 11 Upgrade

With Microsoft's announcement that support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025, many Windows 10 users intend to upgrade to Windows 11 for free software upgrades, technical support, or security fixes. However, some of them failed because of the lack of minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11 and relevant precautions.

If you're interested, please read further to learn how to prepare disk for Windows 11 upgrade with five steps. Besides, you can also learn to install Windows 11.

Please share this post to help more users prepare disk for Windows 11 upgrade!

5 Steps to Prepare Disk for Windows 11 Upgrade🔥

The following content describes how to prepare disk for Windows 11 upgrade. Please check them out one by one.

Step 1. Check System Compatibility

Please ensure your Windows OS can meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11.

You can also run EaseUS Partition Master to check whether your Windows can run the Windows 11 operating system or not.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master and click "Toolkit".

Step 2. Click "Win11 Checker" to open this feature. Then click the Check Now button to start.

Step 3. The Windows 11 compatibility result window will soon appear. All the incompatible and compatible configuration items will be listed.

Step 2. Set up your Microsoft Account to Transfer Files or Backup Your Data

To prevent potential data loss, especially during the partition resize or disk format conversion, you'd better do the following things.

• If your files are not large, you can manually copy all essential files (Documents, Photos, Videos, etc.) to an external hard drive or USB drive.
• Transfer your files and data to your new Windows 11 with an MS account because all Microsoft programs and services, including Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Microsoft Edge, and the Microsoft Store, are connected to your device through a single account.
• If your desired data is large, you can use Windows' built-in backup features like Windows Backup and Restore or another third-party backup software like EaseUS Todo Backup.

Step 3. Convert MBR to GPT via EaseUS Partition Master

Since Windows 11 is only compatible with UEFI, you are prompted to use the GPT partition style instead of MBR. More precisely, if your selected disk has an MBR partition table, you cannot install Windows 11 OS on this disk. In this case, the partition manager recommended above can also help you convert MBR disk to GPT disk without losing data.

Step 1. Download and launch EaseUS Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2. Go to Disk Converter, select "MBR => GPT" and click "Next" to continue.

Step 3. Select the target MBR disk that you tend to convert to GPT, and click "Convert" to start the conversion.

Step 4. Extend C Drive via EaseUS Partition Master

As mentioned above, Windows 11 at least needs 64 GB. However, if your C drive is out of space or your Windows becomes slow, you're recommended to extend the C drive to release more space for temporary files and future updates.

Extend System C drive with unallocated space

1. 1. Right-click on the System C: drive and select "Resize/Move".
2. 2. Drag the system partition end into the unallocated space so to add it to the C: drive. And click "OK". 
3. 3. Click "Execute Task" and "Apply" to execute the operations and extend the C drive.

Step 5. Create a Windows Bootable USB | 2 Ways

This step is the last step to prepare disk for windows 11 upgrade. This step provides two feasible plans: one uses EaseUS Partition Master, and the other refers to the official method provided by Microsoft.

🚩Option 1️⃣Use EaseUS Partition Master

Step 1. To create a bootable disk of EaseUS Partition Master, you should prepare a storage media, like a USB drive, flash drive or a CD/DVD disc. Then, correctly connect the drive to your computer.

Step 2. Launch EaseUS Partition Master, and find the "Bootable Media" feature on the left. Click on it.

Step 3. You can choose the USB or CD/DVD when the drive is available. However, if you do not have a storage device at hand, you can also save the ISO file to a local drive, and later burn it to a storage media. Once made the option, click the "Create" button to begin.

• Check the Warning message and click "Yes".

Step 4. When the process finishes, you'll see a pop up window, asking if you want to restart computer from the bootable USB.

• Reboot Now: it means you want to restart the current PC and enter EaseUS Bootable Media to manage your disk partitions without OS.
• Done: it means you don't want to restart the current PC but to use the bootable USB on a new PC.

Note: To use the bootable disk on a new PC, you need to resart the target computer and press F2/F8/Del key to enter BIOS, and set the USB bootable disk as the first boot disk.

Wait patitiently and your computer will automatically boot up from the USB bootable media and enter EaseUS WinPE desktop.

🚩Option 2️⃣Create installation media for Windows

Before creating a bootable USB, please note the following points.

Let's show how it works.

Step 1. Open the Download Windows 11 website via any browser.

Step 2. Under the Create Windows 11 Installation Media tab, select Download Now > launch MediaCreationTool.exe on your Windows.

Please share this post to help more users prepare disk for Windows 11 upgrade!

Bonus tips: Recommended Method to Install Windows 11

After learning how to prepare disk for windows 11 upgrade, this section guides you to install Windows 11 operating system via Windows Settings.

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings > select Update & Security > click Windows Update.

Step 2. In the Windows Update window, click Check for updates.

Step 3. A notification in the Windows Update window indicates whether Windows 11 is prepared for installation on the device. Please click Download and Install.

Step 4. In the Software License Terms window, click Accept and install > your Windows OS automatically begins downloading and refreshing. Please wait patiently.

Conclusion

How to prepare disk for Windows 11 upgrade? This article shows you five specific phases with clear operating steps. Please check them carefully before upgrading your Windows 10 to Windows 11. As you can see, EaseUS Partition Master seems to be a comprehensive helper. So, don't hesitate to download it now! In addition, you can also find the most recommended way to install Windows 11.

FAQs

You may have a clear understanding of how to prepare disk for Windows 11 upgrade. Moreover, this part lists several relevant topics.

Q1: Why Windows 10 users want to upgrade to Windows 11?

A1: Because Windows 11 introduces additional productivity capabilities and functionality to meet the challenges of the hybrid world.

Q2: Are there other ways to install Windows 11?

A2: Of course, there are. You can use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant to upgrade or use the Windows 11 installation media.

Q3: How do I know if my disk is MBR or GPT?

A3: Press Windows + X > select Disk Management to open it > find the disk that contains your target drive (like the C drive) > right-click on it > select Properties > click Volumes > check the partition style of your chosen disk.

Please share this post to help more users prepare disk for Windows 11 upgrade!