Windows 11

Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes with new tools, sounds, and apps. Every detail has been considered. All of it comes together to bring you a refreshing experience on your PC.

All Dell PCs with Windows 10 Pro currently being sold on dell.com will be able to upgrade to Windows 11. For the PC to be able to upgrade to Windows 11, it must meet the minimum hardware specifications and specific hardware is required for some features. Windows 10 Pro (includes Windows 11 Pro License): your system is preinstalled with Windows 10 Pro and comes with a free Windows 11 Pro license included, allowing you to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro when ready.

All Dell Windows PCs currently being sold on dell.com meet the requirements for Windows 11.

If your existing Windows 10 PC is running Windows 10 20H1 or later and meets the minimum hardware specifications it will be able to upgrade to Windows 11. To see if your PC is eligible to upgrade, refer to our knowledge base for a list of tested systems. You can check if upgrade is ready for your device by going to Settings/Windows Updates. Similar to how end users are notified when updates are available in Windows 10, end users will see an indication in the notification areas of the taskbar in the bottom right, that the upgrade is available.

Microsoft plans to have options similar to those available today for updates to Windows 10: Upgrade Assistant (similar to Update Assistant) and the Media Creation Tool. We recommend, however, customers wait until they are notified through Windows Update that the upgrade is ready for their device. Note that there will be temporary blocks in some instances that will prevent the upgrade from completing installation.

The minimum hardware requirements are available here.

If you’d like to see if your current PC meets the minimum requirements, you can refer to our knowledge base for a list of tested systems.

Yes! Windows 10 continues to be a great version of Windows. Microsoft has committed to supporting Windows 10 through October 14, 2025.

You can check by going to Settings/Windows Update. Similar to how end users are notified when updates are available in Windows 10, end users will see an indication in the notification areas of the taskbar in the bottom right, that the upgrade is available.

It’s free. But only Windows 10 PCs that are running Windows 10 20H1 or later and meet the minimum hardware specifications will be able to upgrade. You can check to see if you have the latest updates for Windows 10 in Settings/Windows Update.

The free upgrade offer does not have a specific end date for eligible systems. However, Windows reserves the right to eventually end support for the free offer. This end date will be no sooner than one year from general availability.

An update can consist of bug and security fixes and new features in a version of Windows. They tend to roll out throughout the year. An upgrade is when you change versions, for example moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Or moving editions from Windows Home to Windows Pro.

Yes. You do not have to upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 until October 14, 2025.

No. Windows 10 and Windows 11 require approximately the same amount of disk space. During the upgrade process, however, extra space is required. Windows will clean up this extra disk space about ten days after the upgrade is complete.

Windows 11 is the newest version of Windows. However, we will continue to support Windows 10 until October of 2025.

By default, all your files and data will transfer. However, we recommend backing up your files before installation. Learn more about OneDrive PC folder Backup here

After you have installed the Windows 11 upgrade there is a 10 day period where you can move back to Windows 10 while keeping files and data that you brought along with you. After the 10 days you will need to back up your data and do a “clean install” to move back to Windows 10.

New PCs preinstalled with Windows 11 cannot use rollback function.

Downloading and installing Windows 11 will most likely take longer than a typical Windows 10 feature update. You can use your PC while you’re downloading it and then you have the option to schedule the install to happen at a specific time when you aren’t planning on using your PC.

If your PC meets the minimum hardware specifications, the Windows 10 Home edition in S mode can upgrade to the Windows 11 Home edition in S mode. If your Windows 10 PC is running the Pro edition in S mode you will need to switch out of S mode to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro. Windows 11 Pro edition is not available in S mode.

You can refer to our knowledge base for a list of tested systems to determine if your device eligible to upgrade to Windows -11. Many PCs that are less than four years old will be able to upgrade to Windows 11. They must be running 20H1 or later version of Windows 10 and meet the minimum hardware requirements to receive the Windows 11 upgrade.

A new, cloud-first operating system, Windows 11 SE offers the power and reliability of Windows 11 with a simplified design and modern management tools that are optimized for low-cost devices in educational settings, especially grades K-8 / primary. Windows 11 SE has the exact same minimum requirements as Windows 11.

Latitude 3120 and Latitude 3120 2-in-1 with Windows 11 SE pre-installed will be available end of January 2022.​

Although we are not limiting who can buy Windows 11 SE devices, their simplified fundamentals and experiences are really targeted at grades K-8.​

Windows 11 SE supports most applications that students and educators need. These include Win32 apps as well as modern applications, such as Universal Windows Platform (UWP) and Progressive Web Apps (PWA). Examples include Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Chrome, Class Policy, Light Speed, and Screen Beam, as well as the familiar tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. ​

Windows 11 SE is limited in the apps that can be installed and the settings an end user can manage. This is by design, based on feedback from teachers, who want a simple, distraction-free environment for their students, and IT Administrators, who want devices to be easy to manage and perform well all year. App installation, advanced features, and setting changes are controlled by IT administrators rather than end users for this specialized version of Windows 11.​

Yes, absolutely. Windows 11 SE supports essential third-party apps that promote better learning outcomes. ​

Yes. Zoom can be provisioned using Intune. ​

Students will not be able to install any third-party native apps (Win32 apps or those from the Microsoft Store).​

However, students will be able to use any Progressive Web Apps (PWA), such as Outlook, Whiteboard, and Flipgrid, via the web.

No. It is not possible to switch from Windows 11 SE to other versions of Windows. It is not possible to upgrade to Windows 11 SE from other versions of Windows, including Windows 10 or Windows 11. ​

Windows 11 SE, Windows 11, and Windows 10 can be deployed, managed, and serviced in the same way, since all three versions of Windows use the same deployment, management, and servicing tools. In terms of deployment, you can consider Windows 11 SE, Windows 11, and Windows 10 as different releases of the same operating system. ​

You will not need to change anything for your remote learning students. Windows 11 SE offers the same management tools that your IT teams are already comfortable with—including hands-free set-up and management options. The activation and provisioning process for remote students for Windows 11 SE is the same as it’s been for Windows 10.​

AAD and MSA identities are supported. For others, it depends on your infrastructure set up. Windows 11 SE will not have local on-premises support. ​

No. Windows 11 SE devices cannot be managed with Chrome’s Management console.​

Windows 11 SE is an edition of Windows 11, and has the same user experience, security, and learning anywhere updates that are new in Windows 11. Windows 11 SE is optimized to deliver education experiences on low-cost devices, removing distractions to help students stay focused, and simplifying deployment and management for IT professionals. Windows 11 SE can be accessed only through cloud-based identities, and it is managed remotely through cloud services. Windows SE is limited in the apps that can be installed and the settings an end user can manage.​