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Windows 11 brings you closer to the things you love

	Get a fresh perspective An inspiring new look and feel makes for a calmer experience. Less noise, clutter, or chaos. Microsoft has re-imagined how the PC should work for you and with you. Windows 11 is redefining productivity.
Life's better together Call, chat, and make plans come to life with Teams on Windows 11.* Connect with anyone right from your PC regardless of what computer or phone or tablet they are on.*
	Bring balance to your desktop Organize windows, optimize screen space, and maximize your productivity with just a snap. Refocus your workflow with snap assist and pivot instantly with snap groups and desktop.
All things you. All at a glance, always a swipe away. Your favorite photos. The world news. Today’s to-do list and tomorrow’s weather. Widgets helps you find content that matters to you.
	Capture inspiration your way Say it aloud and have it transcribed with Voice Typing.* Sketch it down with a stroke of a digital pen.* Tap and swipe instead of click and drag.* Windows 11 has more ways to adapt to how you think.
Playtime. Anytime. Play the latest games with graphics that rival reality. DirectX 12 enables breathtaking, immersive graphics at high frame rates*.

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	Windows 11 Pro is designed for hybrid work Powerful for employees. Consistent for IT. Secure for all.
Greater Productivity Reduce employee cognitive load with a simplified and streamlined UI, organized easily with snap layouts and snap groups.
	Seamless Collaboration A smarter way to collaborate with Microsoft Teams* integration. Have more effective meetings by sharing content straight from the taskbar and using instant-mute/un-mute so everyone’s voice is heard.
Trusted Security Work from anywhere with Windows 11 built-in security and the industry’s most secure commercial PCs.*
	Consistent for IT Migrate with confidence using familiar IT tools with guaranteed application compatibility backed by App Assure*

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Windows 11 for Education

Reimagined for a new era of digital learning, Windows 11 helps to unlock a student's potential with powerful tools to learn, collaborate and create — all in a secure and trusted environment. Learn More about Education Solutions

Designed for Education

High-quality learning tools for students of all abilities with Windows 11 on devices that are secure, easy to deploy and manage.

Windows 11 SE

New, cloud-first Windows 11 SE* - purpose-built operating system for education. The affordable and simple way to help make learning accessible to every student.

Microsoft 365 Education

Unlock creativity, promote teamwork, and provide a simple, safe experience—all in a single, affordable solution that’s built for education.

Microsoft Teams

Let students, faculty, educators, and staff meet, collaborate, create, and share resources with the simple, accessible power of Teams.

Everything you need to know about Windows 11 purchase and free upgrade

Upgrade timing may vary by device. Features and app availability may vary by region.
Certain features require specific hardware. Learn More

See if your PC can upgrade

Find out if your current PC meets the requirements to run Windows 11.

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It’s so much easier to transfer to a new PC when you back up your files and photos from your current PC to OneDrive.

FAQ

What’s the difference between Windows 10 and 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.

When can I buy a PC that comes pre-installed with Windows 11?
PCs with Windows 11 pre-installed are available from October 5th.

I want to buy a Windows 10 PC now. Will I be able to install Windows 11 later?
All Dell PCs with Windows 10 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. The upgrade rollout plan is still being finalized but is scheduled to begin late in 2021 and continue into 2022. Specific timing will vary by device.
Windows 10 Pro (includes Windows 11 License) is available: your system is preinstalled Windows 10 Pro with a Windows 11 Pro license included, allowing you to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro when ready.

How do I know if a new Windows PC I’m considering meets the minimum requirements?
All Dell Windows PCs currently being sold on dell.com meet the requirements for Windows 11.

When will I be able to upgrade to Windows 11 on my Windows 10 device?
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. The upgrade rollout plan is still being finalized, but for most devices already in use today, we expect it to be ready sometime in early 2022. Not all Windows 10 PCs that are eligible to upgrade will be offered to upgrade at the same time. To see if your PC is eligible to upgrade, refer to our knowledge base for a list of tested systems. Once the upgrade rollout has started, you can check if it 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. More information on how that is presented will be available at a later date. Additional desktop notification options may be also be added at a later date.

Are customers able to download the upgrade ‘on demand’? Will there be ways that customers can find the upgrade prior to Intelligent rollout?
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.

What are the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11?
The minimum hardware requirements are available here.

How do I know if my current Windows 10 PC meets the hardware requirements for Windows 11?
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.

What if my PC doesn’t meet the minimum hardware specifications? Can I stay on Windows 10?
Yes! Windows 10 continues to be a great version of Windows. Microsoft has committed to supporting Windows 10 through October 14, 2025.

How will I know when the upgrade is available for my Windows 10 PC?
Upgrades to Windows 11 will begin to roll out late in 2021 and continue into 2022. During this time, we will be doing some behind the scenes testing and validating for your specific PC. Windows Update will provide an indication if and when your PC is eligible. You can check to see 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. More information on how that is presented will be available at a later date. Additional desktop notification options may be also be added at a later date.

How much does it cost to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11?
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.

How long will the free upgrade offer last?
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.

What is the difference between an upgrade and an update?
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.

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

Does Windows 11 take up more space on my PC than Windows 10?
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.

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

If I upgrade to Windows 11, what will happen to my files?
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

Can I go back to Windows 10 after I upgrade if I don’t like Windows 11?
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.

How long does it take to install Windows 11?
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.

Can I upgrade my Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 if I’m running S mode?
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.

Can a really old PC run Windows 11?
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.

Windows 11 for Education FAQs

What is Windows 11 SE?
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.

When will Windows 11 SE devices be available to purchase?
Latitude 3120 and Latitude 3120 2-in-1 with Windows 11 SE pre-installed will be available end of January 2022.

Who is the ideal audience for Windows 11 SE?
Although we are not limiting who can buy Windows 11 SE devices, their simplified fundamentals and experiences are really targeted at grades K-8.

What applications will work on Windows 11 SE?
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.

Why is there no application store on Windows 11 SE? Why can’t I change settings? Why can’t I install in app? A feature is missing on this device.
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.

Will Windows 11 SE support Chrome browser?
Yes, absolutely. Windows 11 SE supports essential third-party apps that promote better learning outcomes.

Will Windows 11 SE support Zoom?
Yes. Zoom can be provisioned using Intune.

Can a student install their own applications like YouTube, Spotify, or iTunes?
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.

Am I able to switch my Windows 11 SE device to Windows 11 or Windows 10?
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.

How does Windows 11 SE impact my current deployment of Windows 10? 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.

How will Windows 11 SE affect the ability of my remote students to continue learning? Any changes in VPN connectivity, remote management, update compliance, or security tools? What is the activation and provisioning process for my remote students?
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.

Will existing identity solutions continue to work as they do with Windows 10? For example, AAD, Hybrid, MSA, etc.?
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.

Can I manage Windows 11 SE with Chrome's Management Console?
No. Windows 11 SE devices cannot be managed with Chrome’s Management console.

What is the difference between Windows 11 and Windows 11 SE?
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.