Tech Tip: UPDATE to Windows 11

By BD Bondy

I got a call from a friend saying he needed to buy a new computer as his 6 year old computer wouldn’t update to Windows 11. After talking to him a bit we decided to try and update his ‘old’ computer first, despite Microsoft saying it could not be done.

There are a lot of options for installing Win 11 on non-acceptable computers, and I’ve written about that before. There are just a couple of issues, normally, as to why MS doesn’t allow the upgrade, but they can be bypassed with a few tools.

In the case of an update though, that’s something I haven’t been doing. I always wipe the drive and install a fresh copy without keeping any of the user’s data. Then, the old data can be moved over to the ‘new’ computer manually.

What I found a couple of days ago is an easy to use free tool that allows you to upgrade your Windows 10 (and possibly older) computer to Windows 11. I’ve only done it one and a half times. I’m in the middle of doing one right now, it isn’t finished.

​The link to the how to video is HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiMdzZjjwNg

He explains the entire process. I suggest watching the video FIRST, all the way through. I didn’t, and it worked out fine, but there is more to it which I recommend. I ran the update as the video went along, pausing it till Windows 11 was installed. Today, I finished the video, and there were a few more things that might interest you.

The overall process takes place on the target computer. First, download the FLYOOBE app https://github.com/builtbybel/Flyoobe , I used version flyoobe 1.11, then download a copy of Windows, then unpack the Flyoobe folder and run the Fly0 app. It walks you through how to do everything, though there are some steps to pay attention to. The Flyo app will also walk you through downloading Windows, if you prefer it that way.
You answer some questions and then it runs. Watch it until after the screen where it says it will install Windows 11 and Keep everything. After that it runs till it’s done. What should come up then is your computer, now on Win 11.