Can Windows 10 20H2 Upgrade to Windows 11 and How to?

Windows 10, version 20H2 end of servicing

According to the Microsoft announcement, the Windows 10, version 20H2 has reached the end of servicing on May 10, 2022. This applies to the Windows 10 Home, version 20H2, Pro, version 20H2, Pro Education, version 20H2, Pro for Workstations, version 20H2 that are released in October of 2020.

Namely, these Windows 10 edition users cannot receive any security updates since May 10, 2022. So, if you persist in using those versions, you will leave your device vulnerable to any bugs, viruses, and malware. What’s worse, you cannot fix such issues without any official support service.

Can Windows 10 20H2 upgrade to Windows 11?

Without the support service provided by Microsoft, all important data on the Windows PC will be exposed to bugs and viruses. It’s not worth taking the risk. So, many users want to upgrade Windows 10 20H2 to Windows 11, the latest Windows operating system released on October 10, 2021.

However, can Windows 10 20H2 upgrade to Windows 11? You can take a look at the following Windows 11 system requirements announced by Microsoft and make a quick verification.

♦Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).

♦RAM : 4 gigabyte (GB).

♦Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device

♦System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.

♦TPM:Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Learn how to check and enable TPM for Windows 11 update.

♦Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.

♦Display: High definition (720p) display.

♦Internet Connectivity and Microsoft Accounts: Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account to complete device setup on first use.

Besides, to make it easier, you can download some Windows 11 Check tools (like AOMEI Windows 11 Update Checker) to quickly check whether your PC meets Windows 11 requirements.

How to upgrade Windows 10 20H2 to Windows 11 successfully?

Of all Windows 11 requirements, the most important that you should pay attention to is the UEFI boot mode, which aims to add more security to your computer and requires the GPT boot disk. If your current Windows 10 20H2 is installed on an MBR hard drive, you have to convert MBR to GPT hard disk, and change Legacy BIOS to UEFI before upgrading Windows 10 20H2 to Windows 11. Here is how to do it.

Part 1. Convert MBR to GPT & Legacy BIOS to UEFI (Optional)

This stage is indispensable if your current boot disk is of MBR partition scheme. If it is GPT now, you can skip to Part 2 directly.

To convert boot disk from MBR to GPT, it is recommended to use a third-party professional MBR and GPT converter instead of Windows Command Prompt tool since it will delete all partitions on the MBR disk and cause data loss. For the data security of the current boot disk, you can make use of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. It is equipped with "MBR to GPT Converter", allowing to convert the boot/data hard drive from MBR to GPT, or GPT to MBR without deleting any partitions/data. Just download the demo version and take a simulation.

>>Convert MBR to GPT

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.Right-click the target MBR boot hard drive and select "Convert to GPT".

Step 2. Click "OK" to confirm your operation.

Step 3. Click "Apply" to commit the conversion.

>>Change Legacy BIOS to UEFI

After converting the disk to GPT partition scheme, you need to take the following steps to change Legacy BIOS to UEFI boot mode.

Step 1. Restart your computer and continuously press a specific key to enter the EFI Setup menu. If you don’t know which key to press, just press Esc to get a full menu, and then you can select BIOS Setup.

Step 2. Access to Boot tab and hit on UEFI/ BIOS Boot Mode, disable Legacy and enable UEFI.

Step 3. Press F10 to save the settings and then exit to finish Legacy BIOS to UEFI switch.

Now, you have converted MBR system hard drive to GPT and changed the boot mode from Legacy BIOS to UEFI. Next is how to complete Windows 10 version 20h2 upgrade to Windows 11.

Part 2. Upgrade Windows 10 20H2 to Windows 11

Step 1. Go to Start Menu, and click on "Settings".

Step 2. Click on "Updates&Security" on the Windows Settings screen.

Step 3. In the Windows Update screen, click "Check for updates". If the free Windows 11 upgrade is available, you’ll see an option to download and install it.

Step 4. Click "Download and install". Follow on-screen prompts and configure Windows 11 settings.

If the Windows 11 update is not available your computer, you can directly turn to Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Open the Download Windows 11 page and click the "Download now" button under the Windows 11 Installation Assistant section.

Run the downloaded Windows11 Installation Assistant.exe file. Click the "Accept and install" button and your Windows 11 installation will upgrade to Windows 11. After the installation finishes, you will be prompted to restart your PC immediately or wait for the 30-minute time to end if you need time to save important data. After reboots, you can sign into Windows again. Once the final setup is complete, you will enter your new Windows 11 desktop.

Summary

Can Windows 10 20H2 upgrade to Windows 11? After going through this post, you should know how to make a check and how to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 successfully. If you need help to manage your new Windows 11 disk partition in the future, such as recovering lost partitions, cloning SSD to SSD, or HDD, increasing C drive space, and more, the AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional can also satisfy you well.