General

Upgrading to Windows 11 through Software Center

Table of Contents

Overview

This KB article provides the steps to install Windows 11 on your SLAC managed Windows computer at a time convenient for you. The Windows 11 update installer is available through Software Center. 

Note: Please contact the IT Service Desk if the Windows 11 update installer is unavailable to you in Software Center.

Steps to prepare for the upgrade to Windows 11

  • Make sure your data is backed up using the approved applications: CrashPlan, OneDrive, Google Drive.
  • Ensure 3rd party applications are up-to-date before initializing the upgrade to Windows 11.
  • Applications in Software Center/Company Portal are ready for Window 11
  • Ensure laptops are plugged in to a power source during the upgrade.
  • Before starting the upgrade make sure you establish a stable internet connection. VPN is NOT required to be connected to.
  • Disconnect from SLAC VPN before starting the upgrade.

Please Note: During the download and staging of the upgrade you can continue to work on the machine, and you will be prompted when a reboot is required to continue. Ensure that you have saved and closed anything you have been working on before rebooting. The upgrade will take another 30 minutes or so to complete following the reboot and you will not be able to work on the machine until it has finished. Please do not interrupt the upgrade process as it could result in system corruption and you could lose your data if it hasn't been back up.

Time required for upgrade

Downloading & Installing in the background: up to 3 hours (PC usable)
Restart & Upgrade:  up to 1 to 2 hours (PC not usable)

How to upgrade

  1. Open Software Center from the Start Menu. You may also type Software Center into the Search field in the Windows taskbar.

 

 

  1. Once you have opened Software Center, select the Updates tab on the left. If your machine is eligible to upgrade, you will find the Windows 11 update available here.

Note: You may need to be on the latest version of Windows 10 (21H2) before you are able to proceed with the Windows 11 upgrade.

 

  1. Select the update from the list, and you will be prompted with the option to install it.

 

 

  1. Clicking Install will begin the download. This process may take up to 2 hours to complete, and you can continue to use your computer as normal while it downloads in the background.

 

 

  1. After Windows 11 has finished downloading and installing in the background, you will be prompted by Software Center to restart your computer.

Note: The restart will take some time - typically 30 minutes to an hour. Your PC will NOT be usable during the restart.

 

 

How to get help

Technical assistance is available through the SLAC IT Service Desk or via Slack #slac-it-win11-upgrade

Related articles on Windows 11

Windows 11 at SLAC

Windows 11 Upgrade Readiness tool

Windows 11 FAQ