How do i update my hp computer to windows 11, if it’s at windows 7?

[katie645]

I want to update my hp computer to windows 11, but when i try to see updates it says they can’t check it bc the service isn’t running?? What does that mean? And how do i fix this problem. My hp computer is currently on windows 7 and I’m not sure if i’m able to even update it. I want to get it to at least windows 10 if i can. 

[BeemerBiker]

Windows 11 can be easily installed on just about any windows 7, 8 or 10 system as an upgrade.

I have run it on some really old HP systems with no problem.

Have you created a backup?
Can you pass diagnostics?
Tap the ESC key after powering on and press F2 to run diagnostics.
Do not allow any updates if disk or memory fail, especially a BIOS update.

For a new system that has UEFI bios and GPT but does not meet all requirements,
Windows 11 can be installed using the Rufus trick.

Get Rufus here


Download Windows 11 with this link and use an 8gb or larger USB.
Windows 11 does not expire and Microsoft just leaves an activation reminder on the screen.
Otherwise use the windows 10 license.


Configure Rufus to use UEFI boot and select the option that creates a local account
so as to avoid the Microsoft email login. Use options shown below:

Uncheck the "Set regional options" if you are creating the USB on another system that has a different OS than yours.
Do not install 11 Pro if you are licensed for 10 Home.

To do a clean install then boot the USB else just insert it and find and run "setup"

You have to click "start" before those options show up.

If you do an upgrade you may not need to hunt for HP drivers. if you do a clean install of 10 or 11 then your Product ID can be used to find missing drivers.

If you can provide your product ID I can try finding drivers for you..

[Paul_Tikkanen]

@katie645 

Just a note:

No matter what you do, you will have to pay for a W10 or W11 license and product key because Microsoft closed the loophole in October of 2023 that allowed users to continue to get the free upgrade to W10 after the official free upgrade period ended in 2016.

From a cost standpoint it makes no sense to buy W10 when it is going out of support next October and since your PC does not meet Microsoft's minimum W11 hardware requirements, you would have to be willing to pay for a W11 license and hope that your PC will work fine on W11 after doing the annual bypass hacks to upgrade to the newer W11 builds as they roll out.

You may want to think it over, because 30 days after you upgrade from W7>W10 you will have to buy a license or W10 will no longer work, and you cannot do an in-place upgrade from W7>W11.

You may be better off using your PC as is on W7 and eventually buying a new one