Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users, but you may still be able to activate it with a Windows 8.1 product key. For example, the device must have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled, it must also have UEFI firmware, and the processor must be an Intel’s 8th Gen or newer or an AMD Zen 2 or newer. However, before upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 8.1, you must ensure that your laptop or desktop meets the minimum system requirements. Windows 8.1 computers can upgrade to Windows 11 without losing data or applications using the ISO file since it’s a supported installation path.

You don’t need to upgrade to Windows 10 first since a direct path to Windows 11 is supported.

You could alternatively proceed with a clean installation, but apps and files won’t be preserved.

Windows 8.1 does not support upgrading to 11 from Windows Update.

The installation will preserve your apps and files, and you don’t need to complete the OOBE.

To upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 8.1, mount the ISO file, double-click “Setup.exe” to launch the upgrade, then skip the update and driver downloads, accept the terms, and click on “Install.”.

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