Windows 11 is based on Windows 10, which means that virtually any driver designed for the latest version of Windows 10 should be theoretically compatible with Windows 11. Here's a list of websites from the most popular manufacturers to download the latest device drivers. You can use our guide to install device drivers on Windows 11. Usually, this is not an issue with branded devices (Dell, HP, etc.), but this could be a problem for custom builds. (Although it's not official, you should be able to activate a new installation with a Windows 11, 10, 8.1, or 7 product key.)Īlthough Windows 11 does a good job detecting and installing device drivers automatically, it's a good idea to download the essential and rare ones before the process (for instance, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and graphics) as a precaution if the installation fails to add these drivers correctly. When setting up a new computer that never had any version of Windows, you will have to purchase a valid license from the Microsoft Store (opens in new tab), Amazon, or another retailer. Microsoft does not support the upgrade path from Windows 8.1 (or even Windows 7), but you can still install Windows 11 if the computer meets the minimum hardware requirements. Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will reactivate automatically.

Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account: The installation has been activated, and the license is linked to your Microsoft account.

Windows is activated with a digital license: The installation has been activated, but it isn't linked to your Microsoft account.

If the computer has been properly activated, you'll see one of these messages:

Under the 'Windows' section, confirm the activation.

To confirm whether Windows 10 is correctly activated, use these steps: After the installation, the system will (at some point) reactivate automatically. Once the copy of Windows has been properly activated, the product key is no longer necessary in future installations for the same computer.

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Windows 11 compatibility check download