Upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 on a Laptop

Snakehide · February 23

Hi. Wondering if updating to Windows 11 on my Windows 10 laptop would mess stuff up. Here's a few things I'm specifically concerned about:

1. Updating would remove personal files. I don't have evidence or really any grounds for this concern, but I just don't know enough about updating from Win. 10 to 11 to know any better.

2. Microsoft account and wifi. I know on a fresh install of Windows 11 on a desktop the whole wifi/Microsoft account sign-in section on initial book can be bypassed, but can it be skipped on a laptop if upgrading? I do NOT want to sign into a Microsoft account on my PC if I upgrade to Windows 11.

3. Desktop shortcuts. Really, not as important as the other ones but still a concern; would updating mess up my desktop shortcuts?

I really don't know anything about updating a laptop specifically to Windows 11, hoping you guys can help, if someone can give me a rundown that would be awesome. Thank you! Specs are below if you're curious.

Lenovo Legion 5 15ARH05

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500H

GPU: Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti

RAM: 32 GB Crucial 3200 MHz DDR4

Storage: 1x 250 GB Samsung SSD (C:); 1x 1 TB WD HDD

C2dan88 · February 24

13 hours ago, Snakehide said:

1. Updating would remove personal files. I don't have evidence or really any grounds for this concern, but I just don't know enough about updating from Win. 10 to 11 to know any better.

Updating does not touch any of your data. All it does is move C:\Winoows to C:\windows.old and installs Win11 to C:\Windows

13 hours ago, Snakehide said:

3. Desktop shortcuts. Really, not as important as the other ones but still a concern; would updating mess up my desktop shortcuts?

So long as your desktop shortcuts are stored in your user account C:\Users\<user>\Desktop, shortcuts should be kept but arrangement may reset.

13 hours ago, Snakehide said:

2. Microsoft account and wifi. I know on a fresh install of Windows 11 on a desktop the whole wifi/Microsoft account sign-in section on initial book can be bypassed, but can it be skipped on a laptop if upgrading? I do NOT want to sign into a Microsoft account on my PC if I upgrade to Windows 11.

During upgrading installer gives you option for offline account with "Limited Experience".