Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. All Hamilton-owned PCs must be upgraded to Windows 11 before this date.
Below are instructions for upgrading eligible machines to Windows 11. This is an "in place upgrade" that typically takes approximately 1 hour to finish, so be sure to plan accordingly. Once the upgrade process starts, it cannot be canceled.
Instructions
- Ensure your laptop is plugged into AC power. Do not attempt to apply the update while running on battery power.
- Close all open applications.
- If you're off-campus, connect to the VPN. If not, continue with the steps while connected to the on-campus wired or wireless networks.
- Search for "Software Center" in the Start () menu and open the Software Center application.
- Select Operating Systems. The Windows 11 24H2 Upgrade should appear.
If the upgrade is not listed, please consult the More Information section below prior to contacting the Help Desk.
- Double-click on Windows 11 23H2 Upgrade - NBL. The following window will display:
- Click Install. The following window will appear:
- Click Install. The upgrade will download and install. This will take about 45-60 minutes, and your computer will restart several times throughout.
More information
If you don't see the Windows 11 upgrade listed under Operating Systems, try the following:
Check for available Windows Updates
On some machines, a pre-requisite Windows update may have failed to apply. To force a check of Windows Updates:
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Click the Start Menu ().
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Select Settings. ().
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Go to Update & Security.
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Click Windows Update on the left panel.
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Click Check for updates and allow available updates to install. Restart when completed.
If no updates were found, continue with the next set of steps.
Force a refresh of the Software Center
Refresh the Software Center by following these steps:
- Close the Software Center.
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Open Control Panel on your computer.
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Find and click on Configuration Manager (you might need to change the Control Panel view to "Large icons" or "Small icons" to see it).
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In the Configuration Manager Properties window, select the Actions tab.
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Select the Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle and click Run Now.
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Re-launch the Software Center.
If the upgrade still refuses to appear after trying the above steps, or if you encounter any errors during or after the upgrade, please open a Help Desk ticket using the form linked to this knowledge base article.