Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11

Upgrading to Windows 11 should not affect your installed software.

For additional enterprise software, please refer to Installing BCIT software on BCIT computers.

Upgrading to Windows 11 will not affect the files on your BCIT-issued device. However, to prevent any data loss, please back up important files to your BCIT OneDrive. For details on managing files in OneDrive, see About OneDrive.

The following makes/models are eligible for a Windows 11 upgrade:

Please note that in order for your device to be upgraded to Windows 11, the following prerequisites must be met;

• Your device must have Windows 10, version 2004 or higher installed to run the upgrade
• Your device must have 9 GB or 9216 MB of free disk space to download Windows 11
• Your device must have a stable internet connection.  Please note that you do NOT need a VPN connection to run this update.

If your device is not listed in the table above, IT services will contact you to discuss options for your device.

The upgrade will install silently on your device. Once complete, you’ll be prompted to restart, which will take about 30 minutes. Please keep your device plugged in and connected to a stable wired (preferred) or wireless network.

Running the Windows 11 upgrade does not have to be done while connected to BCIT’s network.

For more information about the Windows 11 operating system and how-to videos, please refer to Microsoft’s Meet Windows 11 page.

If something goes wrong during the Windows 11 upgrade process, your device will try to revert the changes and rollback to Windows 10.  In most cases, the rollback should be successful and you can try to upgrade again at a later time.  If you experience any issues with your device during the upgrade process, please contact the IT Service Desk via the IT Services Catalogue.

Installing the Upgrade

1. Click the Start button from your taskbar.
2. In the search bar, search for Company Portal and click on the Company Portal App to launch it.
3. Click on Apps on the left-hand menu.
4. Locate and select the tile titled Windows 11 Upgrade.
5. Click the Install button.
6. A confirmation window will appear. Click Continue to proceed with the Windows 11 upgrade.

Note: An installation prompt will appear on-screen while the installation is in progress. You may minimize this screen and continue using the device while the upgrade installs.

Once the Upgrade Installation is complete

A reboot prompt will appear on-screen. The reboot will take about 30 minutes to complete. Please save your work before proceeding.

1. Click on either
   1. Restart Now if you are ready to apply the upgrade.
   2. Restart Later if you need to defer applying the upgrade.

Note: Your device will consistently remind you to reboot until the upgrade is applied.

After the reboot, your device will be on Windows 11 and the installation is complete.

If myVPN is unable to connect after the Windows 11 upgrade, please follow the directions below to uninstall and reinstall via the Company Portal.

Uninstall myVPN

1. Click the Start button from your taskbar.
2. In the search bar, search for Company Portal and click on the Company Portal app.
3. After launching the Company Portal, click on Apps on the left-hand menu.
4. Locate and click the myVPN application tile.
5. Click on the Uninstall button to begin the uninstall.
6. A confirmation prompt will appear. Click Uninstall to proceed.
7. A progress bar will appear while myVPN is being uninstalled.
8. Once the uninstall has finished, you will be prompted to Restart your computer.  Ensure that you have saved your work and click the Restart Now button.
   

Reinstall myVPN

1. Click the Start button from your taskbar.
2. In the search bar, search for Company Portal and click on the Company Portal app.
3. After launching the Company Portal, click on Apps on the left-hand menu.
4. Locate and click the myVPN application tile.
5. Click on the Reinstall button to begin the installation.
6. A progress bar will appear while myVPN is being installed.
7. The myVPN application will open once the installation has completed. Click on the Cancel button.
8. Follow the steps for Configuring a myVPN profile

In order to upgrade to Windows 11, your device must have a minimum of 9 GB or 9216 MB of free disk space.  If your device does not have the minimum required space, you will see the following message:

Please review and remove any unused locally installed files and/or software to free up space in order to perform the upgrade.  For more information on file storage, please refer to the File Storage Best Practices.

If you have followed the instructions to install the Windows 11 upgrade, you may see an upgrade failed error message as seen below:

It is suggested that you follow the Windows 11 upgrade installation steps again and attempt to retry the installation via the Company Portal.  The Windows 11 upgrade tile will display the Install button as seen below:

If the installation fails after retrying, please Report an Issue and include the following details:

• Device Make and Model
• Asset Tag
• Computer Name
• Primary location on campus where the device can be located

If Windows has not activated after the Windows 11 upgrade, please follow the directions below to attempt to resolve the issue.

1. If off campus, ensure you are connected to myVPN.
2. Click the Start button.
3. In the search bar, search for Windows Activation.
4. On the Windows Activation page, click Troubleshoot.

The Windows Activation troubleshooter will appear on screen and should activate Windows on your device.  If the problem persists, please contact the IT Service Desk to Report an Issue.