The error description reads as follows;

Windows Upgrade error code 0x80090011

If you’re faced with this issue, you can try our recommended solutions below in no particular order and see if that helps to resolve the Windows Upgrade error code 0x80090011 on your device. Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions. Before you try the solutions below, check for updates and install any available bits on your Windows device and see if the error reappears when you re-run the upgrade operation. Also, make sure that the radio button for the Download and install updates (recommended) option is selected at the start of the upgrade process.

1] Check Internet connection

It is recommended to have an active internet connection during upgrade process. If you have encountered the Windows Upgrade error code 0x80090011 on your device, it’s likely you do not have an internet connection or you are having intermittent connections. In this case, to fix the error, you need to make sure your device is not suffering from internet connectivity issues. If this is the case, you can fix Network & Internet connection problems on your Windows 11/10. You may also enable or disable IPv6 to solve Internet connectivity problems on your system. If this is not the case for you, but the error is not fixed, proceed with the next solution.

2] Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

This solution requires you to run the inbuilt Windows Update Troubleshooter and then try the upgrade operation again. If the procedure fails again, try the next solution.

3] Run SFC and DISM scan

System files corruption or even bad Windows image can trigger this error during the Windows 11/10 upgrade. In this case, you can manually run SFC scan and DISM scan or automatically run both scan in tandem using the procedure below. Both are native utilities in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows image and system files and restore corrupted files.

Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.In the Run dialog box, type notepad and hit Enter to open Notepad.Copy and paste the syntax below into the text editor.

Save the file with a name and append the .bat file extension – eg; SFC_DISM_scan.bat and on the Save as type box select All Files.Repeatedly run the batch file with admin privilege (right-click the saved file and select Run as Administrator from the context menu) until it reports no errors.Restart your PC.

On boot, try the upgrade again. If unsuccessful, proceed with the next solution.

4] Check connected peripheral support

If hardware that is not supported by Windows is connected to your computer during the upgrade operation, the procedure may fail.  In this case, you can disconnect all hardware and try the upgrade again. Check with your PC manufacturer to see if they support the hardware. Also check with your device manufacturer to see if it supports Windows 11/10. Additionally, if the computer is portable and it is currently in a docking station, you need to first undock the computer before you try the upgrade operation. Also, unplug nonessential external hardware devices from the computer, such as the following:

HeadphonesJoysticksPrintersPlottersProjectorsScannersSpeakersUSB flash drivesPortable hard drivesPortable CD/DVD/Blu-ray drivesMicrophonesMedia card readersCameras/WebcamsSmart phonesSecondary monitors, keyboards, mice

If the issue is still unresolved, try the next solution.

5] Update device drivers

This error might have occurred due to obsolete device drivers on your Windows computer. In this case, you can either update your drivers manually via the Device Manager, or you can get the driver updates on the Optional Updates section under Windows Update. You may also download the latest version of the driver for any device from the manufacturer’s website. Once you have all outdated device drivers updated on your system, you can try the upgrade again. If the procedure completes successfully, then good; otherwise you can try the next solution.

6] Perform Hardware Clean Boot

This solution requires you to perform a Hardware Clean Boot and then run the Windows 11/10 upgrade operation again and see if the issue in hand is resolved. If not, try the next solution.

7] Check User Account/Profile

The error description indicates a device driver error occurred during user data migration. To rule out the possibility we are not dealing with a corrupted user profile, you can try to repair the corrupt user profile and then try the upgrade again. Alternatively, you can simply backup your files to an external storage device and then create a new user account/profile then try the upgrade again. Also, delete any unnecessary user accounts.

Hope this helps! Related post: Fix Windows Upgrade error 0x8007042B – 0x4000D

Why is Windows 11 not installing?

Windows 11 is not installing on your device could be due to a number of reasons, including insufficient storage space. Windows 11 requires 64GB of storage. So, if Windows 11 install fails on your device, you can check your drive space in File Explorer, and if there’s insufficient storage space, you can run Disk Cleanup to reclaim some space.

How can I install Windows 11 for free?

PC users that want to install Windows 11 for free on their device can simply go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for Updates. If available, you’ll see Feature update to Windows 11. Click Download and install.