Upgrading to Windows 11 on an unsupported PC using the FlyBy11 tool is a great workaround—but many users, especially in countries like the UK, encounter a serious problem:
❗ When using the English International version of Windows 11, the upgrade process does not give the option to keep personal files and apps.
This blog post explains why this happens, how to fix it, and what alternatives exist if you still want to upgrade without losing your data.
🧠 Why Does Windows Setup Remove the “Keep Files” Option?
Windows Setup only allows you to keep your personal files, apps, and settings if the following match between your current system and the installation media (ISO):
- Language
- Edition (Home, Pro, etc.)
- Architecture (64-bit vs 32-bit)
So if your PC is currently using English (United States) but you try to upgrade using a Windows 11 English (International) ISO, Windows sees a language mismatch and disables the option to preserve your data.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution to Keep Your Files During Upgrade
🔍 Step 1: Check Your Current Windows Language
Before downloading the ISO, you must confirm what language your current Windows installation is using:
- Press
Windows + Ito open Settings. - Navigate to Time & Language → Language & Region.
- Look under Windows display language.
Take note of whether it says:
- English (United States)
- English (United Kingdom)
- English (International)
📝 Use the same language in your installation media (ISO) to ensure file preservation.
💾 Step 2: Download the Matching Windows 11 ISO
Head over to Microsoft’s official website:
👉 https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
Download the ISO that exactly matches your current language:
| If Your Language is… | Download This ISO |
|---|---|
| English (United States) | English (United States) |
| English (United Kingdom) or English (International) | English (International) |
⚠️ If the ISO language does not match, you won’t be able to keep your files during upgrade.
🧰 Step 3: Use FlyBy11 for the Upgrade
FlyBy11 is a third-party tool that helps you bypass Microsoft’s hardware checks during the upgrade to Windows 11 on unsupported PCs.
You can read the full guide here:
👉 How to Upgrade Unsupported PCs to Windows 11 Using FlyBy11
Make sure you run the setup.exe from your matching ISO after FlyBy11 patching is complete. If all settings align, the option to “Keep personal files and apps” should appear.
💡 Alternate Solutions If You Can’t Match the Language
If for some reason you can’t find the correct language ISO or FlyBy11 still doesn’t offer the option to retain your files, here are two fallback solutions:
🅰️ Option 1: Backup and Restore (Recommended)
- Use external storage or cloud services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or an external hard drive to backup your important files.
- Proceed with the upgrade (even if it wipes your data).
- After the upgrade, restore your files from your backup.
✅ Safest and most flexible method.
🅱️ Option 2: Create a Custom ISO Using UUP Dump
Use https://uupdump.net/ to generate a Windows 11 ISO that matches your current build, edition, and language.
Steps:
- Visit https://uupdump.net/
- Choose the desired Windows 11 version.
- Select the same language and edition.
- Download the script and create your custom ISO.
- Use this ISO with FlyBy11 or mount it and run
setup.exe.
⚙️ Advanced users can use this method to match their system exactly.
❓ FAQ: Common Questions About the Upgrade Process
Q1: How do I know what edition of Windows I’m using?
Go to Settings → System → About, then scroll down to Windows specifications. You’ll see “Edition” listed there (e.g., Windows 10 Pro).
Q2: What’s the difference between “English (United States)” and “English (International)”?
- English (US) is the American version of Windows, with US spelling and regional settings.
- English (International) typically aligns with the UK version, using British spelling and formatting.
These small differences are enough to block in-place upgrades unless the ISO matches exactly.
Q3: Will FlyBy11 work even if I use a mismatched ISO?
Yes, the tool will bypass hardware restrictions. But if the language, edition, or architecture doesn’t match, the setup will not allow you to keep files—even if FlyBy11 is used.
Q4: Can I use a third-party backup tool instead of OneDrive or Google Drive?
Yes. Tools like Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper, or EaseUS Todo Backup are good choices for full system backups.
🛡️ Final Tip: Always Backup First
Even if you manage to match everything and get the “Keep files” option, it’s strongly recommended to backup your data before proceeding. Unsupported upgrades can behave unpredictably.
🔚 Conclusion
If you’re upgrading an unsupported PC to Windows 11 using FlyBy11, the key to keeping your files is using a matching ISO in terms of language, edition, and architecture. For UK users, this often means choosing the correct version between English (US) and English (International).
If a matching ISO isn’t available, back up your data and restore it after the upgrade, or create a custom ISO using UUP Dump.
🏷️ Tags:
Windows 11 upgrade, unsupported PC, FlyBy11 tool, Windows language pack, ISO match, file backup, Windows setup, UUP Dump, Windows clean install, PC upgrade guide
🔖 Hashtags:
#Windows11 #FlyBy11 #PCUpgrade #UnsupportedPC #KeepFiles #WindowsUpgrade #TechTips #UUPDump #BackupBeforeUpgrade #EnglishInternational
