Encountering a message stating that your PC isn’t compatible with Windows 11? Don’t worry, we’ve got the solutions for you.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
For those attempting to install Windows 11 on a PC deemed unsupported, consider transforming your PC into a compatible system by activating TPM 2.0, enabling Secure Boot, and transitioning to GPT. In cases where these features cannot be activated on your PC, resorting to a series of registry hacks becomes necessary to compel Windows 11 installation.
While Windows 11 imposes stringent system requirements, there are workarounds available. For instance, although it mandates a minimum of an 8th-generation Intel, AMD Zen 2, or Qualcomm 7 or 8 Series CPU, it is still possible to install Windows 11 on PCs equipped with older processors.
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Should You Upgrade an Unsupported PC?
Let’s begin with a clear stance: If you find yourself on the fence, our recommendation is to refrain from upgrading an unsupported PC to Windows 11. Windows 10 is set to receive official security updates until October 2025.
Windows 11 lacks compelling features that make it a necessity to upgrade, and Microsoft cautions that unsupported PCs may encounter bugs. In fact, Microsoft even issues a warning that it might cease providing security updates for unsupported PCs running Windows 11 in the future.
Nevertheless, if the prospect of running Windows 11 on hardware deemed unsupported intrigues you, we’re here to assist.
Regardless of your decision, it is strongly advised to back up your essential data first. Having a backup is always crucial, especially during an operating system upgrade, and particularly when the new operating system isn’t officially supported on your hardware.
How to See Why Your PC Is Unsupported
Determine your PC’s compatibility with Windows 11 by utilizing Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. If your PC aligns with the system requirements, the upgrade to Windows 11 is a straightforward process, achievable in just a few clicks.
In the event that Windows 11 does not officially support your PC, the PC Health Check will indicate that your system “currently doesn’t meet Windows 11 system requirements” and provide details on the reasons behind this. If the tool flags your PC as unsupported, the necessary steps to rectify the issue will hinge on the specific problem identified. It could involve a simple adjustment in your PC’s UEFI firmware (the contemporary counterpart to BIOS) to render your PC compatible, or the resolution process might entail more intricate steps.
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How to Enable TPM 2.0
Windows 11 officially mandates TPM 2.0. (Nevertheless, we’ll discuss a straightforward method to install Windows 11 on a PC with TPM 1.2 below.)
In the event that the tool indicates that your computer lacks TPM, there’s a possibility that TPM is present but disabled by default.
To verify and activate TPM 2.0, navigate to your computer’s UEFI firmware settings (the contemporary successor to the BIOS). Search for an option with a name akin to “TPM,” “Intel PTT,” “AMD PSP fTPM,” or “Security Device.” This option may be located in the primary UEFI settings menu or in a submenu with titles like “Advanced,” “Trusted Computing,” or “Security.”
For additional guidance, conduct an online search using your computer’s model name along with “enable TPM,” or refer to its official documentation. (If you assembled your own PC, focus your search on the motherboard model name.)
It might be necessary to install a UEFI update for your computer or motherboard. Manufacturers have been releasing updates that either activate TPM 2.0 by default or provide support for it. In some cases, certain PCs may even offer the option to upgrade from TPM 1.2 to TPM 2.0 through a firmware update, contingent on your hardware and system manufacturer. For detailed information on Windows 11 updates, check with your computer or motherboard manufacturer.
Once TPM is enabled, rerun the PC Health Check tool. If TPM was the sole issue, the upgrade process should proceed without any hindrance.
How to Enable Secure Boot
Should PC Health Check indicate that your computer lacks Secure Boot, check your UEFI firmware settings for a “Secure Boot” option and activate it, provided it’s available.
It’s possible that you disabled Secure Boot to facilitate a Linux installation, or it may have been deactivated by default on your motherboard. Notably, contemporary Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and Fedora are compatible with PCs that have Secure Boot enabled, eliminating the necessity to disable this security feature for Linux installation.
After successfully enabling Secure Boot, execute the PC Health Check tool once again. Now, the upgrade process should proceed without issues, assuming that Secure Boot was the sole obstacle.
How to Fix No UEFI (MBR Instead of GPT)
Windows 11 necessitates UEFI, and some older computers offer the option of both UEFI firmware and the traditional legacy BIOS mode. If your current setup utilizes a “traditional” MBR partitioning scheme but your PC provides the UEFI option, transitioning to a GPT partition table is imperative for UEFI compatibility.
There are various methods to achieve this. Microsoft’s MBR2GPT tool presents an option to convert a drive from MBR to GPT format. However, Microsoft advises caution, suggesting this conversion should only be executed if you are certain your PC supports UEFI. Additionally, you may need to adjust your PC’s firmware settings to ensure it boots in UEFI mode rather than the legacy BIOS mode after the conversion.
If this is the sole obstacle, a more straightforward approach is to conduct a clean installation. Begin by backing up your files (a prudent step before any upgrade). Then, utilize Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool to generate bootable Windows 11 installation media on a USB drive or DVD. Subsequently, use this installation media to perform a clean Windows 11 installation, wiping your drive in the process — note that you might need to set your computer’s firmware to UEFI mode first. This installation process will erase your existing Windows 10 system and configure your drive in GPT mode.
Registry Hack for Unsupported CPUs and/or Only TPM 1.2
If your primary obstacle revolves around an unsupported CPU or having only TPM 1.2 instead of TPM 2.0, overcoming this challenge is relatively straightforward.
By opting for a Windows Registry modification, you can bypass this restriction effortlessly. This modification prompts Windows 11 to disregard the CPU version check and proceed with the installation even if only TPM 1.2 is present. It’s important to note, however, that this alteration won’t override other checks. For instance, if your computer lacks TPM altogether, this registry tweak won’t enable the upgrade.
To initiate this process, open the Registry Editor, either by pressing Windows+R, typing “regedit,” and pressing Enter, or by entering “registry” into the Start menu’s search box and selecting the “Registry Editor” shortcut.
Navigate to the following address in the Registry Editor window (or locate it in the left pane):
Right-click in the right pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and input the following text as the name:
Double-click the “AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU” value, set it to “1,” and click “OK.”
If you prefer to skip the registry-editing procedure, you can download our Enable Unsupported Upgrades registry hack, streamlining the change with just a few clicks.
This downloadable ZIP file comprises two REG files: one that facilitates upgrades on unsupported PCs (Enable Unsupported Upgrades.reg) and another that reverses the change (Undo Enable Unsupported Upgrades.reg). Simply double-click the “Enable Unsupported Upgrades.reg” file and confirm adding the information to your registry. To undo the modification, double-click the Undo file.
PCs With No TPM at All, No UEFI, or Other Major Problems
If the suggested tips and the registry hack fail to address your PC’s compatibility issues, the situation becomes more challenging. For instance, if your computer lacks TPM entirely, it falls into the category of being genuinely unsupported.
What does this entail? Well, Microsoft does offer an official method to install Windows 11 on systems with older CPUs and TPM 1.2 chips, albeit through adjusting a registry setting. While this approach is unsupported, Microsoft provides assistance for executing it.
There are alternative methods to install Windows 11, even if your PC lacks TPM 1.2, UEFI, or fails to meet other Windows 11 requirements. However, it’s crucial to emphasize that these methods are genuinely unsupported. By circumventing these fundamental prerequisites, you expose yourself to a higher risk of encountering bugs and forfeiting future security updates. Reports of success from individuals employing such workarounds have been mixed, and even if initially successful, future updates might lead to system failures, prompting a reinstallation of Windows 10.
Despite these options, we strongly advise against pursuing such extreme measures, as they may lead to complications. Windows 10 remains a reliable operating system until October 2025, offering ample time to consider upgrading to a new PC if your current system is deemed too outdated, lacking even TPM 1.2 support.