How to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported PCs?

Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 11, is here and slowly rolling out to every supported device. However, many Windows 10 users are unable to upgrade to Windows 11 because of pretty strict hardware requirements like 8th or higher generation processor, TPM version 2.0, Secure Boot support, UEFI firmware, and more.

Although by making these requirements mandatory, Microsoft is ensuring a completely secure and hassle-free experience of Windows 11 to users, some of these prerequisites are just absurd, and users cannot digest them. For example, the requirement for a minimum 8th generation in the case of Intel processors. Microsoft has stated that the CPUs with 7th gen or lower processor have a higher chance of getting crash or unresponsive when running on Windows 11. However, this seems pretty weird as it is difficult to imagine that chip like the i7-7700K, which was released just five years ago, is crash-prone to Windows 11.

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Microsoft has mentioned that if Windows 11 is installed on a system that does not meet the minimum requirements, there is a 52% more chance of kernel-mode crashes happening on such devices. On the contrary, the device fulfilling all the conditions had a 99.8 percent crash-free experience. All such data were recorded during the testing phase of Windows 11 through Insider Preview.

If you are still willing to take the risk, this post will guide you through the step-by-step process to bypass all the strict requirements and install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs. 

Note:
It is advised not to upgrade to Windows 11 if your PC does not meet the minimum requirements, especially if you have just one PC/Laptop. Microsoft has promised to provide support to Windows 10 till October 2025 so you can keep installed it on your device. Besides that, Windows 11 does not have any out-of-the-box feature that makes it a must upgrade OS.

How to check whether your PC supports Windows 11?

Microsoft has made it pretty easy to check whether the device already running on Windows 10 are compatible with Windows 11 or not. You just have to navigate to the Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update

On the Update settings page, if you see “This PC can run Windows 11”, then it’s clear that your device meets all the minimum requirements, and Windows 11 will be available for your device soon.

On the other hand, if you see “This PC doesn’t currently meet all the system requirements for Windows 11”, it means your system lacks one or more of the minimum hardware requirements.

To know the exact reason why Windows 11 is unsupported on your computer, you have to download and run the PC Health Checkup application by Microsoft.

Here are the steps for that:

  1. Download the PC Health Checkup Application

  2. Begin installation after the download is completed.
    install windows pc health check

  3. Launch the application after its installation.

  4. Click on the Check now button under the Introducing Windows 11 heading.
    check now

  5. If your device is compatible with Windows 11, the app will display this popup:
    This PC can run Windows 11

  6. If your device is incompatible with Windows 11, the app will show this popup:this pc cant run Windows 11

You will see what requirements your PC lacks.

Some requirements might be fixed by going through BIOS settings like enabling secure boot and TPM.

  Fix "This PC can't run Windows 11"

How to enable TPM 2.0?

Check if TPM is Enabled

Some computers might already have TPM 2.0, but that might be disabled. To check if TPM is enabled, follow these steps:

  1. On the windows search box, type Windows PowerShell, right-click on it and select Run as Administrator.run powershell as admininstrator
  2. Once the PowerShell window opens, type the get-tpm command and hit the enter key.
  3. Check whether TPM is present and enabled or not.get tpm

Check TPM Version

To check the TPM version, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Run command box, type tpm.mscand hit the enter key.tpm msc
  2. On the TPM Management window, check the Specification version.TPM version
  3. If it is 2.0, then your computer is compatible with Windows 11.

Enable TPM

If the TPM is disabled, you will have to turn the TPM state chip to ON directly from BIOS.

Note: Procedure to reach BIOS settings might differ depending on the device manufacturer

  1. Restart your system
  2. Press the F2 key (or fn+F2) during boot up to navigate to the BIOS menu.
  3. Using the arrow key, navigate to the Security tab.
  4. Find a listing for either TPM, Intel Platform Trust Technology (IPTT), or AMD CPU fTPM.
  5. Enable the TPM and press F10 to Save & Exit.enable TPM

How to enable Secure Boot?

Like TPM, your computer might also have Secure Boot, but it might be disabled. 

Check if Secure Boot is enabled

s enabled on your system, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Run command box, type msinfo32, and hit the enter key.msinfo32
  2. On the System Information window, look for Secure Boot State.secure boot state
  3. Check whether it is ON or not.

Enable Secure Boot

If Secure Boot is OFF, enable it from the BIOS.

  1. Restart your system
  2. Press the F2 key (or fn+F2) during boot up to navigate to the BIOS menu.
  3. Using the arrow key, navigate to the Security tab.
  4. Find the Secure Boot setting, and if it is disabled, set it to enabled. The Secure Boot setting can also be found under the Boot tab or the Authentication tab.enable secure boot

How to fix “No UEFI”?

Another primary requirement for Windows 11 is UEFI. Most modern computers come with both legacy BIOS Firmaaware and UEFI firmware. If your PC supports UEFI, but you are using an MBR partitioning setup, you will not be able to use it until you shift to a GPT partition table.

The best way to do that is by using Microsoft’s MBR2GPT tool. However, Microsoft warns users to do this only if they are confirmed that their PC supports UEFI.

If “No UEFI” is the only restriction you are facing while installing Windows 11, there is another option. You can simply create a Windows 11 Bootable device using the Media Creation tool. Now, use the bootable media to perform a clean installation of Windows 11, wiping your drive—you may have to put your computer’s firmware into UEFI mode first. Windows 11 will erase your Windows 10 system and set up your drive in GPT mode.

  UEFI vs BIOS - What is the Difference?

Registry hack for Unsupported Processor and TPM 1.2

If your system has a 7th or lower generation processor or TPM 1.2 instead of 2.0, you can apply a registry hack to bypass these requirements. By making this change, you are letting Windows 11 ignore the processor version check and install even if your PC has TPM 1.2. However, you should remember this registry hack is just for bypassing the unsupported CPU and TPM 1.2. Windows 11 installation will still check all other requirements. Also, if your PC does not have TPM at all, then also this registry hack won’t work.

To make changes in the registry and bypass the processor and TPM 2.0 requirements, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Run command box and type regedit to launch the Registry Editor.open regedit
  2. On the registry editor window, navigate to this address: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup.MoSetup
  3. On the right pane, right-click and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) and name it: AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPUAllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU
  4. Double click on the newly created DWORD (32-bit) and set its Value data as 1.value data 1
  5. Click OK and exit the Registry editor.

Now your device should be able to install Windows 11 easily, provided it meets all other requirements.

  10 Best Registry Hacks for Windows

Install Windows 11 through Insider Program

If you don’t want a risk of editing the Windows registry for installing Windows 11, you can still install it by joining the Windows Insider Program. It is observed that users are able to install Windows 11 by joining Insider Program despite their system being unsupported. Have a look at this:

This PC does not meet all the minimum requirements of Windows 11 but still, the upgrade is available through Insider Program.

To join the Insider Program, follow these steps: 

  1. Visit the official Windows Insider website and click “Register.”
    Register to Windows Insider Program
  2. Sign in with your Microsoft Account. If you don’t have a Microsoft Account, create one.
    sign in with MS account
  3. Now after registering, restart the device.
  4. Open the Windows Settings and navigate to Update & Security.
    Windows update and security
  5. Click on Windows Insider Program from the left pane. Windows Insider Program
  6. Here you will be displayed whether your device meets the minimum hardware requirements or not. 
  7. If your device is compatible, you will get the option to Get started.windows insider get started
  8. On the next window, pick your insider settings as “Dev Channel.” Dev Channel option is essential for Windows 11. Click Confirm and Restart the device.
    windows insider Dev Channel
  9. On the system startup, navigate to Update & Security and update to Windows 11 Insider Preview.
    Update to Windows 11 insider preview

Install Windows 11 on Unsupported Devices using Rufus

If you have an unsupported PC, you can still install Windows 11 using the Rufus tool. Rufus is a free and open-source utility that helps you format and create bootable USB flash drives.

Rufus 3.19 Beta was released last week, featuring several new options for making a bootable Windows 11 USB installation drive. It may modify the installer to automatically select ‘Don’t Allow’ or ‘Refuse,’ bypassing the collection questions and eliminating the need for a Microsoft account in Windows 11 22H2. Finally, Rufus can deactivate Secure Boot and TPM checks, permitting Windows 11 installation on most 64-bit PCs.

To use Rufus, you will need a blank USB flash drive with at least 16GB of storage and the Windows 11 22H2 ISO file. You can download the latest version of Rufus from the official website.

Here are the steps for that:

  1. Download the latest version of Rufus
  2. Install the program and launch it.
  3. Insert an empty USB drive with at least 16 GB of space.
  4. On the program interface, select the Windows 11 ISO, next to Boot selection.
  5. The program would start creating USB Bootable Media.

Should you Install Windows 11 on an Unsupported Device?

If you are a long-time Windows OS user, the all-new shiny UI and some other unique features might compel you to install Windows 11 as soon as its release. But if your device does not meet the minimum requirements for installing Windows 11, should you install it?

Well, it depends. If you have multiple devices and want to get the feel of Windows 11, you can install it on any of your non-primary machines, irrespective of whether they are supported or not. However, suppose you have only a single device, and you are dependent on it for all your work, but the device does not meet the official minimum prerequisites of Windows 11. In that case, it is advised not to get lured by the new OS. If possible, you can upgrade the hardware of your PC or get a new one. There is also an option of dual-booting Windows 11 with Windows 10.

But you don’t have to buy a new laptop or PC just for Windows 11. There are no major differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 as of now. Since Microsoft has promised to provide support to Windows 10 till October 2025, you can remain on it and enjoy its benefits and features. After all, Windows 11 does not have anything so significant that makes it an OS you must upgrade to at any cost.

Can I upgrade my Windows 10 to 11?

If your existing Windows 10 PC is running the most current version of Windows 10 and meets the minimum hardware specifications it will be able to upgrade to Windows 11. To see if your PC is eligible to upgrade, download and run the PC Health Check app.

How do you download Windows 11 & Install it?

On your Windows 10 system, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If available, you’ll see Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready option. Click the Download and install button. If you see find out that your PC is unsupported you can still install Windows 11 by bypassing the requirements. Refer to this guide for more details.

7 thoughts on “How to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported PCs?”

  1. seems very funny that windows 11 is based on the same kernal as windows 10. yet I am being told my processor isnt Windows 11 certified, but what makes me say “Huh?!” is that windows 10 enterprise is happily running on my processor and I have no problems with it. So just how can MS claim that one program can run on this and the other cant even though they are both the same kernal? And since I am one of the MS Insiders who actually tested this on a spare laptop running windows 10 and upgraded it to windows 11 and have the same equal processor in my laptop as would be in my desktop PC if it was a desktop PC, it works perfectly, I have to call BS on MS’s claims

    Reply
    • Actually, Microsoft is not taking any risk with Windows 11. They were/are constantly criticized for the unsecured Windows 10. So, with Windows 11, they are ensuring that only the PCs that meet the standard requirements are allowed so that they are not blamed for the incompatibility, security, and other issues in the future.
      But by allowing this Registry hack, they are unofficially providing a backdoor to install Windows 11 on ‘so called’ unsupported devices.
      And regarding MS allowing to install Windows 11 Insider Preview on unsupported devices, well, it was deliberate so that they could know the consequences and warn users about installing the Windows 11 on unsupported PCs.

      Reply
  2. Hi younger version of myself ( same name ) and you posted article on my birthday 😉

    You registry hack is different from another one I have seen.

    Reply

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