How to Upgrade to Windows 11 if Your PC Doesn’t Meet the System Requirements

Windows 11 brings many new features and improvements, but not all devices meet the updated system requirements. Microsoft has raised the bar, requiring TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which has left many users unable to upgrade. However, there are several methods to bypass these requirements and install Windows 11 on an unsupported device. Let’s go through the options step by step.

Preparing for the Windows 11 Installation

Before starting the upgrade process, make sure to back up all important data. Bypassing system requirements can lead to unexpected issues, so it’s better to be safe. You will also need a Windows 11 installation image (ISO file) and a USB flash drive (minimum 8 GB).

Method 1: Using Rufus to Create a Bootable USB Drive

  1. Download the Rufus tool and install it on your computer.
  2. Download the Windows 11 ISO image from the official Microsoft website.
  3. Launch Rufus, select your USB drive, and choose the Windows 11 ISO file.
  4. In the “Image Option” section, select Extended Windows 11 Installation (no TPM and Secure Boot check).
  5. Click “Start” and wait for the bootable drive creation to complete.

Once the process is finished, insert the USB drive into your PC and restart it. Follow the on-screen instructions to start the installation. The checks for TPM and Secure Boot will be bypassed.

Method 2: Editing the Registry to Bypass TPM and Secure Boot Checks

  1. Download the Windows 11 ISO file and mount it.
  2. Open the Registry Editor (press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter).
  3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup and create a new key named LabConfig.
  4. Inside this key, create two new DWORD (32-bit) values:
    • BypassTPMCheck with a value of 1.
    • BypassSecureBootCheck with a value of 1.
  5. Close the Registry Editor and restart the Windows 11 installation process.

With these changes, the TPM and Secure Boot checks will be skipped, allowing the installation to proceed smoothly.

Method 3: Using Universal MediaCreationTool

This tool automates the creation of a bootable USB drive and includes options to bypass the system checks.

  1. Download the Universal MediaCreationTool from GitHub.
  2. Run the MediaCreationTool.bat file and select the Windows 11 version.
  3. Select the “11 No TPM/SB” option to bypass the TPM and Secure Boot checks.
  4. Wait for the tool to create the bootable drive, then proceed with the Windows 11 installation.

What to Expect When Installing Windows 11 on an Unsupported Device

While it’s possible to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, there are some potential risks:

  • Lack of Updates: Microsoft may limit access to security updates for such systems.
  • System Instability: Some features of Windows 11 may not work correctly or might be unsupported.
  • Increased Security Risks: Disabling TPM and Secure Boot lowers the overall security of your device.