Upgrade to Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware

Introduction

In this article, we will walk through how to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on an unsupported computer.

Windows 11 was released to the public by Microsoft on October 5, 2021. Many Windows 10 users want to upgrade to the newly released Windows 11 version, but due to CPU limitations, they can’t.

For those who are getting an unsupported CPU error stating “This PC doesn’t currently meet Windows 11 system requirements,” we have come up with two methods to bypass these issues.

Microsoft doesn’t recommend installing Windows 11 on an unsupported CPU, and there is no guarantee that such a device will receive all future updates. You have to bear in mind the consequences before upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on an unsupported CPU. You are completely responsible for any damage done to your computer or data.

System Requirements for Windows 11

• Processor: 1GHz or faster with two or more core
• Memory: 4GB or more GB
• Disk Space: 64GB or larger free space on the installation volume
• System Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot Capable
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
• Graphics Card: It should be compatible with DirectX 12 or later with the WDDM 2.0 driver
• Display: High definition 720p hat is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel.

Enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot

The best thing to do before an upgrade is to make sure your CPU is supported for Windows 11. If you have recently purchased your computer, then there is a high possibility that it might support the Windows 11 upgrade.

In most cases, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are available on your computer but disabled by default, so first you have to enable both these features and try to install Windows 11.

How to enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in BIOS

1. On a Windows 10 computer, click Start > Settings.

2. Click Update & Security.

3. Select “Recovery” and then “Restart Now.”

4. To choose an option, select “Troubleshoot.”

5. Select “Advanced Options.”

6. Select “UEFA Firmware Settings.”

7. Select “Restart.”

Once you are in BIOS, you will find both TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot under the security menu. Check that both are enabled, save the settings, and then exit the BIOS.

Check if TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled or not

1. Press Win+r type msinfo32 and hit enter.

2. Select System Summary and look for Secure Boot State.

3. In the same window, select Memory and look for Trusted Platform Module 2.0. If on your computer, TMP is 1.2 or doesn’t pass the Secure Boot requirement, head to Method 1 (How to Bypass TPM and Secure Boot State) or directly follow Method 2. Both will work.

How to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on an unsupported CPU

Method 1

Bypassing the CPU Check Requirement by Editing Registry Settings

You need to modify your registry settings; this is probably the easiest way to get past the CPU check requirement.

Warning: You need to bear in mind that a serious problem might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. For example, if you experience a crash of the operating system or loss of data, take a backup before modifying the registry.

Press Win+R, type regedit, and press enter.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > Setup > MoSetup

At the MoSetup right-click at the empty white space and select New > DWORD (32 bit) Value

Enter the following AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMorCPU change the Value data from 0 to 1 and click OK

After making the above changes, you can insert a Windows 11 bootable USB flash drive into your computer and proceed with the upgrade. The CPU limitation error message will not appear.

How to bypass TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot check

If your CPU doesn’t support TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, then you need to create two more registry entries.

To bypass TMP 2.0 create the following registry

Press Win+R, type “regedit”, and enter

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > Setup

Right-click on Setup and select Key and enter provide name as LabConfig

Then right-click LabConfig, select New > DWORD (32 bit) Value, name the entry BypassTMPCheck double click, and change the entry to 00000001

It will disable the TMP check and allows you to by-pass TMP

To bypass Secure Boot, on the same window, right-click select New > DWORD (32 bit) value and name the entry ByPassSecureBootCheck double click and change the entry to 00000001.

Start the Windows 11 installation now, it will pass both TMP 2.0 and Secure Boot.

Method 2

Edit Windows 10 Installation Media to Create a Hybrid Installer

This is another method to install Windows 11 on an old, unsupported CPU. We are going to use a Windows 10 bootable USB drive and edit Windows 11 instead.

The system will think we are installing Windows 10 and check the same requirements, but in reality, Windows 11 will be installed.

Let’s assume you have downloaded both Windows 10 and Windows 11 installation media, go to the Windows 10 sources folder, and then delete the install.esd file.

The next step is to go to the Windows 11 sources folder, copy the install.wim file, and paste it inside the Windows 10 source folder.

After the copy operation is complete on the Windows 10 installation media, run the setup.exe file.

Click “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates.”

Select “Not right now” and click Next.

Select “Accept.”

Click “Install” to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11

The upgrade process started. It will show that it’s installing Windows 10, but don’t worry, it’s actually installing Windows 11. Your PC will restart several times. This might take a while, so wait for the process to be completed.

Windows 11 Desktop Screen

Follow our post below on how to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

https://easytechhub.com/how-to-upgrade-from-windows-10-to-windows-11/

Conclusion

You can upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 by following the normal procedure if your PC meets all the minimum upgrade requirements, but if you are using an old computer or laptop and getting a CPU unsupported error, then you can follow one of the methods mentioned in this post.