Rufus utility Archives

Winsage

September 25, 2025

How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 PCs unless users enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Upgrading to Windows 11 on older machines may lead to compatibility issues, particularly if the CPU is not among the supported processors, and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 is required and must be enabled. Users have found workarounds to upgrade PCs designed for Windows 10, but older devices, especially those with AMD processors, may face more challenges. To upgrade to Windows 11, the computer must boot using UEFI, support Secure Boot (though it doesn't need to be enabled), and have an enabled TPM (version 1.2 is acceptable). Users can check these settings using the System Information utility and the Trusted Platform Module Management tool. If transitioning from Legacy BIOS to UEFI is not possible or if the PC lacks TPM, users can bypass compatibility checks using an undocumented hack. Option 1 involves a registry edit to bypass CPU checks and accept any TPM version, requiring the Setup program to run from the current Windows installation. Option 2 uses the Rufus utility to create installation media that bypasses compatibility checks, requiring the download of Rufus version 4.6 or later. Users should avoid upgrading by booting from the USB drive to prevent errors. Feedback on upgrade experiences is encouraged, and users can report their results, including PC details and error messages, to a dedicated inbox.

Winsage

September 13, 2025

How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 unless users enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Upgrading to Windows 11 on older PCs may present compatibility issues, particularly if the CPU does not meet Microsoft's requirements, which include the need for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Microsoft will not change these specifications. However, many PCs from the last 15 years can still be upgraded to Windows 11 despite failing compatibility checks. For PCs originally sold with Windows 10, a registry edit can often facilitate the upgrade. To upgrade, the system must boot using UEFI, support Secure Boot (though it doesn't need to be enabled), and have an enabled TPM (version 1.2 is acceptable). Users can verify these details using the System Information utility and the Trusted Platform Module Management tool. Option 1 involves a registry edit to bypass CPU checks and accept any TPM version, requiring users to modify the registry and download the Windows 11 ISO. Option 2 uses the Rufus utility to create a bootable installation drive that bypasses compatibility checks but still requires TPM and Secure Boot support.

Winsage

September 11, 2025

Microsoft said these 400 readers couldn’t upgrade to Windows 11. They did it anyway

Microsoft is urging users with PCs older than five years to upgrade to Windows 11 as support for Windows 10 nears its end. Despite this, nearly 400 users have successfully upgraded incompatible Windows 10 PCs to Windows 11 using two methods: a registry edit for PCs with unsupported CPUs and the Rufus utility for creating custom installation media. User feedback indicates that the upgrade process is accessible, with many expressing gratitude for the guidance provided. Most issues encountered during the upgrade were minor and easily resolved, with users confirming that PCs upgraded through these methods continue to receive security updates. Concerns about Microsoft's strict compatibility checks have led to speculation about the reasons behind them, with some users questioning the clarity of the company's communication regarding security and reliability.

Winsage

August 25, 2025

I built a portable Windows 11 install on an external SSD, and you can do it too

Linux users can boot entire distributions from a flash drive, while Windows users lost the Windows To Go feature in 2020. The Rufus utility allows users to create a faux Windows To Go installation using a Windows 11 ISO. The process involves selecting the ISO and flash drive, adjusting the Image option, and starting the flashing process. A fast and large drive, such as a 128GB SSD, is recommended for better performance. Users may encounter driver issues and compatibility challenges across different devices. Despite initial setup hurdles, running Windows 11 from a flash drive can provide an efficient and portable workspace, with programs retaining settings across machines. A minimum of a 64GB USB drive is advisable for functionality.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

We installed SteamOS on our ROG Ally and Legion Go Windows handhelds and we don’t want to go back

SteamOS has been released for non-Steam Deck gaming handhelds, including the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. To install SteamOS, users need a USB-C stick and the SteamOS recovery image, which can be downloaded from Steam's website. The installation process involves creating a bootable USB drive using the Rufus utility, adjusting BIOS settings to disable Secure Boot, and following specific steps to wipe the device and install SteamOS. After installation, users can set up their Steam account and check for updates. The transition to SteamOS enhances performance and visual fidelity for these devices.

Winsage

May 9, 2025

How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 unless users enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Upgrading to Windows 11 may be difficult for PCs older than five or six years due to strict compatibility requirements, including a CPU on the approved list and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Users may encounter error messages if their hardware does not meet these criteria. There are workarounds for some users, particularly those with PCs designed for Windows 10, but older devices, especially with AMD processors, may face significant challenges. To upgrade, users must ensure their PC is configured to start with UEFI, supports Secure Boot, and has an enabled TPM. A registry edit can allow bypassing CPU checks and accepting older TPM versions. Alternatively, a clean installation of Windows 11 can be performed using installation media, which bypasses CPU compatibility checks but still requires TPM and Secure Boot support. Microsoft has introduced new restrictions with the Windows 11 version 24H2 update, requiring CPUs to support specific instructions (SSE4.2 and PopCnt). For those opting to use the Rufus utility to create installation media, it is essential to use version 4.6 or later to bypass compatibility checks. Users must download the Windows 11 ISO, prepare a USB drive, and follow specific steps to initiate the upgrade process.

Winsage

April 15, 2025

How to upgrade your ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 now

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 PCs unless users enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Upgrading to Windows 11 on machines older than five years may result in an error message about CPU compatibility, as Microsoft will not change the requirement for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. While automatic upgrades may be hindered, there are workarounds for most PCs designed for Windows 10. To upgrade, the computer must boot using UEFI, support Secure Boot, and have an enabled TPM (version 1.2 is acceptable). Users can check their system's BIOS mode and TPM status using the System Information utility and the Trusted Platform Module Management tool, respectively. If UEFI is not an option or if the PC lacks a TPM, an undocumented hack can be used to bypass compatibility checks. A new restriction with the Windows 11 version 24H2 update requires CPUs to support SSE4.2 and PopCnt instructions, making upgrades impossible for PCs built in 2008 or earlier. Most Intel CPUs from 2009 and AMD CPUs from 2013 should meet this requirement. Users can bypass CPU checks and accept any TPM version through a registry edit, which requires running the Setup program from the current Windows installation. The process involves creating a registry key and modifying its value. Alternatively, the Rufus utility can be used to create a bootable USB drive that circumvents compatibility checks, but it cannot bypass the restrictions for very old CPUs lacking support for SSE4.2 and PopCnt instructions.

Winsage

November 18, 2024

How to upgrade an ‘incompatible’ Windows 10 PC to Windows 11: Two ways

As of October 1, 2024, Microsoft has implemented stricter compatibility checks for Windows 11 upgrades, affecting users with older PCs, particularly those with older AMD processors. Microsoft will stop delivering security updates for Windows 10 after October 14, 2025, unless users enroll in the Extended Security Updates program. Users attempting to upgrade to Windows 11 may receive messages indicating their CPU is not compatible, and the lack of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 complicates the upgrade process. To upgrade to Windows 11, users must ensure their PC is configured to start using UEFI, supports Secure Boot, and has TPM enabled (version 1.2 is acceptable). Users can verify these settings using the System Information utility and the Trusted Platform Module Management tool. Two workarounds are available for upgrading: 1. Registry Edit: Users can bypass CPU checks by editing the registry. This involves creating a new key in Registry Editor, setting a DWORD value to allow upgrades with unsupported TPM or CPU, and then downloading the Windows 11 ISO to initiate the upgrade. 2. Rufus Utility: For PCs without TPM or Secure Boot support, the free Rufus utility can be used to bypass compatibility checks. Users need to download the Windows 11 ISO, prepare a USB flash drive, and use Rufus to create an installer that removes hardware requirements. Both methods will present a compatibility warning during the installation process, which users can dismiss to proceed with the upgrade.

Winsage

November 13, 2024

Microsoft blocked your Windows 11 upgrade? This trusty tool can (probably) fix that

Microsoft has established strict compatibility requirements for upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, particularly affecting users with older hardware. Attempting to install Windows 11 on machines with CPUs from 2018 or earlier results in an error message, often suggesting users consider purchasing new computers. The release of Windows 11 version 24H2 has intensified these restrictions, blocking a popular workaround that used the Rufus utility for creating installation media for incompatible hardware. Users with very old CPUs, specifically those lacking SSE4.2 or POPCNT support, face complete installation blocks, especially those with Intel processors from 2009 or earlier and AMD processors from 2013 or earlier. Despite these challenges, some users have found manual registry tweaks to enable upgrades on older PCs. The latest version of Rufus, 4.6, offers a new method to automate the upgrade process while bypassing hardware compatibility checks through a custom program that performs necessary registry edits. This approach has reportedly allowed successful upgrades on various older systems, raising questions about the necessity of Microsoft's stringent hardware requirements.

Winsage

October 20, 2024

Microsoft blocked your Windows 11 upgrade? This trusty tool can fix that

Microsoft has imposed stringent hardware compatibility requirements for Windows 11, discouraging upgrades on PCs with processors from 2018 or earlier. The latest update, version 24H2, has tightened these checks, thwarting a workaround using the Rufus utility. However, users have found a method to bypass these restrictions by manually adjusting registry settings. Rufus developer Pete Batard released a beta version of the utility that automates this process, allowing users to bypass compatibility checks. The new version modifies the installation media creation process and uses a Windows Setup Wrapper to perform necessary registry edits. Users have reported successful upgrades on older machines, including those without a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), although some very old Intel CPUs or AMD processors may still face challenges. The Rufus installer currently provides a pathway for upgrading to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.