As of October 1, 2024, Microsoft has tightened its grip on compatibility checks for Windows 11 upgrades, leaving many users with older PCs in a lurch. While workarounds exist for most modern machines, those relying on older AMD processors may find themselves without options. The landscape is changing rapidly, especially with the looming deadline of October 14, 2025, when Microsoft will cease delivering security updates for Windows 10 unless users opt into the costly Extended Security Updates program.
For those attempting to upgrade to Windows 11, the experience can be frustrating. Users with older PCs often encounter a stern message indicating their CPU is not on the compatibility list, a situation Microsoft has made clear it will not amend. Additionally, the absence of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 further complicates matters. However, a deeper dive into the fine print reveals that there are indeed supported workarounds for many PCs capable of running Windows 10.
Which option should you choose?
Please don’t skip over this section. To utilize the first workaround, your computer must meet several essential requirements for Windows 11:
- It must be configured to start up using UEFI, not a legacy BIOS configuration.
- Secure Boot must be supported, although it does not need to be enabled (but enabling it is highly recommended).
- A TPM must be enabled; version 1.2 is acceptable, but systems without any TPM or with the TPM disabled will fail.
To verify these details on your PC, you can run the System Information utility (Msinfo32.exe) and examine the System Summary page. Pay particular attention to the BIOS Mode value; if it reads “Legacy,” you will need to reconfigure your system to UEFI mode and convert your disk from MBR to GPT partitioning before proceeding with the Windows 11 upgrade.
To check if your PC has a TPM enabled, utilize the Trusted Platform Module Management tool (Tpm.msc). If your system includes a TPM that is active, this tool will display relevant information. Conversely, if there is no TPM or if it is disabled, a message will indicate that a “Compatible TPM cannot be found.”
Option 1: Use this simple registry edit
Bypass CPU checks and accept any TPM version with a straightforward registry edit. This process involves four key steps:
- Open Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) and navigate to the following key: HKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMSetupMoSetup. If the MoSetup key does not exist, create it by right-clicking on the Setup node, selecting New > Key, naming it MoSetup, and pressing Enter.
- Select the MoSetup key, right-click in an empty space in the right pane, and create a new DWORD value. Name it AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU and set its value to 1.
- After saving your changes, restart your PC.
- Visit the Windows 11 Download page (aka.ms/DownloadWindows11) and select the option to download the Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.
Once the ISO file is downloaded, open File Explorer, double-click the ISO to mount it as a virtual drive, and locate the Setup.exe file to initiate the upgrade process. You will encounter a compatibility warning, but you can proceed by clicking Accept. You will then have the option to keep your apps, settings, and files, keep only your data files, or perform a clean installation.
Option 2: Use the free Rufus utility
For older PCs lacking a TPM or Secure Boot support, an undocumented hack can help bypass the compatibility checker. While this can be done manually, using the free, open-source Rufus utility simplifies the process significantly. Ensure you have Rufus version 4.6 or later to navigate the latest compatibility changes.
To begin, download the Windows 11 ISO and prepare a USB flash drive of at least 16 GB. Remember to back up any data on this drive, as it will be reformatted during the process:
- Download Rufus from the developer’s site and run the application (the Microsoft Store version will not suffice).
- Select your USB drive and choose the “Disk or ISO image” option.
- Click the Select button, choose the Windows 11 ISO, and then click Start.
- In the Windows User Experience dialog, check the first box to remove hardware requirements.
- Click OK to begin creating the drive.
After Rufus creates your installer, open the USB drive in File Explorer and double-click Setup. Similar to the previous option, you will see a compatibility warning, which can be dismissed by clicking Accept. Your upgrade should then proceed smoothly.
For those who have attempted these upgrades, sharing your experiences could be invaluable. Whether successful or fraught with challenges, your feedback is welcome and can help others navigate this complex transition.
