On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will cease to provide security updates for Windows 10 PCs unless users opt into the Extended Security Updates program at a significant cost. This decision has raised eyebrows, particularly for those with older machines. Attempting to upgrade to Windows 11 on a PC that is a few years old may lead to disappointment, as many will find their systems disqualified due to CPU compatibility issues. Microsoft has firmly stated that it will not alter these requirements, which also include the necessity for a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
However, for those who are determined to upgrade despite these restrictions, there are supported workarounds available, as outlined in ZDNET’s Windows 11 FAQ. It is important to note that to utilize these workarounds, your computer must meet several other criteria:
- The system must be configured to boot using UEFI rather than a legacy BIOS.
- Secure Boot must be enabled.
- A TPM must be enabled; while version 1.2 is acceptable, systems without any TPM or with it disabled will not succeed.
To verify these specifications on your PC, you can use the System Information utility (Msinfo32.exe) and examine the System Summary page. Pay particular attention to the BIOS Mode value; if it indicates “Legacy,” a reconfiguration to UEFI mode will be necessary, along with converting the system disk from MBR to GPT partitioning.
To check for TPM availability, the Trusted Platform Module Management tool (Tpm.msc) can be utilized. If your system includes a TPM that is active, this tool will provide relevant information. Conversely, if no TPM is present or it is disabled, a message stating “Compatible TPM cannot be found” will appear.
For those who find themselves unable or unwilling to transition from Legacy BIOS to UEFI, or if they possess an older PC lacking TPM options, an undocumented hack may be required for the upgrade. Details on this method can be found in option 2 of the following guide.
Option 1: Use this simple registry edit to bypass CPU checks and accept an older TPM
To bypass the CPU compatibility checks and permit installation on a PC with an older TPM (version 1.2), a minor adjustment to the Windows registry is necessary. As always, caution is advised when working with the registry, and a complete backup is recommended before proceeding.
Begin by opening the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) and navigating to the following key:
HKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMSetupMoSetupIf the MoSetup key does not exist, you will need to create it. Right-click on the node for HKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMSetup in the left-hand navigation pane, select New > Key, and name it MoSetup.
Next, select the MoSetup key, right-click in any empty space in the right pane, and choose to create a new DWORD value (not QWORD). Rename this new key to AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU and set the “Value data” to 1. Your configuration should resemble the following:
After saving your changes, restart your PC. Then, visit the Windows 11 Download page (aka.ms/DownloadWindows11) and select the option to “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.” Be prepared for a lengthy download, as the file size is substantial.
Once the download is complete, open File Explorer and double-click the ISO file to mount it as a virtual DVD drive. Locate the Setup.exe file within the mounted drive and double-click it to initiate the upgrade process. You will encounter a warning regarding compatibility issues, but after acknowledging this, the upgrade should proceed smoothly.
You will have three upgrade options: maintain your apps, settings, and files (Full Upgrade); keep only your data files while starting fresh with apps and settings (Keep Data Only); or perform a completely clean installation (Clean Install).
Option 2: Use the free Rufus utility to bypass compatibility checks completely
For older PCs lacking TPM or Secure Boot support, an undocumented hack can facilitate the upgrade without compatibility checks. While this can be done manually by replacing the Appraiserres.dll file in the Windows 11 installer, utilizing the free, open-source Rufus utility simplifies the process significantly.
To begin, download the Windows 11 ISO and prepare a USB flash drive with at least 16 GB of capacity, ensuring to back up any data on it as it will be reformatted during the process.
- Download Rufus from the developer’s site or the Microsoft Store and launch the application.
- Select the 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 initiate the creation of the drive.
After Rufus successfully creates your installer, access the USB drive in File Explorer and double-click Setup. Should you have attempted this upgrade, feedback is welcome. Share your experiences, whether successful or otherwise, along with details about your PC model and any error messages encountered. A dedicated inbox has been established for such correspondence: Win11Upgrade [at] realworldwindows.com.
This article was originally published on April 9, 2022, but has been updated multiple times since then. It was last updated on September 29, 2024.
