I built my current desktop back in 2020, equipped with a midrange Asus motherboard and an Intel Core i9-9900 CPU, both of which continue to perform admirably in 2025. However, a significant hurdle has arisen: my motherboard, like many others, lacks a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0, rendering it ineligible for the Windows 11 upgrade. The TPM serves as a secure cryptoprocessor, crucial for mitigating security risks and managing encryption keys. Unfortunately, this technical detail often escapes the average user, and it is precisely this that stands between my capable PC and the latest operating system.
As the deadline for Windows 10 support loomed on October 14, I found myself inundated with notifications from Microsoft urging me to consider purchasing a new PC. The company appears to be banking on the notion that users will opt for a new device rather than navigate the complexities of an upgrade. Yet, for those of us with systems that could seamlessly run Windows 11, surrendering to this pressure may not be necessary. There are indeed workarounds available, thoroughly explored in our coverage at ZDNET. Senior Editor Ed Bott has crafted an extensive guide detailing how to upgrade “incompatible” PCs to Windows 11, a resource that has proven invaluable to many readers, myself included.
The method that ultimately worked for me—and likely for many others with PCs from around 2020—involves a straightforward process of ten steps utilizing the third-party program Rufus.
10 steps to install Windows 11
- Download Rufus.
- Visit the Microsoft website to download the Windows 11 multi-edition ISO under “Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices” and save it to your Downloads folder.
- Insert an empty USB thumb drive and launch Rufus.
- In Rufus, select your thumb drive from the Device menu. Under Boot Selection, click “Disk or ISO image.”
- Click Select and locate the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded.
- Click Start.
- When prompted by the Windows User Experience window, ensure the first box is checked: “Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0”. The remaining options can be adjusted based on your preferences.
- Click OK, then Start.
- Once the process is complete, open the USB drive in File Explorer and double-click Setup to initiate the Windows 11 installation.
- Finally, when the “Install Windows 11” window appears, select “Change how Setup downloads updates” and choose “Not right now.” Click Next to proceed with the installation.
At this juncture, your computer will transition from Windows to the OS installer, a process that may take some time and involve several restarts. If everything unfolds as expected, your PC will boot into a fresh version of Windows 11, ready for use. Should any issues arise during installation, I recommend consulting our comprehensive guide or the Windows 11 troubleshooting resources available.
