How to upgrade an unsupported computer to Windows 11
If you use this Microsoft workaround, you can still install Windows 11 on an unsupported computer.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
AlthoughWindows 11has a higher system requirement, you may still be able to perform an in-place upgrade on an unsupported computer by editing the Registry of the current setup and using the official installation media.
Microsoft does not support devices running on unsupported hardware, but it offers aRegistry workaroundto bypass the trusted platform module (TPM) version 2.0 and processor requirements to install Windows 11. However, using this method, the computer will still need TPM 1.2, Secure Boot, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a processor with at least two cores to proceed with the upgrade.
The workaround is meant for organizations that need to experiment with Windows 11 and apps, but anyone can use it to upgrade an unsupported device as long as they know that system stability and compatibility won’t be guaranteed.
In this Windows 11 guide, we will walk you through the steps to upgrade a device that doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements.
How to upgrade unsupported device to Windows 11
Upgrading a computer that does not meet the minimum requirements to Windows 11 is a three-step process. You first need to create an installation media. Then you need to edit the Registry to apply the official workaround to bypass the official requirements of Windows 11, and finally, you need to proceed with the in-place upgrade process.
Download Windows 11 media files
To download and create a Windows 11 USB installation media, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, continue with the instructions below to edit the Registry to bypass the Windows 11 system requirements.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Unsupported Registry workaround
To apply the Microsoft workaround to install Windows 11 on a computer that doesn’t meet the requirements, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, you will be able to install Windows 11 on a device that does not have a supported processor or TPM 2.0 (TPM 1.2 will still be required).
Windows 11 in-place upgrade
To upgrade an unsupported Windows 10 device to Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the computer should upgrade to Windows 11, bypassing the TPM 2.0 and processor requirements. Since this is an in-place upgrade, the settings, apps, and files will be transferred to the new setup automatically.
More Windows resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
