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**ZDNET’s comprehensive insights:** almost every computer manufactured within the last fifteen years possesses the capability to run Windows 11, provided certain conditions are met. Machines originally shipped with Windows 10 usually meet the hardware fundamentals required by Windows 11 and can often be upgraded, though in some instances administrative tweaks—like a registry modification—are necessary. In cases where the PCs are substantially older, or where the hardware configuration is unusually customized, reliable third-party tools can often facilitate the update process effectively.
If you are the person that family and friends turn to whenever there’s a laptop or desktop problem, you’re likely aware that calls for assistance never stop. The next time someone contacts you regarding a sluggish or malfunctioning Windows system, begin by examining which version of the operating system the PC is currently running. Navigate to Settings > System > About; if the version displayed is Windows 10, that means the device is relying on a system whose official support period has concluded, and it desperately requires your guidance.
As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft has formally discontinued security and feature support for Windows 10. From this date forward, systems running that operating system no longer receive monthly security updates or vulnerability patches—unless the user has deliberately enrolled the computer in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which provides an additional year of protection until October 2026. Consequently, users who ignored Microsoft’s persistent upgrade notifications have already been left several months behind on critical security patches beginning in November 2025.
To be absolutely clear, operating a PC that has not received its latest security updates for months is strongly discouraged. Systems left unpatched become open targets for malware, ransomware, and other digital threats. Hence, the logical step forward is to update the operating system to Windows 11. Unfortunately, the process is not always seamless or intuitive.
Attempting to install Windows 11 on a system over five or six years old often triggers an installation alert reporting that the CPU isn’t supported, meaning the central processor model does not appear on Microsoft’s official list of approved hardware. Similarly, you may encounter obstacles if your device either lacks a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 or if that feature exists but remains disabled within firmware settings.
However, Microsoft’s stated policies don’t tell the full story. While the company outlines strict compatibility expectations, there are nuances in the implementation. If the machine is less than a decade old and offers reasonable technical capacity—adequate memory, disk space, and stable performance—it may still be perfectly capable of running Windows 11 smoothly. Although Microsoft’s update mechanisms (including Windows Update and the Windows Installation Assistant) block unsupported CPUs or TPM versions, hundreds of ZDNET readers have successfully upgraded such machines using clearly documented techniques.
Over time, Microsoft has continually tightened the upgrade verification checks, engaging in what many enthusiasts describe as a cat-and-mouse dynamic. Each time new restrictions are introduced, inventive users discover alternative routes to complete the upgrade. Techniques exist to circumvent most restrictions for relatively modern PCs, though extremely old systems—particularly those powered by early-generation AMD processors—may fall short.
Before proceeding, these guidelines assume your PC contains a 64-bit x64 CPU (not ARM-based or 32-bit) and is running Windows 10 Home or Pro (either retail or OEM). You must be logged in as an administrator and have sufficient free storage space. Although Microsoft recommends 64 GB, practical experience suggests an upgrade can typically proceed with as little as 25–30 GB free. If disk space is limited, remove redundant applications or large files first.
This article presents two distinct methods to complete the transition. To apply the first approach, your computer must meet the core requirements of Windows 11: it must use a UEFI startup configuration rather than an outdated BIOS; Secure Boot must be supported (and ideally enabled), and a TPM—at least version 1.2—must exist and be switched on. PCs originally distributed with Windows 10 almost always include TPM 2.0.
To verify these attributes, open the System Information utility (Msinfo32.exe) and inspect the System Summary page. Focus on the BIOS Mode entry—if it says “Legacy,” you must reconfigure your system to UEFI mode and convert the main storage drive from MBR to GPT partitioning before installation. To confirm that TPM is active, launch Tpm.msc; if the TPM interface shows Manufacturer Information and identifies version 2.0, everything is correctly configured. If it reports that a compatible TPM cannot be found, boot into your firmware configuration and enable it if available.
If you cannot or prefer not to alter these firmware settings—or if the machine lacks TPM altogether—the second method provides an alternative approach by using a versatile free tool called Rufus to bypass compatibility checks entirely.
It’s crucial to mention that the Windows 11 version 24H2 update introduced new CPU restrictions requiring SSE4.2 and PopCnt instruction support. Most Intel processors manufactured from 2009 onward and AMD processors released after 2013 meet these criteria. However, devices built around 2008 or earlier cannot be upgraded to any currently supported Windows 11 version, even with these techniques.
For users planning a clean installation instead of an upgrade, booting directly from Windows installation media allows bypassing the CPU validation step, though TPM and Secure Boot must still exist. Keep in mind that clean installs require you to reinstall all applications and restore personal data afterward.
**Option 1: Performing a registry modification**
The first approach allows you to bypass the CPU and strict TPM version checks by adding a specific value in the Windows registry. Note that this process only works when the setup program is executed from within an existing Windows session—it cannot be done by booting from USB media.
This method, documented for several years on Microsoft’s official support site (removed in late 2024 but archived elsewhere), involves creating a new registry value that instructs the Windows 11 installer to ignore certain hardware checks. As with all registry operations, extreme caution is essential. Always create a full system backup before making changes.
Open Regedit.exe and navigate to the path `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup`. If the key named *MoSetup* does not yet exist, right-click on *Setup*, select *New > Key*, name the key *MoSetup*, and confirm. Then, within that key, right-click in the right-hand pane to create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value titled `AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU`. Double-click it and set the value data to 1. This single registry tweak communicates to the Windows setup system that it should ignore unsupported processors and TPMs, allowing the upgrade to proceed normally.
Carefully verify the spelling of both the key and the value—registry syntax errors can result in failed installations. Save and restart your device to ensure the modification takes effect.
Next, navigate to Microsoft’s official Windows 11 download page (aka.ms/DownloadWindows11) and retrieve the ISO file under the option labeled “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 Devices.” Save the sizable file, which can take time depending on your internet speed.
For users operating in non-U.S. regional language versions, be sure to select the correct product language. Choosing the wrong variant, such as English (U.S.) instead of English (International), may cause the upgrade process to prevent retaining applications and files. If that occurs, repeat the process with the correct language ISO.
Once downloaded, open File Explorer, locate the ISO, and double-click to mount it as a virtual drive. Then double-click *Setup.exe* to launch the installation wizard. A warning dialog will caution that your machine may not be eligible for updates—acknowledge this message by clicking *Accept*. The upgrade will then commence.
If upgrading between the same edition (Home or Pro), you’ll be presented with three options: a full upgrade (retaining all files and settings), a partial upgrade retaining only personal data, or a clean install erasing everything. Should the full upgrade option be unavailable, revisit the language selection step.
During the installation startup sequence, look for the link labeled *Change how setup downloads updates* and choose *Not right now* to simplify installation and prevent potential interruptions.
**Option 2: Employing the Rufus utility**
For legacy systems without TPM or Secure Boot capabilities, Rufus provides an automated solution. It is open source, easy to use, and adjusts installation media to circumvent CPU, TPM, and Secure Boot checks. Manual methods that replace system files like Appraiserres.dll work similarly, but Rufus integrates those adjustments automatically.
Begin by downloading the most recent version of Rufus (version 4.6 or newer) and a fresh Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s official link. Ensure you use a separate USB flash drive of at least 16 GB capacity—data on it will be erased. Launch Rufus, select the USB drive, and point to the ISO file. For older PCs using traditional BIOS instead of UEFI, confirm the Partition Scheme and Target System match that environment before clicking *Start*.
Within the Windows User Experience dialog, enable the first checkbox that removes hardware requirements. Then proceed. Rufus will generate a fully functional Windows 11 installer capable of sidestepping hardware checks. When installation media creation finishes, open the USB drive in File Explorer and run *Setup.exe* from within your existing Windows session. Do not attempt to boot from the drive.
As before, the system will show a compatibility warning—ignore it by clicking *Accept.* The upgrade will proceed normally. Some users have observed setup errors like “An unsupported operation was attempted” when using installation media from version 24H2; the workaround remains to disable online update downloads at the start of setup using the *Not right now* option.
If the installation halts unexpectedly, retry using that same adjustment. For a full explanation of Rufus’s other advanced customization functions, refer to Lance Whitney’s comprehensive discussion in *How to install Windows 11 your way (and avoid Microsoft’s restrictions).*
Whenever you run into issues during the upgrade, consult ZDNET’s troubleshooting references—*Windows 11 upgrade not working? Try my favorite troubleshooting tricks*—for detailed diagnostic procedures.
Finally, if your installation successfully completes, share your experience. Include PC model, specifications, and screenshots of any errors, ideally paired with a log generated from SetupDiag for structured troubleshooting. This feedback directly contributes to ongoing updates in this long-running guidance series.
Over the course of three years maintaining these instructions, the community’s collective input has proved invaluable. With persistence and the correct tools, even systems labeled as ‘incompatible’ frequently find new life within Windows 11—offering enhanced security, performance refinements, and a renewed computing experience.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-upgrade-your-incompatible-windows-10-pc-to-windows-11/
