How to Upgrade to Windows 11 and Bypass Hardware Requirements

As Windows 10 approaches its end of life in October 2025, many users are considering upgrading to Windows 11. However, the journey may not be straightforward for everyone, particularly if your PC doesn’t meet the system requirements.

The end of life for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025. After this date, your PC will still work, but Microsoft will no longer provide:

• Technical support
• Feature updates
• Security updates or fixes

To ensure your computer remains secure and receives the latest features, upgrading to Windows 11 is recommended.

Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11

1. Check Windows 11 System Requirements:

Before attempting to upgrade, it’s crucial to ensure your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. These are:

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC). You can find a list of compatible processors on Microsoft’s website.  
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
• System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable. You may need to check your BIOS settings to enable these.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. You can usually check for TPM in your BIOS/UEFI settings or by using the tpm.msc command in the Run dialog box (Windows key + R).
• Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
• Display: High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel.  
• Internet connection: Microsoft account and internet connectivity are required for the initial setup of Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro for personal use. Internet access is also needed for updates and some features.  

You can use the PC Health Check app provided by Microsoft to determine if your PC is compatible. You can download it from the official Microsoft website.

2. Check for the Upgrade via Windows Update:

If your system meets the minimum requirements, the easiest way to upgrade is through Windows Update:

1. Go to Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Select Windows Update in the left sidebar.
4. Click the Check for updates button.

If your PC is eligible and the upgrade is ready, you should see an option to upgrade to Windows 11. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

3. Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant:

If the upgrade isn’t offered through Windows Update, you can use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant:

1. Go to the Download Windows 11 page on the Microsoft website.
2. Under the “Windows 11 Installation Assistant” section, click Download now.
3. Run the downloaded Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe file.
4. Click Accept and install and follow the prompts.

What If Your PC Doesn’t Meet the Requirements?

• Functionality: Your PC will continue to function after October 14, 2025. It won’t suddenly stop working.
• No More Updates: The crucial point is that Microsoft will cease providing security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, and technical support for Windows 10.
• Security Risks: Without security updates, your PC becomes increasingly vulnerable to new viruses, malware, and other security threats. This is the biggest risk of continuing to use an unsupported operating system.
• Software Compatibility: While most existing software will likely continue to work for some time, newer applications and games might be optimized for Windows 11 and could experience compatibility issues or performance degradation on Windows 10. Hardware drivers might also become outdated over time.

Recommendation: While technically possible, continuing to use Windows 10 after its end-of-life is strongly discouraged due to significant security risks.

Workarounds to Install Windows 11 (Proceed with Caution)

There are methods to bypass the hardware requirements and install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs (like registry edits or using tools like Rufus). However, be aware of the potential downsides:

• Instability and Performance Issues: Windows 11 is designed to work with specific hardware. Running it on unsupported hardware can lead to system instability, crashes, and performance problems.
• Lack of Driver Support: Drivers for your older hardware might not be fully compatible with Windows 11, leading to malfunctioning peripherals or reduced functionality.
• No Guarantee of Future Updates: Microsoft explicitly states that PCs that don’t meet the minimum requirements might not be supported for updates, even if you manage to install Windows 11. This means you could still miss out on crucial security patches in the future.
• Potential for Unexpected Issues: You might encounter unforeseen compatibility problems or other issues that Microsoft won’t provide support for.
• Voiding Warranty (Potentially): In some cases, modifying your system in this way could potentially void your hardware warranty.

Recommendation: Proceed with these workarounds only if you are technically proficient, understand the risks involved, and have a clear reason for doing so (e.g., testing purposes on a non-primary machine). It’s generally not recommended for daily use on your primary PC.

How to Bypass Hardware Requirements

Registry Edits

TLDR: Modify the registry to bypass TPM and CPU checks. For example, you can add the AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU parameter to the registry. This method is straightforward but requires caution.

Open Registry Editor:

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type regedit and press Enter. This will launch the Registry Editor.

Navigate to the Setup Folder:

• In the Registry Editor, go to the following path:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup

Create a New Key:

• Right-click on the Setup folder, select New > Key, and name it MoSetup.

Add a DWORD Value:

• Right-click on the newly created MoSetup folder, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Name the DWORD value AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU.

Set the Value:

• Double-click on the AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU DWORD.
• Set the value to 1 and click OK.

Download Windows 11 ISO:

• Visit the Microsoft website to download the Windows 11 ISO file.

Create Installation Media:

• Use tools like Rufus or Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive with the Windows 11 ISO.

Start Installation:

• Boot from the USB drive and begin the installation process.
• During setup, the registry edit will bypass the hardware checks.

Steps to Use Rufus for Windows 11 Installation

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 11. The hardware checks will be skipped during the process.

Download Rufus:

Visit the Rufus website and download the latest version of the tool.

Prepare a USB Drive:

Insert a USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage into your PC.

Back up any important data on the USB drive, as it will be formatted during the process.

Download the Windows 11 ISO:

Go to the Microsoft website and download the Windows 11 ISO file.

Launch Rufus:

Open Rufus and select your USB drive under the “Device” dropdown menu.

Select the ISO File:

Click on the “Select” button and choose the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded.

Modify Installation Options:

Rufus provides an option to bypass TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements. Look for a checkbox or dropdown menu labeled something like “Bypass TPM/Secure Boot” and enable it.

Start the Process:

Click “Start” to create the bootable USB drive. Rufus will format the drive and copy the necessary files.

Boot from USB:

Restart your PC and boot from the USB drive. You may need to change the boot order in your BIOS/UEFI settings.

Install Windows 11:

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 11. The hardware checks will be skipped during the process.

Third-Party Tools

The Windows11Upgrade tool is a third-party utility designed to help users bypass hardware requirements and upgrade to Windows 11 on unsupported devices.

Download the Tool:

• Visit the GitHub repository or the official website hosting the Windows11Upgrade tool and download the latest version.

Prepare Your PC:

• Back up your important files to avoid data loss during the upgrade process.
• Ensure your current Windows 10 installation is up to date.

Launch the Tool:

• Open the Windows11Upgrade tool and follow the on-screen instructions.

Select the ISO File:

• Download the Windows 11 ISO file from the Microsoft website and select it within the tool.

Choose Upgrade Options:

• The tool will provide options to bypass TPM and Secure Boot checks. Enable these options if your PC doesn’t meet the requirements.

Start the Upgrade:

• Begin the upgrade process. The tool will handle the installation and bypass the hardware checks.

Restart Your PC:

• Once the installation is complete, restart your PC to finalize the upgrade.

Important Notes

• Risks: Using third-party tools to bypass requirements is not officially supported by Microsoft. You may face issues like lack of updates or system instability.
• Compatibility: While the tool can bypass hardware checks, it cannot make unsupported hardware fully compatible with Windows 11.