PC Says No to Windows 11? Here’s How to Get It Anyway (Safely)

Are you frustrated that your PC doesnt seem to meet Windows 11 requirements, even though you know it should? You’re not alone!

Unfortunately, for many users, running the PC Health Check app brings up the dreaded “This PC can’t run Windows 11” error message. You’ll most likely find this message frustrating if the app detects that your system hardware is incompatible with Windows 11 requirements.

However, don’t let this error discourage you from upgrading just yet! Fortunately, there are several effective solutions to get around this annoying obstacle that may prevent you from making the successful jump to Windows 11.

In this comprehensive article, we will explore the potential reasons behind this discrepancy. Additionally, we will provide you with practical solutions to ensure that your PC can run Windows 11 without any problems.  

What are the reasons behind the message ‘PC doesn’t meet the requirements for Windows 11’ but it does ?

In this section, we will explain the common reasons for the message (PC doesnt meet the requirements for Windows 11) and provide you with clear information to help you understand and possibly fix the issue.

• One potential reason could be outdated or missing drivers: Firstly, Windows 11 requires specific driver versions for components like the CPU, GPU, and storage drives. If your drivers are outdated or missing, the system may not recognize your hardware correctly, leading to inaccurate compatibility checks.

• Another common issue is related to BIOS or UEFI settings: Secondly, Windows 11 mandates certain security features, such as Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, to be enabled in the BIOS/UEFI. If these settings are disabled or not configured correctly, your PC may be flagged as incompatible, even if it meets the other hardware requirements.

• In some cases, the compatibility checker tool provided by Microsoft may contain bugs or inaccuracies, resulting in false negatives for systems that should technically be able to run Windows 11: Furthermore, Microsoft has acknowledged and addressed some of these issues through updates, but there’s still a possibility of erroneous results.   

In addition to these reasons, there could be other factors contributing to the issue PC doesnt meet the requirements for Windows 11. Therefore, it’s crucial to thoroughly investigate and address each potential cause.

Also Check: How to fix system service exception in Windows 11 ?

How to fix pc doesn’t meet requirements for windows 11 but it does ?

If your PC is actually compatible with Windows 11 but you’re encountering the error that it doesnt meet the requirements, here are some steps you can take to resolve the issue:

Check compatibility

First, make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements to install Windows 11:

• Processor: 1GHz or faster with 2 or more cores.

• RAM: 4 GB or higher.

• Graphics: DX12 compatible with WDDM 2.0 driver.

• Disk space: At least 64 GB of free space on the drive where you want to install Windows 11.

• System: UEFI with secure boot.

• TPM: Version 2.0 or higher.

• Display: 720p @ 8-bit or higher.

• Additionally, make sure you are running Windows 10 version 2004 or higher.

• Moreover, verify that you have at least 9 GB of free disk space on your system so you can download Windows 11 using the Setup Wizard.

Make sure you have enough disk space

• However, sometimes small problems can cause compatibility problems. For example, if your installation drive has less than the required 64 GB of free space, it will not meet the requirements of Windows 11. Make sure your drive size meets the specifications.

Use PC Health Check App

• Firstly, if you’re not sure if your device meets the Windows 11 minimum system requirements and you already have Windows 10 installed, download the PC Health Check app.

• Secondly, this application will evaluate eligibility and identify components that do not meet the minimum requirements.

• Additionally, it will also provide steps to make your device compatible with Windows 11.

Update BIOS/UEFI

If your firmware isn’t up to date, it might not work well with Windows 11. To fix this, go to the website of your computer’s maker and look for any BIOS/UEFI updates that fit your model.

You might need to access the BIOS menu or use a check tool to find the right updates, especially if your system is running in legacy BIOS mode.

Make sure to follow the provided steps closely when updating your firmware.

Here is some common steps you can follow:  

• Firstly, go to your PC manufacturer’s website (such as HP, Dell, etc.).

• Secondly, check for updates specifically for your computer model. It could be under “downloads” or “support.”

• Then, look for something called a “BIOS” or “UEFI” update.

• After that, download and install the update by carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions (which are usually quite simple).

• Finally, once your computer is fully updated, try installing Windows 11 again.

Check TPM settings

To ensure compatibility with Windows 11, check your TPM settings. Go to your BIOS/UEFI settings, locate the TPM section and confirm that it is enabled and updated to version 2.0.

In case TPM is not enabled, enable it and keep the new settings. After these settings, continue the Windows 11 installation process once again.

Here is the steps to do it:

• First, restart your computer and watch closely during startup for a key to press to enter BIOS/UEFI settings. It’s often a key like Delete, F2, or Escape, but it can vary by manufacturer.

• Next, once you’re in the BIOS/UEFI settings (they might look a bit technical), look for a section on “Security” or “Trusted Platform Module” (TPM).

• Then, see if the TPM is enabled. If not, there should be an option to turn it on.

• After that, make sure the version says “TPM 2.0” or something similar.

• Finally, before you exit, don’t forget to save the changes (there will usually be a prompt for this).

By bypass TPM 2.0/Secure Boot via Registry Edit

If your PC does not meet the Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 requirements for Windows 11, you can bypass the restriction by modifying the registry.

Firstly, this workaround allows you to upgrade without meeting those specific requirements, as long as your system supports at least TPM 1.2.

However, it is important to note that modifying the Windows Registry carries risks, so be sure to create a system restore point before proceeding.

To bypass Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 requirements, follow these steps:

• First, press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.

• Next, type ‘regedit‘ and press Enter to open Registry Editor.

• Then, navigate to the following registration path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup

• After that, right-click the ‘MoSetup’ key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

• Subsequently, name the new value ‘AllowUpgradeWithUnsupportedTPMorCPU’.

• Following that, double-click the new value and set its value data to ‘1’, then click OK.

• Finally, close Registry Editor and try installing Windows 11 using the Media Creation Tool or ISO.

With this registry tweak, the update should continue without the Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 error. However, if the issue persists, check out our full guide on how to bypass Windows 11 minimum installation requirements for more solutions.

Manual installation

• First, mount the Windows 11 ISO file on your PC.

• Next, copy all files and folders from the mounted ISO.

• Then, create a new folder (except C: drive) and name it “Windows 11”.

• After that, paste the copied content into this folder.

Use an alternative update method (if necessary)

• The problem often occurs when using the Media Creation Tool or Windows Update. Try using a different update method from Microsoft to avoid this error.

However, remember that it is not recommended to install Windows 11 on a device that does not meet the minimum system requirements.

If you continue, your PC will not be eligible to receive updates and damages due to lack of compatibility will not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Also Check: Second monitor not detected in Windows 11

How to bypass your PC doesn’t meet minimum requirements for windows 11  but it does ?

If your PC doesnt meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11, but you still want to install it, there are several ways to bypass the restrictions. Below are some methods you can try:

Modify the Registry during a clean installation

When performing a clean install with a Windows 11 ISO, you can edit the registry during the setup process to skip the requirements checks. Follow these steps:

• Download Windows 11 ISO image file from Microsoft.

• Create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Rufus (requires at least a 16GB flash drive).

• During the installation process, modify the registry to bypass TPM, RAM, and other requirements.

• Please note that this method only works for clean installations and does not allow you to bypass the requirement for at least a dual-core CPU.

Create a Windows 11 installation disk without requirements

• Use Rufus to create a Windows 11 USB installation disk that bypasses TPM requirements, RAM, and the need for a compatible CPU. Additionally, Rufus offers disk conversion features, disk management tools, and various disk layout options to help with the installation process.

• This method allows you to perform an in-place upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 or a clean install without meeting the minimum hardware requirements.

Update Windows 10 or a previous version of Windows 11

• If you have Windows 10 or an older version of Windows 11 installed (for example, in a virtual machine), you can try updating to a new version using Windows Update.

• There is a workaround script available that allows you to bypass the Windows 11 TPM requirement even with Windows Update.

Remember that while these methods can help you avoid certain requirements, it is essential to ensure that your system remains stable and secure after installation.

Also Check: How to map a network in Windows 11 ?

Conclusion

While Microsoft has set specific hardware requirements for Windows 11, there are ways to bypass them if your PC doesnt seem to meet the criteria, or if you encounter the message that your PC doesn’t meet requirements for Windows 11 but it does.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, such as updating drivers, modifying BIOS/UEFI settings, or tweaking the registry, you can potentially get Windows 11 running on your system.

However, it’s crucial to remember that installing an operating system on unsupported hardware may lead to stability issues, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility problems. Microsoft also reserves the right to deny updates on such configurations.

Therefore, we recommend proceeding with caution and at your own risk. If your system genuinely meets the requirements, patience is advisable as Microsoft continues to refine the compatibility checker’s accuracy.

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Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)