How to Upgrade an 'Incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11: Two Proven Methods

Microsoft has tightened its Windows 11 upgrade restrictions, but savvy users can still bypass them. Here's how you can upgrade your incompatible Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 safely and at no cost.

As of October 1, 2024, Microsoft introduced additional hurdles to prevent unsupported PCs from upgrading to Windows 11. But don’t worry—we’ve found a workaround! If your PC doesn’t meet the official CPU or TPM requirements, you can still upgrade by following a few easy steps.

What Happens After October 2025?

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 10 unless you opt for the expensive Extended Security Updates program. If you’re using an older PC, you’ve likely encountered roadblocks when trying to upgrade to Windows 11 due to the system's CPU or TPM requirements. However, there are methods to bypass these limitations, ensuring your system remains updated and secure.

Workarounds for Windows 11 Installation

Microsoft won't revise its compatibility requirements, but that doesn’t mean you're stuck. These restrictions block automatic upgrades through the Windows Update tool or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant, but with a few adjustments, you can manually upgrade your system. Below are two methods to get around these restrictions.

Method 1: Bypass CPU Checks and Use Any TPM Version

This workaround allows you to bypass CPU compatibility checks and accept an older version of TPM. But before proceeding, ensure that:

• Your computer is set to UEFI mode.

• Secure Boot is supported (it doesn’t have to be enabled, but it’s recommended).

• TPM version 1.2 or above is enabled.

Steps to Bypass CPU and TPM Checks:

1. Modify Windows Registry You need to edit a registry key to skip the CPU and TPM checks. First, open the Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup. If the MoSetup key doesn’t exist, you can create it. After that, create a new DWORD value named AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU and set its value to 1. This tweak tells Windows Setup to bypass its CPU and TPM checks.

2. Download the Windows 11 ISO Head to Microsoft’s official Windows 11 download page and grab the ISO file. Once the download is complete, mount the ISO file as a virtual drive in File Explorer.

3. Run the Setup File From the mounted ISO, run Setup.exe to begin the installation. Although you’ll see warnings about compatibility issues, click "Accept" to continue. You’ll then have options to either upgrade your system, keep data, or do a fresh install.

Method 2: Using Rufus to Create a Bootable USB Without Compatibility Checks

For older systems without TPM or Secure Boot support, you can use the free Rufus utility to bypass compatibility checks entirely.

Steps:

4. Download the Windows 11 ISO and install the Rufus tool.

5. Use Rufus to create a bootable USB drive, ensuring you select the option to bypass CPU, TPM, and Secure Boot requirements.

6. After creating the USB drive, you’ll need to run a few commands in an elevated Command Prompt to complete the process and successfully run the upgrade.

Final Options: Upgrade or Start Fresh

Once you’ve bypassed the checks, you can choose to either upgrade while keeping your apps and files, or start fresh with a clean installation. If you opt for a clean install, you’ll need to reinstall your apps and restore your data from backups.