Don’t Throw Out Your Laptop: How to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware
It’s officially time to let go. Windows 10 is over as we know it for a long time now, only Windows 11 to take over. To wrap things up further, Microsoft support is terminated to the previous OS in October 2025. If you’re stubborn, though, you don’t have to go ahead just yet. Microsoft has promised to continue providing updates another year.
A lot of users who have been dragging their feet are now ready Install Windows 11. However, there is a small problem for many people. It seems that their computers do not match the basic system requirements of Windows 11.
But wait! It turns out that many of those Windows 10 computers may be compatible with Windows 11 despite notices that say otherwise. All you need to do is make simple tweaks to a few settings. This repair does not require turning on your computer and should take a few minutes to complete.
In my case, Microsoft said my 6 year old computer was incompatible, but I followed these steps and now it is. Generally speaking, if your computer is that old or newer, you should be able to upgrade using the steps below. If your PC is older than that, the chances are less, but it can still happen. Here’s what you need to do.
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First, learn why Windows says your computer is incompatible
Before you start messing with the settings, run Microsoft’s PC Health Check program, which may already be on your computer. Just press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “Health Check.” If not, you can download PC Health Check for free. Open the application and check the compatibility of Windows 11. Specifically, why does it not pass? If it says there are problems with Secure Boot and TPM, those can be fixed with what we explain below. If there are other problems, like an incompatible processor, that’s a big challenge.
An example of what the PC Health Check app will show if your computer is compatible with Windows 11, and the reasons why (or why not).
If it’s a processor problem, you’re really out of luck unless you plan to do a “clean install” of Windows 11 – by wiping your computer clean and reinstalling all your programs and files – that it should pass the CPU test. However, that method is not officially supported. Since you still need Secure Boot and TPM compatibility, I’m guessing there aren’t many of you reading this who have a compatible motherboard but not a compatible CPU. Also, if it’s a processor that fails the Health Check, short of doing a clean install, you’ll have to pay extended support for Windows 10 or buy a new laptop (or compatible processor for your desktop).
Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0
Personally, all I wanted to do was play Battlefield 6. Imagine my surprise and annoyance that Steam told me my computer was incompatible. Yes, like you, I’ve been kicking the Windows 11 can down the road and now I’ve finally kicked the death stake. It turns out that the same things that BF6 needs are the same things that cause Windows 10 to think that your computer isn’t ready for Windows 11. There are two main things: Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Module, or TPM.
Oh, and it’s worth noting, the fixes detailed here won’t magically make computers with incompatible hardware work together, such as those with ARM-based processors, some AMD processors and older 32-bit systems. Don’t worry if you’re not sure; you will find out what is inside your computer if you forget in the following steps.
Checks for Secure Boot and TPM
An example of the msinfo32 program. The red sections are very important for upgrading to Windows 11. The “System Type” should be “x64-based” and the BIOS should be “UEFI.” BaseBoard Manufacturer and Product are not requirements in themselves, but writing down what they are will help you access the BIOS and get specific help if needed.
Finally, Secure Boot does not need to be enabled, but the BaseBoard/motherboard must at least be Secure Boot compatible. Unless you know why you want it closed, it’s better to open it.
Press the button Windows and the R key. Kind of msinfo32 and check Secure Boot State. Chances are it’s off. And, check BIOS Mode. This should mean UEFI. More on all these settings in a flash. While you are in this process, note the manufacturer and model of your Baseboard, also called motherboard. This will work over time.
Press Windows plus R too. Kind of tpm.msc and see if any information is displayed, such as manufacturer information and more, you should be good to go. If not, all is not lost. You may need to enable it, as described below.
An example of what the tpm.msc program will display if your motherboard has an active TPM.
BIOS settings you can change to improve compatibility
The hardest part of this whole process is finding your way into your computer’s BIOS, which stands for Basic Input/Output System. This is a simple program that your computer uses to start up, before loading Windows. With most BIOS, there is a button you can press on the keyboard to access the settings during the boot process. For example, with my computer, Delete or F2 is pressed during the initial (before Windows) loading screen. I tend to press it hard during the boot process because I don’t know when the key will register, and back when I started building computers in the dark ages of the late 20th century, that seemed to be the only way to get it to work. If you can’t get into the BIOS, search for your board model and “BIOS access.”
If you have an MSI motherboard, the BIOS interface may look like this.
Enable UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
Your computer is probably already set to use UEFI instead of legacy BIOS mode. If not, you need to open it and start over. There are so many motherboard manufacturers that I can’t explain exactly where this setting will be, but it should be clear. If not, check under Advanced Settings. As above, searching for your motherboard and “enabling UEFI” should help. Note that if you cannot enable UEFI, you will not be able to perform the following steps, and you will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11.
An example of the Asus BIOS interface.
Enable Secure Boot
Once you’re back in your BIOS after enabling UEFI, check the Secure Boot setting. Like UEFI, your system needs to work with Secure Boot to run Windows 11. You don’t have to enable Secure Boot; the option should be there. However, unless you plan to install Linux or other non-Microsoft operating systems on your computer, and if you’re reading this guide, I think you won’t be able to, you should enable Secure Boot, as it prevents certain types of malware.
Example of ASRock Bios Interface
Enable TPM
Finally, you want to enable TPM. Once again, if you can’t, you can’t upgrade to Windows 11. TPM versions have been mandatory on Windows machines since 2016. Therefore, if your computer came with Windows 10 when it was new, it should have the TPM version. If your computer hardware is old, it probably doesn’t have the necessary TPM compatibility.
Officially, you need TPM 2.0 to run Windows 11, but there is a workaround for PCs with TPM 1.2 and some older CPUs. However, it involves modifying your computer’s Registry. If you didn’t know how to get into your computer’s BIOS, I don’t recommend messing with the Registry. A mistake here can kill your computer. This method was actually featured on Microsoft’s support page at one point. That page has been replaced with one that says, “Do not install Windows 11 on an incompatible computer.” For most people, that’s probably the best advice. If you’re willing to risk destroying your computer (make a backup everything your personal data first), you can check the Web Archive version of Microsoft’s page.
With my computer, once I enable UEFI, I can toggle TPM security while simultaneously enabling Secure Boot. I saved my settings, restarted my computer, and was ready to go. Hopefully, it goes well for you, when all you need to do is re-verify Windows 11 compatibility.
Another cheap hardware solution is if the above steps don’t work
If the above steps do not work, it is possible that your motherboard is not compatible with Windows 11’s new security standards. Before you toss it in the big recycling bin in the sky (aka Best Buy or another local electrician), there’s one last hope. Many companies do TPM modules which adds TPM compatibility to certain motherboards. However, don’t get your hopes up. There have only been a few years between these collaborations on the horizon and manufacturers have not included them, but they have added links to include them.
Google your motherboard and “TPM compatibility” for more information.
Should you bother checking your Windows 11 compatibility?
If this is the monitor you were using, your computer probably doesn’t match Windows 11. You should also recycle these items. It’s free to do at Best Buy and elsewhere.
If your computer is fairly new (6 years or less), it shouldn’t take long to prepare it for Windows 11 upgrade. Is it worth the time? Definitely. Without additional security updates, at least without other measures, your computer will be vulnerable to malware and viruses. Since there are millions of Windows 10 PCs, many of which will not be upgraded to Windows 11, it is a safe bet that hackers will be motivated to find and exploit newly discovered security issues.
The exception is if you have an old computer that has never been connected to the Internet and never will be. The air is hollow, as spy movies like to say. If you can’t download stuff from it, it can’t be infected. Think about this only if you are for sure it will never be connected to the outside world.
If your computer is too old to upgrade, consider something new. Luckily, with the holiday season right around the corner, there should be some great deals coming soon.
Next steps to upgrade to Windows 11
Once your computer is ready for Windows 11, it’s easy to upgrade, and shockingly, it’s free for most people.
