How to upgrade an unsupported computer to Windows 11

By Mauro Huculak
published

If you use this Microsoft workaround, you can still install Windows 11 on an unsupported computer.

Windows 11 setup on unsupported PC
Windows 11 setup on unsupported PC (Image credit: Windows Central)

Although Windows 11 has a higher system requirement, you may still be able to perform an in-place upgrade on an unsupported computer by editing the Registry of the current setup and using the official installation media.

Microsoft does not support devices running on unsupported hardware, but it offers a Registry workaround (opens in new tab) to bypass the trusted platform module (TPM) version 2.0 and processor requirements to install Windows 11. However, using this method, the computer will still need TPM 1.2, Secure Boot, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a processor with at least two cores to proceed with the upgrade.

The workaround is meant for organizations that need to experiment with Windows 11 and apps, but anyone can use it to upgrade an unsupported device as long as they know that system stability and compatibility won't be guaranteed.

In this Windows 11 guide, we will walk you through the steps to upgrade a device that doesn't meet the minimum system requirements.

How to upgrade unsupported device to Windows 11

Upgrading a computer that does not meet the minimum requirements to Windows 11 is a three-step process. You first need to create an installation media. Then you need to edit the Registry to apply the official workaround to bypass the official requirements of Windows 11, and finally, you need to proceed with the in-place upgrade process.

Download Windows 11 media files

To download and create a Windows 11 USB installation media, use these steps:

  1. Open the Microsoft download website (opens in new tab).
  2. Under the "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" section, click the Download Now button to save the file to your device.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Double-click the MediaCreationToolW11.exe file to launch the tool.
  2. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
  3. Click the Next button.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Select the USB flash drive option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Next button.
  2. Select the USB flash drive to create the installation media.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Next button.
  2. Click the Finish button.

Once you complete the steps, continue with the instructions below to edit the Registry to bypass the Windows 11 system requirements.

Unsupported Registry workaround

To apply the Microsoft workaround to install Windows 11 on a computer that doesn't meet the requirements, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.
  3. Navigate to the following path:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup
  4. Right-click the MoSetup (folder) key, select the New submenu and choose the DWORD (32-bit) Value option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Name the key AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU and press Enter.
  2. Double-click the newly created key and set its value from 0 to 1.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, you will be able to install Windows 11 on a device that does not have a supported processor or TPM 2.0 (TPM 1.2 will still be required).

Windows 11 in-place upgrade

To upgrade an unsupported Windows 10 device to Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Click on This PC from the left pane.
  3. Under the "Devices and drives" section, open the USB installation media.
  4. Double-click the setup.exe file to begin the upgrade process.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Next button.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Accept button to confirm that this Windows 11 installation is not supported.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Install button.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Once you complete the steps, the computer should upgrade to Windows 11, bypassing the TPM 2.0 and processor requirements. Since this is an in-place upgrade, the settings, apps, and files will be transferred to the new setup automatically.

More Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.

7 Comments
  • I've unsupported processor laptop. Can we rollback to windows 10 after crossing 10 days period? [Have tried Dev insiders and it worked well]
  • I will end up doing this at least 6 months b4 the end of Windows 10 support, but according to the warning my laptop won't receive updates once on Windows 11.
    What about my apps and software, are they going to be working w/ no issue? What if you take your hard drive and install it on a laptop that meets the requirements?
    Upgrade to W11 and install it back to the old laptop. I believe that should work.
  • The warning is just a scare tactic on Microsoft's part. While they're absolutely in a position to end updates for unsupported devices if they wished to, the odds of them actually doing so are exceptionally unlikely. Apps and software will generally be fine; if they aren't running on Windows 11, it's not going to be because of your processor or TPM.
  • Regular and security updates work on unsupported systems. However, you wont be able to do any Insider updates. That's the only updates I've seen that unsupported systems can't get.
  • How to get windows 11 for free. Download any windows 10 from torrent page the find and download app called kmSpicko install windows 10 turn off real time protection install the kmspicko app. Now your windows 10 are legal and you can upgrade to windows 11.. easy....
  • I have tried using the reg hack from here and other sites but I still get the popup saying I don't have secure boot, I don't have TPM enabled and I don't have the correct CPU. I have an OLD Gigabyte M.B.
  • That didn't do anything at all. At the end it suggested that everything In my PC was unsupported My PC isn't that old. but clearly i missed something. I already had HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup folder modified I'm not sure how but either way this bypass didn't do anything. There was no restart at the end of this time consuming installation. There was no NEXT or RESTART key to press. It just finished it
    it off and my only option was CANCEL... and tells me I need tons of updates.