The Windows operating system continues to improve and evolve every year, offering its users new capabilities, features, and improved security. Many users have preferred this operating system for years, waiting for the next updates and relevant changes. On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop delivering security updates to your Windows 10 PC unless you’re willing to pay a hefty price to participate in the Enhanced Security Updates program. When you try to upgrade a PC that is several years older to Windows 11, you will encounter the answer that your computer does not meet the requirements because its CPU is not on the official list of compatible processors.
These restrictions will not allow your operating system to update automatically, but don’t despair, as there are workarounds that we will cover in the current article.
Why are there problems with updating Windows?
Let’s take a look at the Windows 11 system requirements to see if your device meets these requirements.
- Processor: 1 gigahertz or 2, because it will be faster. Either a larger core on a compatible 64-bit processor or a system-on-a-chip (SoC).
- RAM: 4 gigabytes
- Storage: The device must contain a minimum of 64 gigabytes of memory or more.
- System firmware: UEFI, supported by Secure Boot.
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module, Version 2.0
- Graphics Card: Must be DirectX 12 or later compatible with the WDDM 2.0 driver.
- Display: The display must have a high resolution, namely (720). The diagonal of this display must exceed 9 inches, or the 8 bits per color channel.
Consider the areas where older personal computers are most likely to stumble, namely the processor and security requirements.
Specific areas
Incompatible CPU: There is an official list in which there is a list of official requirements. Accordingly, these official requirements block the upgrade of systems with CPUs that are not on this list. This includes computers that were built using most Intel Core processors up to 8th generation (Coffee Lake, late 2017) as well as AMD Zen 1 processors.
TPM 2.0 is supported and enabled: Firmware-based TPM is part of most personal computers that were designed for Windows 10. Some computers manufactured in 2015 and earlier, usually business-class models, may contain TPM 1.2 as a separate component.
Secure Boot Supported: This is one of the more confusing requirements. It is not necessary to enable the Secure Boot function, you just need to support it. Accordingly, the conclusion follows that the system must be configured to use the single extensible interface of the UEFI firmware. There is an old version of the BIOS, and if your system is using that, it will not pass this test.
You can read all the system requirements in detail on this website. Also, pay attention to the useful links that will help you navigate the specific points listed above.
How to update to Windows 11 option №1
Step-by-step instructions
Changing a single key in the Windows registry
Let’s start with one small change in the Windows registry, you need to make it there. It is described in this Microsoft support document. This change tells the Windows 11 installer to skip checking for compatible processors and allow installation on a PC that has an older version of the TPM (version 1.2). Of course, there will be the usual warnings when working with the registry, and it’s best to create a full backup before you proceed.
Next, you need to open the registry editor (Regedit.exe) and go to the following section – HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup.
You need a MoSetup key, if you don’t have one, then create one. Right-click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup in the left navigation bar, then select New > Key. Name it MoSetup and press Enter.
Next, select the MoSetup key, then right-click anywhere in the panel on the right. Select the option to create a new DWORD value. It is important to note – do not choose the QWORD option.
Change the default name for this key by typing AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU and pressing Enter. Then double-click the new value and change the “Value data” field to 1. Click OK to save the changes, then restart the PC.
Download Windows 11 IOS
Using the PC you want to upgrade, go to the Windows 11 download page and select the option “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices.” It is at the bottom of the page. Save the ISO file to your Downloads folder.
The file is quite voluminous, so its download speed will depend on the Internet.
Mount the ISO file in File Explorer
After the download is complete, open File Explorer and double-click the ISO file. This will mount the file as a virtual DVD drive in its own folder.
Start the Windows installation
To start the update, find the Setup.exe file in the file explorer and click on it. Be prepared to see a stern warning on your screen about compatibility issues, but once you click OK on the dialog, the update should proceed without any major issues.
You have three options: you have the option to keep your programs, files and settings (full update); save your data files, but start with apps and settings (save data only); or start over (clean install).
How to update to Windows 11 option №2
You can use the free utility Rufus to completely bypass the compatibility check.
On older computers that don’t have a TPM and those that don’t support Secure Boot, you’ll need to use an undocumented hack to bypass the compatibility check. You have the option to do it yourself. To do this, you need to change the Appraiserres.dll file (which is located in the Sources’ subfolder on the Windows 11 installer disk) to a version that will have zero bytes. An easier option would be to use the free and open-source utility Rufus to create a USB drive with this file.
Upgrading to Windows 11 using Rufus
To get started, you need to download Windows 11 IOS and provide a USB drive with a size of at least 16 gigabytes. You’ll be reformatting this drive as part of the process, so it’s a good idea to back up all the data on this drive first.
- Install Rufus from the developer’s site or from the Microsoft Store and run the program;
- Select the USB drive, and then select the option “Disk or IOS image”;
- Click the “Select” button, select the Windows 11 ISO you downloaded earlier, and then click “Start”;
- In the Windows User Experience dialog box, select the first checkbox to remove hardware requirements;
- Click OK to start creating the disc.
After Rufus has successfully created your installer, open the USB drive in File Explorer and double-click “Settings”.
You can read all the information in more detail at this link.
Windows 11 vs Windows 10
To better understand how Windows 11 is better than Windows 10, it is worth considering them in comparison with each other. Thus, you will be able to see positive changes in the operation of this operating system.
Main points
User interface
- Windows 11 looks better and is easier to use. The developers have taken the best elements of the previous version and refined them to create the perfect place for you to work and play.
Reaction to the approach and distance of the owner
Windows 11 can automatically wake up when you approach the PC and lock the screen when you move away.
Smart recommendations in File Explorer and the Start menu
- Thanks to intelligent recommendations in the start menu and File Explorer, you have the opportunity to quickly find the files you need and the data they contain. You can mark your favorite files and use File Explorer tabs to organize and share your files.
Intelligent program management
- Thanks to this update, there is a reliable level of security because only those programs that have a good reputation are allowed to be installed on the computer.
Touch screen
- Touch input in Windows 10 was good, but Windows 11 is an improved version that is designed to work without a mouse and keyboard.
Search
- The search bar is an important element in the operating system, which is why it has been improved in Windows 11. Its location has changed, and it is now easier to find and use. The panel is located in the Start menu, so you can quickly and easily search for files, programs or anything online without any problems.
Voice access
- We all know the function of voice input and converting our speech to text in Windows 10. In Windows 11, this function has been improved. Now you can use voice commands to perform basic functions on the computer. For example, open programs, minimize windows and scroll the selected page.
Windows 11 is a powerful and functional operating system that can offer its users countless new features. Above are just a few points that highlight the advantages of Windows 11, but there are many more. You can familiarize yourself with all the necessary information in detail by following this link.
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