How To Upgrade An Incompatible Windows 10 PC To Windows 11
Upgrading an incompatible Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 can be a bit of a workaround, but fear not—I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the steps:
Create Installation Media:
First things first, you’ll need a Windows 11 installation media. You can download the Windows 11 ISO file from the official Microsoft website.
Once you have the ISO, create a bootable USB drive using tools like Rufus or the official Media Creation Tool.
Registry Edit (The Magic Sauce):
Now comes the interesting part. Windows 11 has certain hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. If your PC lacks these, it’s officially considered incompatible.
But hey, we’re rebels, right? You can bypass this by editing the Windows Registry. 🕶️
Open the Registry Editor (type “regedit” in the Start menu search).
Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup.Create a new DWORD value called
AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMorCPUand set its value to 1.This registry tweak essentially tells Windows 11 to chill out about those pesky hardware requirements.
Upgrade Time:
Mount your Windows 11 ISO (remember that bootable USB drive?).
Open a command prompt and navigate to the virtual CD/DVD drive (usually
D:\or whatever letter corresponds to your mounted ISO).Run the following command:
setup.exe /auto upgrade /noreboot /DynamicUpdate disable /Compat ScanOnlyThis will perform a compatibility check without actually upgrading yet.
If everything looks good, proceed with the in-place upgrade. Choose to keep your personal files and apps during the process.
Cross Your Fingers and Reboot:
After the upgrade completes, cross your fingers (and maybe your toes) and reboot your PC.
Voilà! You’ve just transformed your incompatible Windows 10 into a shiny Windows 11.
Remember, this method isn’t officially supported by Microsoft, but it works for many folks. Just ensure you back up your important data before attempting any upgrades. And hey, sometimes bending the rules a little makes life more interesting! 😄
Using The Rufus Method
Download Rufus:
If you haven’t already, grab Rufus from their official website. It’s a lightweight utility that works wonders for creating bootable media.
Install it—it’s like adding a secret weapon to your tech arsenal.
Insert Your USB Drive:
Find a spare USB drive (at least 8 GB in size) that you’re willing to turn into a Windows 11 superhero.
Plug it into your PC.
Fire Up Rufus:
Open Rufus. It’s like summoning a wizard, but for USB drives.
Rufus will detect your plugged-in USB drive automatically.
Select Your ISO:
Rufus needs the Windows 11 ISO file. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, do that now.
In Rufus, under “Boot selection,” click the little disk icon and choose your Windows 11 ISO.
Choose Your Settings:
Rufus has some settings to tweak. Fear not; they’re not as intimidating as they sound.
For “Partition scheme,” select “GPT” (because Windows 11 loves GPT).
For “File system,” choose “NTFS.”
Leave the rest as-is unless you’re feeling particularly adventurous.
Start the Magic:
Click “Start” and watch Rufus work its magic.
It’ll warn you that it’s about to format your USB drive. Confirm and proceed.
Wait Patiently:
Rufus will do its thing—creating partitions, copying files, and generally being a USB whisperer.
Grab a cup of tea or do a little victory dance while you wait.
Done!:
When Rufus declares victory (usually with a triumphant sound effect), your bootable Windows 11 USB drive is ready.
Safely eject the USB drive and keep it handy for the upgrade process.
Features:
Bootable - works with UEFI or Legacy (MBR) bios
Use to install/re-install or repair Windows 10 or 11
64bit Latest Versions, including Pro/Home/Education
Utilities Include:
Password reset (local account)
Data recovery & backup
Anti-virus tool
Partition tool
Hardware tester
Driver utility
Boot up repair
Boot instructions included
Picture for illustration. Actual USB drive will vary depending on supplier