On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will cease delivering safety updates to your Windows 10 PC except you are keen to pay an exorbitant value to hitch the Extended Security Updates program.
When you attempt to improve to Windows 11 on a PC over just a few years previous, you may be informed, in no unsure phrases, that your previous PC would not qualify, as a result of its CPU is not on the official list of compatible processors. Microsoft has made it abundantly clear that it’ll not revise these necessities. Additionally, you will hit roadblocks in case your PC would not have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) model 2.0.
Additionally: The Windows 10 clock is ticking: 5 ways to save your old PC in 2025 (most are free)
Nevertheless, whereas that could be the official coverage, as with the whole lot Home windows-related, it pays to learn the superb print.
These pesky restrictions forestall you from routinely upgrading to Home windows 11 utilizing Home windows Replace or the Home windows 11 Set up Assistant. But there are two totally supported workarounds, as I doc in ZDNET’s Windows 11 FAQ.
Additionally: How to install Windows 11 the way you want (and sneak by Microsoft’s restrictions)
When you’re keen to carry out a clear set up of Home windows 11, you’ll be able to boot from set up media and run Home windows Setup. That choice skips the CPU compatibility examine fully. After the set up completes, you may must reinstall all of your apps, restore your knowledge recordsdata, and tweak settings to personalize your system preferences.
Need to keep away from all that problem? Comply with these 4 steps.
Learn how to improve your previous ‘incompatible’ PC to Home windows 11
It’s essential to make one small change to the Home windows registry, as documented on this Microsoft support document. This alteration tells the Home windows 11 Setup program to skip the examine for suitable CPUs and to permit set up on a PC with an older TPM (model 1.2). The standard warnings apply when working with the registry, in fact, and I like to recommend you make an entire backup earlier than continuing.
Open Registry Editor *Regedit.exe) and navigate to the next key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMSetupMoSetup
Choose that key after which right-click in any empty house within the pane on the correct. Select the choice to create a brand new DWORD worth, AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU, and set its worth to 1. The end result ought to appear to be this:
Use this registry tweak to override the Home windows 11 CPU and TPM compatibility checks.
Screenshot by Ed Bott/ZDNET
Click on OK to avoid wasting your change.
After the obtain completes, open File Explorer and double-click the ISO file. Doing so mounts the file as a digital DVD drive in its personal folder.
In File Explorer, discover the Setup.exe file and double-click it to start the improve. You may see a stern warning about compatibility points, however after you click on OK on that dialog field your improve ought to proceed with none severe points. You may have three choices: you’ll be able to preserve your apps, settings, and recordsdata (Full Improve); preserve your knowledge recordsdata however begin contemporary with apps and settings (Preserve Information Solely); or begin fully contemporary (Clear Set up).
Additionally: The best Windows laptops you can buy: Expert tested and reviewed
If you need extra management over the improve course of and are not afraid to mess with creating customized set up media, you should use the free, open-source utility Rufus. My ZDNET colleague Lance Whitney has the total particulars in ‘How to install Windows 11 the way you want (and sneak by Microsoft’s restrictions)‘.
