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Starting October 14, Microsoft will do just that Windows 10 is no longer supported. This leaves many computers vulnerable to all kinds of security issues. Many Windows 10 computers Fully compatible with Windows 11 and upgradable for free. Many other devices are “incompatible” and appear to require new hardware or a complete replacement.
But wait! It turns out that many Windows 10 PCs may already be compatible with Windows 11 despite notices saying otherwise. All you have to do is make some simple adjustments to some settings. This does not require opening your computer and should only take a few minutes to complete.
In my case, Microsoft said my 6 year old computer was not compatible, but I followed these steps and now it is. In general, if it’s around this age or newer, you should be able to upgrade using the steps below. Older than that, it is less likely but still possible. Here’s what you need to do.
First, check the cause
Before you start messing around with settings, launch the Microsoft PC Health Check app, which is likely already on your computer. Just press the Windows key on your keyboard and type “Health Check.” If not, You can download PC Health Check Free. Open the app and check its compatibility with Windows 11. Specifically, why doesn’t it pass? If you see a message indicating problems with Secure Boot and TPM, these problems may be fixable, which we’ll explain in detail below. If there are other issues, such as processor incompatibility, this presents an even greater challenge.
An example of what PC Health Check will show if your PC is compatible with Windows 11, along with why (or why not).
If the issue is with the processor, and you plan to do a “clean install” of Windows 11 — wiping and cleaning your PC and reinstalling all programs and files — this should bypass the CPU check. That way Not officially approvedthough. Since you will still need Secure Boot and TPM compatibility, I’m guessing that not many of you reading this have a compatible motherboard but the CPU doesn’t.
Secure Boot and TPM 2.0
For myself, all I wanted to do was play Battlefield 6. Imagine my surprise and annoyance when Steam told me my computer was not compatible. Yes, like you, I’ve been stalling with Windows 11, and now I’ve finally crossed the dead-end mark. Turns out, the same things BF6 needs are the same things that make Windows 10 assume your PC isn’t ready for Windows 11. There are two main things: Secure Boot and the Trusted Platform Module, or TPM.
It’s worth noting that the tweaks detailed here won’t magically make PCs with incompatible hardware compatible, such as those with ARM-based processors, some AMD processors, and much older 32-bit systems. Don’t worry if you’re not sure; You’ll find out what’s inside your computer if you forgot it in the following steps.
Check Secure Boot and TPM
Example of msinfo32. The partitions in red are the most important for upgrading to Windows 11. The System Type should be “x64-based” and the BIOS should be “UEFI”. The BaseBoard manufacturer and product are not requirements per se, but writing down what they are will help you access the BIOS and find more specific help if needed.
Finally, Secure Boot does not have to be running, but the BaseBoard/Motherboard must be at least compatible with Secure Boot. Unless you know why you want to turn it off, it’s best to turn it on.
Click on Windows and R keys. He writes msinfo32 And look for Secure Boot Status. It may be disabled. also, Check BIOS mode. This should say UEFI. More on all of these settings in a moment. While you’re in this program, note the manufacturer and model of your baseboard, also called your motherboard. This will come in handy later.
He presses Windows Plus R again. He writes tpm.msc And see if any information is displayed, such as manufacturer information, etc., and you should be ready to move on. If not, all is not lost. You may just need to enable it, as detailed below.
Example of information that tpm.msc will show if your motherboard has an active TPM.
Bios settings to change
The most difficult part of this whole process is knowing how to get into your computer’s BIOS, which stands for Basic Input/Output System. This is the simple programming your computer uses to boot, before Windows loads. In most BIOS systems, there is a button you can press on the keyboard to access settings during the boot process. For example, on my computer, the Delete or F2 key is pressed during the initial loading screen (pre-Windows). I tend to press it a lot during the boot process because I don’t know when keystrokes will register, and back when I first started building computers in the dark ages of the late 20th century, this seemed like the only way to make it work. If you can’t access BIOS, look for your motherboard model as well as “Access BIOS.”
If you have an MSI motherboard, the BIOS interface may look like this.
Enable UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
Your computer is likely already set to use UEFI instead of legacy BIOS mode. If not, you need to enable it and restart it. There are so many motherboard manufacturers that I can’t describe exactly where this setting will be, but it should be fairly obvious. If not, check under Advanced settings. As mentioned above, searching for your motherboard and “enable UEFI” should help. Note that if you can’t enable UEFI, you won’t be able to perform the following steps, and you won’t be able to upgrade to Windows 11.
Example of ASUS BIOS interface.
Enable secure boot
Once you return to your BIOS after enabling UEFI, look for the Secure Boot setting. Like UEFI, your system must be Secure Boot compatible to work with Windows 11 It is not necessary to enable Secure Boot; The option has to 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 assume you won’t, you should enable Secure Boot, because it blocks certain types of malware.
Example of the ASRock Bios interface
Enable TPM
Finally, you want to enable TPM. Again, if you can’t, you won’t be able to upgrade to Windows 11. TPM builds have been mandatory on Windows devices since 2016. So, if your PC came with Windows 10 and it’s new, it must have a TPM build. If your computer hardware is old, it likely does not have the necessary TPM compatibility.
Officially, you need TPM 2.0 to run Windows 11, but there is a workaround for PCs that have TPM 1.2 as well as some older CPUs. However, it involves modifying your computer’s registry. If you don’t already know how to get into your computer’s BIOS, I don’t recommend messing with the registry. An error here can lead to the death of your computer. This method was actually described on Microsoft’s support page at one point. That page has since been replaced with a page that basically says, “Do not install Windows 11 on an incompatible PC.” For most people, this is probably the best advice. If you are willing to risk destroying your computer (backup everyone Your personal data first), you can check it Web Archive version of the Microsoft page.
With my PC, once UEFI is enabled, I can switch to TPM security at the same time I enabled Secure Boot. I saved my settings, rebooted my computer, and I was good to go. We hope things go smoothly for you, in which case all you have to do is Recheck Windows 11 compatibility.
Cheap hardware solution if the above doesn’t work
If the above steps don’t work, it’s likely because your motherboard itself isn’t compatible with Windows 11’s new security standards. Before you throw it in the big trash can in the sky (Aka Best Buy or any other local electronics recycler), there is one last hope. Many companies manufacture TPM modules Which adds TPM compatibility to some motherboards. However, don’t get your hopes up. There was only a few years between this compatibility coming on the horizon and manufacturers not including it, but adding connectivity to include it.
Google “motherboard” and “TPM compatibility” for more information.
Should you care at all?
If this is the monitor you’ve been using, your computer is probably not compatible with Windows 11. You should also recycle these things. You can do this for free at Best Buy and other locations.
If your computer is fairly new (six years old or younger), it won’t take long to prepare it for an upgrade to Windows 11. Is it worth it? definitely. Without additional security updates, At least not without other stepsYour computer will be vulnerable to malware and viruses. With millions of PCs running Windows 10, many of which will also not be upgraded to Windows 11, hackers will certainly be incentivized to find and exploit newly discovered security issues.
The only exception is if you have an old computer that has never been connected to the Internet and will never connect. Air gaps, as spy movies say. If you can’t download things to it, it can’t get infected. Only consider this if you are certainly He will never be connected to the outside world.
If your computer is too old to upgrade, Think of something new. Fortunately, with the holiday season right around the corner, there should be some good sales in the coming months.
Next steps
Once your computer is ready for Windows 11, Easy to upgradeShockingly, it’s free for most people.