How to Upgrade Your 'Incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 - for Free

Are you one of the millions of Windows 10 users who is worried about being left behind by Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 11? You're not alone. With Windows 10's support ending on January 13th, 2024 and security updates scheduled to cease in October 14th, 2025, you need to act fast.

But here's the catch: if your PC is more than five or six years old, Microsoft won't let you upgrade to Windows 11 through Windows Update. And even if you manage to bypass those restrictions, you may encounter errors that prevent you from completing the installation process.

However, we've got some good news for you. With the right tweaks and workarounds, it is possible to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 - for free!

What You Need to Know

Before we dive into the details, let's cover some essential requirements:

  • You need a PC with an x64 CPU (not ARM and not 32-bit)
  • You must be running a retail or OEM edition of Windows 10 (Home or Pro)
  • You need to be signed in as an administrator on the PC you want to upgrade

Also, please note that Microsoft has added new restrictions as part of the Windows 11 version 24H2 update. These changes require a CPU that supports specific instructions - SSE4.2 and PopCnt. Most PCs with Intel CPUs from 2009 or later will meet this standard. AMD CPUs from 2013 or later should also meet these requirements.

Option 1: Use This Simple Registry Edit

This registry edit bypasses CPU checks and accepts any TPM version. Please be aware that this option requires running the Setup program from within your current Windows installation.

  1. Change one key in the Windows registry by navigating to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup and creating a new DWORD value with the name AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU, replacing the default value with 1.
  2. Restart your PC after making the change
  3. Download the Windows 11 ISO from aka.ms/DownloadWindows11 and save it to the Downloads folder of your Windows system drive
  4. Mount the ISO file in File Explorer, double-click Setup.exe to begin the upgrade process
  5. Click Accept on the warning message about compatibility issues

Option 2: Use the Free Rufus Utility

This undocumented hack bypasses the compatibility checker for older PCs without a TPM and those that don't support Secure Boot and UEFI.

  1. Download Rufus version 4.6 or later from here.
  2. Save the ISO file to the Downloads folder of your Windows system drive and download it from aka.ms/DownloadWindows11
  3. Create a USB flash drive with at least 16 GB in size and reformat it as part of the process. Back up any data on that drive first!
  4. Rufus will create installation media (on a USB flash) drive that includes these tweaks automatically. Open that USB drive in File Explorer, double-click Setup to begin the upgrade process
  5. Click Accept on the warning message about compatibility issues

Important Notes and Warnings

  • Please make sure you have a complete backup of your data before attempting any upgrade.
  • Using Rufus may not allow you to bypass the new restrictions on very old PCs that were introduced with Windows 11 version 24H2.
  • Always ensure that you meet all the requirements for Windows 11, including CPU compatibility and TPM support.

Conclusion

Upgrading your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 can be a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and tools, it is possible to bypass Microsoft's restrictions and complete the installation process. Make sure you meet all the requirements, follow these workarounds carefully, and always back up your data first.