Windows 11 introduced hardware requirements far stricter than Windows 10’s — strict enough that a large share of otherwise perfectly good PCs don’t officially qualify. Here is what each requirement means, how to check your PC, and what your real options are.
The requirements, in plain English
- TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) — a security chip (or firmware equivalent) that stores encryption keys. Most PCs made since ~2016 have it built in but disabled in BIOS by default.
- UEFI with Secure Boot capable — your PC must boot in UEFI mode (not legacy BIOS/CSM) with Secure Boot supported.
- A supported 64-bit CPU — generally Intel 8th-gen (Coffee Lake, 2017+) or AMD Ryzen 2000-series and newer, on Microsoft’s approved CPU list.
- 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, DirectX 12 / WDDM 2.x graphics — the more modest requirements most PCs already meet.
Check your PC in two minutes
- Download Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app and run “Check now” — it tells you exactly which requirement, if any, fails.
- Or check manually: press Win+R, type
tpm.msc, and confirm TPM version 2.0 is listed. - Confirm UEFI mode: press Win+R, type
msinfo32, and check “BIOS Mode” reads UEFI, not Legacy.
If TPM shows as missing but your PC is fairly recent
Many PCs from 2016 onward have TPM 2.0 built into the CPU (Intel PTT or AMD fTPM) but shipped with it disabled. Enter BIOS/UEFI setup (usually Del or F2 at startup), look under Security or Advanced settings for “Intel PTT,” “PTT,” or “AMD fTPM,” and enable it. Re-run PC Health Check afterward.
If your PC is in Legacy BIOS mode
Converting an existing Windows install from Legacy/MBR to UEFI/GPT in place is possible with Microsoft’s MBR2GPT tool, but it’s a technical process with real risk to your data if interrupted. A clean install directly onto a GPT disk from bootable media sidesteps this entirely and is the more reliable route.
If your CPU genuinely isn't supported
Windows 11 can still be installed on unsupported CPUs by bypassing the check during setup (registry edit or modified install media), but Microsoft explicitly does not guarantee updates, including security updates, on unsupported hardware long-term. For anything you rely on, weigh that against simply staying on a well-maintained Windows 10 install (see our Windows 10 end-of-support guide) or upgrading the hardware.
How our RecoveryUSB helps
Whichever path fits — enabling TPM and doing a clean UEFI install, or moving to a new drive first — our Windows Install & Recovery USB gives you clean, ready-to-boot Windows 10 or 11 media, and our Clonezilla USB handles migrating everything to new, Windows-11-ready hardware without a manual reinstall.
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Shop Recovery USBsFrequently asked questions
How do I know if my PC has TPM 2.0?
Press Win+R, type tpm.msc, and check the version listed. If none appears, check BIOS/UEFI for a disabled 'Intel PTT' or 'AMD fTPM' setting — most PCs since 2016 have it built in but switched off.
Can I install Windows 11 without TPM 2.0?
Yes, using a registry bypass or modified install media during setup, but Microsoft doesn't guarantee this configuration receives future updates, including security updates. It's a workaround, not an officially supported path.
What if my PC just doesn't qualify for Windows 11 at all?
You can stay on Windows 10 with awareness that free security updates have ended (see our Windows 10 end-of-support guide), upgrade the hardware, or run Windows 11 unsupported at your own risk.