This PC Can't Run Windows 11 — How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Run the PC Health Check app from Microsoft to see exactly which requirement your PC fails. The most common blockers are TPM 2.0 disabled in BIOS and Secure Boot turned off. Both can usually be enabled in your BIOS settings without buying new hardware.

Affected Models

Windows 10 (upgrading to Windows 11)
Windows 11 installer

Common Causes

TPM 2.0 not enabled in BIOS (most common blocker)
Secure Boot disabled in BIOS firmware settings
CPU not on Microsoft's supported processor list
Less than 4 GB RAM or less than 64 GB storage
BIOS not set to UEFI mode (Legacy/CSM mode enabled)

How to Fix It

Run PC Health Check

Download the PC Health Check app from Microsoft's website. Run it and click 'Check now' — it tells you exactly which requirement is failing (TPM, Secure Boot, CPU, RAM, or storage).
Enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS

Restart and enter BIOS (press F2, F10, Del, or Esc on startup). Look for 'TPM', 'PTT' (Intel), or 'fTPM' (AMD) in the Security or Advanced menu. Enable it. Save and exit.
Enable Secure Boot

In BIOS, find 'Secure Boot' under the Boot or Security menu. Set it to Enabled. Also ensure the BIOS mode is set to UEFI, not Legacy/CSM — Secure Boot requires UEFI mode.
Switch BIOS from Legacy to UEFI

If your BIOS is in CSM/Legacy mode, switch to UEFI. WARNING: if Windows is installed in Legacy mode, switching to UEFI may stop Windows from booting — do this only on a fresh install or after converting the disk to GPT.
Use Rufus to bypass requirements (advanced)

If your CPU is not supported but you still want Windows 11, use Rufus (free tool) to create a Windows 11 USB installer with TPM and CPU requirement bypass enabled. Microsoft does not officially support this.

When to Call a Professional

If your CPU is genuinely not supported (check Microsoft's supported CPU list), upgrading to Windows 11 requires a new motherboard and processor. There is no software workaround for unsupported CPUs.

Frequently Asked Questions

My CPU is on the list but still says can't run Windows 11 — why?

TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are checked separately from the CPU. Even with a supported CPU, you must have TPM 2.0 enabled and Secure Boot on. Check both in BIOS.

Does enabling TPM 2.0 wipe my data?

No — enabling TPM 2.0 in BIOS does not affect your data or Windows installation. It simply activates a security chip that was already present on your motherboard.

Can an Intel 7th gen CPU run Windows 11?

No — Microsoft's minimum is 8th gen Intel (or AMD Ryzen 2000 series). 7th gen Intel is officially unsupported. You can use the Rufus bypass method but you will not receive Windows Update security patches.