Upgrading from Windows 10 with Unsupported CPU and TPM 1.0

In this post, I will show you the steps in upgrading from Windows 10 with an unsupported CPU and TPM 1.0 to Windows 11 even if your PC has an unsupported CPU with a TPM below the 2.0 recommended version by Microsoft. Certainly, a lot of us became panicked when Microsoft released the minimum requirements for installing Windows 11 on our PCs. Please see Installing Windows 11 without TPM Support, How to install Windows Server 2022 on VirtualBox, and how to bypass unsupported CPU and Processor by upgrading to Windows 11 via Windows Update.

Nonetheless, there is always a walkaround. Before you even think of installation, you should manually check the PC health check to see if your PC qualifies. If your PC is not qualified, don’t worry it is not the end of life. You can still hold on to your Windows 10 as Microsoft said they will still support Windows 10 through 2025.

You may decide to use the VirtualBox Manager. But if you face the issue of the Windows 11 Image failing to startup as expected, you can check out my previous post on how to fix “Failed to open session in VirtualBox to install the Image. If you’re a Linux user, can check out most of my last post on A brief Introduction to Linux and how to create disk partition in Ubuntu Linux.

Backup Your PC for Windows 11 Upgrade

When you upgrade to Windows 11, you don’t keep all the files and apps you have to back up your PC. You can use external hard drive storage or Flash drive storage. Or probably use the easiest and cloud-based approach which is Microsoft OneDrive to back up your PC.

Hence, if you’re interested in learning how OneDrive works, you can learn about it here. With that now out of the way. Let’s talk about how you can upgrade to Windows 11 in a few simple steps.

Free Upgrade

To get started with the upgrade, these simple steps below will help you!

• Click Start Menu
• Select Settings
• Then select, Updates & Security
• If your PC is qualified and the "Download and Install Windows 11" updates notice shows up or your PC is not qualify, head to download Windows 11 . On this website, you have three different options for upgrading and installing Windows 11. The first one uses Windows 11 installation assistant which is probably the easiest one to use. (I recommend this approach if your PC support Windows 11 by default). The second option allows you to create Windows 11 installation media. The third option gives you an option to download the ISO installation file. Let’s say your PC doesn’t support Windows 11 and you can’t wait to have it installed, then the Download Windows 11 Disk Image approach is the best option for you.

Modifying PC Registry

Alternatively, you can upgrade or install Windows 11 on an unsupported CPU or TPM by modifying your PC Registry. Then add a new DWORD value to it.

To do so, press the Windows Key + S and search for the term Registry Editor

Then, click the path with the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"

Next, Right-Click anywhere on the screen -> New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value as shown on the screenshot above.

Afterwards, rename the new registry with "AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU"

Then, modify the DWORD Value from 0 to 1 and Click Ok, and close out the registry Window

Locate Windows 11 installation media

Next, locate Windows 11 installation media under the “This PC” to run it from either a USB installation media or CD/DVD disk media

Then, double click to open the installation files and locate the Setup files.

Wait for the installation files to get populated.

This will take to a warning screen by Microsoft stressing that your PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements for running Windows 11. 

Furthermore, you won’t be getting security updates. So, if you are satisfied with it that way, proceed to click the "Accept" and continue with your installation.

Security Updates Warning!

Note: Microsoft has seriously warned that if you install Windows 11 on a PC that doesn’t meet the minimum requirements your PC will no longer receive security updates!

So by this warning by Microsoft, if you go ahead with the option stated in this article you’re doing so at your own risk as Microsoft or your PC manufacturer will NOT be held responsible for any security breaches that happen to your PC!

I hope you found this article useful on upgrading from Windows 10 with Unsupported CPU and TPM 1.0. Please feel free to leave a comment below.