Have you ever looked at the lengthy Windows 11 upgrade checklist? There is an easier way to install Windows 11 on older CPUs. You don't need to format your drive, delete your files or burn the ISO file to an external USB drive.
You may be seeing the following: Your computer does not meet Windows 11 system requirements, or your processor isn't supported by Windows 11. Microsoft has a registry hack that will instantly fix it.
This method was tested on a Dell XPS 15 and Core i7-7700HQ, as well as a Microsoft Surface Go and Pentium Gold 4415Y. Neither of these are Microsofts compatible devices.
The entire process, from start to finish, is explained in just three steps.
1) Download the Windows 11 ISO
The ISO will need to be downloaded. This trick didn't work in our testing with Windows 11 Install Assistant. It doesn't trigger Windows Update and doesn't fool Microsofts PC Health Check Tool.
Scroll down on this Microsoft page to download Windows 11 Disk Image. Click the Select Download dropdown and select Windows 11. Next, click the Download button. Choose your product language from below the Choose one dropdown. Hit Confirm to proceed with 64-bit download.
Let's move on to step 2.
2) Modify the Windows Registry to disable the CPU check
To launch the Registry Editor, click Start in Windows and type regedit. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup, either by pasting that whole address into the box just beneath File, Edit, View, Favorites, Help or by drilling down through the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and System and Setup and MoSetup folders one at a time.
Right-click in the right pane and select New >DWORD (32 bit) Value. Name the value AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU minus the quotes. Double-click the value you have created and then enter 1 in the Value data field. Click OK to close the registry editor.
3. Open the ISO file in Windows Explorer, and launch setup
Did the ISO download complete? Double-click it to start the installation.
This is it! This is it! Microsoft reserves the rights to withhold security updates for those who choose this route.
