[2024 Fix] This PC Doesn’t Meet the Minimum Requirements to Install Windows 11
As a long time Mac users, I am planning to switch to Windows 11 as the macOS is quite boring in recent years and my Mac is not eligible to run the latest macOS Sonoma because of out-dated hardware. However, I am not sure it is the right decision as Windows is totally different from macOS.
Fortunately, I received a very old ThinkPad laptop T440 , a legacy device coming out on 2013. So I downloaded the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft and made a bootable USB drive. When the laptop boots from the USB drive, I can see the Windows installation wizard. All of sudden, an error message pops up, saying:
This PC can’t run Windows 11
This PC doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements to install this version of Windows.
I visited the official web page for Windows 11 specs and system requirements and downloaded the PC heath app to check the compatibility. It turns out the CPU is not supported by Windows 11 and No TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which are the mandatory requirements for Windows 11.
In addition, it is quite expensive to buy a new computer full compatible with Windows 11. Not to mention, it is still undecided to switch to Windows 11 or not.
So I searched the topic in Google and managed to find a solution to bypass the Windows 11 system requirements thanks to the suggestion of Microsoft Tech Community members.
How to Fix ‘This PC Doesn’t Meet the Minimum Requirements for Windows 11'
Step 1: Download Windows 11 ISO disk image from Microsoft. I already downloaded the latest Win11_23H2_English_x64v2.iso on my laptop.
Step 2: Download and install WinBootMate app, a popular and recommended software for bypassing Windows 11 system requirements.
https://www.syscute.com/guide/winbootmate.html#part2
Step 3: Plug in a USB drive into the laptop and import Windows 11 ISO into the WinBootMate app. Now, check the Create A Bootable USB option and select the USB drive. After that, enable the option labelled with Bypass Windows 11’s Secure Boot, TPM and CPU. This is the most important settings you should not miss.
Step 4: Now, click the Burn button to write Windows 11 ISO to USB.
Step 5: Boot the unsupported hardware from USB drive and start installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet the minimum system requirements. You can see Windows 11 has been installed on my T440 successfully.
This is by the easiest way to fix the error that says “This PC Doesn’t Meet the Minimum Requirements for Windows 11". In fact, there are a couple of other methods available, such as modifying registry, replacing dll files or writing a configuration json file, but they are not the ideal choices for average users. WinBooMate does this job quite well and you don’t need to take much time on learning how to use the app!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the minimum system requirements for Windows 11?
The minimum system requirements for Windows 11 include a compatible 64-bit processor (1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores), 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability, TPM version 2.0, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card, and a display larger than 9 inches with HD resolution (720p).
2. Why does my PC not meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11?
Common reasons include an incompatible processor, insufficient RAM or storage, lack of TPM 2.0, or missing Secure Boot capability. Checking your PC specifications against the minimum requirements can help identify the issue.
3. Can I bypass the minimum requirements to install Windows 11?
Yes. You can even install Windows 11 on very old computers that does not meet Windows 11 system requirements.
4. How can I check if my PC has TPM 2.0?
You can check for TPM 2.0 by opening the TPM Management tool. Press Win + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. If TPM 2.0 is present and enabled, it will be displayed in the management console.
5. Possible to start the in-place upgrade to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware?
Yes. Once you makde the bootable USB with WinBootMate, go to the root folder of USB and click the setup.exe to run in-place upgrade to Windows 11. This will protect your data from deleted.
6. How to enable the Secure Boot on my PC?
Secure Boot is a security feature that helps prevent malicious software from loading during the boot process. It can be enabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings of your PC. The exact steps vary by manufacturer, so refer to your PC’s manual for specific instructions.
7. Can I upgrade my hardware to meet the Windows 11 requirements?
It depends on the current hardware configuration. Sometimes, you are able to upgrade components like the processor, RAM, or storage. However, some features like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot might not be possible to add to older systems.
