Windows 11 offers a modern user interface, improved performance, better security, and a refreshed experience. However, many older computers do not officially support Windows 11 because of requirements such as TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, UEFI firmware, and supported processors.
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If your PC is running Legacy BIOS or does not have TPM/Secure Boot, you might see the error:
“This PC can’t run Windows 11.”
Don’t worry — this detailed guide will show you exactly how to install Windows 11 on any unsupported system using a safe and reliable method.
Follow every step carefully, and you’ll be running Windows 11 smoothly — even on older PCs.
✅ Who This Guide Is For
This article will help you install Windows 11 on systems that have:
- No TPM or TPM 1.2 instead of TPM 2.0
- No Secure Boot support
- Only Legacy BIOS (not UEFI)
- Older processors like Intel 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th gen
- Low VRAM GPUs like Intel HD Graphics
- 4GB–8GB RAM
- SSD or HDD drives
If your PC supports Windows 10, it can run Windows 11 using this method.
Step 1: Check Your PC’s Current Specifications
Before installing Windows 11, first check your hardware information.
👉 Method 1: Using System Information
- Press Windows + R
- Type: msinfo32
- Press Enter
Check the following:
- BIOS Mode: Legacy
- Secure Boot State: Unsupported or Off
- Installed RAM: 4GB or more
- Processor: 64-bit CPU
- Storage: At least 64GB free
👉 Method 2: Check Motherboard Details (optional)
- Press Windows + R
- Type: cmd
- Paste the command:
wmic baseboard get product,manufacturer,versionThis helps identify the correct boot key for your system.
Step 2: Download the Windows 11 ISO Legally from Microsoft
To avoid corrupted or modified files, always download the official ISO.
✔️ Download Windows 11 ISO
- Visit the Microsoft page: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
- Scroll down to “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)”
- Select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO)
- Choose your language (English – India recommended)
- Click 64-bit Download
The ISO file size will be around 5.1–5.5GB
Step 3: Download Rufus (Required for Unsupported PCs)
Rufus allows bypassing Windows 11 restrictions safely.
✔️ Download Rufus from the official website: 👉 https://rufus.ie
Download the latest version (portable or setup – both work).
Step 4: Prepare Your USB Drive (8GB or More)
- Insert your USB drive into your system
- Backup important files (USB will be formatted)
Step 5: Create a Windows 11 Bootable USB Using Rufus (Legacy BIOS + No TPM)
Open Rufus and follow these exact settings:
✔️ Rufus Configuration for Legacy BIOS
- Device: Select your USB drive
- Boot selection: Disk or ISO image
- Boot selection: Disk or ISO image
- Image option: ✔️ Extended Windows 11 Installation (no TPM / no Secure Boot / no RAM checks)
- Partition Scheme: ✔️ MBR (Important for Legacy BIOS)
- Target System: ✔️ BIOS (or UEFI-CSM)
- File System: NTFS
- Cluster Size: Default
✔️ Bypass Windows 11 Restrictions (Pop-up Options)
Rufus will show checkboxes:
- ✔️ Remove requirement for Secure Boot
- ✔️ Remove requirement for TPM 2.0
- ✔️ Remove requirement for RAM and CPU checks
- ✔️ Allow creating local account (optional)
Click OK → then Start
Wait 5–10 minutes until it shows READY.
Your bootable Windows 11 USB is now prepared.
Step 6: Boot from the USB Drive
Restart your PC and press the Boot Menu key repeatedly.
✔️ Common Boot Keys:
| Brand | Boot Key |
| Dell | F12 |
| HP | Esc / F9 |
| Lenovo | F12 |
| Asus | F8 |
| Acer | F12 |
| MSI | F11 |
| Gigabyte | F12 |
Choose your USB Drive from the boot menu.
Step 7: Start Windows 11 Installation
Once the Windows setup loads:
- Choose Language, Time, and Keyboard
- Click Install Now
- “I don’t have a product key”
- Select the Windows 11 version (Home/Pro)
- Choose Custom: Install Windows only
- Select your SSD/HDD partition and click Next
Windows will begin installing and reboot automatically.
Step 8: Complete Windows 11 Setup
During setup:
- Create your account (offline account works)
- Choose privacy settings
- Connect to Wi-Fi (optional)
- Let setup finish
This may take around 10–15 minutes depending on your hardware.
Step 9: Install Drivers and Update Windows
Once you reach the desktop:
✔️ Step 1: Run Windows Update
Go to:
Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
✔️ Step 2: Install Drivers
Use:
👉 Intel Driver & Support Assistant
(For graphics, chipset, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.)
✔️ Step 3: Activate Windows
If your previous Windows 10 was activated, Windows 11 will auto-activate.
Benefits of Windows 11 on Unsupported PCs
Even though your PC is older, Windows 11 still offers:
- Faster boot time
- Modern user interface
- Better window management (Snap Layouts)
- Enhanced security
- Improved animations and UI
- More responsive performance on SSDs
Many users report Windows 11 running better than Windows 10 on the same hardware.
Important Note About Unsupported Installations
Microsoft does allow installation on unsupported devices, but:
- You may not receive some future updates
- Driver support depends on your hardware
- Some security features may be disabled
However, 99% of everyday tasks work perfectly:
Browsing, video editing, gaming, multitasking, office work, etc.
Troubleshooting (If Errors Appear)
❌ “This PC can’t run Windows 11”
Use the Rufus bypass settings again.
❌ Stuck at 0% during installation
Change USB port or recreate USB in Rufus.
❌ Windows slow after installation
- Disable startup apps
- Install latest Intel drivers
- Update Windows
❌ Legacy BIOS boot issues
Ensure:
- Boot Mode = Legacy or CSM
- USB first priority
- Secure Boot disabled
Conclusion: Yes, You CAN Install Windows 11 on Any Unsupported PC
By following this complete guide, you can successfully install Windows 11 on:
- Legacy BIOS systems
- Without TPM
- Without Secure Boot
- Older Intel/AMD processors
The process is safe, reliable, and widely used by millions of users worldwide.
If your computer can run Windows 10, it can run Windows 11 smoothly using this method.
Can I install Windows 11 on a PC without TPM?
Yes. You can install Windows 11 without TPM by using tools like Rufus, which remove the TPM 2.0 requirement during installation. This method is safe and commonly used on older PCs.
Can Windows 11 run on Legacy BIOS instead of UEFI?
Yes. Windows 11 can run on Legacy BIOS systems, but you must create a bootable USB using Rufus with MBR partition scheme and bypass requirements.
Is it safe to install Windows 11 on an unsupported PC?
Yes, it is safe for daily use. Microsoft only restricts installation due to missing security features. You may not receive some future major updates, but most updates still work normally.
Will Windows 11 run smoothly on older processors like Intel 4th, 5th, or 6th gen?
Yes. Windows 11 runs well on older CPUs if you have at least 8GB RAM and an SSD. Performance is often better than Windows 10 in many areas.
Why do I get the “This PC can’t run Windows 11” error?
This error appears when your PC lacks TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, or has an unsupported CPU. Using Rufus or registry modifications during setup removes these restrictions.
Can I upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without losing data?
Yes. You can mount the Windows 11 ISO in Windows 10 and run setup.exe to upgrade while keeping your apps and files.
Do I need a product key to install Windows 11?
No. You can click “I don’t have a product key” during installation. Windows 11 will automatically activate if your previous Windows 10 was activated.
Does Windows 11 require UEFI and Secure Boot?
Officially yes, but not mandatory. Using Rufus allows you to install Windows 11 on Legacy BIOS without UEFI or Secure Boot.
Why is Rufus recommended for installing Windows 11 on old PCs?
Rufus provides built-in options to remove TPM, Secure Boot, CPU, and RAM checks, making it ideal for unsupported hardware.
Is Windows 11 better than Windows 10 on old computers?
In many cases, yes. Windows 11 offers better animations, improved performance on SSDs, faster boot time, and a modern UI that works efficiently even on older hardware.
