Got an ‘unsupported hardware’ error when installing Windows 11? No worries!
If you’re frustrated with Microsoft’s strict hardware requirements for Windows 11, especially TPM 2.0, CPU, and RAM limitations, you’re not alone. Here’s a handy guide to bypass these requirements and get Windows 11 up and running on your device without a hitch.
Why bypass requirements?
Microsoft has set additional hardware limitations for Windows 11, including support for TPM 2.0, a minimum of 4GB RAM and the presence of at least dual-core CPU. These requirements can be problematic for older PCs and virtual machines that do not have TPM security module support or need to run on lower amounts of RAM. However, with a bit of registry tweaking, you can get around these limitations and enjoy the latest Windows 11 features.
What is TPM?
TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a security feature designed to provide hardware-based security functions. Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 to enhance security, but many older systems lack this module, making them incompatible out-of-the-box.
Step-by-Step guide
Step 1: Prepare your installation media
First things first, you’ll need a bootable Windows 11 USB drive or other media. If you don’t have one yet, you can download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s website and create a bootable USB using Rufus or similar tools.
Step 2: Boot from your Windows 11 installation media
1. Insert your bootable Windows 11 USB drive into your computer.
2. Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive.
3. The initial screen will prompt you to select the installation language.
Step 3: Open the Command Prompt
1. Press SHIFT + F10 to open the Command Prompt.
Step 4: Launch the Registry Editor
1. In the Command Prompt, type regedit and press Enter. This will open the Registry Editor.
Step 5: Create the special ‘LabConfig’ registry key
1. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup.
2. Right-click on the Setup key, select New -> Key
3. Name the new key: LabConfig
Step 6: Create DWORD values in the LabConfig key
1. Inside the LabConfig key, right-click in the right pane and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value.
2. Name this new DWORD Value: BypassTPMCheck
3. Right click the newly created value, click ‘Modify’, set the value to 1 and press OK
4. Create another DWORD (32-bit) value named BypassSecureBootCheck and set it to 1
5. To bypass the RAM check, create a DWORD named BypassRAMCheck and set it to 1
Step 7: Continue with Windows 11 Installation
1. Close the Registry Editor and the Command Prompt.
2. Proceed with the Windows 11 installation by following the on-screen instructions, if everything is done correctly, no hardware-relate errors will appear.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can successfully bypass TPM and RAM requirements and install Windows 11 on your device. This guide ensures you can enjoy the latest features of Windows 11, even if your hardware doesn’t officially meet Microsoft’s requirements. Happy installing!
FAQs
Q: Is bypassing TPM and RAM requirements safe?
A: While bypassing these checks can allow you to install Windows 11, it’s important to note that Microsoft sets these requirements for a reason, primarily for enhanced security and performance. Proceed with caution and ensure your system is backed up.
Q: Will my system receive updates after bypassing these requirements?
A: There’s no guarantee that systems bypassing the requirements will receive all updates. Microsoft may restrict updates to devices meeting the official hardware criteria.
Q: Can I revert to Windows 10 if needed?
A: Yes, if Windows 11 doesn’t work well on your device, you can reinstall Windows 10 using a bootable USB drive.
