Windows 11 Compatibility Check: Can You Run It on Your Computer?

Windows 11 looks sleek, it’s everywhere in ads, and thanks to the end of free support for Windows 10 in October 2025, it’s no longer something you can ignore “for later.” The real question now is simple: can your current PC actually run Windows 11, or is it secretly living its last supported days?

Microsoft made Windows 11 a bit pickier than past versions of Windows. Instead of “if it turns on, it’s fine,” the new operating system expects certain security features and modern hardware. That’s great for safety, but confusing for anyone staring at a “This PC doesn’t meet Windows 11 system requirements” message.

In this guide, we’ll walk through:

• What Windows 11 actually requires under the hood
• Easy ways to run a Windows 11 compatibility check
• How to verify things like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot
• What to do if your computer fails the test
• Real-world experiences from people upgrading (and a few who tried to cheat the system)

Grab your mouse, maybe a cup of coffee, and let’s see if your PC is ready for Windows 11 or if it’s time to have “the talk” about an upgrade.

What Windows 11 Actually Requires

Microsoft publishes official minimum system requirements for Windows 11, and unlike older versions, they really do matter this time. Here are the essentials for typical consumer and business editions:

• Processor (CPU): 1 GHz or faster, at least 2 cores, 64-bit, and on Microsoft’s list of supported processors.
• RAM: At least 4 GB.
• Storage: 64 GB or more of available disk space.
• System firmware: UEFI, with Secure Boot capable and enabled.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 enabled.
• Graphics: DirectX 12 compatible graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
• Display: 9-inch or larger HD (720p) display with 8 bits per color channel.
• Internet + account: Windows 11 Home requires an internet connection and a Microsoft account during setup.

You might also see mention of special Windows 11 IoT (Internet of Things) editions that relax some of these requirements, like TPM and RAM, for embedded devices. That’s useful for kiosks and industrial hardware, but for normal home and office PCs, the standard requirements above are what count.

Why Microsoft Cares About TPM and Secure Boot

Two of the most confusing items in the list are TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. These are security features that help protect your system from malware, ransomware, and firmware tampering.

• TPM 2.0 stores cryptographic keys and is used by features like BitLocker drive encryption and Windows Hello.
• Secure Boot makes sure that only trusted, signed software loads during the boot process.

In other words, Windows 11 is trying to push everyone toward a more secure baseline. It can feel annoying when you just want to upgrade, but long-term, these features help reduce the risk of serious security problems.

How to Run a Windows 11 Compatibility Check

The good news: you don’t have to memorize specs or decode marketing jargon. Microsoft and hardware makers give you tools that do the compatibility check for you.

1. Use the Official PC Health Check App

Microsoft’s PC Health Check app is the simplest way to confirm whether your PC can run Windows 11.

1. On a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC, open the Start menu and search for “PC Health Check”. If it’s installed, open it.
2. If you don’t see it, download it from Microsoft’s official link (aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp).
3. Launch the app and look for the “Introducing Windows 11” section.
4. Click “Check now.”

Within a few seconds, you’ll get one of two results:

• “This PC meets Windows 11 requirements” – You’re good to go.
• “This PC doesn’t currently meet Windows 11 system requirements” – The app will list the specific reasons.

PC Health Check is especially helpful because it breaks down the problem: maybe your CPU is unsupported, TPM is off, or Secure Boot isn’t enabled. That beats guessing.

2. Check Compatibility Through Settings and Manufacturer Tools

On many systems, especially branded desktops and laptops, Windows Update will tell you if the device is ready for Windows 11. If the hardware qualifies, you’ll often see a notice in Settings > Update & Security about upgrading to Windows 11.

Some OEMs (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, etc.) also publish their own compatibility lists and tools that show which models are Windows 11–ready. For example, Dell and ASUS provide documentation on supported CPUs, TPM availability, and BIOS settings for Secure Boot and TPM 2.0.

3. Use a Step-by-Step Windows 11 Compatibility Checklist

If you like doing things manually or you’re evaluating multiple PCs (say, in a small office), follow a simple checklist approach:

1. Run PC Health Check to get a quick yes/no baseline.
2. Verify TPM 2.0: In Windows, press Win + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. Check that TPM 2.0 is present and “Ready to use.”
3. Check Secure Boot: Open System Information and look for Secure Boot State. It should say “On.”
4. Confirm CPU, RAM, and storage via Settings > System > About (for CPU and RAM) and Settings > System > Storage.

Many IT guides recommend almost exactly this five-step flow for checking Windows 11 compatibility in a more deliberate way.

How to Turn On TPM and Secure Boot (If Your PC Is Close to Compatible)

A lot of modern PCs fail the Windows 11 compatibility check not because the hardware is missing, but because security features are turned off in the firmware (BIOS/UEFI).

Step 1: Enter Your BIOS/UEFI

To access firmware settings, restart your PC and tap a key like F2, Delete, Esc, or F10 as soon as it starts booting. The correct key usually flashes briefly on the screen or is listed in the manufacturer’s documentation.

Step 2: Enable TPM 2.0

In the BIOS/UEFI menu, you’re looking for anything labeled:

• TPM or Trusted Platform Module
• PTT (Intel Platform Trust Technology)
• fTPM (firmware TPM on AMD systems)

Once found, set it to Enabled, save your changes, and restart. Most PCs shipped in the last several years include TPM 2.0 even if it’s disabled by default.

Step 3: Enable Secure Boot

Look for a Secure Boot setting, usually under Boot or Security options. Switch Secure Boot from “Disabled” to “Enabled.” You may need to switch the system from “Legacy” or “CSM” boot mode to full UEFI mode first, as Secure Boot does not work with old-style legacy BIOS.

After enabling TPM and Secure Boot, run PC Health Check again. Many users report that a previously incompatible system suddenly passes the Windows 11 eligibility test once those features are turned on.

What If Your PC Is Still Not Compatible?

Sometimes the incompatibility isn’t just a setting. Your system might have:

• An older CPU that’s not on Microsoft’s supported list
• A motherboard that doesn’t support TPM 2.0 at all
• Legacy BIOS that cannot run UEFI and Secure Boot

In that case, you have a few realistic options.

Option 1: Upgrade Components (If It Makes Sense)

On a desktop PC, you may be able to:

• Upgrade the motherboard and CPU to a supported platform
• Add more RAM to reach 4 GB or more
• Switch from a tiny hard drive to a larger SSD

This can be cost-effective if you already have a good case, power supply, and GPU. But for very old systems, the cost and effort can approach that of a brand-new Windows 11 PC.

Option 2: Buy a New or Refurbished Windows 11 PC

With Windows 10 no longer getting free security updates after October 14, 2025, many users will eventually need to move on. Consumer groups and tech outlets note that most PCs bought in the last four years are already Windows 11-ready; for much older machines, jumping to a modern, energy-efficient Windows 11 device often makes more financial and security sense than patchwork upgrades.

Option 3: Stay on Windows 10 for a While (With Caveats)

Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, which can keep critical security patches flowing for a limited time after mainstream support ends. That buys you time but doesn’t add new features, and eventually, those extended updates end too. Staying on an unsupported OS long-term increases your risk of malware and data breaches.

Option 4: Consider Alternatives Carefully

If Windows 11 truly isn’t in the cards, some people explore other operating systems like Linux or ChromeOS Flex. These can breathe new life into older hardware, but compatibility with specific Windows apps and games can be limited. They’re good options for light web browsing and office workless ideal if you rely on specialized Windows-only software.

Should You Bypass Windows 11 Requirements?

Because Windows 11’s requirements are strict, a cottage industry of tools and scripts has popped up that promise to install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs by bypassing hardware checks (TPM, Secure Boot, CPU, RAM). Some scripts and utilities modify installation files or tweak registry settings to skip those checks.

While these methods often “work,” there are serious caveats:

• Microsoft warns that unsupported systems might not receive all updates or may have stability issues.
• Many bypass tools are third-party, and some fake download sites have already been caught distributing malicious versions of these utilities.
• Video tutorials and guides about bypass methods are increasingly flagged or removed by platforms over security concerns, which says a lot about the potential risks.

If you experiment with these techniques, you should understand that you’re moving outside the supported path. For mission-critical systems or any device that holds important personal or business data, the safer choice is to use officially compatible hardware.

Real-World Windows 11 Compatibility Experiences (500+ Words)

It’s one thing to read the official requirements and another to live through the upgrade process. Here are some common patterns and experiences people share when they go through a Windows 11 compatibility check.

Case 1: The “Almost There” 2018 Laptop

Picture a 2018 mid-range laptop: 8 GB of RAM, SSD, and a decent Intel chip. The owner runs PC Health Check and gets the dreaded “doesn’t meet requirements” message. At first, it feels unfairthis thing still feels fast!

After digging into the details, the app shows that TPM isn’t enabled, and Secure Boot is off. A quick trip into the BIOS reveals an option called Intel PTT and a Secure Boot toggle. Both are set to Disabled. A couple of changes, a reboot, and another PC Health Check later, and the laptop suddenly passes the Windows 11 test.

Upgrading goes smoothly, and the user ends up with a system that boots faster, feels slightly snappier, and gets the latest security featuresall without buying new hardware. This is one of the most common success stories: the machine was compatible all along; it just needed its security muscles flexed.

Case 2: The Custom Gaming PC with an Unsupported CPU

Now imagine a gaming PC built around 2016–2017. It has tons of RAM, a powerful graphics card, and fast NVMe storage. For games, it’s still an absolute beast. For Windows 11? Not so much.

PC Health Check flags the system because the CPU isn’t on Microsoft’s official supported list, even though performance-wise it’s still strong. TPM might be available through firmware, and Secure Boot might be configurable, but that CPU whitelist is non-negotiable for a fully supported install.

Many users in this situation face a choice:

• Stick with Windows 10 (plus Extended Security Updates for a limited time)
• Upgrade the core platform (new motherboard + CPU, sometimes RAM)
• Use an unsupported install method and accept the risks

For gamers who frequently upgrade components anyway, swapping to a newer CPU platform often ends up being the logical move. It’s not just about Windows 11; it also improves frame rates, reduces stutters, and extends the life of the whole setup.

Case 3: The Office of Mixed Machines

Small businesses often have a mix of hardware: a few newer laptops, some older desktops under people’s desks, and maybe a dusty “server” guarding a corner. When Windows 11 came along, many IT admins ran compatibility scans across the fleet and got a patchwork of results.

Typical pattern:

• Laptops purchased in the last 3–4 years: compatible once TPM and Secure Boot are enabled.
• Desktops older than about 7–8 years: often fail due to unsupported CPUs or lack of UEFI/TPM.
• Very old specialty machines connected to lab equipment or industrial hardware: usually not compatible at all and risky to change.

The solution many offices use is staggered: upgrade the obviously compatible systems first, plan hardware refreshes for borderline machines, and leave a few niche computers on older Windows versions with very tight access and strict security policies until they can be replaced.

Case 4: The “Let’s Try a Bypass” Experiment

Some tech-savvy users look at all the requirements and decide, “Nope, I’m installing Windows 11 anyway.” Using registry tweaks, custom install media, or third-party tools, they bypass TPM, Secure Boot, or CPU checks and successfully get to a Windows 11 desktop on unsupported hardware.

At first, everything looks great. The interface works, apps run, and performance is often acceptable. But over time, a few issues may pop up:

• Feature updates may fail or require manual workarounds.
• Certain security protections are missing because there’s no hardware support.
• There’s always a lingering uncertainty: will the next big Windows update break this setup?

Tech enthusiasts sometimes enjoy this cat-and-mouse challenge. For everyday users, though, it can turn into a stressful guessing game. That’s why most mainstream advice still recommends staying within Microsoft’s supported configuration if you can.

Case 5: The “Let’s Just Get a New PC” Resolution

Finally, there are users who run the compatibility check, see a wall of red X’s, and decide not to fight it. If a PC is more than a decade old, runs a mechanical hard drive, and struggles even with everyday tasks, pouring money into it for Windows 11 compatibility often doesn’t make sense.

When they move to a modern Windows 11 deviceoften with SSD storage, much quicker CPUs, and more RAMthe difference is dramatic. Boot times drop from minutes to seconds, apps open instantly, and day-to-day work feels smoother. The bonus: they’re fully within the supported Windows 11 ecosystem, with security updates and feature improvements for years to come.

Across all these experiences, one lesson stands out: run the compatibility check early. Whether your PC passes, needs a quick BIOS tweak, or clearly fails, having that information now helps you plan for the future instead of scrambling when support ends or a critical app requires Windows 11.

Final Thoughts: Don’t GuessCheck

Windows 11 is more than just a visual refresh; it’s a push toward stronger built-in security and a cleaner baseline for future features. That does mean some older devices are left behindbut it also means fewer people running absolutely ancient, vulnerable setups.

Instead of assuming your PC is too old or automatically ready, take a few minutes to:

• Run the PC Health Check app
• Verify TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot
• Review your CPU, RAM, and storage situation

From there, you can make an informed decision: upgrade what you have, replace it, explore alternatives, orif you’re truly adventurousexperiment with unsupported installs knowing the trade-offs.

The bottom line: don’t let Windows 11 compatibility be a mystery. A simple check today can save you from big headaches (and last-minute hardware shopping) tomorrow.