Introduction

Windows 11 has brought many exciting features and improvements, but not all Windows 10 PCs meet its stringent hardware requirements. Fortunately, if your PC is deemed 'incompatible,' there are still ways to upgrade. This article explains two effective methods to bypass compatibility checks and install Windows 11 on unsupported devices. Proceed with caution, as these methods involve some risks.

Method 1: Using the Registry Bypass

The first method involves modifying the Windows Registry to bypass the compatibility checks. This is a straightforward way to install Windows 11 without additional tools.

Steps:

1. Download the Windows 11 ISO: Go to the official Microsoft website and download the ISO file.
2. Create a bootable USB: Use tools like Rufus or Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive.
3. Edit the Registry:
   1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
   2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup. If the folder doesn't exist, create it.
   3. Right-click and create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU.
   4. Set its value to 1.
4. Start the Upgrade: Run the setup file from the USB drive and follow the on-screen instructions.

Method 2: Using a Modified ISO File

This method involves creating a custom Windows 11 installation file that bypasses compatibility checks.

Steps:

1. Download Windows 11 and Windows 10 ISOs: Obtain ISO files for both operating systems from Microsoft's official site.
2. Extract the ISOs: Use software like 7-Zip to extract the contents of both ISOs.
3. Replace the 'appraiserres.dll' File:
   1. In the Windows 10 ISO folder, locate the file named appraiserres.dll (found in the 'sources' folder).
   2. Copy this file and replace the corresponding file in the Windows 11 ISO folder.
4. Create a New ISO: Use a tool like oscdimg to package the modified Windows 11 files into a new ISO.
5. Install Windows 11: Use the modified ISO to create a bootable USB drive and proceed with the installation.

Conclusion

While upgrading an incompatible Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 is possible, it’s essential to understand the risks and limitations involved. Both methods discussed above can bypass the system requirements, but future updates may be restricted. Always evaluate whether upgrading is worth the potential trade-offs and consider alternatives if necessary.

If you encounter issues, reverting to Windows 10 remains a viable option, as Microsoft will continue supporting it until October 2025.