A clean install helps eliminate any bugs that may crop up.Ī clean install typically means wiping your documents, apps, and settings from your PC and starting fresh. In Windows 11’s case, you should strongly consider this option. (Again: Back up your computer before upgrading your operating system!) Windows 11 should also allow you to “roll back” to Windows 10 within a period of time (typically 10 days) if you simply don’t like it.Ī “clean install” offers you the option of starting fresh, and typically that’s what the other installation options below offer. It’s a safe approach, provided you’ve backed up your existing files.

Installing Windows 11 via Windows Update is an “in-place” or “incremental” installation, where the Windows 11 code is essentially added to a PC with existing apps and documents. Doing this via the Microsoft DISM command-line tool will also bypass the TPM/CPU check, Microsoft says. You can also directly apply an image installation of Windows 11 to the disk, too. This method allows your PC to bypass the check for TPM 2.0, as well as the required CPU family and model. (If you’re uncertain about what to do or don’t want to risk your PC, don’t do this!) To proceed using the Registry Editor and install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, follow these steps. Microsoft would like you to know that there are serious risks to doing so, and recommends upgrading to Windows 11 on supported hardware via Windows Update (our first option, below) instead. You’ll need to open the Registry Editor, though, which is the foundation of your PC. If you own a PC with a TPM 1.2 but not a TPM 2.0 installed, there is an “official” way around the restrictions. The easiest and safest way to qualify for Windows 11 is simply to have a PC that meets Microsoft’s restrictions. You’ll need a PC with a least a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 1.2 to qualify.

We would also very much encourage you to read our earlier story on the Windows 11 minimum hardware specifications, download Microsoft’s Health Check app, and check to see if your PC is eligible to upgrade to Windows 11. You’ll need a PC that meets the minimum hardware specifications of Windows 11.

Windows 11 upgrade from windows 10