How to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported CPUs [Simple Tips]

Installing Windows 11 on unsupported CPU is simple with Rufus

by Radu Tyrsina
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Radu Tyrsina
CEO & Founder
Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of... read more
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Alex Serban
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  • Microsoft doesn't allow you to install Windows 11 on an unsupported processor, but can work around that by modifying your registry.
  • Alternatively, you can use third-party tools to create installation media for Windows 11.
Windows 11 on an unsupported processor
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Windows 11 system requirements are somewhat high, and many are wondering if it is possible to install Windows 11 on an unsupported CPU.

There is a way to bypass the CPU check when installing Windows, and today we’re going to show you the best ways to do that.

Just in case you want to know what the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 are, here’s a checklist you look through:

  • Processor: Your computer’s processor should be one gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC)
  • RAM: The PC’s ram size should be 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater
  • Storage: A storage size of 64 GB* or greater is required to install this Windows
  • You should note that additional storage space might be required to download updates and enable specific features
  • Graphics card: Should be compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
  • System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
  • TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
  • Display: High definition (720p) display, 9” or greater monitor, 8 bits per color channel

We also have an article detailing the Windows 11 technical specifications that might offer more information about this.

Can I install Windows 11 on unsupported CPU?

The good news is that there is a way to install Windows 11 on an unsupported CPU. However, users do have a few concerns:

  • Safety – Microsoft has advised against it since you’re missing important features such as TPM 2.0. For more information, our Windows 11 and TPM guide.
  • Compatibility issues – According to Microsoft, running Windows 11 on unsupported devices can lead to compatibility or performance issues in the feature. Speaking of performance, you can make Windows 11 faster with a couple of quick tweaks.

However, if you are interested in learning how to install Windows 11 on an unsupported PC, we will show you how. We’ve broken down the entire process from start to finish into simple steps.

What happens if you install Windows 11 on unsupported CPU?

It is not recommended to install Windows 11 on an unsupported CPU computer since there may be compatibility difficulties caused by doing so.

Your personal computer’s warranty will not cover any damage that occurs as a result of software or hardware incompatibility.

Will unsupported CPU get Windows 11 updates?

If you continue with the installation of Windows 11, Microsoft will stop providing support for your computer and you will no longer be able to get updates.

How do I install Windows 11 on an unsupported computer?

In this article
Note icon NOTE
Before installing Windows 11 on unsupported machines, we recommend you back up important data first. AOMEI Backupper is an excellent solution; it will keep your system safe and prevent data loss.

1. Download the Windows 11 ISO

  1. If you wonder How do I bypass the CPU isn’t supported Windows 11?, download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO).
  2. Open the Select Download dropdown.
  3. Select Windows 11.
  4. Hit the Download button.
  5. Click the Choose one dropdown, select your product language, and then hit Confirm.Select product language to Download Windows 11
  6. Click 64-bit Download. This is how to install Windows 11 on unsupported CPU via ISO.
Note icon NOTE
The typical way to update your PC to the latest update is by using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work in this case because your system doesn’t meet the minimum requirement.

The first to install Windows 11 on an unsupported CPU is to download the Disk Image (ISO) from the official website. The file should be around 5.1GB.

While the ISO file is downloading, you can move on to the next step.

2. Bypass the CPU check by editing the Windows Registry

  1. Press the Windows key + R to start Run, type regedit, and click OK to launch the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup
  3.  In the right pane, you can right-click, select New and then select the DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  4. Once the value is created, you can rename it to AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU.
  5. You can now double-click on this new value and enter 1 into the Value data field. Then, finally, hit OK and close the registry editor. This is how to install Windows 11 on unsupported CPU via regedit.

A few users reported that MoSetup key is hidden. To fix that, right-click it’s parent key, in this case it’s Setup, and choose the option to create a new key.

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Name the key MoSetup, and you’ll get a message that the key is already available. Now you should be able to access it.

Once you restart your PC and go for the following solution, the system will ignore any shortcomings regarding your CPU, even with the TPM 2.0 requirement.

3. Install Windows 11 from the ISO image

  1. After downloading the ISO, press Windows key + E to launch File Explorer.
  2. Locate the ISO, right-click on it and select Mount.
  3. A new virtual drive will appear on your PC. Access it and double-click on the setup.exe file to start the installation process.

After installation, you should see a warning message instead of a rejection one. This message offers an option to install Windows 11 without losing your data.

Again, we must reiterate that you back up your important data before starting this process.

4. Install Windows 11 on unsupported CPU from USB

Note icon NOTE
If you choose this method, make sure to back up all important files from the destination drive, in order to prevent file loss.
  1. Download Windows 11 ISO.
  2. Download Rufus.
  3. Start the application.
  4. Click on Select and pick your Windows 11 ISO file. Next set Image option to Extended Windows 11 Installation.
  5. Click on Start. When asked to format the drive click OK.
  6. Wait for the process to finish.
  7. Once the process is done, boot from the USB drive and install Windows 11. This is how to install Windows 11 on unsupported CPU with Rufus.

What happens if you run Windows 11 on unsupported hardware?

While Microsoft allows you to install Windows 11 on an unsupported PC, it does not come without risks. For example, after the installation, you might notice that your PC might start to malfunction due to compatibility issues.

Also, your PC will stop receiving updates, mainly but not limited to only security updates. Lastly, if your system crashes because of this installation, it will not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Should you upgrade an unsupported CPU?

Let’s be clear about this. If you’re still yet to decide if you want to go through with the procedure to install Windows 11 on an unsupported laptop, we recommend against doing so.

This is because Microsoft warns that there is a high tendency to experience bugs. They have also warned that they may eventually stop rendering security updates for unsupported PCs running this OS.

So, it might not be ideal for upgrading to the new OS if you don’t have said requirements. However, if you don’t mind a bit of lagging here and there, feel free to follow the steps we’ve provided above.

To avoid any issues, you may also install Windows 11 on a virtual machine and test it to its full extent before loading it onto your primary device.

If you’re still experiencing problems with installing this recent OS, then you can take a look at our piece on how to install Windows 11 on unsupported TPM besides the CPU that we have covered today.

As you probably know, another essential requirement for installing Windows 11 is for your PC to support the Secure Boot feature.

If you get an error regarding that, we can help you with a guide on bypassing the Secure Boot requirement and going on with the installation.

You’re welcome to comment to let us know if our solution was helpful or if you have other tips on installing Windows 11 on an unsupported device that you feel should be added to the list.

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