How to Bypass Windows 11 System Requirements

When a PC no longer meets the system requirements for the latest operating system, best practices typically suggest retiring and replacing the unit. Security concerns and potential performance issues often make upgrading an older machine impractical. However, in some cases—whether due to budget constraints, software dependencies, or high-demand systems that cannot be immediately replaced—extending the life of a PC by installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware may be necessary.
For situations where an immediate replacement is not feasible, Windows 11’s system requirements can be bypassed using registry modifications. This workaround allows installation on older hardware that would otherwise fail Microsoft’s compatibility checks.

Bypassing Windows 11 System Requirement Checks
If Windows 11 fails the system requirement check, you’ll likely see an error message indicating that the PC does not meet the minimum hardware specifications. In this case, you can manually bypass these checks by modifying the Windows registry.

Steps to Modify the Registry and Bypass the Check

Launch the Windows Setup – Boot from a Windows 11 installation USB or ISO.

Open Command Prompt – When the system requirement error appears, press SHIFT + F10 to open a Command Prompt window.
Open Registry Editor – In the Command Prompt, type:

regedit

Press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the Correct Location – In the Registry Editor, navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup

Create a New Registry Key – Right-click Setup, select New > Key, and name it:

LabConfig

Add Required Registry Entries – Inside LabConfig, create the following DWORD (32-bit) values:

BypassTPMCheck → Set Value = 1
BypassRAMCheck → Set Value = 1
BypassCPUCheck → Set Value = 1

(Optional) Additional Bypass Keys – If needed, add:

BypassSecureBootCheck → Set Value = 1
BypassStorageCheck → Set Value = 1

Close the Registry Editor – Once all changes are made, close regedit and continue the Windows 11 installation.

Final Steps
If everything is configured correctly, Windows 11 should now proceed with installation without blocking it due to hardware incompatibility.
Important Considerations
🔹 No Official Support – Installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware means no guarantees of future updates or stability.
🔹 Security Risks – Older hardware may lack essential security features (e.g., TPM 2.0 & Secure Boot), increasing vulnerability to cyber threats.
🔹 Performance Limitations – Some older PCs may experience slower performance, driver incompatibilities, or software issues.
🔹 Future Updates May Break Functionality – Microsoft may block updates for unsupported hardware, requiring additional workarounds.
This method is best used as a temporary solution while planning for an eventual hardware upgrade. In the long term, moving to supported hardware remains the best option for security and stability