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PC without TPM 2.0: how to move to Windows 11 (and what to do if you can’t)

CDCD Keys Deal27 Oct 20264 min read
PC without TPM 2.0: how to move to Windows 11 (and what to do if you can’t)
In this guide
  1. What Windows 11 needs
  2. Step 1: check whether you already have a TPM
  3. Step 2: turn on TPM and Secure Boot in the BIOS
  4. The PC has no TPM 2.0: what you can do
  5. Frequently asked questions

Tried to upgrade to Windows 11 and got “This PC doesn’t currently meet Windows 11 system requirements”, with TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot marked in red? In many cases the PC is compatible and the feature is just turned off in the BIOS. This guide shows how to check it, how to turn it on and what to do if your PC really has no TPM 2.0.

The short version

  1. Check the TPM with tpm.msc: it’s often there, just switched off.
  2. Turn it on in the BIOS/UEFI (Intel PTT or AMD fTPM) together with Secure Boot.
  3. If the PC has no TPM 2.0, the supported solution is Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, which doesn’t require it.
  4. Alternatively you can stay on Windows 10 with extended security updates until October 2027.

What Windows 11 needs

To install Windows 11 Home or Pro you need:

  • TPM 2.0 (a security chip, or the version built into the processor);
  • Secure Boot with UEFI firmware;
  • a supported processor (usually Intel 8th generation or newer, AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer);
  • 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage.

The quickest way to find out what’s missing is Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app: it tells you exactly which requirement fails.

Step 1: check whether you already have a TPM

  1. Press Win + R, type tpm.msc and press Enter.
  2. If you see “The TPM is ready for use” and, at the bottom, Specification Version: 2.0, the TPM is fine.
  3. If you see “Compatible TPM cannot be found”, the TPM is turned off or the PC doesn’t have one.

Almost every PC with an Intel 8th generation or newer processor, or an AMD Ryzen, has a TPM built into the processor: often it’s just switched off.

Step 2: turn on TPM and Secure Boot in the BIOS

  1. Restart the PC and press the key to enter the BIOS/UEFI (usually Del, F2 or F10: it shows at startup).
  2. Find the TPM option, usually under Security or Advanced:
    • on Intel PCs it’s called Intel PTT (Platform Trust Technology);
    • on AMD PCs it’s called AMD fTPM.
  3. Set it to Enabled.
  4. In the Boot section turn on Secure Boot. If the boot mode is Legacy/CSM, it has to be switched to UEFI first (see below).
  5. Save with F10, restart and run PC Health Check again.

Is your disk in MBR (Legacy) format?

Secure Boot only works with GPT disks. Windows has an official tool to convert the disk without losing data: open Command Prompt as administrator and type:

mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS
mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS

When it’s done, set the boot mode to UEFI in the BIOS and turn on Secure Boot. Always make a backup before you start.

The PC has no TPM 2.0: what you can do

Supported solution: Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024

This is the Windows 11 edition in which Microsoft made TPM and Secure Boot optional. It’s based on Windows 11 24H2, needs only 2 GB of RAM and gets security updates until 10 October 2034. It has no Microsoft Store and no preinstalled apps, and it’s ideal for older PCs, office PCs and dedicated devices.

It needs a clean installation: you’ll find all the differences in the guide Windows 11 LTSC and IoT LTSC 2024: which to choose.

See Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024

Stay on Windows 10 for a while

Windows 10 gets extended security updates (ESU) for home users until October 2027. If the PC works well, you can keep using it until then and plan your next step calmly.

What about the tricks to “skip” the requirements?

Online you’ll find tools and registry changes to install Windows 11 Home or Pro on unsupported PCs. Microsoft has removed the method it used to describe from its website and now recommends a compatible PC. On an unsupported PC, Windows 11 can show the “System requirements not met” notice and Microsoft doesn’t guarantee updates: that’s why we don’t recommend it, especially on a work PC.

Frequently asked questions

Does turning on the TPM delete my files?

No. Turning on Intel PTT or AMD fTPM in the BIOS doesn’t touch your data. The only delicate step is converting from MBR to GPT: make a backup first.

I have an activated Windows 10: is the upgrade free?

Yes, if the PC is compatible the upgrade to Windows 11 is free and keeps your files and programs. Follow the guide How to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without losing your files.

Can I use my programs on IoT LTSC?

Yes: Office, browsers, work software and Steam games install as normal. Only the Microsoft Store and the apps that depend on it are missing.

Not sure whether your PC is compatible? Message us your PC model or a screenshot of PC Health Check: we’ll tell you what to do, for free.

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