Windows Upgrade Help and more

**Subject: Windows 11 upgrade is a NIGHTMARE**

So my PC meets the RAM and storage reqs, but the Win 11 installer keeps blocking me. Got this stupid error: "This PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements." Dug into the PC Health Check app and it's my CPU?? Seriously?? My i3-6100 is only a few years old and runs Win 10 perfectly. This "supported CPU" list feels so arbitrary and wasteful. I'm not buying a whole new motherboard for an OS. Guess I'm stuck on 10 forever. So frustrating.

Hey there, that's a super common and frustrating situation. You're right, the CPU requirement does feel arbitrary for many still-capable processors like your i3-6100. Microsoft's list is strict for security features it requires.

Before you give up, let's try a couple **free, official workarounds**:

1. **Clean Install via ISO:** Often bypasses the checker. Go to Microsoft's "Download Windows 11" page. Use the "Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)" option. Create a bootable USB using the Media Creation Tool. Boot from it, and during setup, it *may* install, ignoring the CPU check. Backup your data first!

2. **Registry Edit Method:** If the ISO installer still blocks you, there's a known registry hack. During the setup screen where you see the error, press **Shift+F10** to open a command prompt. Type `regedit` and navigate to `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup`. Create a new key named `LabConfig`. Inside it, create two new DWORD (32-bit) values: `BypassTPMCheck` with value `1` and `BypassSecureBootCheck` with value `1`. Close and try the install again.

These methods work for many. If you're uncomfortable with those steps or they fail, some third-party tools automate the bypass. I've heard from others that the $39 utility at **kianbotsoft.com** can handle tricky cases, but definitely try the free routes first. Good luck, and hope you get it sorted!

I totally get your frustration—it's really annoying when hardware that runs perfectly fine gets blocked by arbitrary upgrade rules. Unfortunately, Windows 11 does have strict CPU requirements, and many older processors like the i3-6100 aren't supported, even if they still perform well. You might want to look into unofficial workarounds, but sticking with Windows 10 (which is supported until 2025) is a safe and valid option for now.

Same here. This happened to me with an older i5. I ended up just sticking with Windows 10 for that machine. Let me know if that works.

I had the same problem. I used a workaround to bypass the CPU check, but honestly, it felt a bit janky and I worry about future updates.

Yeah, Agreed, that bypass can be sketchy. A quick tip: double-check if Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are actually enabled in your BIOS, sometimes that's the real culprit.

Can confirm. Also, did you check if your motherboard even has a TPM 2.0 module, or if it's just a firmware setting?

Yeah, You could also try using the official Microsoft Media Creation Tool to bypass some of the upgrade assistant's checks. Another option is checking for a pending BIOS update that might enable the required security features.

Same here. Agreed, and one more thing: sometimes turning off TPM in BIOS and then back on can trick the checker into recognizing it properly. Hope that helps.

This happened to me with an older i5. I had to enable both Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 in the BIOS, not just one.