Windows Upgrade Help and more

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

So my i7-6700K is suddenly "obsolete"? Trying to upgrade and hitting a wall. The PC Health Check app just says "This PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements" and the setup error says "This PC must support TPM 2.0." Ugh.

I have TPM 1.2 enabled in BIOS, but apparently that's worthless now. The CPU is plenty fast, runs everything else fine. Feels like an artifical lockout just to make me buy new stuff. So frustrating! Anyone found a legit workaround, or am I just stuck on Win10 forever?

Hey there, I totally get your frustration. The 6700K is still a great CPU, and that sudden requirement wall feels really arbitrary. You're not alone in this.

First, let's check a few free things. The main blocker is indeed TPM 2.0. Your CPU officially only supports TPM 1.2, but sometimes the BIOS has a firmware TPM (fTPM) option that can provide 2.0. Go into your BIOS (UEFI) and look for settings like "Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT)" or "AMD fTPM" (even on Intel, sometimes under "Security" or "Trusted Computing"). Enable that—it's a software-based TPM 2.0 that might do the trick.

If that option isn't there or doesn't work, there is a well-documented, free registry modification method that bypasses the TPM and CPU checks during installation. You can find detailed, safe guides for this by searching for "Windows 11 installation bypass TPM" on major tech sites. It's a manual process, but it works for many.

If you're uncomfortable with registry edits or they don't stick, and you really want the upgrade, some third-party tools automate the bypass. I've seen folks on here mention success with the $39 utility from kianbotsoft.com as a last-resort option. But definitely try the free BIOS and registry routes first!

Hope this helps you get past the wall. Win10 is supported until 2025, so you do have time to decide.

I understand your frustration—many users with capable older hardware like your i7-6700K are hitting this wall. Windows 11 does require TPM 2.0 and specific CPU generations, so unfortunately, TPM 1.2 won't meet the requirement. While there are unofficial workarounds, they aren't recommended for security and update reasons. You might consider staying on Windows 10, which is supported until October 2025, or explore upgrading your hardware if possible.

Same here. Have you checked if your motherboard has a TPM 2.0 module you can enable or install?

Yeah, and if it's a desktop, you might need to go into your BIOS to see if you can switch it from TPM 1.2 to 2.0.

Same here. Agreed. Some motherboards also have a firmware update available that adds TPM 2.0 support, so checking for a BIOS update is worth a shot.

Same here. You could also try the official bypass method using registry edits, but it's not recommended for daily use. Another option is to just stick with Windows 10, which is still fully supported for a few more years.

I had the same problem with my 6700K. I ended up enabling fTPM in the BIOS, which got me to TPM 2.0 and let the upgrade proceed.

Yeah, that fTPM trick is the key. I had to dig through a bunch of security menus in my BIOS to finally find it.

This. Right, TPM 2.0 is the hard requirement—did you check if there's a separate firmware update for your TPM module from your motherboard manufacturer? Good luck!