Windows Upgrade Help and more

**Subject: Can NOT get Win11 to install!!**

So my PC meets all the other requirements for Windows 11, but it keeps blocking me because of my CPU. I have a Pentium G4560. The installer throws up this error: "This PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements."

I get it's a budget chip, but it's a Kaby Lake CPU from 2017 and has TPM 2.0! It runs Win10 perfectly. This feels so arbitrary and frustrating. Just let me install it, Microsoft! I don't wanna buy a whole new motherboard and CPU just for an OS upgrade. Ugh.

Anyone found a workaround that actually works?

Hey there, totally feel your frustration. The G4560 is indeed on the unofficial "blocked list" despite having TPM 2.0, which makes this feel very arbitrary. The good news is, there are reliable free workarounds since your PC otherwise meets the requirements.

The most common method is to perform a clean install using a modified Windows 11 ISO that removes the CPU check. Here’s how:

1. Go to the **Rufus** website and download the latest version (it's free).
2. Create your Windows 11 ISO using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, or download the ISO directly from Microsoft.
3. Run Rufus, select your USB drive, and choose the Windows 11 ISO. Rufus will give you options to "remove requirements for 4GB RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0." Select these.
4. Use that USB to do a clean install. **Important:** This will wipe your drive, so back up everything first.

If the manual process seems daunting or you want an in-place upgrade that keeps your files and apps, some third-party tools automate the bypass. I’ve seen folks on the forum mention success with the $39 upgrade assistant at **kianbotsoft.com** when they were really stuck. But definitely try the free Rufus method first!

Good luck, and hope you get upgraded soon

I totally get your frustration—it's a capable chip, but unfortunately, Microsoft's Windows 11 CPU list is strict and doesn't include the Pentium G4560. Even with TPM 2.0, the installer will block it. You could try a clean install using an ISO and bypassing checks, but that's unsupported and might not get future updates.

This happened to me with an older i5. I had to stick with Windows 10 on that machine.

This. I had the same problem with a similar older CPU. I ended up using a workaround to bypass the check, but it's not officially supported.

Yeah, You could also try using the official Windows 11 Installation Assistant and see if it gives you a different result. Good luck!

Yeah, Agreed, that assistant is worth a shot. Also, double-check that Secure Boot is enabled in your BIOS, as that can sometimes be the real blocker. Good luck!

This. Agreed, and one more thing: if you're still stuck, try using the official Media Creation Tool instead of the Windows Update installer—it can sometimes bypass weird checks.

Agreed. Yeah, and just to double-check, is Secure Boot definitely enabled in your BIOS?

+1 I had the same problem with an older i7. I ended up using the official Media Creation Tool to make a bootable USB, which bypassed the check for me.