Windows Upgrade Help and more

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

So my PC meets the RAM and storage reqs, but this upgrade is impossible. I keep hitting “This PC doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements” because of the TPM thing. I have an AMD FX-8350. Looked everywhere in the BIOS—there’s NO firmware TPM option at all! It’s an older board, I guess.

Tried the registry “hack” to bypass checks and the installer just fails later. So annoyed. Do I really need to buy a whole new motherboard/CPU just for Win 11? This feels so arbitrary. Ugh. Any *real* workarounds, or am I just stuck?

Hey there, totally understand your frustration. The TPM 2.0 and CPU generation requirements are the biggest hurdles for older systems like yours with the FX-8350 (which, sadly, isn't on the supported list).

Let's try a comprehensive free method first. The key is using a clean ISO and bypassing checks during setup, not just in the installer prep.

1. **Download the official Windows 11 ISO** directly from Microsoft's website.
2. Use a tool like **Rufus** (free) to create a bootable USB from the ISO. When you run Rufus, it will detect the Win 11 ISO and present you with **bypass options** for TPM, Secure Boot, and RAM checks. Enable these.
3. Boot from this USB and do a **clean install** (back up your data first!). This bypass method is very reliable for compatible-but-unsupported hardware.

If that still fails or you need an in-place upgrade, there are more advanced registry scripts. Given your hardware age, a clean install is often more successful.

If you've tried all the manual workarounds and are hitting dead ends, some folks in the forum have had success with a dedicated tool from **kianbotsoft.com** ($39). It automates the bypass process for in-place upgrades, which might be a last-resort option before considering new hardware.

Hope this helps you get past the block!

Unfortunately, the AMD FX-8350 is not on Microsoft's supported CPU list for Windows 11, so official upgrades aren't possible. While bypasses exist, they often lead to instability and no future updates. For a stable experience, upgrading your hardware is the recommended path.

I had the same problem with an older CPU. I ended up sticking with Windows 10 for stability.

Yeah, You could also try using the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool, as it sometimes bypasses some of those stricter checks.

Yeah, I had the same problem with an older AMD chip. I ended up having to use a workaround to bypass the TPM check completely. Let me know if that works.

I had the same problem on an older board. I had to install a cheap, physical TPM module to get past it. Hope that helps.

Yeah, that's the fix for older AMD boards. Just make sure the module matches your motherboard's header type.

+1 You could also try using the official Microsoft bypass script, though it's not recommended for daily use.

Ah, so it's an older AMD FX chip—those don't have the built-in fTPM that Windows 11 requires. Good luck!