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How to Fix It When a PC Can't Run Windows 11
Troubleshoot why Windows 11 isn't working on your PC
By Ruben Circelli Ruben Circelli Editor University of Massachusetts, Boston Ruben Circelli has been a freelance technology writer and editor since 2014. His work has appeared on dozens of sites, including Komando.com, Twinfinite, and TheGamer. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 10, 2022 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Microsoft Microsoft Apple Google Tablets Accessories & Hardware This article explains how to find out why your Windows 10 computer isn't working with Windows 11. What to Do When Windows 11 Doesn't Support a Processor Why Can' t I Run Windows 11
In most cases, not being able to run Windows 11 is tied to not meeting the minimum requirements of the operating system. The majority of the Windows 11 minimum system requirements aren't much different from those of Windows 10. In fact, the requirements for GPU and CPU and RAM are very modest, and most computers will meet Microsoft's minimum standard. However, where it gets tricky with Windows 11 is the feature-specific requirements of the operating system: UEFI, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. How to Fix It When a PC Can' t Run Windows 11
While most problems running Windows 11 trace back to not meeting the minimum system requirements, there are a variety of requirements and ways to check if your system is up to the task of running Microsoft's successor to Windows 10. Check the minimum system requirements, and verify your major components, like CPU, GPU, RAM, and your display, are compatible with Windows 11. If you can run Windows 10, chances are high you'll meet these minimum requirements for Windows 11, because in terms of the power of the hardware required for Windows 11 as opposed to Windows 10, not much more is needed. Make sure your copy of Windows 10 is activated. Without a genuine copy of Windows 10, you won't be able to install and run Windows 11. While Windows 11 is a free upgrade, it's only free to those who have a legitimate copy of Windows 10 installed on a device. Check to see if your system supports UEFI. Like a BIOS, UEFI is a method of loading up your operating system from a cold boot that's required in Windows 11. Most modern computers support and use UEFI, so it's likely your system supports it, and you can check to confirm if your PC supports UEFI from within Windows. UEFI is a feature of your motherboard, so if your device doesn't support UEFI, there isn't a way to simply add in UEFI support. However, if you're using a desktop computer, you can upgrade your motherboard to one that supports the technology. Check to see if your system supports Secure Boot. Secure Boot is a security feature enabled by UEFI and required in Windows 11, so your system will need to support UEFI in order to use Secure Boot. If your system supports UEFI, it's likely you'll be able to use Secure Boot; however, you will have to enable Secure Boot. Check to see if your system supports TPM 2.0. TPM support is listed inside the Microsoft's BitLocker application. The first TPM chips were introduced decades ago, so TPM 2.0 has become the standard in modern times. While TPM 2.0 isn't backwards compatible with older TPM standards, chances are your device will support TPM 2.0 already. How to Enable TPM 2.0 for Windows 11 FAQ How do I make my PC run faster on Windows 11? Disable visual effects such as transparency and animation from Settings > Accessibility. You might also want to remove startup programs in Windows 11 to speed up performance. When browsing the web, consider using Microsoft Edge over Chrome and take advantage of Edge's new Performance Mode feature for CPU and RAM optimization. How do I fix the "This app can't run on your PC" error on Windows 10? Run the compatibility troubleshooter on the app. Right-click the program > select Properties > Compatibility tab > Run compatibility troubleshooter. If that doesn't fix the error, turn on Windows 10 compatibility mode. On the Compatibility tab, right-click the app > select Properties > Run this program in compatibility mode for > and select the appropriate version of Windows. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Can I Run Windows 11 on My Computer? How to Fix It When Windows 11 Is Slow Minimum System Requirements for Windows 11 What to Do When Windows 11 Doesn't Support a Processor How to Enable Secure Boot to Install Windows 11 How to Fix Incorrect Windows 11 Audio Icons Can I Upgrade to Windows 8? How to Fix it When Windows 11 Won't Install How to Upgrade From Windows 10 to Windows 11 Windows 10: Release Date, Editions, Features, and More Windows 11: News, Release Date, and Specs The 5 Best Windows 11 Features to Know How to Fix It When Copy and Paste Isn't Working in Windows 10/11 Latest Windows 10 Drivers (October 21, 2022) How to Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 11/10/8 How to Fix It When the Windows 11 Clock Isn't Showing Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies