Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 on PC Without TPM or Secure Boot

• To upgrade a computer lacking TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot to Windows 11, you need to obtain the ISO file from Microsoft, utilize the Rufus tool to create a bootable USB that circumvents these requirements, and then initiate the upgrade process.
• This method keeps your files and applications intact, but it’s wise to create a complete backup prior to starting the procedure.
• If you choose to upgrade, please note that your computer will be considered unsupported. While you will still be able to download and install system and driver updates, they may not function correctly.

Microsoft has announced the cessation of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. If your system is running on this older version, now is the ideal moment to transition to Windows 11. However, if your hardware does not include a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, you won’t be able to install it via Windows Update or using a USB bootable drive.

Additionally, the company recently emphasized that having TPM 2.0 is a “non-negotiable” requirement, as it is a critical component for data encryption, digital signature verification, and other cryptographic functions. This module is essential for ensuring device security and data integrity. Moreover, Microsoft has suggested users consider purchasing a new computer if their current hardware does not meet the minimum specifications. If your computer has unsupported hardware, though, you can still upgrade to Windows 11 even without a TPM, albeit with alternative instructions and tools.

It is also crucial to understand that while “Secure Boot” is recommended, it is not a strict installation requirement for Windows 11. Nonetheless, since Windows 11 can only be set up on a machine featuring Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), and as Secure Boot is one of this firmware’s capabilities, it might be asserted that while Secure Boot is a requirement, it need not be activated.

Secure Boot, a security enhancement introduced by Microsoft in 2011, is integrated into UEFI firmware to shield your PC from malicious actions during startup. It only allows loading code with valid signatures, thus safeguarding your system from unauthorized or harmful code.

In this tutorial, I will guide you through the simple steps to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 on devices that either lack a TPM 2.0 chip or have Secure Boot turned off.

How to Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 Without TPM or Secure Boot

If you wish to upgrade your device to Windows 11 without losing any files, you must first download the official ISO file and then use the Rufus tool to craft a USB bootable drive. Afterward, you can begin the setup using the USB drive directly from your Windows 10 desktop.

1. Download the Windows 11 ISO File

Follow these steps to download the Windows 11 ISO file:

1. Visit the Microsoft Support page.
2. Scroll to the section titled Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices and select the Windows 11 option.

   

3. Hit the Download button.
4. Choose your preferred installation language.

   

5. Click on the Confirm button.
6. Finally, click on the Download option to save the Windows 11 ISO file to your computer.

   

Once this process is finished, you can utilize the ISO file to create installation media that bypasses the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot constraints.

2. Create the Windows 11 Bootable Media

To create a bootable USB drive for Windows 11, connect a USB stick of at least 8GB and follow these steps:

1. Visit the Rufus website.
2. Download the latest version by clicking the link in the “Download” section.
3. Select your USB flash drive from the “Device” dropdown.
4. Launch the tool by double-clicking the executable file.
5. Click the Select button.

   

6. Choose the Windows 11 ISO file.
7. Click the Open button.
8. Proceed with the default settings after downloading.
9. (Optional) You may wish to name the drive under the “Volume label” setting.
10. Select the Start button.
11. Ensure you check the “Remove requirements for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0” option to enable installation on unsupported hardware.

    

12. Click OK when prompted.

After following these steps, Rufus will have successfully created installation media suitable for unsupported hardware.

3. Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11

To transition your Windows 10 computer to Windows 11, insert the USB drive containing the installation files and execute the following steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. From the left panel, select This PC.
3. Double-click on the USB flash drive that contains the installation files.
4. Right-click the setup.exe file and select the Run as administrator option.

   

5. (Optional) You can uncheck the “I want to help make the installation better” checkbox.
6. Press the Next button.

   

7. Click the Accept button.
8. Finally, click the Install button.

   

Upon completing these steps, the Windows Setup process will commence the upgrade to Windows 11. As this is an in-place upgrade, you won’t need to tackle the out-of-box experience (OOBE), and after a few restarts, the latest version of the operating system will be installed on your device.

It’s essential to recognize that upgrading a computer not meeting minimum hardware specifications will leave your installation unsupported. While you might still be able to download and apply system and driver updates, Microsoft will not provide support, leading to potential complications during functionality.

Before upgrading a device without TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot, I highly recommend creating a complete backup of your system. Additionally, consider making a second backup of your data post-upgrade in case any unexpected issues arise.

Author: Egor Kostenko

My goal is to make complex technical topics simple and accessible. On this site, I gather unique and useful content that not only solves users’ problems but also helps them better understand the capabilities of Windows.