The fastest way is Microsoft's free PC Health Check app: open it and click Check now. To see exactly why a PC fails, check three things by hand: TPM 2.0 (type tpm.msc in the Run box), Secure Boot (type msinfo32) and whether your processor is on Microsoft's supported list. Many PCs fail only because TPM or Secure Boot is switched off in the BIOS, which you can often fix for free. If the processor is not supported, the fix is to keep Windows 10 for now or replace the PC.
How we wrote this: this tutorial is based on Microsoft's official Windows 11 requirements, TPM and Windows 10 support pages and other guides (linked at the bottom). TechVerdict has not tested every step on every PC. BIOS screens differ by brand, so check your PC maker's support page before changing settings. Last updated: 27 October 2026.
Why this matters in 2026
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, which means no regular security updates for it. Your PC will still work, but Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11. Whether you can move depends on your hardware, so it is worth checking before you plan an upgrade or buy a new laptop.
What Windows 11 needs (from Microsoft)
| Part | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1GHz or faster, 2 or more cores, on a compatible 64-bit processor (it must be on Microsoft's supported list) |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB or larger |
| Firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 compatible with a WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | 720p, larger than 9 inches diagonally |
Method 1: Use Microsoft's PC Health Check app
- Go to Microsoft's official Windows 11 page and download the PC Health Check app. On some PCs it is already installed, so search for it in the Start menu first.
- Install and open the app.
- In the "Introducing Windows 11" section at the top, click Check now.
- If you see "This PC can run Windows 11", you are fine. If you see "This PC can't run Windows 11", click See all results to see which requirement failed.
Note: the result only tells you what the PC reports now. A PC that fails because TPM or Secure Boot is switched off may pass after you turn them on in the BIOS. Microsoft has also acknowledged that the app sometimes gave misleading results in the past, so confirm with the manual checks below.
Method 2: Check in Windows Update (Windows 10 PCs)
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- If your PC is eligible, you will see an option to upgrade to Windows 11.
- If it is not, Windows Update says the PC does not currently meet the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11.
Method 3: Check each requirement by hand
Step 1: Processor, RAM and storage
Open Settings > System > About to see your processor and installed RAM. Your processor must be on Microsoft's list of supported Intel, AMD and Qualcomm processors, so search that list for your exact model. Then open This PC and check that your drive has at least 64GB.
Step 2: TPM 2.0
- Press Windows key + R, type
tpm.mscand press Enter. - In the window that opens, look at Specification Version. It must say 2.0.
- If you see a message saying a compatible TPM cannot be found, your PC may have a TPM that is turned off in the BIOS.
- You can also open Windows Security > Device security and look for "Security processor". Click Security processor details to see the version.
If the version is lower than 2.0, the PC does not meet the Windows 11 requirement.
Step 3: Secure Boot and UEFI
- Press Windows key + R, type
msinfo32and press Enter. - On the right, find BIOS Mode. It should say UEFI. If it says Legacy, the PC is using an older boot mode.
- Find Secure Boot State. It should say On. If it says Off, you may be able to switch it on in the BIOS. If it says Unsupported, the PC does not support Secure Boot.
Step 4: Graphics
Press Windows key + R, type dxdiag and press Enter. On the Display tab, check that the DirectX feature levels include 12 and that the driver model is WDDM 2.0 or higher. Most PCs from the last several years pass this check.
How to fix a PC that fails
| What failed | Can you fix it? |
|---|---|
| TPM turned off | Usually yes. Enable it in the BIOS (it is often called fTPM on AMD or PTT on Intel, but names vary). |
| Secure Boot off | Usually yes. Turn it on in the BIOS under Boot or Security. This needs UEFI mode. |
| BIOS Mode is Legacy | Sometimes. The drive may need to be converted from MBR to GPT before you can switch to UEFI. This is advanced and risky, so back up everything first or ask for help. |
| TPM is version 1.2 or missing | No. The PC does not meet the requirement. |
| Processor not supported | No. You cannot fix this with settings. See your options below. |
| Less than 4GB RAM or 64GB storage | Sometimes. You may be able to add RAM or replace the drive, depending on the laptop. |
How to enter the BIOS (general steps)
- Save your work and restart the PC.
- As it starts, press the BIOS key repeatedly (often Del, F2, F10 or Esc, depending on the brand). Or go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now, then Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
- Look for TPM settings (often under Security or Advanced) and Secure Boot (often under Boot or Security).
- Save changes and restart, then run the checks again.
Microsoft says TPM settings are managed in the UEFI BIOS and vary by device, so if you are unsure, check your PC maker's support page or contact their support.
What if your PC cannot run Windows 11?
- Keep Windows 10 for now, with security updates. Microsoft's page for Extended Security Updates (ESU) says home users can enroll until 12 October 2027, with options that include syncing PC settings, using Microsoft Rewards points or a one-time payment. Options can vary by region, so check Microsoft's page. This only delays the problem.
- Replace the PC. A new laptop will meet the requirements. See our guides to the best laptops under ₹50,000 and AI laptops.
- Do not rely on unsupported installs. It is possible to bypass the checks, but Microsoft does not support it, so you cannot count on updates or support. Read our Windows 11 installation guide for the risks.
If your PC passes: next steps
- Back up your files first.
- Upgrade through Windows Update if the offer appears, or use Microsoft's Installation Assistant or installation media.
- Follow our step-by-step Windows 11 installation guide.
Common problems
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| PC Health Check says it can't run Windows 11, but the PC is new | Check TPM and Secure Boot, which may be turned off in the BIOS. Update the BIOS from your PC maker if needed. |
| PC Health Check says yes, but Windows Update says no | Recheck TPM and Secure Boot status with tpm.msc and msinfo32, and see whether a BIOS setting is hiding a requirement. |
| tpm.msc says "Compatible TPM cannot be found" | The TPM may be disabled in the BIOS, or the PC may not have one. |
| Secure Boot option is greyed out | The PC may be in Legacy (CSM) mode. Check the PC maker's instructions before changing it. |
Check your PC before you decide anything. If it fails only because TPM or Secure Boot is switched off, fix it in the BIOS and upgrade, because that costs nothing. If the processor is not supported, do not try to force Windows 11 onto an unsupported PC. Keep Windows 10 with extended security updates for a while, and plan to replace the PC. For a new Windows 11 laptop on a budget, a model with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is a safe choice, and every laptop below meets the Windows 11 requirements out of the box.
Check prices on Windows 11 laptops:
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Frequently asked questions
How do I check if my PC supports Windows 11?
Run Microsoft's PC Health Check app and click Check now. For details, check TPM 2.0 with tpm.msc, Secure Boot with msinfo32 and your processor against Microsoft's supported list.
What is TPM 2.0?
It is a security chip (or firmware feature) that Windows 11 requires for security-related features. Microsoft says it is an important building block for security.
Can I enable TPM 2.0 myself?
If your PC has a TPM that is switched off, yes, in the BIOS settings. If it has no TPM or only an older version, you cannot enable it.
Will my PC still work if it cannot run Windows 11?
Yes. Microsoft says a Windows 10 PC will still work after support ended, but it recommends moving to Windows 11, and you should consider extended security updates.
Is Windows 11 a free upgrade?
It is a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 PCs that meet the requirements. Check Windows Update or the PC Health Check app to see whether yours qualifies.
Sources we used
We drew on the following sources while researching this guide. Please read them for the full details.
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