Windows 11 Eligibility Check: Step-by-Step Guide

This guide walks you through checking whether your PC can run Windows 11, covering the official Microsoft PC Health Check app, manual checks, and workarounds for unsupported hardware. Before you start, ensure your PC is plugged in (if it’s a laptop) and that you have administrator access to install the checking tool.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC (version 2004 or later) or Windows 11 PC
• Internet connection to download the PC Health Check app
• Administrator rights on the PC (to install the app)
• Your Microsoft account (optional, but recommended for full feature compatibility)

Step-by-Step

1. Download the PC Health Check app – Go to Microsoft’s official Windows 11 download page (search “Windows 11 download” from any browser). Scroll down to the “Check compatibility” section and click “Download PC Health Check”. The file is named WindowsPCHealthCheckSetup.msi.
2. Install the app – Double-click the downloaded file. If a User Account Control prompt appears, click “Yes”. Follow the installer’s prompts, accepting the license terms, and choose the default installation location. Click “Install” and then “Finish” when done.
3. Launch PC Health Check – Open the app from the Start menu (search “PC Health Check”). The main window shows a summary of your system’s health.
4. Click “Check now” – On the home screen, find the “Windows 11” section and click the blue “Check now” button. The app will scan your hardware and software.
5. Read the result – You’ll see either “This PC can run Windows 11” (green checkmark) or “This PC can’t run Windows 11” (red X). If it’s the latter, click “See why” to view a list of missing requirements.
6. Review the details – The app lists each requirement (CPU, RAM, storage, TPM, Secure Boot, etc.) and marks which ones pass or fail. Note the specific failures – this tells you exactly what to upgrade or change.
7. Check manually (if needed) – If the app is unclear or you want to verify, open the Settings app (Win + I), go to System > About. Under “Device specifications”, note your processor, RAM, and system type. Under “Windows specifications”, check the version.
8. Verify TPM and Secure Boot – Press Win + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. The TPM window shows “The TPM is ready for use” if TPM 2.0 is present. For Secure Boot, restart your PC, enter BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing Del, F2, or F12 during boot), and look for a “Secure Boot” or “Boot Security” setting – it should be enabled.
9. Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant (if eligible) – If your PC passes, you can upgrade directly. Go to the same Microsoft download page, download the “Windows 11 Installation Assistant”, run it, and follow the on-screen prompts to install Windows 11.

Common Mistakes

• Ignoring the TPM requirement – Many older PCs have TPM 1.2 or none at all. Windows 11 needs TPM 2.0. Check the TPM management console (step 8) to confirm.
• Assuming 64-bit is enough – Windows 11 only supports 64-bit CPUs. If you have a 32-bit processor, you’re not eligible.
• Not checking Secure Boot – Secure Boot must be enabled in BIOS. Some PCs ship with it off, but you can turn it on manually.
• Using an outdated PC Health Check version – Early versions of the app gave false negatives. Always download the latest from Microsoft’s official page.
• Confusing the Windows 11 upgrade with the Media Creation Tool – The Media Creation Tool is for creating installation media, not for checking eligibility. Use the PC Health Check or Installation Assistant.

Tips

• Update Windows first – Ensure your Windows 10 is fully updated before checking. Some requirements (like TPM) are only recognized after the latest updates.
• Check your CPU model – Microsoft publishes a list of supported Intel and AMD processors. If your CPU isn’t on the list, you’re not eligible, even if it meets other specs.
• Enable TPM in BIOS – If TPM is disabled, you can often enable it in BIOS under “Security” or “Trusted Computing”. This is a common fix for otherwise eligible PCs.
• Use the WhyNotWin11 tool (third-party) – For a more detailed breakdown, you can download a free utility called WhyNotWin11, which shows every requirement and why it fails. Use at your own risk, but it’s widely used.
• Consider a clean install – If you’re upgrading an older PC, a clean install of Windows 11 (via USB) sometimes bypasses minor issues, but it’s not a substitute for missing hardware.

Troubleshooting

PC Health Check says “This PC can’t run Windows 11” but you believe it should. First, click “See why” to see the exact failures. If it says “Processor isn’t supported”, check your CPU against Microsoft’s list – even if it’s 64-bit and fast, it may not be on the list. If it says “TPM 2.0 required”, go to BIOS and enable TPM (often called “Intel PTT” or “AMD fTPM”). After changing BIOS settings, reboot and re-run the check.

The app won’t install. Make sure you have Windows 10 version 2004 or later. You can check by pressing Win + R, typing winver, and pressing Enter. If your version is older, update Windows first. Also, ensure you have enough free disk space (at least 1 GB for the app).

You have TPM 2.0 but the app says it’s missing. This usually means TPM is disabled in BIOS. Restart, enter BIOS, look for “Security” or “Trusted Computing”, and set TPM to “Enabled” or “Firmware TPM”. Save and exit. If you can’t find it, consult your motherboard manual or manufacturer’s support site.

You’re on a virtual machine. Windows 11 can run in VMs, but you need to enable TPM and Secure Boot in the VM settings. For Hyper-V, use Generation 2 VMs and enable TPM. For VirtualBox, enable TPM in the VM’s system settings.

You’ve met all requirements but the upgrade fails. Try the Windows 11 Installation Assistant again after restarting. If it still fails, use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB, then run setup.exe from within Windows. This often works when the assistant doesn’t.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I install Windows 11 on an unsupported PC?
A: Yes, you can bypass the requirements by editing the registry or using a modified ISO, but this is not recommended. You’ll miss out on security updates and may encounter stability issues. Microsoft explicitly advises against it.

Q: What is TPM 2.0 and why is it required?
A: TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a hardware chip that stores encryption keys and verifies system integrity. Windows 11 uses it for features like BitLocker and Windows Hello. TPM 2.0 is the second-generation standard, offering stronger security.

Q: How do I check my CPU model?
A: Press Win + X and select “System”. Under “Device specifications”, you’ll see “Processor”. Note the exact model number (e.g., Intel Core i5-8250U). Then cross-reference with Microsoft’s supported CPU list.

Q: Does Windows 11 require a Microsoft account?
A: For Windows 11 Home, a Microsoft account is required during setup. Windows 11 Pro allows you to use a local account, but you can also skip the Microsoft account by disconnecting from the internet during setup (though this is not officially supported).

Q: Can I upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 11?
A: No, you must first upgrade to Windows 10 (or have a valid license) before upgrading to Windows 11. There is no direct upgrade path from Windows 7 or 8.

Q: Will my old software and drivers work on Windows 11?
A: Most software that runs on Windows 10 will run on Windows 11, since it’s based on the same core. However, some older drivers may not be compatible. Check with your hardware manufacturer for Windows 11 drivers after upgrading.

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