How to Check if Your PC Can Run Windows 11 (TPM, Secure Boot & CPU)

With Windows 10 now past end of support, the big question for millions of people is simple: can my PC actually run Windows 11? The requirements confused a lot of users when Windows 11 launched, especially the TPM 2.0 rule, and plenty of perfectly capable PCs got flagged as “incompatible” when they only needed a setting flipped. This guide shows you how to check properly, understand each requirement, and fix the common blockers.

The Fastest Check: PC Health Check App

Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app gives you a definitive yes or no in seconds, and tells you exactly which requirement is failing if your PC doesn’t qualify.

1. Search “PC Health Check” and download it from Microsoft’s official site (microsoft.com).
2. Install and open the app.
3. Click Check now under the Windows 11 section at the top.
4. You’ll get a clear result: either your PC meets the requirements, or a list of what’s blocking it.

If it passes, you’re ready to upgrade. If it fails, don’t give up yet, because the most common failures are fixable. Read on.

The Windows 11 Requirements, Explained

How to Check TPM 2.0 Manually

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is the requirement that blocks the most PCs, but many computers have it built in and simply switched off. To check:

1. Press Windows + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter.
2. A management window opens. Look at the status:
   • “The TPM is ready for use” with Specification Version 2.0 means you’re good.
   • “Compatible TPM cannot be found” means it’s either disabled in BIOS or not present.

How to Check Secure Boot

1. Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
2. In System Information, look at Secure Boot State:
   • On means you’re set.
   • Off means it’s supported but disabled (fixable in BIOS).
   • Unsupported means your firmware may be in legacy BIOS mode rather than UEFI.
3. While you’re there, check BIOS Mode. It should say UEFI, not Legacy, for Windows 11.

How to Enable TPM and Secure Boot in BIOS

If either TPM or Secure Boot is disabled, here’s the general process to turn them on. Exact menu names vary by manufacturer.

1. Restart your PC and press the BIOS key during startup (commonly Del, F2, F10, or F1 depending on brand).
2. Look under Security, Advanced, or Boot menus.
3. Find and enable the TPM setting: Intel PTT, AMD fTPM, or a setting labeled TPM Device / Security Device.
4. Find and enable Secure Boot (you may need to set the boot mode to UEFI first).
5. Save and exit (usually F10).
6. Back in Windows, re-run PC Health Check to confirm you now qualify.

What If My CPU Isn’t Supported?

The processor requirement is the hardest blocker to work around, because it’s not a setting, it’s the physical chip. Windows 11 officially supports roughly Intel 8th generation and newer, and AMD Ryzen 2000 series and newer. Older CPUs fail regardless of TPM or Secure Boot.

If your CPU isn’t supported, your realistic options are:

• Upgrade the CPU (and maybe motherboard) if the rest of the PC is worth keeping.
• Enroll in Windows 10 ESU for one more year of security while you plan. See our guide on Windows 10 end of life and what to do.
• Buy or build a new Windows 11 PC and license it with a genuine key.

Microsoft does not officially recommend installing Windows 11 on unsupported CPUs, and doing so can mean missing updates, so for most people upgrading hardware or the PC itself is the sound long-term move.

Once You Confirm Your PC Qualifies

If your PC passes (or you enabled TPM and Secure Boot to make it pass), you’re ready to move to Windows 11. You have two paths:

• In-place upgrade: Keeps your files and apps. Go to Settings, Windows Update, and look for the Windows 11 offer, or use our upgrade checklist to avoid errors.
• Clean install: A fresh start that often runs faster on older hardware. Our clean install Windows 11 guide walks through it step by step.

Either way, you’ll want a genuine product key to activate. A Windows 10 key often carries over to Windows 11, but if yours doesn’t, a fresh key sorts it instantly.

Requirements Checklist at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if my PC can run Windows 11?

The quickest way is Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app, which gives a yes/no and lists any failing requirement. You can also check individual items manually: run tpm.msc for TPM, msinfo32 for Secure Boot, and Settings, System, About for your CPU, RAM, and storage.

What are the minimum requirements for Windows 11?

TPM 2.0, Secure Boot capability, a supported 64-bit CPU (roughly Intel 8th gen or AMD Ryzen 2000 and newer), 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, UEFI firmware, and a DirectX 12 compatible GPU. The most common blockers are TPM and Secure Boot, which are often just disabled.

My PC failed the check because of TPM. Can I fix it?

Very often, yes. TPM is frequently present but disabled in BIOS. Look for Intel PTT (Intel systems) or AMD fTPM (AMD systems) and enable it. Then re-run PC Health Check. This makes a large share of “incompatible” PCs qualify.

How do I check if I have TPM 2.0?

Press Windows + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. If it says “The TPM is ready for use” with Specification Version 2.0, you have it. If it says a compatible TPM can’t be found, it’s disabled in BIOS or not present.

What is Secure Boot and how do I turn it on?

Secure Boot is a firmware feature that helps ensure your PC boots only trusted software. Check its state with msinfo32. If it’s Off, enable it in BIOS under Security or Boot settings. Your PC may need to be in UEFI mode (not Legacy) first.

Can I install Windows 11 on an unsupported PC?

It’s technically possible with workarounds, but Microsoft doesn’t recommend it, and unsupported installs may miss updates. For most people, enabling TPM/Secure Boot (if that’s the blocker) or upgrading hardware is the better route than forcing an unsupported install.

What if my CPU is too old for Windows 11?

The CPU requirement can’t be fixed with a setting. Your options are upgrading the CPU/motherboard, enrolling in Windows 10 ESU for a year while you plan, or moving to a new Windows 11 PC. See our Windows 10 end of life guide for the full breakdown.

Will upgrading to Windows 11 delete my files?

An in-place upgrade keeps your files and apps. A clean install erases everything, so back up first. If your PC qualifies, the standard upgrade path preserves your data.

Do I need a new product key for Windows 11?

Often no, a genuine Windows 10 key frequently activates Windows 11. If yours doesn’t carry over, or you’re doing a fresh clean install, a genuine Windows 11 key at $15 activates it cleanly.

Is 4 GB of RAM really enough for Windows 11?

It’s the minimum, and Windows 11 will run, but 8 GB or more is strongly recommended for a smooth experience, especially with multiple apps or browser tabs. RAM is usually one of the cheapest and easiest upgrades if you’re low.

Final Thoughts

Checking whether your PC can run Windows 11 takes just a couple of minutes with PC Health Check, and the result is often better than people expect. A large share of PCs that appear “incompatible” only need TPM or Secure Boot switched on in BIOS, a two-minute fix that unlocks the free upgrade.

Once you’ve confirmed your PC qualifies, the last piece is a genuine license. A Windows 11 Pro key at $15 activates your upgrade or clean install cleanly, with instant delivery and activation support if you need it, so you can move off Windows 10 with everything properly licensed.