As Windows 10 has reached the end of support on October 14, 2025, many users want to upgrade their computers to Windows 11. However, Microsoft’s strict hardware requirements—such as TPM 2.0 and a specific CPU —have left many perfectly capable computers stranded.
Do you really need to buy a brand-new computer? Now, you have come to the right place. This guide breaks down a reliable method to upgrade to Windows 11 on an unsupported PC. You won’t need an external USB drive, you won’t need to download sketchy third-party software, and best of all, you will keep all your personal files 100% safe.
Before diving into more details, you can watch the full, live demonstration of this process right here:
TL;DR – Watch Quick Windows 11 Install Video Guide
Part 1: Download the Official Windows 11 ISO File from Microsoft
To guarantee system stability and security, we always recommend sourcing your files directly from Microsoft.
- Open your web browser, search for “Windows 11 ISO download”, and click on the official Microsoft website.
- Scroll down until you find the section titled “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices”.
- From the drop-down menu, select “Windows 11 multi-edition ISO for x64 devices” and click Confirm.
- Next, select your pr oduct language. Note: Make sure you choose the exact language that matches your current Windows 10 installation (e.g., English United States). Click Confirm.
- Click the 64-bit Download button. The file is roughly 5.4 GB, so sit back and wait patiently until the download is complete.
Part 2: Run The Command Prompt Trick to Bypass Hardware Checks
This is where the magic happens. We will use a native Windows setup command to bypass the hardware compatibility restriction seamlessly.
Step 1: Mount the ISO File
Locate your downloaded Windows 11 ISO file. Right-click it and select Mount. Windows will virtually load the file like a DVD drive and assign it a drive letter (e.g., Drive E:). Take note of this specific letter.
Step 2: Launch CMD as Administrator
- Press the Windows key, type cmd into the search bar.
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Click Yes to open the elevated Command Prompt window.
Step 3: Run the Bypass Commands
In the terminal window, execute the following commands in order, hitting Enter after each one:
- E: (replace E drive with the drive letter you mount the ISO into)
- cd E: \sources ( You can copy the source folder path and paste it behind the cd command and enter.)
- setupprep.exe /product server
Now, the Windows Server setup pops up and waits for a minute. Just follow the on-screen instructions to choose what to keep on your PC and click Install. This process will take some time, and make sure your PC is on and plugged in during the installation.
