Why Can’t I Upgrade to Windows 11?
If you're trying to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 and hitting a brick wall, you're not alone. We've had quite a few customers asking us the same thing: "Why can't I upgrade to Windows 11?" The short answer is that Windows 11 has stricter system requirements than previous versions of Windows.
Let's walk through the reasons why it might not be working for you and what your options are.
Windows 11 Has Stricter Requirements Than Before
Unlike previous upgrades, where almost any Windows 7 or 8 computer could move to Windows 10, Windows 11 has a few more hoops to jump through. For the first time, not every computer is invited to the party.
Microsoft made this version with a strong focus on newer hardware, which means if your computer is more than a few years old, you might be left out unless you undertake some upgrades.
TPM Is the Biggest Sticking Point
TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module. It’s a small security chip built into most newer computers, but many older ones don't have it. If you don't have TPM version 2.0, Windows 11 will not install.
If your computer is from around 2018 or later, there's a good chance it has TPM; it might just be turned off in your BIOS settings. If your computer is older, it may not have one at all. In that case, the upgrade might not be possible without replacing the motherboard.
UEFI and Secure Boot Might Be Required
UEFI is the modern replacement for the old BIOS system. It’s what you briefly see when your computer first powers on, that black screen with white text before the Windows logo appears.
Windows 11 needs both UEFI and a setting called Secure Boot to be turned on. Sometimes these are available in the BIOS but not switched on. Other times, if your computer was set up a certain way, switching it on might stop it from starting up properly.
This can be tricky to do yourself unless you are comfortable navigating BIOS menus and boot modes.
Not Enough RAM or Storage Space
Windows 11 needs at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space to install. Most modern computers should have this, but we've seen some older mini-PCs and budget laptops that fall short.
The good news is that RAM and storage can often be upgraded. The not-so-good news is that some smaller devices have soldered components or no extra slots, which means you might not be able to upgrade without replacing the device entirely.
It Looks Like You Can Upgrade, But You Still Can't
Here's a frustrating one. You run the PC Health Check tool or another compatibility checker, and it says you're all good, but when you try to upgrade, it still won't go through.
This could be due to firmware bugs, out-of-date BIOS versions, hidden security settings, or even leftover upgrade blockers from older failed updates. It's confusing, and it's not just you.
We can often sort this out by digging a little deeper into your system's update logs and BIOS version, and adjusting the configuration if needed.
Do You Need Windows 11 Right Now?
Not immediately. Microsoft will keep supporting Windows 10 with updates until October 14, 2025. But after that, it will stop getting security updates, which means using it could become risky.
If you leave it too late, you might find yourself scrambling for help when everyone else is doing the same. It is better to find out now whether your computer is ready or what you'll need to do to get it there.
What You Can Do Next
If you're not sure whether or not your computer can upgrade, we recommend running the official Windows 11 compatibility checker from Microsoft. But don't be surprised if the results are confusing.
You can also bring your computer to us, and we'll do a full check for you. We'll look at:
Whether your system meets all the upgrade requirements.
If there's anything in your BIOS that needs to be changed.
Whether a hardware upgrade, such as adding TPM or RAM, is possible.
What are your options if it turns out your system isn't compatible at all?
How We Can Help
We help people every day who are stuck somewhere between "I think I can upgrade" and "Why won't this thing work?"
Whether it's unlocking TPM, changing BIOS settings, or upgrading components, we can handle it. And if your system just won't cut it, we can help you choose a new one that won't break the bank and will last you for years to come.
If your computer won't upgrade to Windows 11, and you're not sure what to do next, we're here to help.
