How to Check TPM Version and Upgrade an Older PC to Windows 11

Select Language:

If your PC doesn’t have a TPM security chip and your Intel i5-3450 processor is an older model, it won’t meet Microsoft’s minimum requirements to upgrade to Windows 11. In addition, this processor is five generations behind the newest Intel chips needed for Windows 11 compatibility.

The good news is, you can still upgrade your PC to Windows 11—without needing an 8th generation Intel processor or a TPM chip—by using a simple workaround that bypasses the usual hardware checks. This allows you to install Windows 11 on older computers that don’t technically meet the official requirements.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by upgrading your system in place using the Windows 11 version 24H2 ISO file. I recommend watching this helpful tutorial, which walks you through the process step-by-step. I’ve tested many different methods over the past three years, and this approach is the simplest and most reliable I’ve found.

To get started, download the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file from Microsoft’s official website. When choosing the download, select the third option, which is specifically for this purpose. You’ll also need a file extraction tool called 7-Zip; you can download this for free from the official 7-Zip website. Make sure to download the 64-bit version for compatibility.

Remember, whenever Microsoft releases new Windows 11 builds—typically around October—you’ll need to repeat this process to update your system. Since your PC doesn’t meet the hardware requirements, it won’t automatically receive these updates. However, your PC will still get all the monthly security updates and other improvements, which means your system remains protected and supported beyond the October 2025 deadline.

If you experience issues during the upgrade or the new OS doesn’t run smoothly, you can quickly revert back to Windows 10 within 10 days of upgrading. Just keep the original Windows 10 upgrade files or the Windows.old folder intact, and follow a simple tutorial to roll back.

For a clear, step-by-step guide on how to go back to Windows 10, check out this straightforward tutorial video. This way, you can enjoy the latest features of Windows 11 without worrying about hardware restrictions or losing access to your familiar Windows environment.