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Colbybt's avatar
Colbybt
Tin Contributor
Jul 07, 2026

Can I update my old computer to Windows 11 and how much it cost?

I have an older computer that is still working well (i7, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD), but I'm wondering if it can be updated to Windows 11.  Just checked and unfortunately, the hardware does not meet the...
Beverly's avatar
Beverly
Brass Contributor
Jul 07, 2026

Since you're looking for a completely free method to work around the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot restrictions on your i7 machine, you have a couple of solid technical options. The good news is that regarding how much it costs to upgrade my computer to Windows 11, the upgrade itself is completely free if you have a genuine Windows 10 license; the only cost would be the data used to download it on a metered connection.

To bypass the hardware checks, you can use the official Microsoft Media Creation Tool combined with a registry tweak, or try the free and well-known tool Rufus.

You can try the "manual" method: Registry Tweak + ISO

This method uses Microsoft's own tools and a simple registry edit to bypass the restrictions.

1. Download the Windows 11 ISO: Go to Microsoft's official Download Windows 11 page and use the "Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)" option to get the file.

2. Start the Installation: Double-click the downloaded ISO file to mount it, then run the setup.exe file inside to start the upgrade process.

3. Apply the Registry Bypass: When the installer checks your system and says your PC doesn't meet the requirements, don't close it. Press Shift + F10 to open the 4. Command Prompt. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

4. Create the Bypass Keys: In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup. Right-click on "Setup" and choose New > Key, and name the new key LabConfig. Inside the new LabConfig key, right-click and create new DWORD (32-bit) Value items for the following and set each one's value to 1:

BypassTPMCheck

BypassSecureBootCheck

5. Continue the Upgrade: Close the Registry Editor and the Command Prompt. Click the "Back" button in the installer and then go forward again. The installer should now let you proceed with the upgrade, keeping your files and apps.

So to directly answer how much it costs to upgrade my computer to Windows 11—it's zero dollars, as long as your current Windows 10 is properly activated.