How Can I Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware?

1. Download Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft.

2. Make a Windows 11 bootable USB with WiinBootMate. This will bypass Windows 11 system checks.

3. Go to the USB drive and run setup.exe.

4. Now, you can start a clean install from USB or choose in-place upgrade by running the setup.exe from the USB drive without losing data.

Detailed steps with screenshots: https://www.ammdiy.com/upgrade-windows-10-to-windows-11-on-unsupported-pc

I support you upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. If you juggle a lot of tasks, Windows 11 enhances the virtual desktop experience. You can now easily switch between different desktops for work, gaming, or personal use. I found that organizing my workspaces helped me stay more productive—less clutter equals less stress! Windows 11 is optimized for better performance, especially if you have a decent amount of RAM and a newer CPU, even if your hardware isn't officially supported. There are faster load times for apps, and the overall snappiness is a nice boost. I noticed that my regular tasks seemed to run smoother, which is a win in my book!

After you upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11. If you’re a gamer, you’ll appreciate Windows 11’s focus on gaming features. Things like DirectStorage and Auto HDR can significantly improve gaming performance and visuals. Even if you’re running it on older hardware, I found some older games felt more responsive, like they were taking advantage of those optimizations. 

Many user want to install Windows 11 on their old Windows 10 PCs. However, The PCs don't meet the minimal system requirements of Windows 11. It is now a trick task to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware , as Microsoft has set minimum system requirements for Windows 11, including a compatible processor, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and more. However, if you still want to proceed with the upgrade, here are the general steps you can take:

1. Back up your data: It's always a good idea to back up your files before proceeding with any upgrade.

2. Download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant: You can download it from the official Microsoft website.

3. Bypass Compatibility Check: The Installation Assistant will check for system compatibility, but you can bypass this check by editing the registry (details below). To do this, press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup

Create a new key by right-clicking Setup and selecting New > Key. Name it LabConfig. Inside LabConfig, create two new DWORD values:

BypassTPMCheck: Set it to 1.
BypassSecureBootCheck: Set it to 1.

After making these changes, close the registry editor and run the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.

4. Follow the Installation Process: The Installation Assistant will guide you through the upgrade. Keep in mind that this method could lead to some features not working or cause instability.

Upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware can be a bit of a wild ride, and trust me, you might face some bumps along the way if you’re not careful. I’ve been through it myself. You’re going to be tampering with the Windows Registry, and if you're not careful, you could really mess things up. Double-check your entries! Make sure you’re spelling everything correctly and that the values are set to 1. I’ve made a typo before, and it turned into a headache. If you feel unsure, take a few screenshots of your changes so you can roll back if needed.

While you’re upgrading against the grain, it’s still important to be aware of what your system can actually handle. If you’ve got hardware that’s really outdated, like an ancient CPU or super low RAM (less than the 4 GB requirement), you might want to consider whether it’s even worth it. I tried pushing an old laptop through this process, and let’s just say it was more like watching paint dry than anything enjoyable.

I know you’re excited to get to Windows 11, but it’s wise to test your system first. Try running Windows 11 in a VM if you’re tech-savvy, or at least make sure everything’s functioning well on Windows 10. It’s like checking the weather before going out in shorts—you want to know what you’re getting into!

Once you upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 and running, don’t automatically assume everything is perfect. There might be some odd quirks or bugs since the system isn’t officially supported. Be ready for some troubleshooting. I found my USB ports acting funky for a bit after my upgrade, and I had to do some searching to resolve it.

Upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware can feel a bit tricky, but I’ll walk you through how to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11. I've done this a few times myself, and it’s all about a few tweaks and going against the grain. So, grab your snacks, and let's get started!

Step 1: Modify the Registry
This is where the real magic happens! You’re going to tweak a couple of things in the Windows Registry to bypass those pesky hardware checks. 

• Open Registry Editor: Hit Win + R, type in regedit, and hit Enter. (Just remember, be careful in here—one wrong move can mess things up.)
• Find the Right Spot: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup. 
• Create a New Key: Right-click on Setup, pick New > Key, and name it LabConfig.
• Add Some Values: Inside that new LabConfig key, you want to create some DWORD values. Right-click in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and add these:
  - BypassTPMCheck (set to 1)
  - BypassSecureBootCheck (set to 1)
  - BypassRAMCheck (set to 1)
  - BypassCPUCheck (set to 1)

Step 2: Grab the Windows 11 Installation Media

Now, let’s get your hands on a copy of Windows 11. 

• Download the Installation Tool: Head over to the official Microsoft website and check out the Windows 11 download page. Look for the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or the ISO file option.

Step 3: Run the Installation
Alright, you’ve done the groundwork if you are going to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 on unsuported hardware, now it’s time to install!

• Use the Setup File: If you downloaded the ISO, just double-click it to mount it. Open the mounted drive and look for setup.exe. If you used the Installation Assistant, just launch that.
• Follow the Prompts: Start the installation. It’ll check for compatibility first, but since we did our registry tweaks, it should breeze through those checks. Keep choosing options to keep your files and apps when prompted.
• Let It Install: Sit back and relax. It’ll take a bit of time, but eventually, you’ll have Windows 11 running on your machine!

Upgrading your Dell XPS 13 (9350) to Windows 11 is not possible through official means because your hardware does not meet the minimum system requirements. Even though there are workarounds to install Windows 11 on unsupported devices, in your case, it is not recommended due to the following reasons:

Why Your Laptop Cannot Run Windows 11 Properly

• Processor Incompatibility: Your Intel Core i5-6200U is not on Microsoft's supported CPU list. Windows 11 requires at least an 8th Gen Intel processor for official support.
• Lack of TPM 2.0: Windows 11 requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, but your laptop likely has TPM 1.2, which is insufficient.
• Older Graphics Adapter: Your Intel HD Graphics 520 does not support WDDM 2.0+ and lacks the necessary DirectX 12 features for optimal Windows 11 performance.
• Memory and Storage: While you have 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD, which technically meet the minimum requirements, they are on the lower end for Windows 11's performance.
• No Official Drivers: Dell does not provide Windows 11 drivers for the XPS 13 (9350), which means potential compatibility issues with hardware, leading to instability or missing functionality.

What Are Your Options?

• Stay on Windows 10: Microsoft will support Windows 10 with security updates until October 14, 2025.
• Consider a Lightweight OS: If you want better security and performance, you could install Linux (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, or Zorin OS), which runs well on older hardware.
• Upgrade to a Newer Laptop: If you want the best experience with Windows 11, consider upgrading to a newer laptop with compatible hardware.

Forcing Windows 11 on your XPS 13 (9350) might work with unofficial methods, but it’s not a good idea due to instability, security risks, and potential lack of driver support. Your best bet is to stay on Windows 10 until you upgrade to a supported device.