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MikaylaWalker's avatar
MikaylaWalker
Iron Contributor
Nov 07, 2025

Possible to bypass Windows 11 cpu check with rufus?

When I run the Windows 11 setup.exe from mounted ISO file, an error message shows:

This processor isn't supported for this version of Windows.

The CPU is an Intel Core 6700K. It seems this old PC doesn't meet the official CPU and TPM requirements. Could someone please confirm the exact steps to bypass Windows 11 cpu check with rufus? I want to make sure I select the correct settings to skip the compatibility checks during installation without causing any other issues. Any additional tips would be greatly appreciated.

6 Replies

  • Brookesnoe's avatar
    Brookesnoe
    Iron Contributor

    Please check if the motherboard supports 8th Gen or later CPU. If yes, simply upgrade the processor so you can run Windows 11 fully without bypassing cpu check.

  • LiamEvans's avatar
    LiamEvans
    Iron Contributor

    The error message "This processor isn't supported for this version of Windows" typically indicates that your CPU does not meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11. Windows 11 has specific requirements, including TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and certain CPU features, and if your hardware does not meet these, you'll encounter this message.

    If you want to bypass Windows 11 CPU check with Rufus, here's what you need to know:

    Bypassing system requirements can lead to stability, security, and compatibility issues. Proceed only if you understand the risks.

    1. Download Rufus:
    2. Create Windows 11 bootable media.
    3. Under "Image options," choose "Extended Windows 11 installation (no TPM / no Secure Boot)."
    4. This option is available in newer Rufus versions and allows bypassing TPM and CPU checks.
    5. Click "Start" and proceed as usual.
    6. Boot from the USB.
    7. During installation, Windows should skip the CPU check and continue installing.
  • EzraKnight's avatar
    EzraKnight
    Iron Contributor

    Bypassing Windows 11 CPU check with Rufus is technically possible by creating a custom bootable USB with modified installation files or bypass settings. However, it is important to understand the implications and potential dangers:

    How it might work:

    • Modifying the installation media: You can customize the Windows 11 ISO to bypass the hardware compatibility checks, including CPU requirements.
    • Using Rufus options: Rufus provides some options for creating bootable drives, but it doesn't officially support bypassing hardware checks directly; such modifications usually involve editing installation files or using third-party tools/scripts.

     

    Dangers and risks:

    • System Instability: Installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware may lead to system crashes, driver issues, or instability because the OS isn't optimized or tested for your hardware.
    • Lack of Updates and Support: Microsoft may restrict updates or support for systems that don't meet minimum requirements, leading to security vulnerabilities.
    • Security Risks: Bypassing Windows 11 CPU check with Rufus can disable security features or cause compatibility issues, exposing your system to malware or data loss.
    • Legal and Licensing Issues: Modifying installation media might violate Microsoft's licensing terms.
    • Future Compatibility: Unsupported hardware may not receive driver updates or firmware support, leading to hardware failures over time.
  • Nobel_Baynes's avatar
    Nobel_Baynes
    Iron Contributor

    The 6700K processor (6th Gen) is not on official support list for Windows 11 system requirements, which requires at least an 8th Generation Core i7 Processor.

    Windows 11 version 25H2 supported Intel processors

    Fortunately, you can still use rufus to bypass windows 11 cpu checks. However, SSE 4.2 should be available for the CPU. This is mandatory!

    For Windows 11 version 24H2 and newer, Microsoft has a hard requirement for the CPU to support the SSE 4.2 instruction set (which includes the POPCNT instruction).

    Unlike TPM or Secure Boot, which are software checks or configuration settings, SSE 4.2 is a set of instructions built into the CPU's hardware. If the processor does not physically contain these instructions, the operating system's core files in the new version will fail to load, and the system will not boot.

    Older CPUs Affected: This hard requirement primarily impacts very old CPUs, such as the Intel Core 2 Duo/Quad generation, which typically only support up to SSE 4.1.

     

     

  • Lauradosh's avatar
    Lauradosh
    Iron Contributor

    You can easily bypass Windows 11 cpu check without rufus if it does not work. Instead, the free WinPass app can do this perfectly. It is an unofficial third-party utility that modifies Windows 11 installation files to bypass hardware requirements like:

    • TPM 2.0 requirements
    • Secure Boot requirements
    • CPU generation checks
    • RAM and storage checks

    How to bypass windows 11 cpu check without rufus

    1. Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft

    2. Run WinPass utility which modifies registry entries in the installation files and patches system checks and validations

    3. Creates a modified ISO that ignores hardware requirements

    4. Create installation media from the modified ISO.

    In fact, this is a much better than rufus for bypassing Windows 11 cpu check.

  • TheoDalton's avatar
    TheoDalton
    Iron Contributor

    Yes, it is possible to bypass Windows 11 CPU check with Rufus by creating a bootable USB with specific settings. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create a Windows 11 installation media that skips the CPU check:

    How to Bypass Windows 11 CPU Check with Rufus:

    1. Download the latest version of Rufus.
    2. Ensure you have the official Windows 11 ISO file downloaded from Microsoft's website.
    3. Plug in a USB drive with at least 8GB of space (all data will be erased).
    4. Launch Rufus as administrator. Select the USB Drive and ISO.
    5. Partition Scheme and Target System:
       Partition scheme: GPT (for UEFI systems)
       Target system: UEFI (non-CSM)
    6. Under "Image options," select "Standard Windows installation" or leave as default.
    7. Advanced Options (to bypass checks):
       Click on the "Show advanced drive properties" checkbox.
       Check "Add fixes for old BIOS or UEFI firmware" if available.
       Important: To bypass CPU checks, you need to add a custom "Skip TPM and CPU checks" option via additional parameters.
    8. Rufus itself doesn't have a direct checkbox for skipping CPU checks, but you can modify the installation media to do so by editing the registry or using a special "install.wim" with custom unattend.xml files.
    9. Alternatively, you can modify the registry during setup or use tools like Rufus with the "Add Custom" option to inject the following boot parameter:

    /skipTPMCheck /skipSecureBootCheck

    10. Click "START" and wait for Rufus to create the bootable media with the bypass options.

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