Windows 11 upgrade failed as it says "The PC must support TPM 2.0"

I totally understand your frustration - the TPM 2.0 requirement has stopped a lot of perfectly good computers from upgrading to Windows 11. The good news is there are actually several workarounds you can try to get past this limitation.

First - Check if You Actually Have TPM:

Before trying workarounds, it's worth checking if your PC already has TPM but it's just disabled:

1. Press Win + R, type tpm.msc and hit Enter
2. If it shows TPM 1.2 or 2.0, you just need to enable it in BIOS

Important: Many manufacturers actually added firmware-based TPM (fTPM for AMD or PTT for Intel) to their motherboards, but it's disabled by default. You might just need to:

• Enter your BIOS settings (usually by pressing F2, F10, Del, or F12 during startup)
• Look for "TPM", "fTPM", "PTT" (Platform Trust Technology), or "Security Device" in the settings
• Enable it and save changes

Also worth trying: Update your BIOS to the latest version from your manufacturer's website. Sometimes older BIOS versions don't show the TPM option at all, but updating makes it visible in the settings. This is especially common on systems from 2016-2018.

If TPM Really Isn't Available - Registry Method:

If your system genuinely doesn't have TPM hardware, you can bypass the check during installation:

1. When you hit the "This PC can't run Windows 11" error, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt
2. Type regedit and hit Enter
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
4. Right-click Setup → New → Key, name it LabConfig
5. Inside LabConfig, create these DWORD (32-bit) values (right-click → New → DWORD):
   • BypassTPMCheck with value 1
   • BypassSecureBootCheck with value 1
   • BypassRAMCheck with value 1
6. Close everything, hit back, and continue the installation

Alternative - Pre-Installation Registry Edit:

If you're trying an in-place upgrade, you can also:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit
2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup
3. Create a DWORD called AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU and set it to 1
4. Run the Windows 11 setup again

I actually came across this helpful article that covers the whole process in detail: https://geeksbrisbane.com.au/blog/windows-11-upgrade-service/ - they explain the TPM situation pretty well and offer some solutions if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.

You can still install Windows 11 or upgrade to Windows 11 even the computer does not have TPM or the processor is not supported.

Here is a quick guide to let you upgrade to Windows 11 on any PC: 

https://www.wizzgear.com/upgrade-to-windows-11-on-any-pc

If the Windows 11 upgrade fails with the message "The PC must support TPM 2.0," and you attempt to bypass or ignore this requirement, TPM 2.0 provides hardware-based security features like secure boot, device encryption, and protection against firmware attacks. Bypassing it weakens these protections, leaving your system more vulnerable to malware and unauthorized access.

Windows 11 is optimized to work with TPM 2.0. Without it, some features may not function correctly, leading to system crashes, instability, or unexpected behavior. Certain hardware drivers or security-sensitive applications may require TPM 2.0 and could malfunction or refuse to run on systems without it. Future Windows updates and security patches may rely on TPM 2.0 features. Running Windows 11 without TPM could mean missing out on critical updates or facing compatibility issues down the line.

Microsoft may restrict or disable updates on unsupported configurations, which could leave your system vulnerable or outdated. So that Windows 11 upgrade failed as it says "The PC must support TPM 2.0". Bypassing hardware requirements might violate Microsoft's licensing terms, potentially affecting support options and warranty.

If your Windows 11 upgrade fails due to the "The PC must support TPM 2.0" message, it generally means your system isn't meeting the minimum security requirements set by Microsoft for Windows 11. Here's what you should consider regarding potential dangers or risks:

• No direct danger: Failing the upgrade itself doesn't pose an immediate security threat to your current Windows 10 setup.
• Security improvements: Windows 11 introduces enhanced security features that rely on TPM 2.0, such as hardware-based isolation and secure boot. Not upgrading means missing out on these improvements.
• Potential vulnerabilities: If you attempt to bypass the TPM requirement and install Windows 11 anyway, your system may be less secure, especially if your hardware doesn't meet other Windows 11 requirements.
• Stability issues: Unsupported configurations might lead to system instability, driver incompatibilities, or other operational problems.
• Microsoft support: Microsoft may limit or restrict certain updates on unsupported hardware, which could impact your system's security and functionality over time.
• Compatibility: Some new applications or features might not work correctly if this PC must support tpm 2.0.
• Security vulnerabilities: Bypassing TPM or other security features can expose your system to malware, data theft, or unauthorized access.
• System stability: Modifying system requirements may cause unexpected crashes, data loss, or other issues.

If you're encountering the "This PC must support TPM 2.0" error when trying to upgrade to Windows 11, here are the best ways to fix it:

Update BIOS/UEFI (If TPM Option is Missing)

Some older motherboards need a BIOS update to enable TPM 2.0. Steps:

Check your motherboard model (Press Win + R, type msinfo32, look for "BaseBoard Manufacturer/Model").

Download the latest BIOS from the manufacturer’s website (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Dell, HP, etc.).

Update BIOS (follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully—wrong updates can brick your PC!).

Re-enable TPM after updating.

Install Windows 11 Without TPM 2.0

If your PC doesn’t support TPM 2.0 at all, you can bypass the check (but this is risky—no security updates & potential instability).

Create a Windows 11 USB using Media Creation Tool or Rufus.

During setup, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.

Type:

regedit

Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup

Right-click → New → Key, name it LabConfig. Inside LabConfig, create these DWORD (32-bit) Values:

BypassTPMCheck = 1

Close Registry Editor and continue installation. This will help you install Windows 11 without TPM on an unsupported PC. And you won't see the error screen (The PC must support TPM 2.0) at this time.

TPM 2.0 is a critical security requirement for Windows 11. It offers better protection against modern threats. If your PC doesn't support it, you can buy a new TPM 2.0 chip and insert it into the motherboard to fix the pc must support TPM 2.0 error.

Step 1: Check if Your Motherboard Supports a TPM Module

1. Open Device Manager (press Win + X and select it).
2. Look under Security Devices for "Trusted Platform Module" (if missing, your PC may need an add-on chip).
3. Check your motherboard manual (or manufacturer’s website) to confirm if it has a TPM header (usually labeled TPM, TPM 2.0, or SPI_TPM).

Step 2: Buy a Compatible TPM 2.0 Module 

Purchase a TPM 2.0 module that matches your motherboard brand:

• ASUS    ASUS TPM-M R2.0
• Gigabyte    GC-TPM2.0_S
• MSI    MSI TPM 2.0 Module
• ASRock    ASRock SPI TPM

Step 3: Install the TPM Module

1. Power off your PC and unplug it.
2. Open the case and locate the TPM header (refer to your motherboard manual).
3. Insert the TPM module carefully (align the pins correctly).
4. Secure it with a screw (if included).
5. Close the case and power on the PC.

Installing a TPM 2.0 module is possible if your motherboard supports it. Otherwise, consider enabling firmware TPM or upgrading the unsupported PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without TPM 2.0.

If you encounter the error message "This PC must support TPM 2.0," it means your system is required to have TPM 2.0 enabled or supported to proceed, often during a Windows upgrade or installation. Here's what you can do:

1. Check if Your PC Has TPM 2.0:
Press Windows + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter.
In the TPM Management window, see if TPM is present and its version.
If it shows TPM 2.0, but you still get the error, proceed to enable it in BIOS.

2. Enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS/UEFI Settings:
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing Del, F2, F10, or Esc during startup).
Locate the TPM or Security section.
Enable TPM, TPM 2.0, or PTT (Platform Trust Technology) / fTPM (firmware-based TPM), depending on your motherboard.
Save changes and exit.

3. Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware:
Check your motherboard or system manufacturer’s website for BIOS updates.
Updating BIOS can improve TPM support and compatibility.

4. Verify Hardware Compatibility:
If your PC doesn’t have a TPM module, and your motherboard doesn’t support firmware TPM, you may need to add a compatible TPM module (if your system supports it).

5. Consider System Compatibility:
You got the error "This PC must support TPM 2.0" indicates that your hardware doesn’t support TPM 2.0, you might not be able to upgrade to certain Windows versions (like Windows 11). In such cases, you may need to continue using your current OS version or upgrade hardware.

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 is a security chip (either hardware-based or firmware-based) that provides cryptographic functions to enhance system security. It stores encryption keys, passwords, and certificates securely, protecting against malware and unauthorized access.

Why is TPM 2.0 Required for Windows 11? Microsoft made TPM 2.0 mandatory for Windows 11 to ensure stronger security against modern threats like ransomware, firmware attacks, and identity theft.  TPM 2.0 enables features like:

• Secure Boot (prevents malicious software from loading during startup).
• BitLocker Encryption (protects data if a device is lost/stolen).
• Windows Hello (secure biometric authentication).
• Prevents Firmware Attacks – Protects against low-level exploits that bypass traditional antivirus.
• Future-Proofing – Ensures compatibility with upcoming security features.

Unfortunately, some older PCs (pre-2016) may lack TPM 2.0 but have TPM 1.2 (not sufficient for Win 11). You can enable TPM in BIOS/UEFI (look for settings like "PTT" for Intel or "fTPM" for AMD).

If your PC does not come with TPM 2.0 chip, then you can use dedicated tool to skip "The PC must support TPM 2.0" error during Windows 10 to Windows 11 upgrade.