How to fix ‘This PC can’t run Windows 11’ error

Sun-Feb-2023
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If you receive the error message “This PC can’t run Windows 11” when attempting to install or upgrade to Windows 11, it may indicate that your device does not meet the minimum system requirements for the new operating system. However, there are several steps you can take to potentially resolve this issue:

Step 1: Check Your System’s Hardware Compatibility

The first step is to check if your system meets the hardware compatibility requirements for Windows 11. Microsoft provides a tool called the “PC Health Check” which you can use to verify your system compatibility. Here’s how:

  1. Go to the official Windows 11 download page on the Microsoft website.
  2. Scroll down to “Looking for info on Windows 11?” and click on “Check now.”
  3. The PC Health Check tool will download automatically. Open the downloaded file.
  4. Once the tool is open, click on “Check Now.” It will take a few minutes to scan your system and provide a report on whether your device is compatible with Windows 11.

If your system does not meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11, you may need to upgrade your hardware, such as your processor or RAM.

Step 2: Check BIOS Settings

If your system meets the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11, but you still receive the error message, the issue may be due to outdated or incorrect BIOS settings. To resolve this, you can try updating your system BIOS settings. Here’s how:

  1. Restart your computer and press the appropriate key to access the BIOS settings. The key varies depending on the manufacturer of your computer. The key is usually shown on the initial boot screen or in the computer manual.
  2. Look for an option called “Secure Boot” or “UEFI Secure Boot” and make sure it is enabled. This setting ensures that only trusted software is loaded during the boot process.
  3. If “Secure Boot” is already enabled, try disabling it and see if that resolves the issue.

Step 3: Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 11

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to perform a clean installation of Windows 11. Here’s how:

  1. Create a bootable USB drive with Windows 11 using the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool.
  2. Insert the bootable USB drive into your computer and restart your computer.
  3. Press the appropriate key to access the boot menu, usually shown on the initial boot screen or in the computer manual.
  4. Select the bootable USB drive from the boot menu and follow the on-screen instructions to perform a clean installation of Windows 11.

A clean installation of Windows 11 will erase all your data and applications, so be sure to back up your important files before proceeding.

In conclusion, if you receive the error message “This PC can’t run Windows 11”, you should first check your system’s hardware compatibility using the PC Health Check tool. If your system meets the minimum requirements, you can try checking and updating your BIOS settings, or performing a clean installation of Windows 11. If you are still unable to install Windows 11, you may need to consult a professional technician or consider upgrading your hardware.