Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements, such as TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and minimum RAM, which prevent installation on many older PCs or virtual machines. Fortunately, there is a simple registry tweak you can apply during installation to bypass these checks and install Windows 11 without meeting all official requirements.

This guide will walk you through the steps to skip Windows 11’s TPM, Secure Boot, and RAM checks using the built-in Registry Editor during setup.

When to Use This Method

  • Your PC or virtual machine doesn’t have TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot capability.
  • You want to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware for testing or personal use.
  • You are installing Windows 11 inside a VM (like VMware Workstation 16) that doesn’t support TPM.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare Your Installation Media

Create a bootable Windows 11 USB or mount the Windows 11 ISO if you’re using a virtual machine.

2. Start the Windows 11 Installation

Boot your computer or VM from the Windows 11 installation media. You’ll see the initial language and keyboard selection screen.

3. Open the Command Prompt

At the first setup screen, press:

Shift + F10

This shortcut opens a Command Prompt window.

4. Launch Registry Editor

In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:

regedit

This opens the Registry Editor.

5. Navigate to the Setup Key

In Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup

6. Create the LabConfig Key

  • Right-click on the Setup folder.
  • Select New > Key.
  • Name this new key:
LabConfig

7. Create Bypass DWORD Values

With the LabConfig key selected, right-click in the right pane and create new DWORD (32-bit) Values for each of the following, and set their values to 1:

  • BypassTPMCheck
  • BypassSecureBootCheck
  • BypassRAMCheck

8. Close Registry Editor and Command Prompt

After creating these values, close the Registry Editor window, then close the Command Prompt.

9. Continue Installation

Return to the Windows setup screen and continue with the installation. Windows 11 will now bypass the TPM, Secure Boot, and RAM checks and proceed with installation even on unsupported hardware.

Important Notes

  • This method only bypasses hardware requirement checks during installation.
  • You should have a valid Windows license to activate Windows after installation.
  • Bypassing requirements may affect system stability and security. Use at your own risk.
  • This method works both on physical PCs and virtual machines.

Conclusion

By applying this registry hack during setup, you can install Windows 11 on devices that Microsoft’s installer normally blocks. This is especially useful for testing, development, or if your hardware isn’t fully supported yet. Just remember to activate Windows properly afterward to enjoy all features and updates.

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