Upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 sounds simple enough in theory, but in practice, it can get a bit more complicated than just clicking “Next.” Sometimes, the upgrade process stalls or throws compatibility errors even when your PC seems fine. That’s because Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements, and not every machine that’s running Windows 10 can just hop onto the new version without a snag. It’s worth knowing how to troubleshoot those hiccups, especially when things don’t go as planned, and you end up staring at vague error messages or the infamous “This PC can’t run Windows 11” screen. Below are some common things to try, along with technical bits like commands and menu paths that can help smooth out the process.
How to Fix Windows 11 Upgrade Troubles
Method 1: Double-Check Hardware Compatibility (Because Windows has to make it harder)
This is step one, always. The PC Health Check app from Microsoft can be a bit unreliable sometimes, especially if it gives false negatives, but it’s still worth a try. If your system passes that test but still refuses the upgrade, then maybe your hardware is borderline or needs some tweaks. Also, check your BIOS settings: Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are mandatory for Windows 11. To see if your PC has TPM 2.0, open Run (Win + R), type tpm.msc, and hit Enter. If it shows TPM 2.0 enabled, good. If not, you might have to enable it in your BIOS settings, which can vary a lot depending on your motherboard. Sometimes, Windows seems to pretend it’s compatible when it’s really not, or vice versa, so this check is kinda crucial. If your hardware just isn’t compatible, no amount of troubleshooting will fix that, sadly. But on some setups, a BIOS update or enabling TPM in your firmware settings can do the trick.
Method 2: Use Media Creation Tool or ISO to Bypass Compatibility Checks
If Windows’ built-in checks are being overly cautious or wrong, downloading the Windows 11 ISO or using the Media Creation Tool can sometimes bypass the “not compatible” message. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary. You can download the official Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s site, then run it and select “Create installation media” to make a bootable USB or DVD. When installing, it might skip some hardware checks or give you more control. Just be aware—it could lead to issues if your hardware truly isn’t supported, but this method gives you a shot at upgrading when the Windows tool says no.
Method 3: Check for Pending Updates and Clear Partial Installations
Sometimes, leftover update files or partial upgrades block a clean install. Head over to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for pending updates. Installs often fail because of incomplete updates. Use DISM and SFC to fix system image corruption, which can mess with the upgrade.
- Open PowerShell as admin (Win + X then choose Windows PowerShell (Admin))
- Run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - After that finishes, run:
sfc /scannow
This can fix corrupted system files that might trip up the upgrade. If there are still issues, check your Windows Update logs for errors or use the Windows Troubleshooter for Windows Update (found in Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot).
Method 4: Manually Reset Windows Update Components or Remove Old Update Files
Sometimes, Windows gets stubborn with old download caches. You can manually reset Windows Update components:
- Open Command Prompt as admin (Win + X then pick Command Prompt (Admin))
- Stop update services:
net stop wuauservandnet stop bits - Navigate to
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistributionand delete everything inside (or rename it, just in case) - Restart the services:
net start wuauservandnet start bits
This clears the cache that might be blocking your upgrade. Then retry the upgrade funnel.
Method 5: Use the Registry to Enable or Disable Features
In some cases, tweaking the registry can help, like enabling optional features or bypassing certain checks. But beware — messing with the registry can cause troubles if not done carefully. Only do this if you’re comfortable, and always back up your registry first. One common tweak is to turn off the “Skip Checks” flag for TPM and secure boot, but only in advanced scenarios. The key paths lie in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\Setup.
In my experience, sometimes just doing a clean boot before starting the upgrade can also help. Disable third-party drivers or antivirus temporarily because they might interfere during the install. On some machines, a fresh restart, empty temp folders, and running the installer as administrator can clear up the weirdest issues.
Of course, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all fix, but it’s kind of surprising how many upgrade roadblocks come down to simple system state quirks or incomplete old updates. Keep in mind, on some setups, you might need to update hardware drivers or BIOS first. Windows isn’t perfect, but patience and a bit of digging usually get things working.
Wrap-up
Dealing with upgrade hiccups can be frustrating, especially when Windows throws obscure messages or flat-out refuses to upgrade. But knowing the technical ins and outs — checking TPM, forcing the upgrade from ISO, clearing update caches — makes it way less painful. On some machines, you might have to get creative, but with persistence, it’s usually doable. Just remember to back up your stuff, and don’t rush through the process. Good luck, and fingers crossed this helps get that upgrade over the line.
Summary
- Check TPM and Secure Boot in BIOS, use TPM.msc and BIOS menus.
- Use the Media Creation Tool or ISO for bypassing checks.
- Run
DISMandSFCto fix system errors. - Clear Windows Update cache by resetting services and deleting old files.
- Try upgrading with a clean boot or disabling problematic apps.