Microsoft introduced Windows 11 and it is expected to arrive in Fall 2021. The biggest question is whether you can install or upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 10 to Windows 11. Fortunately, Microsoft has released the PC Health Check app to check and inform if your computer can run Windows 11. However, many users display an error when they run the application that says ‘This computer cannot run Windows 11’ on systems that are only a few years old.
Windows 11 brings hundreds of notable features including support for Android apps, additional layouts that are always available in PowerToys (like Fancy Zones), and a few other changes.
Additionally, Microsoft has outlined feature-specific requirements so you can check and verify if your computer meets these requirements to run them. For example, DirectStorage only works with NVMe SSDs, and Auto HDR requires you to have an HDR monitor to get the most out of it.
Although you are dying to try the new Windows 11, you need to understand and confirm if it will work on your computer. For this, first get the PC Health Check app.
Let’s find out why the PC Health Check app is giving this error and how you can fix it.
Windows 11 Requirements
While Windows 11 will be available as a free upgrade for existing Windows users, it comes with a list of key hardware requirements.
- 1 Gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on Chip (SoC)
- At least 4GB of RAM
- Minimum 64GB of storage
- UEFI and Secure Boot feature
- TPM 2.0
- DirectX 12 compatible graphics card / WDDM 2.x
- Screen must be >9″ with HD resolution (720p)
- Microsoft account and an active internet connection
The PC Health Check application may fail if one or more of the requirements are not met.
Also, another way to check if Windows 11 will run on your system is to determine if your computer’s processor appears in the list of Windows 11 support processors:
Two of the most common reasons for PC Health Check to show that your computer cannot run Windows 11 are due to the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot features.
Most computers sold after 2016 have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for Intel and AMD platforms. However, a few desktops and laptops do not have TPM enabled by default.
On the other hand, you always had the option to use or disable Secure Boot from your computer’s UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface).
What is TPM and Secure Boot?
A TPM or Trusted Platform Module is an encryption processor or microchip installed to provide hardware-level security. By default, the latest available motherboards have an integrated TPM chip, and slightly older ones have TPM connector pins to add the module separately.
The task of the TPM chip is to encrypt the data transmitted to and from the computer. In the process, this module ensures that no unauthorized changes are made without the permission of the administrator. Critical data such as keys, passwords and certificates are stored securely and isolated on TPM chips.
Enable TPM and Secure Boot for Your Computer
Before you begin, save all your work as you will need to restart your computer. There are several ways to enter the UEFI screen, but we recommend doing it from Windows Settings.
The UEFI screen you view on your computer may differ slightly from what you view here, and that’s fine.
Most importantly, you are looking for Security and Boot settings in UEFI. If you have Windows on your computer, you will find the TPM and Secure Boot options here.
Note: Intel platform-based UEFIs refer to TPM as TPM, while AMD platforms refer to this option as fTPM (firmware-based Trusted Platform Module).
Depending on the desktop or laptop manufacturer, the UEFI appearance may differ. However, you will find basic instructions there, such as using the arrow keys for selection. Check it from your UEFI menu at the bottom of the screen though. If you are unsure of the changes made, you can exit the BIOS and make sure you do not save the changes before restarting your computer.
Once you find the path to UEFI settings, look for TPM in Security option.
Stage 1: Go to the Security tab where you will find the TPM at the bottom of the list. If Current TPM Status is set to Installed, it means you have TPM on your Windows computer. Go to Change TPM Status and change the value to Enabled.
Note: On certain motherboards or laptops the TPM is set to Discrete. You need to change it to Firmware and save the change.
Step 2: Now, go to the Boot tab and make sure Secure Boot is set to Enabled.
Stage 3: You should now save your changes and exit UEFI mode. By default, F10 is the key to save changes and exit mode. When prompted to save changes, select Yes to save and exit. Your computer will restart automatically.
Once you see the desktop, run the PC Health Check app again and it should look like this.
Prepare
After confirming whether your computer can run Windows 11, you should be ready to install. Microsoft aims to release the Windows 11 beta for Windows Insiders starting June 28, 2021. And the general release of Windows 11 is expected to arrive this year during the Holiday season. The good thing is that existing Windows 10 users will be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11.
Are you going to upgrade to Windows 11?
