How to Fix it When Windows 11 Won't Install (2024)

> Microsoft

Windows 11 has slightly more stringent demands for its host system than previous versions of Windows, including needing more RAM, more dedicated storage space, and a much more recent-generation processor.

If you've hit a brick wall when installing Windows 11, there's a good chance your PC isn't compatible. Here are some of the demands you might struggle with and potential solutions if your PC already meets the minimum specifications.

Why Won't Windows 11 Install?

The most likely reason Windows 11 won't install is that your PC doesn't meet the minimum hardware requirements and is incompatible with this version of Windows. Alternatively, you may have faulty installation media.

How Do I Fix Windows Not Installing?

Follow along below to see if you can figure out how Windows 11 isn't installing and how to hopefully get it going again:

1. Check and compare your PC's specifications with the official Windows 11 system requirements (listed below).

   It's essential to make sure you have enough RAM and storage space and whether your processor is modern enough to run it. If something doesn't match or exceed the hardware requirements, you'll need to upgrade or replace your PC before installing Windows 11.

   Run Microsoft's PC Health Check tool to see if your computer can run Windows 11.

2. Enable Secure Boot. If Secure Boot is disabled, enable it again, as Windows 11 won't install without it.

3. Enable TMP 2.0. If your PC supports TMP 2.0, you may need to enable it in the UEFI/BIOS.

4. Make new Windows 11 installation media if the original is corrupt or not working for some other reason.

5. Use a new drive. If you've been trying to upgrade your Windows 10 installation, try installing Windows 11 from scratch on a new or different drive. Alternatively, completely format your existing drive first before trying to install it.

   Before formatting any drive, be sure to back up important data first.

Why Is My PC Not Compatible With Windows 11?

Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, so if your PC won't let you install it, you may not have a powerful or modern enough PC to run it.

These are the main hardware requirements for Windows 11:

• A dual-core processor with a clock speed of at least 1GHz. It also needs to be 64-bit compatible and support Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 or greater. (This is any CPU from Intel eighth-generation onwards, and AMD Ryzen 2000-series (non-APU) processors and newer.)
• 4GB or more of RAM.
• At least 64GB of storage space available.
• A GPU compatible with DirectX 12 or later.
• A Secure Boot Capable UEFI.
• 720p display resolution or greater.
• An active internet connection.

If your PC doesn't meet any of these specifications, you may run into difficulties when trying to install Windows 11. For more information on the hardware requirements, see Minimum System Requirements for Windows 11.