The restrictions that Microsoft has placed on the configuration of devices running Windows 11 are well documented. Many users on older PCs see the message “This PC does not currently meet the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11”.
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Rufus 3.16, the popular tool for creating bootable media, provided a workaround for anyone wanting to bypass TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot restrictions during a clean install of Windows 11. The upcoming version, Rufus 3.18, will also allow you to bypass the restrictions. Upgrades in place.
What are in-place upgrades?
With a clean installation, you can install Windows 11 on a blank or formatted storage media. Conversely, with an in-place upgrade, you can install Windows 11 without removing the older version first.
In-place upgrades have been a feature of updating Windows operating systems since Windows 7, but the release of Windows 11 was the first time the requirements were made so restrictive. As Microsoft now handles in-place upgrades, they can impose complex restrictions for the user.
Download Rufus 3.18 Beta
The current stable version of Rufus is 3.17, but you can find the download link for version 3.18 on the Other Versions section of the official Rufus website. Once again, make sure you understand the implications of using the beta version before proceeding.
Should you bypass installation restrictions?
First of all, it must be said that the reasons given by Microsoft for imposing installation and upgrade restrictions are completely valid. Who wouldn’t want their computer to be more secure?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t bring much comfort for those of us who are keen to start using Windows 11 but can’t because their machine is a bit old or their motherboard doesn’t support TPM 2.0.
Microsoft says users should be “comfortable to handle the risk of running into compatibility issues” when installing Windows 11 on a PC that doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements. He went on to explain it.
With this in mind, before proceeding with any bypass of system requirements, think carefully and make sure you understand the potential risks. Windows 10 will be supported until at least 2025, so you probably won’t even need to upgrade. If you like how Windows 11 looks, our guide to make Windows 10 look like Windows 11 can help.
If you still want to proceed, the process for creating bootable media to bypass Secure Boot restrictions with TPM and Rufus remains the same for an in-place upgrade as it is for a clean installation. Please read our guide on bypassing Windows 11 minimum installation requirements for more information on using Rufus.
When is the stable release of 3.18 expected?
Rufus is a completely free utility, developed by a team, and does not follow a strict release schedule. The changelog for version 3.18 isn’t huge, so it may only be in beta for a relatively short period of time. However, it is not possible to put an exact release date on it at the moment.
We’ve tried the 3.18 beta, and it works perfectly, but that doesn’t mean it will work for everyone. If you’re unsure about which pre-release software to use, you shouldn’t have too long to wait for the stable version of Rufus 3.18.
Bypassing Windows 11 In-Place Installation Restrictions
The upcoming release of Rufus 3.18 will be welcome news for anyone who’s gone wrong for Windows 11 upgrade requirements but doesn’t want to go to the trouble of doing a clean install. Rufus has a reputation for being a reliable utility, and version 3.18 should only improve on that.