Will I lose apps or files during the upgrade?

No, if you run setup.exe from Windows 10 and select Keep personal files and apps. Backups are still mandatory before any major OS change.

Is this approach supported by Microsoft?

You’re relaxing installer checks using official media. It’s commonly used and keeps servicing working, but Microsoft doesn’t guarantee support on unsupported devices—keep a rollback plan.

Can I clean install later?

Yes. Once your data is safe on Windows 11, you can boot from the same USB and perform a clean install at any time.

Will Windows 11 keep receiving updates on this device?

Usually yes, but it’s not guaranteed on unsupported hardware. If a future update refuses to install, repeat an in-place repair install with the latest ISO and the same flags if needed.

Upgrade Windows 10 to 11 on Unsupported Hardware without losing data (2025 Guide)

Q: Do I need third-party paid tools?

No. This guide uses the official Windows 11 ISO and built-in Windows options. No modified images, no paid utilities.

No modified ISOs. No third-party paid tools. This is a clean, official-image path to get Windows 11 while keeping your apps and files—and a rollback plan if you change your mind.

What this guide does—and why it’s safer

Many tutorials advise modified ISOs or patching system files. Those shortcuts can sabotage future cumulative updates, driver signing, or servicing stacks. Here, you’ll only use the
official Windows 11 ISO and setup-supported switches to relax CPU/TPM checks. The result is a reversible, maintainable upgrade:

Keep apps, files, and settings via an in-place upgrade.
No system file edits; Windows Update continues to work normally.
Clear rollback plan with full-disk image and restore point.

Before you touch anything (10 minutes that prevent disasters)

1) Make two backups

Full image backup with Macrium/Veeam/your favorite tool.
Plain copy of Documents, Pictures, project folders, and any .PST or app databases to an external drive or cloud.

2) Health check (Admin shell)

chkdsk /scan
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3) Prepare the environment

BitLocker → Suspend (don’t turn it off).
Free space → 30–40 GB on C:.
Optional: update BIOS/UEFI and enable fTPM/TPM if available.

Method 1 — MoSetup flag (in-place upgrade, safest first)

Use this when you want to keep apps and settings intact with the least friction.

Download the official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft.
Right-click the ISO → Mount (assume it’s E:).
Open Command Prompt (Admin) and allow the relaxed check:

reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup" ^
 /v AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Run E:\setup.exe → choose Not right now for updates → select Keep personal files and apps.
Let the installer reboot. Optional cleanup later:

reg delete "HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup" /v AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU /f

Why this works: You instruct the installer to relax CPU/TPM gates without altering protected system files. Data and apps are preserved; servicing remains intact.

Method 2 — LabConfig inside Setup (when TPM/Secure Boot hard-blocks remain)

If Method 1 still blocks (common on boards with no TPM), use Setup’s built-in bypass keys. Works when launched from Windows 10 and also from USB boot.

Create a standard USB from the official ISO and boot it (or just launch setup.exe from Windows 10).
At the first screen press Shift+F10 → regedit.
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup, create key LabConfig, then add DWORD (32-bit) values set to 1:
- BypassTPMCheck
- BypassSecureBootCheck
- BypassRAMCheck (only if needed)
Close Regedit and continue. If running from Windows 10, pick Upgrade and Keep personal files and apps.

Tip: If you booted from USB and don’t see the keep-apps option, cancel and repeat from within Windows 10 after adding the keys. In-place upgrades keep apps; clean installs don’t.

Method 3 — “Repair install” (offline in-place) when online checks or services misbehave

Background services, Store components, antivirus hooks, or driver managers can derail upgrades. Running offline reduces moving parts.

Disconnect Ethernet/Wi-Fi.
Mount the official ISO → run setup.exe.
Choose Not right now for updates + Keep personal files and apps.
After landing on the Windows 11 desktop, reconnect and run Windows Update.

If eligibility blocks persist, combine with Method 1 (MoSetup) or Method 2 (LabConfig).

After the upgrade (lock in stability)

Re-enable BitLocker and save the recovery key somewhere safe.
Run Windows Update until fully patched.
Open Device Manager; for any warnings, install vendor chipset/GPU/LAN/storage drivers.

Quick health sweep:

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Create a restore point named “Post-Win11-OK” and take a fresh image backup.

Troubleshooting quick hits

0xC1900101 (driver class errors)

Update storage/chipset/network drivers in Windows 10 first; remove overclocks; unplug non-essential USB devices during setup.

Boot loop / rollback at ~70%

Disconnect secondary internal drives and retry. If it persists, run via Method 2 (LabConfig).

Secure Boot greyed out

Switch firmware to UEFI (disable Legacy/CSM). Secure Boot itself isn’t required if you’re bypassing checks with LabConfig, but UEFI tends to reduce quirks.

Activation

If Windows 10 was activated on this hardware, Windows 11 usually activates automatically. Otherwise, use the Activation Troubleshooter.

Stuck on “Checking for updates” in Setup

Choose Not right now when asked about updates during setup (you can update afterward). Or use Method 3 (offline).

App licenses

Some apps bind to build numbers/hardware hashes. Keep license info handy for reactivation.

FAQ

Will I lose apps or files?

No—when you run setup.exe from Windows 10 and choose Keep personal files and apps. Still, do full backups first.

Is this approach supported?

You’re adjusting installer checks to upgrade on unsupported hardware using official media. It’s widely used and keeps servicing functional, but Microsoft doesn’t guarantee long-term support on unsupported devices—hence the backup + rollback plan.

Do I need third-party paid tools?

No. All three methods use the official image and built-in options. No modified ISOs; no paid utilities.

What if I later want a clean slate?

Boot the same USB and clean install any time. This guide simply helps you get to Windows 11 first without losing data.

Will feature updates keep working?

Usually, yes. If a future update refuses on unsupported hardware, perform an in-place repair install using the latest ISO and the same flags.

Copy-paste mini-playbook

Admin shell (Windows 10) — health sweep

chkdsk /scan
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Minimal bypass for in-place upgrade (MoSetup)

reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup" ^
 /v AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Start upgrade from mounted ISO (replace E:)

E:\setup.exe

Post-upgrade hardening

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

LabConfig keys (if hard blocks remain)

Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\LabConfig
DWORD: BypassTPMCheck = 1
DWORD: BypassSecureBootCheck = 1
DWORD: BypassRAMCheck = 1   (only if needed)

Bottom line

To upgrade Windows 10 to 11 on unsupported hardware without losing data, start with the MoSetup in-place upgrade. If you hit hard blocks, enable LabConfig. When services or online checks get in the way, fall back to an offline repair install. With verified backups, a quick health sweep, and the official ISO, you gain Windows 11 safely—no modified images, no paid tools, and a clean rollback path if you want one.