Fix This PC can’t run Windows 11 in Hyper-V

Facing error This PC can’t run Windows 11 in Hyper-V? I stumbled upon this error while trying to create a test virtual machine in Hyper-V. Right after selecting the version Windows 11 Pro, I got this error This PC can’t run Windows 11

This PC can’t run Windows 11

This PC doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements to install this version of Windows. For more information, visit https://aka.ms/WindowsSysReq

Unfortunately, Microsoft isn’t quite ready to specify WHY our system is not ready for Windows 11. In 2023… So opposed to telling WHAT is missing in the system specifications. Microsoft is sending you to a website (which you have to retype on another device because you’re in the middle of a brand-new Windows setup). And then you’ll have to find it out yourself.

This blog article helps to configure a Windows 11 virtual machine. The instructions are written for Hyper-V but they are also sufficient for VMWare Workstation and Parallels.

System Requirements for This PC can’t run Windows 11

For a Windows 11 virtual machine on Hyper-V, these things need to be configured:

• Create a Gen2 virtual machine
• Set memory to 4GB minimal (4GB RAM)
• Enable Secure Boot
• Enable Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0)
• Add 2 virtual processors (vCPU)

Create a Gen2 virtual machine

One of the first steps in creating a Windows 11 virtual machine, is starting the New Virtual Machine Wizard. In this wizard, make sure you select Generation 2 at the Specify Generation step, Once you have finished the wizard, you cannot change the Generation type.

Set memory to 4GB minimal (4GB RAM)

At the Assign Memory step in the New Virtual Machine Wizard, specify 4096 MB RAM or more. 4GB RAM is the minimum requirement for Windows 11 to pass the requirements check.

Enable Secure Boot

Secure Boot must be configured after the creation of the virtual machine. It cannot be configured during the New Virtual Machine Wizard. To enable Secure Boot on a virtual machine:

1. Open Hyper-V Manager
2. Right-click the virtual machine and choose Settings
3. Select Security
4. Select Enable Secure Boot
5. Click Apply

Enable Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0)

Trusted Platform Module must be configured after the creation of the virtual machine. It cannot be configured during the New Virtual Machine Wizard. Sometimes it’s already enabled. If not, follow these steps. To enable Trusted Platform Module on a virtual machine:

1. Open Hyper-V Manager
2. Right-click the virtual machine and choose Settings
3. Select Security
4. Select Enable Trusted Platform Module
5. Click Apply

Add 2 virtual processors (vCPU)

Windows 11 requires a minimum of 2 processors (CPU) to pass the system requirements check. The number of virtual processors cannot be configured during the New Virtual Machine Wizard. To configure the number of virtual processors:

1. Open Hyper-V Manager
2. Right-click the virtual machine and choose Settings
3. Select Processor
4. Set Number of virtual processors to 2 or more
5. Click Apply

Want to enable your microphone in a virtual machine?

A while ago, I wrote an article about how to enable a microphone in a VM. Very useful if you want to run Microsoft Teams in a virtual machine!

Install Windows 11 without TPM

PC’s without a internal TPM chip do not have the option to enable the Trusted Platform Module. In these scenarios, you can do some technical modifications during the Setup of the installation wizard. This way, you are able to bypass the TPM requirement and to suppress the blocking This PC can’t run Windows 11 message.

1. Boot from Windows 11 Install Disk:
   • Utilize your Windows 11 installation disk.
   • If unavailable, consult our guide on downloading Windows 11.
   • The initial screen will prompt language selection.
2. Access Command Prompt:
   • Press SHIFT + F10 to initiate the command prompt.
3. Open Registry Editor:
   • Type “regedit” and press Enter to launch the registry editor.
4. Navigate to Setup Registry Key:
   • Locate HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup.
5. Create LabConfig Registry Key:
   • Generate a new registry key under Setup, named LabConfig.
   • Right-click in the right window pane, select New -> Key, and enter the key name.
6. Configure LabConfig DWORD Values:
   • Within LabConfig, create DWORD values: BypassTPMCheck and BypassSecureBootCheck, setting each to 1.
   • To create a new DWORD value, right-click in the right window, select New DWORD (32-bit) Value, name the key, double-click to open it, and set it to 1.
   • Optionally, for RAM bypass, add a DWORD value for BypassRAMCheck.
7. Close Regedit and Command Prompt:
   • Exit both the registry editor and the command prompt.
8. Continue Installation:
   • Proceed with the Windows 11 installation process as usual.

Note: This method is effective for a clean install and does not circumvent the dual-core CPU requirement.