Solved Updating to 25H2 from 24H2 on desktop with CPU that is not TPM 2.0

HTA · Nov 29, 2025

sdowney717 said:
Failed again, same message
Is it worth pursuing, or am I wasting my time?

Surely someone knows.

Use Rufus to make a 25H2 install drive that bypasses all of the Windows 11 requirement checks.

sdowney717 · Nov 29, 2025

HTA said:
Use Rufus to make a 25H2 install drive that bypasses all of the Windows 11 requirement checks.

yes, have used before, likely a good idea.
Will it again never be updateable through Windows update like now?

MS Copilot says

Using Rufus is a very effective workaround for upgrading or clean‑installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, especially when Secure Boot or TPM requirements block you through Windows Update. Here’s the forensic breakdown:

What Rufus Does

Rufus is a bootable USB creation tool.
It can modify Windows 11 installation media to bypass hardware checks (TPM, Secure Boot, CPU).
When you create a Windows 11 USB with Rufus, it offers options like:
- Remove requirement for TPM 2.0
- Remove requirement for Secure Boot
- Remove requirement for RAM/CPU checks
This means you don’t need the registry hack if you install via Rufus — the bypass is built into the installer.

Protocol Card: Using Rufus for Unsupported Hardware

Step	Action
1	Download the official ISO (e.g., 25H2) from Microsoft
2	Download Rufus (latest version)
3	Insert USB drive (8 GB or larger)
4	Open Rufus → Select ISO
5	In Rufus options, check boxes to bypass TPM/Secure Boot/CPU requirements
6	Create bootable USB
7	Boot from USB → Run Windows setup
8	Choose “Keep files and apps” (if upgrading) or clean install

When Rufus Helps Most

No Secure Boot in BIOS → Rufus bypasses it.
TPM missing or too old → Rufus bypasses it.
Windows Update upgrade fails → Rufus USB install succeeds.
Fresh install desired → Rufus is the cleanest path.

Risks & Notes

Microsoft does not support these bypasses officially.
Updates may still be restricted on unsupported hardware.
Always back up files before attempting an upgrade or clean install.

Scott, Rufus is essentially your “protocol override tool” — instead of registry tweaks, it builds the bypass into the installer itself. Would you like me to lay out a decision tree comparing registry hack vs. Rufus USB method, so you can document which path to use depending on whether you want an in‑place upgrade or a clean install?

Bree · Nov 29, 2025

sdowney717 said:
Failed again, same message
Is it worth pursuing, or am I wasting my time?

Surely someone knows.

I regularly do in-place upgrades on unsupported hardware, mostly through Windows Update on Insider builds. The Canary build in particular used to get a new Feature Update about once a week, I've also successful run the repair update through Windows Update.

The trick is to use the registry commands from Option Three in this tutorial before it starts.
Important note: when Windows Update is doing a repair install, the compatibility checks take place at about 8% downloaded.

Bypass Windows 11 System Requirements on Unsupported PC

This tutorial will show you how to bypass the Windows 11 CPU, RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0 system requirements allowing you to clean install or upgrade to Windows 11 on a unsupported PC that doesn't meet these requirements. Installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet Windows 11...

www.elevenforum.com

sdowney717 · Nov 29, 2025

Copilot says
in Rufus can it upgrade without new install
Great question, Scott — Rufus is powerful, but it’s important to be clear about what it can and cannot do in the upgrade vs. clean install scenario.

Rufus Upgrade Capabilities

Rufus itself does not perform the upgrade. Its role is to create a bootable USB installer with bypass options (TPM, Secure Boot, CPU checks).
Upgrade path with Rufus:
1. Use Rufus to make a USB from the Windows 11 ISO.
2. Do not boot from the USB if you want an upgrade. Instead, insert the USB while inside Windows 11 (22H2 in your case).
3. Open the USB in File Explorer and run setup.exe.
4. Choose “Keep personal files and apps” during setup. This performs an in‑place upgrade rather than a clean install.

Clean Install vs. Upgrade with Rufus

Method	What Happens	When to Use
Boot from Rufus USB	Wipes system, fresh install	If you want a clean slate
Run `setup.exe` from Rufus USB inside Windows	In‑place upgrade, keeps files/apps	If you want to move from 22H2 → 23H2/24H2 without reinstalling

Notes

The bypass options Rufus applies (no TPM, no Secure Boot, no CPU check) are embedded in the installer, so the upgrade path works even if your BIOS lacks Secure Boot.
Always back up before starting, since upgrades can fail and revert.
Disconnecting internet during setup is still wise — it prevents online compatibility checks from blocking the upgrade.

So yes: Rufus can enable an upgrade without a new install, but only if you run setup.exe from the USB inside Windows rather than booting from it.
Would you like me to draft a step‑by‑step upgrade protocol card using Rufus USB (in‑place upgrade path) so you can drop it straight into your restoration logs?

sdowney717 · Nov 29, 2025

Copilot says likely no windows update to another version like it is now, and unplug from internet to do the upgrade.

Will windows update again be unable to update to the next version of windows?
That’s the crux of running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, Scott. Here’s the forensic breakdown:

How Windows Update Behaves on Unsupported PCs

Official Policy: Microsoft states that PCs without Secure Boot or TPM 2.0 are not supported. Updates may be blocked at any time.
Reality (Observed):
- Security updates: These usually continue to arrive, even on unsupported hardware, because Microsoft doesn’t want large numbers of unpatched systems.
- Feature updates (new versions like 23H2 → 24H2 → 25H2): These are where the block often reappears. Windows Update may refuse the upgrade, showing the same “requirements not met” message you saw.
Workarounds:
- Registry key (AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU) sometimes helps, but not always.
- ISO + setup.exe (offline, with internet disconnected) is the most reliable way to move to the next version.
- Rufus‑created USB media bypasses checks entirely, allowing either in‑place upgrade or clean install.

Protocol Card: Update Path on Unsupported Hardware

Update Type	Likely Outcome	Workaround
Security patches	Usually delivered via Windows Update	No action needed
Feature upgrades (22H2 → 23H2, 24H2, 25H2)	Often blocked by Windows Update	Use ISO or Rufus USB, run `setup.exe` offline
Enablement packages (minor version bumps)	May fail if Secure Boot missing	ISO method bypasses

Legacy Documentation Insight

Condition: Unsupported hardware (no Secure Boot, TPM < 2.0).
Block: Windows Update feature upgrades fail.
Override: ISO/Rufus upgrade path with registry bypass.
Outcome: System remains on latest build, but always outside official support.

So to answer directly: Yes, Windows Update will likely continue to block future feature upgrades on your PC. You’ll need to rely on ISO or Rufus methods for each major version jump, while security updates should still come through normally.
Would you like me to build a timeline chart of upgrade paths (22H2 → 23H2 → 24H2 → 25H2) showing which ones require ISO/Rufus vs. which ones flow through Windows Update? That could slot neatly into your legacy logs.

spapakons · Nov 29, 2025

sdowney717 said:
Failed, any ideas to make it work? When you update registry do you have to restart PC?

View attachment 154806

All you need to do is bypass compatibility check and disconnect from the internet until the upgrade is completed. As already suggested, you must run this command as Administrator:

d:\setup /product server

where d is the drive letter of the mounted ISO (the virtual DVD drive when you open the ISO with File Explorer). Replace as appropriate.

sdowney717 · Nov 29, 2025

I used Rufus, and it is running 25H2 right now.
All apps still there

Now need to plug in ethernet cable again.

sdowney717 · Nov 29, 2025

Oops! spoke too soon, it has a stop driver code. It boots, fails, then reboots over and over.
It may be something to do with the video driver, dont know.

It was running win 11, desktop up. Then it said configuring windows media center, and in the middle of that it rebooted.

Only other thing I did was plug in the ethernet cable

Automatic repair Says PC failed to start, restart or advanced options

sdowney717 · Nov 29, 2025

PCI IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, PCI driver suspected

something like that flashes onscreen for 1/2 a second, about impossible to read

Can a safe mode let me back in?

sdowney717 · Nov 29, 2025

PCI driver not less than or equal to (0xD1) is the error.
It can get into safe mode.
It can not get into safe mode with networking

I guess will have to either try new install, or go back to earlier windows version

sdowney717 · Nov 29, 2025

I solved it, the problem was the network driver from MS dated 2015.
I downloaded and installed Realtek driver from here

Realtek

www.realtek.com

chose the NetAdapterCx

Copilot AI told me this is a known problem?

Perfect, Scott — that narrows it down. The Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller is a common onboard Ethernet driver, and it’s a known culprit in IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0xD1) crashes during Windows upgrades, especially on unsupported hardware.

Forensic Diagnosis: Realtek PCIe GbE Driver Crash

Symptom	Interpretation
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0xD1)	Driver memory violation
Safe Mode works, Networking fails	Network stack triggers crash
Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller	Likely outdated or incompatible with 25H2 kernel

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

sdowney717 · Nov 29, 2025

Talking to Copilot....
The Cx driver fixed the PC, it is working again

That’s a huge win, Scott — excellent forensic recovery. The fact that the NetAdapterCx v11.027.50 driver stabilized the system confirms your diagnosis: the Realtek PCIe GbE driver was the root cause of the IRQL crash during the 25H2 upgrade.

Recovery Summary for Legacy Logs

Phase	Action
Trigger	Upgrade to Windows 11 25H2 on unsupported hardware
Failure	IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0xD1) crash tied to Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller
Diagnosis	Safe Mode worked, Safe Mode with Networking failed — network driver conflict isolated
Recovery	Uninstalled faulty driver, installed NetAdapterCx v11.027.50
Outcome	System stabilized, desktop restored, networking functional

PCUser · Nov 30, 2025

Tscan said:
I saw a thread with a similar issue to mine but was unable to post there since no one responded in 30 days.

I have 24H2 installed on my desktop.
View attachment 151650

I installed Windows 11 (23H2) using Rufus a couple months ago as my CPU is not suported.

View attachment 151651

After installing Windows 11, Windows Update installed 24H2 but not 25H2.

I tried to install 25H2 by mounting the iso from UUP dump (Internet disconnected) but was not successful.

View attachment 151653

I tried Option #3 from this thread but could not get past the first command.

View attachment 151654

@Tscan Is your BIOS current?

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Tscan · Dec 3, 2025

PCUser said:
@Tscan Is your BIOS current?

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Last time I checked, yes. The Enablement package worked.

SlappyPC · Apr 29, 2026

If you are trying to install Windows 11 ISO on a Virtual Machine then this method works.

In VMware Workstation, Hyper V or Virtual box , you can bypass the TPM check during installation:

Method 1: Registry bypass during install

Boot your VM using the Windows 11 ISO.
When you reach the “This PC can’t run Windows 11” screen:

Press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
Type:
regedit
Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
Right-click Setup → New → Key → name it LabConfig
Inside LabConfig, create these DWORD values:
- BypassTPMCheck = 1
- BypassSecureBootCheck = 1
- (Optional) BypassRAMCheck = 1
Close Registry Editor and continue installation.

spapakons · Apr 29, 2026

I have to add, using these Registry keys you can also bypass the requirement for UEFI boot and install Windows 11 on older computers with legacy BIOS, without TPM, not even TPM 1.2, without Secure Boot. However, you can create a USB flash drive with Rufus and have the respective system files already patched without having to manually modify the Registry.

NormanF · May 2, 2026

The Aveyo bat. bypass command turns a Windows 11 iso into a Server edition which has no TPM, no CPU and no Secure Boot requirements. Its silently installing the Windows 11 desktop.

spapakons · May 3, 2026

No need to turn the ISO into server version. You can fool Setup it is installing server version so as not to check compatibility. That's precisely what the following command used to upgrade unsupported computers does. Tells setup "don't bother to check the Windows version, it is a Windows Server version", so it doesn't check compatibility.

setup /product server

Celery · May 3, 2026

SlappyPC said:
If you are trying to install Windows 11 ISO on a Virtual Machine then this method works.

In VMware Workstation, Hyper V or Virtual box , you can bypass the TPM check during installation:

All the virtualization platforms you mentioned are capable of running Windows 11, so bypassing system requirements is not always necessary. However, the virtual machine must be properly configured (for example, using UEFI and a virtual TPM).

In Hyper-V, TPM is not enabled by default and must be manually enabled for Generation 2 virtual machines.

SlappyPC said:
Inside LabConfig, create these DWORD values:

BypassTPMCheck = 1

BypassSecureBootCheck = 1

(Optional) BypassRAMCheck = 1

VMware Workstation, Hyper-V, and VirtualBox:

If you attempt to install Windows 11 in legacy BIOS mode on an MBR disk, you will need to bypass the system requirements.

Bypassing the system requirements is easier if you first create a Windows 11 installation USB using Rufus and enable the "Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0" option.

Then, use the files on the Rufus USB to create a bootable Windows 11 ISO:

Post #10.

Creating an iso from a Windows11 Rufus install usb.

Hi. Is there a way to take an already created bootable windows 11 install usb drive and then turn that around and turn it into an .iso? The reason I want to do this is that I am trying to create a new Oracle Virtual Box VM that would run windows 11 with a local account only. As anyone reading...

www.elevenforum.com

spapakons · May 4, 2026

To stay in topic, if you want to UPGRADE from 24H2 to 25H2 on an unsupported system, then it is not necessary to use the ISO and do a full upgrade. All the necessary files are already present with the 25H2 specific features locked (disabled). All you need is to manually download and install the 25H2 Enablement Package, as it is not offered via Windows Update to unsupported systems. This package is like a typical Windows update, it doesn't check compatibility to install, so you just run it, restart and voila! You upgraded from 24H2 to 25H2. Rumors have it that 26H2 will also be available as an enablement package for systems running 25H2, so again it won't check compatibility. Just download, install and restart to upgrade to 26H2 in October. This means all our unsupported computers with SSE4.2 can run 24H2, 25H2 and at least 26H2! Good News!

Get ready for Windows 11 version 25H2 - Enablement Package and ISO downloads available

UPDATE 9/30: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/windows-11-version-25h2-now-available.40396/ Windows IT Pro Blog: How easy is it to move to Windows 11, version 25H2? As easy as a quick restart if you're on version 24H2! Today, Windows 11, version 25H2 became available to the Windows Insider...

www.elevenforum.com

For 25H2 Enablement Package to install you must run 24H2 at least some build version, don't remember which. Make sure you install all Windows Updates before applying the 25H2 Enablement Package.

For everyone preferring a clean installation, in that case, yes you need the ISO and create a bootable USB flash drive with Rufus to bypass compatibility check and upgrade.

Solved Updating to 25H2 from 24H2 on desktop with CPU that is not TPM 2.0

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