How to fix this PC can’t run windows 11?
The error “This PC can’t run Windows 11” typically appears during Windows 11 installation in a virtual machine (VM) or on physical hardware when the system doesn’t meet Microsoft’s minimum requirements: a compatible 64-bit CPU (e.g., Intel 8th Gen+ or AMD Ryzen 2000+), 4GB RAM, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and 64GB storage.
In a VM like VirtualBox on a Mac (as per your earlier context), these checks can fail due to missing hardware emulation (e.g., TPM, Secure Boot).
Below is a step-by-step guide to fix this by bypassing CPU, RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM checks using the LabConfig registry method and other tweaks, tailored for VirtualBox on a Mac host : –
Prerequisites
- VirtualBox VM: Set up with Windows 11 ISO attached (see earlier steps if not done).
- Windows 11 ISO: Downloaded (x64 for Intel Macs, ARM for Apple Silicon—though ARM bypasses differ slightly).
- Mac Host: Intel or Apple Silicon running VirtualBox 7.0.x.
Step-by-Step Fix to the error “This PC can’t run windows 11”: –
Step 1: Start the Windows 11 Installation
- Boot the VM:
- In VirtualBox, select your “Windows 11 VM” >
Start
. - Boot from the Windows 11 ISO (press any key if prompted).
- Encounter the Error:
- Proceed until you see “This PC can’t run Windows 11” (usually after selecting
Install Now
).
Step 2: Access Command Prompt in the Installer
- Open Command Prompt:
- At the error screen, press
Shift + F10
(orFn + Shift + F10
on some Mac keyboards). - A Command Prompt window opens.
Step 3: Create LabConfig Registry to Bypass Checks
- Launch Registry Editor:
- In Command Prompt, type:
regedit
- Press
Enter
to open the Registry Editor.
- Press
- Navigate to LabConfig:
- Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
. - Right-click
Setup
>New
>Key
. - Name it
LabConfig
. - Add Bypass Entries:
- Inside
LabConfig
, create these DWORD (32-bit) values:- BypassTPMCheck:
- Right-click
LabConfig
>New
>DWORD (32-bit) Value
. - Name:
BypassTPMCheck
. - Double-click > Set value to
1
> Base:Hexadecimal
>OK
.
- BypassSecureBootCheck:
- Name:
BypassSecureBootCheck
. - Value:
1
>OK
.
- BypassCPUCheck:
- Name:
BypassCPUCheck
. - Value:
1
>OK
.
- BypassRAMCheck:
- Name:
BypassRAMCheck
. - Value:
1
>OK
.
- Result:
- Registry should look like: “` HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\LabConfig
- BypassTPMCheck = 1
- BypassSecureBootCheck = 1
- BypassCPUCheck = 1
- BypassRAMCheck = 1
“`
- Close Registry Editor:
- Click
File
>Exit
.
Step 4: Resume Installation
- Return to Setup:
- Close Command Prompt (
exit
or clickX
). - Click the back arrow in the installer (top-left) to return to the previous screen.
- Click
Install Now
again. - Proceed:
- The installer should now skip the checks and let you continue.
- Select
Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)
. - Choose your virtual disk (e.g., 64GB unallocated space) >
Next
.
Step 5: Complete the Installation
- Install Windows 11:
- Files copy, VM restarts (15-30 minutes). Let VirtualBox handle reboots.
- Setup:
- Configure region, network, account, etc., to reach the Windows 11 desktop.
Alternative: Modify ISO to Bypass Checks (Preemptive Fix)
If you want to avoid registry edits during setup:
- On a Windows PC or Mac with Tools:
- Use Rufus (Windows) or edit the ISO:
- Download Windows 11 ISO (x64 for Intel).
- In Rufus: Select ISO, check “Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0” > Create new ISO.
- Or manually:
- Extract ISO with 7-Zip (Windows) or
hdiutil
(Mac:hdiutil mount Win11.iso
). - Edit
sources\appraiserres.dll
—replace with a blank file or delete (disables checks). - Rebuild ISO with
mkisofs
(Mac) or ImgBurn (Windows).
- Extract ISO with 7-Zip (Windows) or
- Use in VirtualBox:
- Attach the modified ISO in VM Settings >
Storage
> Run setup as normal.
VirtualBox-Specific Tweaks
- Enable EFI:
- VM Settings >
System
> CheckEnable EFI (special OSes only)
—mimics Secure Boot-like behavior. - Increase Resources:
System
> Set RAM to 4GB+ (8GB ideal), CPUs to 2+.Display
> 128MB VRAM, enable 3D acceleration (Intel only).- Fix Boot Issues:
- If stuck, add to
Extra Data
(VM Settings >General
>Advanced
tab >Custom VM Properties
):Key: vboxmanage modifyvm "Windows 11 VM" --cpu-profile "Intel Core i7-6700K"
Troubleshooting
- Error Persists:
- Reboot VM, press
Shift + F10
again, verify LabConfig entries—ensure all are set to1
. - Slow Install:
- Use an SSD, increase RAM/CPU in VM settings.
- Apple Silicon (M1/M2):
- Use Windows 11 ARM ISO. VirtualBox ARM support is experimental—LabConfig works, but Parallels or UTM may be smoother.
- No TPM Emulation:
- VirtualBox doesn’t natively emulate TPM. LabConfig bypasses this requirement entirely.
Notes
- Intel Macs: Full x64 Windows 11 support—easiest setup with these steps.
- Apple Silicon: Requires ARM ISO; bypasses work similarly, but performance may vary.
- Legality: Microsoft allows VMs; activation needs a valid license.
- Post-Install: Install VirtualBox Guest Additions (
Devices
>Insert Guest Additions CD
) for better integration.