Many users want the sleek look and new features of Windows 11, but Microsoft limits installation to newer PCs. That doesn't mean you're out of luck! With the right workaround, you can install Windows 11 on older incompatible PCs and even revert to Windows 10 if needed. In this guide, I'll walk you through each method and share my own experience with each one, so you can confidently make the best choice.
Part 1: How to Install Windows 11 (Standard Way)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1：Backup your data. Use an external drive or cloud backup.
Step 2：Go to the Windows 11 Download Page.
Step 3：Click on "Download Now" under Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
Step 4：Run the Installation Assistant and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 5：Your PC will check compatibility. If compatible, it will begin downloading.
Step 6：After download, installation will begin automatically.
Step 7：The system will restart multiple times. Wait until setup completes.
My Experience:
This method was extremely smooth and straightforward—if your PC is compatible. It's very beginner-friendly and doesn’t require technical knowledge. However, one of my older test PCs failed the compatibility check, which brings us to the next method.
Part 2: How to Install Win11 on Older Incompatible PC
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1：Backup your data. Safety first!
Step 2：Download Rufus from https://rufus.ie.
Step 3：Download the Windows 11 ISO from the Microsoft ISO page.
Step 4：Open Rufus > Insert a USB drive > Select ISO file.
Step 5：Important: In Rufus, check the box that says "Remove requirement for 4GB RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0".
Step 6：Click Start to create a bootable USB.
Step 7：Restart your PC and boot into BIOS (usually F2, Del, or F12 during boot).
Step 8：Set USB as the primary boot device.
Step 9：Save and exit BIOS. Your PC should boot from USB.
Step 10：Follow the Windows 11 installation process as normal.
My Experience:
This workaround is a game-changer! I installed Windows 11 on a 2013 PC without TPM or Secure Boot. It ran surprisingly well with no major hiccups. I recommend this method for confident beginners or anyone comfortable with BIOS and boot settings. The Rufus patch option makes things super convenient.
Part 3: How to Reinstall Windows 10 From 11
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1：Backup your data.
Step 2：Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool.
Step 3：Launch the tool and choose "Create installation media for another PC".
Step 4：Select ISO file and language > Create bootable USB using Rufus.
Step 5：Restart your PC > Boot into BIOS > Select USB as boot device.
Step 6：Begin Windows 10 installation. Choose "Custom Install" and format the partition with Windows 11.
Step 7：Complete setup.
My Experience:
This method worked perfectly for restoring an older laptop to Windows 10. It's best for users who tried Windows 11 and found it too slow or incompatible with certain apps. I used WPS Office to back up documents and it was super reliable—more on that below.
WPS Office
WPS Office is a powerful yet lightweight office suite that offers a full range of productivity tools, including Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation—comparable to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. What makes WPS Office especially appealing is its compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, so you can open, edit, and save .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files without any hassle. It's also free to use, which is a huge plus for students, home users, or anyone setting up a freshly installed system without wanting to invest in a paid suite. Thanks to its minimal system requirements and smooth interface, WPS is an excellent choice for older PCs that may struggle with heavier software like Office 365. Whether you're writing documents, analyzing data, or preparing presentations, WPS delivers a clean, responsive experience.
Key Features of WPS Office:
Cross-platform support: WPS Office is available across nearly all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. This means your files and work can sync effortlessly between your laptop, tablet, and smartphone, enabling a truly mobile workflow.
Tab-based interface: Like a web browser, WPS Office uses a tabbed interface that lets you open multiple documents in a single window. This makes it easier to switch between files without cluttering your screen or taskbar, which is especially helpful when multitasking on lower-end hardware.
Cloud integration: WPS offers built-in access to WPS Cloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and other services. You can save files directly to the cloud and access them anywhere, with automatic sync features that help ensure you never lose progress.
Advanced PDF tools: WPS doesn't stop just viewing PDFs, you can also edit them, annotate, split or merge pages, convert PDFs to Word/Excel, and even add digital signatures. These features are often only available in paid software but are accessible here for free or at a minimal cost.
Extensive templates library: Whether you're building a resume, crafting a budget, preparing a presentation, or drafting a business letter, WPS offers thousands of free, professionally designed templates to choose from. These help users save time and produce polished documents quickly.
Real-time collaboration tools: WPS Office supports sharing documents with others and allows for real-time collaboration and commenting, much like Google Docs. This makes it easier to work on group projects, even when participants are in different locations.
Lightweight installation size: WPS Office is significantly smaller in file size compared to Microsoft Office, making it ideal for machines with limited storage space or slower SSDs/HDDs.
User-friendly interface: WPS provides a clean, intuitive layout with minimal learning curve. It mimics the familiar Microsoft Office UI, so new users won’t feel lost.
Frequent updates and support: WPS regularly updates its software with bug fixes, new features, and performance improvements, ensuring that users always have access to a stable and evolving platform.
All these features combine to offer a full-featured office suite that is both efficient and accessible, making WPS Office a fantastic solution for both everyday users and professionals working on a budget or using older hardware.
All these features come packaged in a suite that’s less than half the size of Microsoft Office, making WPS Office ideal for machines with limited storage or RAM.
My Experience:
I’ve used WPS Office extensively throughout the process of installing and reinstalling Windows, and it consistently proved to be a valuable tool. From backing up Word documents to editing Excel files and even creating quick PDFs, it handled everything even on hardware that’s more than a decade old. Compared to Office 365, WPS launches faster, feels smoother, and doesn't drain system resources, which is crucial when working on machines with limited RAM or slower CPUs. What I really appreciated was its intuitive layout, which feels familiar yet modern. Whether I was preparing boot instructions, saving install logs, or keeping personal notes during the OS changes, WPS Office kept everything organized. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable, lightweight, and feature-rich alternative to Microsoft Office—especially when setting up a freshly installed Windows system.
FAQs
Q1: How to get Windows 11 if your PC doesn't support it?
Use Rufus to create a bootable USB.
Disable TPM and Secure Boot checks.
Boot from USB and install Windows 11 manually.
Q2: How to run an incompatible program in Windows 11?
Right-click the program > Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab.
Check "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and select Windows 10 or earlier.
Click Apply and run the program.
Q3: How to install an old application on Windows 11?
Yes, you can:
Use compatibility mode (you can do this by right clicking the application, selecting 'Properties', navigating to the 'Compatibility' tab, and then choosing an earlier version of Windows such as Windows 10).
Try installing as Admin.
If it’s 16-bit, use a VM or compatibility layer.
Summary
Installing Windows 11 on older, incompatible PCs might seem intimidating at first, especially with Microsoft's strict hardware requirements like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. However, with the right tools and guidance, it's not only achievable but also surprisingly smooth. Tools like Rufus have revolutionized the process by allowing users to bypass those hardware checks and create a custom bootable USB for installation. Even older machines that were written off as obsolete can enjoy the speed, aesthetics, and features of Windows 11.
From my hands-on experience, these methods are highly effective and can dramatically extend the useful life of aging devices. I’ve installed Windows 11 on a laptop since 2013, and it ran better than expected, proving that you don’t always need the latest specs to enjoy modern software. That said, Windows 11 isn’t perfect for everyone. Some older apps may not work properly, and performance can vary depending on your hardware. That’s where having the option to roll back to Windows 10 becomes invaluable.
Fortunately, reinstalling Windows 10 is just as manageable, offering a fallback plan that keeps your system secure and familiar. Tools like WPS Office were essential during this whole process. Not only did it help me backup important files and track installation steps, but it also provided a full-featured office suite that worked flawlessly post-installed, especially useful for machines that struggle with heavier software.
In the end, whether you’re upgrading to Windows 11 for a modern experience or returning to Windows 10 for better compatibility, you have options. These methods empower users to make informed choices based on their unique needs and skill levels. With the right tools and preparation, you can confidently navigate your Windows installation journey.
