Windows 11 Upgrade Help in Ottawa
"This PC doesn't meet Windows 11 requirements" is often a setting, not old hardware. We check for free, fix what's fixable, and upgrade with your files and programs kept.
Free compatibility check · Upgrade with tune-up from $40 · Files backed up first
Windows 10 stopped getting regular security updates in October 2025. Home users can keep getting security fixes until October 12, 2027 by enrolling in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates, which is free with a Microsoft account. After that, a Windows 10 computer keeps working but gets no more security fixes, which matters most for anything you use for banking, email or work.
The upgrade itself is free from Microsoft. What stops most people is the message saying their PC doesn't meet the requirements. On many computers from about 2018 onwards, that's because two security features are simply switched off in the BIOS, and turning them on fixes it.
Why Your PC Says It Doesn't Meet Windows 11 Requirements
The common reasons, and which ones can be fixed.
TPM 2.0 switched off (usually fixable)
Most PCs from the last several years have TPM 2.0 built in, often labelled Intel PTT or AMD fTPM, but it's off by default. Turning it on in the BIOS clears the warning.
Secure Boot off (usually fixable)
Secure Boot must be on. On older Windows 10 installs the drive may also need converting from MBR to GPT first, which can be done without losing files.
Processor not on the list (unsupported install)
Windows 11 officially supports Intel 8th-gen and AMD Ryzen 2000 processors and newer. Older processors can't be upgraded the supported way, but most can still run Windows 11 as an unsupported install.
Not enough storage or RAM
Windows 11 needs 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, and realistically more to run well. An SSD or RAM upgrade often fixes this and speeds the PC up too.
The upgrade fails partway
Errors and rollbacks are usually caused by old drivers, low disk space or a third-party antivirus. We clear the cause and run it again.
It upgraded, but something broke
A printer, scanner or old program that stopped working after the upgrade. Usually a driver or compatibility setting.
Windows 10 Security Updates Now Run to October 2027
Microsoft extended its Extended Security Updates (ESU) for home users by a year, to October 12, 2027. If your Windows 10 PC is already enrolled, coverage continues automatically. If it isn't, it stopped getting security fixes in October 2025, and enrolling is the quickest way to make it safe again.
Enrolling is free when you sign in with a Microsoft account and back up your settings with Windows Backup; it's in Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update, on Windows 10 version 22H2. You can also use Microsoft Rewards points or pay once. Check that the Windows Update page says the PC is enrolled.
That buys time, not a permanent fix. Use it to plan: upgrade to Windows 11 if the PC qualifies, give it an SSD and a fresh start, or replace it before October 2027. Businesses are on a separate, paid ESU program.
Upgrade, Upgrade Parts, or Replace?
If your PC passes the check, or only needs TPM and Secure Boot turned on, upgrading is almost always the right call: it's free, and your files and programs come with it.
If it's a few years old and slow, the upgrade plus an SSD can make it feel newer than it is. If the processor isn't supported, we can usually still install Windows 11 as an unsupported install, or help you move to a new computer if that's the better long-term answer.
Can You Bypass the Windows 11 Requirements?
Yes, and we do it for customers who want to keep a computer that still works well. Windows 11 can be installed with the TPM, Secure Boot and processor checks bypassed, keeping your files and programs on most PCs.
The trade-offs: Microsoft doesn't support it or promise updates, the yearly version upgrades have to be installed by hand, and very old processors can't run current Windows 11 at all. Our page on Windows 11 for unsupported PCs explains what's involved, and we go through it with you before starting.
From First Message to Fixed
Step 1: Free compatibility check
Send us the make and model, or we check it remotely. You find out exactly what's blocking the upgrade.
Step 2: Back up, then fix settings
Your files are backed up first. TPM, Secure Boot and drive layout are corrected if needed.
Step 3: Upgrade and tune up
Windows 11 installed with your files and programs kept, drivers updated, and everything tested.
What a Windows 11 Upgrade Costs
| Compatibility check | Free |
| Windows 11 upgrade with tune-up, files kept | From $40 |
| Backup before upgrading (cloud backup setup) | $35 |
| SSD upgrade + fresh Windows 11 + data migration | $70 + drive |
| RAM upgrade | $50 + memory |
Windows 11 itself is free from Microsoft; you only pay for the work, and you approve the price first. See full pricing.
Windows 11 Upgrade FAQs
Why does my PC say it doesn't meet Windows 11 requirements?
Most often TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is switched off in the BIOS, which takes a few minutes to fix. If the processor is older than Intel 8th-gen or AMD Ryzen 2000, the PC isn't officially supported.
Is the Windows 11 upgrade worth it?
For most people, yes. Windows 10 no longer gets regular security updates, and the Extended Security Updates for home users end on October 12, 2027. Windows 11 is free and keeps your files and programs.
Is Windows 10 still safe to use in 2026?
Yes, if it's enrolled in Extended Security Updates, which Microsoft extended for home users to October 12, 2027. If it isn't enrolled, it stopped getting security fixes in October 2025 and you should enrol or upgrade now.
How do I enrol in Windows 10 Extended Security Updates for free?
On Windows 10 version 22H2, open Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update, and choose Enroll now. It's free if you sign in with a Microsoft account and back up your settings with Windows Backup, or you can use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or a one-time payment. If the option doesn't appear, the PC usually needs updates first.
Will I lose my files upgrading to Windows 11?
A normal upgrade keeps your files, programs and settings. We back everything up first anyway, so nothing depends on the upgrade going perfectly.
What happens if I stay on Windows 10?
It keeps working, but without security fixes it becomes steadily riskier for banking, email and browsing. We'd recommend upgrading or replacing it rather than leaving it.
How do I enable Secure Boot and TPM for Windows 11?
Both are switched on in the BIOS or UEFI settings, and the menus differ by maker. If the drive uses the older MBR layout it has to be converted to GPT first. We can do it for you, or walk you through it.
Can you upgrade a computer that isn't supported?
Yes, in most cases. We install Windows 11 with the requirement checks bypassed and your files kept. Microsoft doesn't support it or promise updates, and yearly version upgrades must be done by hand, so we explain the trade-offs first. Very old processors without SSE4.2 and POPCNT can't run current Windows 11 at all.
Find Out If Your PC Can Run Windows 11
Send the make and model. The check is free, and you'll know exactly what it takes.