Microsoft has officially released Windows 11 version 25H2, bringing new AI features and performance refinements. However, the strict system requirements for TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and supported CPUs remain a barrier for many.
If you are seeing the “This PC doesn’t meet minimum requirements” error, don’t worry. In this guide, we show you how to perform a clean install of Windows 11 25H2 on any unsupported hardware using the Rufus bypass method.
📺 Watch the Full Step-by-Step Tutorial
Before proceeding with the written steps, we highly recommend watching our detailed video guide below to see the partition management and Rufus bypass settings in action.
🛠 Prerequisites
To follow this guide, you will need:
- USB Drive: Minimum 8GB (USB 3.0 or Type-C recommended for speed).
- Internet Connection: To download the official ISO.
- Backup: A clean install will wipe your system drive. Ensure your data is backed up.
Quick Summary of the Process
1. Download the Official ISO
Always get your media from the source. Head to the Microsoft Download Page and grab the multi-edition ISO for Windows 11 25H2.
2. Create the Bypass USB with Rufus
Download the latest version of Rufus. When flashing your USB:
- Select your 25H2 ISO.
- Click Start to trigger the Windows User Experience menu.
- Crucial: Check the box to “Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0.”
3. The Clean Install & Partitioning
Boot your PC from the USB (usually via F12 or F11). When you reach the partition screen:
- For a Fresh Start: Delete all existing partitions on your main drive (Disk 0) until you see “Unallocated Space.”
- Creating Partitions: We recommend creating a 100GB partition for Windows (C:) and using the remaining space for a Data partition (D:).
- For Reinstalling: If you have data on other partitions, only Format the existing primary partition and select it for installation.
💬 Having Issues?
If you encounter the “POPCNT” instruction error or need help bypassing the Microsoft Account requirement during setup, watch the video above at the mark for the command-line workaround.
Did this work for your old PC? Let us know your specs in the YouTube comments!
