PC Not Compatible with Windows: 5 Ways to Fix the Problem

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Fix PC Not Compatible with Windows

Sometimes, your PC may not be compatible with a specific Windows version or a program. In such a situation, you will receive an error message, which may be in different forms but with the same meaning.

Whether you are using Windows 10, 11, or any other older versions, this error is quite common and can be fixed quite easily, as you will see when you continue reading this article.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • PC not compatible with Windows is actually an error message generated by the PC Health Check application, which is a tool responsible for checking Windows compatibility.
  • Some of the easiest solutions to this issue are to update the drivers on the PC along with the operating system.
  • Enabling TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot from the BIOS is also a useful way to make a computer system compatible with Windows.
  • Troubleshooting Windows Program Compatibility is also a way to find the causes and fix the issue.

Why is Your PC Not Compatible with Windows?

The main reason for a PC not being compatible with Windows is because it does not meet the specific minimum system requirements.

For example, if you are running a Windows 10 PC and want to use Windows 11, it may not support running it because the latter has specific system requirements, such as:

  • A dual core or higher CPU of 1 GHz on a 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
  • Internet connection for setup
  • TPM 2.0
  • DirectX 12 compatible GPU
  • 64 GB or higher storage
  • 4 GB of RAM
  • 9” HD display
  • UEFI and Secure Boot capable system firmware

A lack of any of the above will result in the ‘This PC can’t run Windows 11 error.’

How to Fix a PC Not Compatible with Windows?

Fix PC Not Compatible with Windows

Now, based on the reasons above, some of the easiest ways to make your PC compatible with the specific version of Windows operating system is to increase the RAM capacity, storage space, and CPU.

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Some other fixes to the issue, simple and complex, include:

  • Enabling TPM and Secure Boot
  • Updating the drivers and windows
  • Troubleshooting
  • Changing partition
  • Running the program in compatibility mode and more.

Whether you are using Windows 8, 10, or 11, such an issue is common, just as the fixes for it are. There are however a few fixes that are specific to the Windows 11 incompatibility, explained in the later section of this post.

Method 1: Update Windows

The most common reason for incompatibility is an outdated version of the operating system. Therefore, the first and most effective step to follow is to update your Windows.

STEPS TO FIX:

Click on the Settings icon

  • Go to the Update & Security option.

Go to the Update & Security

Click on the Windows Update tab

Windows will check for updates and inform you of the available ones, which you should download when ready.

Method 2: Update Drivers

The next common reason for incompatibility with Windows is outdated drivers that may not support the updated version of the operating system. So, updating the drivers is the next effective move.

For this, you can use a reliable third-party tool for it or simply update the drivers installed in your computer directly.

STEPS TO FIX:

Select Device Manager

  • Look for the drives installed on your PC in the new window.
  • Click on the arrow beside it.
  • Select a drive and right-click on it.
  • Choose and click on Update driver.

click on Update driver

  • In the next window, select ‘Search automatically for drivers.’

Search automatically for drivers

  • After updating, when the next window that says ‘The best drives for your device is already installed’ appears, click on the Close button.

The best drives for your device is already installed

You may also try the ‘Search for updated drivers on Windows Update’ option.

If you are using a third-party tool for the same, simply install and run the program and follow the on-screen instructions.

Method 3: Run it in Compatibility Mode

This is a very important and effective step to know and follow if a specific program on Windows is incompatible. Running it in the compatibility mode will rectify the software, and even games, that are incompatible.

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STEPS TO FIX:

  • Go to any program you want to use or install.
  • Right-click on it.
  • Select Properties.

Program properties

  • Click on the Compatibility tab.
  • Check the box beside ‘Run the program in compatibility mode for:’
  • Choose the Windows version from the window below.
  • Click on the Apply button, and then click on the OK button.

Compatibility tab

This should rectify the issue, and you will not encounter the error message anymore.

Method 4: Running the Windows Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

If you have a bit older operating system and are facing incompatibility issues, then using the Troubleshooting feature from the Control Panel may resolve the problem.

STEPS TO FIX:

  • Go to the Search bar.
  • Type control panel.
  • Press Enter.

control panel app

  • Go to the Category section in the top-right corner.
  • Click on Large icons.
  • Select Troubleshooting.

Select Troubleshooting

  • Look down at the bottom left of the Windows.
  • Click on Action Center.

Click on Action Center

  • Click on Windows Program Compatibility troubleshooter.

Windows Program Compatibility troubleshooter

  • Click on the Advanced option.

Click on the Advanced option

  • Click on the Run as administrator option.
  • Click on the Next button.

Run as administrator

  • From the next window, Select the program you’re having problems with.
  • Click on the Next button.

Select the program you’re having problems with

  • Check all the boxes on the window saying ‘What problems do you notice?’
  • Click on the Next button.

What problems do you notice

  • Mention ‘Which version of Windows did the program work on before?
  • Click on the Next button.

Which version of Windows did the program work on before

  • Click on Start the program in the next window.
  • Click on the Next button.

Start the program

  • Select the option ‘Yes, save these settings for this program’ from the next window.

Yes, save these settings for this program

Once it is done saving, close the troubleshooter window.

Steps to Fix PC Not Compatible with Windows 11

Windows 11 may not be compatible with several systems due to the earlier version of software running on the computer system, but there is nothing to worry about.

Turning on security settings such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot will resolve the issue. You will need to make the necessary changes in the BIOS or Basic Input Output System settings.

Method 5: Enabling TPM 2.0

If you are using a Windows 10 PC, you can enable TPM 2.0 or Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 to resolve the issue in the following ways.

STEPS TO FIX:

  • Go to the Settings option and choose Update & Security as you did in Method 1.
  • Click on Recovery from the left panel.
  • Select the Advanced startup header.
  • Click on the Restart now button.
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Click on Recovery from the left panel.

  • Click on Troubleshoot on the blue screen.

Click on Troubleshoot

  • Select Advanced Options.

Select Advanced Options

  • Select UEFI Firmware Settings.

Select UEFI Firmware Settings

  • Once you select it, you will have to Restart the PC. So, click on the Restart button.

click on the Restart button

  • Look for the tab labelled Security.
  • Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to go to it.
  • Look for Security Chip and use the arrow keys to go there.

Look for the tab labelled Security

  • Check whether or not it is enabled.
  • If not, enable it using the arrow keys.
  • Press Enter.
  • Select Save and Exit.
  • Press Enter.

Select Save and Exit

Restart the computer and now the issue will be resolved and you may be able to run Windows 11 on your PC.

If that does not work, then you will have to enable Secure Boot as well in the same way, going back to the Security page and selecting Secure Boot before choosing Save and Exit.

Another way to enable Secure Boot in your PC to make it compatible with Windows 11 is to change the Master Boot Record or MBR partition to the Globally Unique Identifiers Partition Table or GPT.

  • Go to the Search bar.
  • Type cmd.
  • Press Enter.

cmd

In the Command Prompt and type in the following commands:

  • mbr2gpt /validate /disk:0. Here disk:0 is the disk identifier.
  • mbr2gpt /convert /disk:0.
  • exit.

mbr2gpt /validate /disk:0

This will take you back to the following window, where you will need to click on Turn off your PC.

Turn off your PC

When you switch your computer once again, you will see the issue is resolved.

Conclusion

So now you know that the PC not compatible error is not so fatal and is quite a natural issue to occur.

The above fixes will allow running any version of Windows the operating system by making simple tweaks in different areas and enjoy the new features that you have wanted to use for so long.

About Taylor

AvatarTaylor S. Irwin is a freelance technology writer with in-depth knowledge about computers. She has an understanding of hardware and technology gained through over 10 years of experience.

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