Upgrade Options

Every Way to Upgrade a PC Microsoft Rejected

Honest comparison of every option — DIY and professional — so you can choose what's right for you.

Method Cost Files Safe? Tech Skill Risk Time
Registry Hack (DIY) Free Yes Medium Medium 2–3 hrs
Rufus USB Tool (DIY) Free No — wipes PC Medium–High High 3–5 hrs
TPM 2.0 Module (desktop only) $20–$40 Yes Medium Low–Med 1–2 hrs
Buy a New PC $400–$1,200 With backup None None 1–2 days
Win11Anyway Service $50 Yes None None* Under 2 hrs

*Money-back guarantee if upgrade cannot be completed.

1
Registry Hack (LabConfig Method)
Free · In-place upgrade · Files preserved · Medium difficulty
Cost
Free
Skill Required
Medium
Files Wiped?
No
How It Works
  1. Press Win+R, type regedit, press Enter to open Registry Editor
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup
  3. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU and set it to 1
  4. Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft's website
  5. Mount the ISO and run setup.exe to start the upgrade
  6. Wait 60–90 minutes for the upgrade to complete
Pros
  • Completely free
  • Files, apps, and settings preserved
  • Uses official Microsoft installer
  • Same method professionals use
Cons
  • Editing the registry incorrectly can break Windows
  • Must not interrupt the 60–90 min process
  • No safety net if something goes wrong
  • Confusing if you've never used Registry Editor
Bottom Line Good option if you're comfortable in Windows internals and have a recent backup. One typo in the registry path can require a full reinstall — so know what you're doing before you start.
2
Rufus USB Tool
Free · Clean install · Wipes your PC · Medium–High difficulty
Cost
Free
Skill Required
Med–High
Files Wiped?
Yes
How It Works
  1. Download Rufus (free from rufus.ie) and a blank USB drive (8 GB minimum)
  2. Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft's website
  3. Open Rufus, select your USB drive, select the Windows 11 ISO
  4. When prompted, choose "Extended Windows 11 Installation" to bypass TPM/Secure Boot
  5. Boot your PC from the USB drive (requires changing boot order in BIOS)
  6. Complete a clean install of Windows 11 — your drive will be formatted
  7. Reinstall all your applications and restore files from backup
Pros
  • Completely free
  • Rufus is a reputable, widely trusted tool
  • Bypass is built right into the tool — no registry editing
  • Fresh install can improve PC performance
Cons
  • Wipes your entire hard drive — all files and programs gone
  • Requires a full backup before starting
  • Must reinstall every application afterward
  • Requires changing BIOS boot order — unfamiliar to most users
  • 3–5 hours total including reinstalling apps
Bottom Line Only recommended if you want a clean slate and have all your files backed up and a list of every program you need to reinstall. For most people, this is far more disruptive than it's worth.
3
Install a TPM 2.0 Hardware Module
$20–$40 · Desktop only · Files preserved · Requires opening PC
Cost
$20–$40
Skill Required
Medium
Files Wiped?
No
How It Works
  1. Look up your exact motherboard model number (printed on the board or in System Info)
  2. Check your motherboard manual or manufacturer website to confirm it has a TPM header and which module type it needs (there are several incompatible formats)
  3. Purchase the correct TPM 2.0 module for your board (~$20–$40 on Amazon)
  4. Power off your PC, open the case, and plug the module into the TPM header
  5. Enter BIOS/UEFI, enable TPM and Secure Boot
  6. Run Windows 11 upgrade normally through Windows Update
Pros
  • Gives you "real" TPM 2.0 — fully compliant with Microsoft's requirements
  • Files, apps, and settings preserved
  • Upgrade works through normal Windows Update
  • Relatively low cost
Cons
  • Desktops only — laptops don't have accessible TPM headers
  • Must identify exact motherboard model and compatible module
  • Wrong module = wasted money (easy mistake to make)
  • Requires opening your PC case and handling components
  • Some older boards don't have a TPM header at all
Bottom Line A solid option for desktop owners who are comfortable inside a PC case and want a proper hardware fix. Not an option for laptops. Do your research on compatibility before buying — the wrong module won't work and can't be returned.
4
Buy a New PC
$400–$1,200 · No technical skill · Files need migration · Zero risk
Cost
$400–$1,200
Skill Required
None
Files Wiped?
Migrate manually
Pros
  • Brand new hardware — full Microsoft compliance
  • Faster, newer components
  • No technical steps required
  • Fresh warranty
Cons
  • Costs $400–$1,200 for equivalent capability to your current PC
  • Files must be manually transferred or restored from backup
  • All programs must be reinstalled
  • Learning curve on new hardware setup
  • Wasteful — your existing PC may be perfectly capable
Bottom Line The most expensive option by far. Only makes sense if your PC is genuinely old, slow, or failing — not just because Microsoft's checker flagged it. If your PC runs well today, this is throwing money away.
5
Win11Anyway Professional Service
$50 flat · Files preserved · No technical skill needed · Money-back guarantee
Best Value
Cost
$50 flat
Skill Required
None
Files Wiped?
No
How It Works
  1. Book and pay online — receive confirmation within minutes
  2. At your appointment, click a link to allow our secure remote connection (or we come to you in person)
  3. Watch us work — we apply the registry modification and launch the official Windows 11 installer
  4. We monitor the 60–90 minute upgrade process start to finish
  5. We verify your files, apps, and settings are all intact before we disconnect
  6. Done — you're on Windows 11 with everything exactly as you left it
Pros
  • No technical knowledge required
  • Files, apps, and settings 100% preserved
  • Done in under 2 hours
  • You watch everything — complete transparency
  • Full refund if we can't complete the upgrade
  • 48-hour follow-up support included
Cons
  • Costs $50 (vs. free DIY options)
  • Requires internet connection for remote service
Bottom Line The lowest-risk, least-effort path to Windows 11. For $50 you get a professional upgrade with your data fully intact, a money-back guarantee, and someone to call if anything seems off afterward. For most people, this is the obvious choice.
🛡
100% Money-Back Guarantee

If we attempt your upgrade and cannot complete it for any technical reason, you receive a full refund immediately. The only risk is ours — not yours.

Skip the DIY hassle — $50 and it's done

Files safe. Apps intact. Money back if we can't finish. Under 2 hours.

Book your upgrade →
or call (325)267-7131