[Fix] This PC can’t run Windows 11 error on VirtualBox

Trying to install Windows 11 on VirtualBox and getting slapped with the “This PC can’t run Windows 11” error? You’re not alone. Microsoft tightened system requirements for Windows 11, and VirtualBox doesn’t meet them by default. But with a few quick tweaks, you can get past the error and install Windows 11 smoothly.

Here’s how to fix it.

🔧 Why You’re Seeing the Error

Windows 11 checks for:

• TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module)
• Secure Boot
• At least 4 GB RAM
• 64 GB+ storage
• A supported CPU

VirtualBox doesn’t emulate TPM or Secure Boot out of the box, and often the default VM settings fall short on RAM or CPU.

✅ Step-by-Step Fix

1. Create a New Virtual Machine with Proper Settings

When setting up your VM:

• OS Type: Choose Windows 10 (64-bit) (not Windows 11—trust us, it works better this way).
• RAM: Set at least 4096 MB (4 GB).
• Processors: Allocate 2 or more CPUs (under System > Processor).
• Storage: Allocate at least 64 GB.
  Need to expand your virtual disk size? Check out this guide:
  👉 How to Enlarge a Virtual Machine’s Disk in VirtualBox or VMware

2. Mount the Windows 11 ISO

Download the official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s site. Attach it to the VM’s optical drive in Settings > Storage.

3. Bypass TPM and Secure Boot Checks

Before booting the VM, you’ll need to modify the Windows 11 installer to skip hardware checks.

Here’s how:

Option A: Registry Hack During Setup

1. Boot from the ISO.
2. When you reach the “This PC can’t run Windows 11” screen, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
3. Type regedit and hit Enter.
4. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
5. Create a new key called LabConfig.
6. Inside LabConfig, create these DWORD values and set them to 1: BypassTPMCheck BypassSecureBootCheck BypassRAMCheck
7. Close Registry Editor and Command Prompt. Hit the back button, then try installing again.

Option B: Use a Modified ISO (Optional)

If you’re comfortable, you can create or download a pre-patched ISO that has the hardware checks removed. Note: Always be cautious with third-party ISOs.

💡 Extra Tip: Enable Virtualization in BIOS

If VirtualBox complains about virtualization not being enabled, reboot your host machine and enable VT-x/AMD-V in the BIOS/UEFI.

✅ Final Check

After making these changes, restart your VM and walk through the installer. You should now bypass the error and be able to install Windows 11 inside VirtualBox.

🧠 Wrap-Up

This isn’t a bug—it’s Microsoft tightening the rules. But with a couple of registry tweaks and the right VM settings, you can get around it easily. Just remember: This method is best for testing or dev environments. For production use, stick to real hardware that meets Microsoft’s specs.

Have questions or need help tweaking your VM? Drop them in the comments below.