This PC’s processor doesn’t support a critical feature

If when you try to upgrade Windows, you receive the error message “This PC’s processor doesn’t support a critical feature“, then this post is intended to help you. The critical feature mentioned could be Prefetchw, NX, VMware, Compareexchange128, etc. In this post, we will offer the appropriate solutions you can try to help you remediate this issue.

When this issue occurs, you’ll receive the following error message;

This PC can’t run Windows 11/10

This PCs processor doesn’t support a critical feature.

This PC’s processor doesn’t support a critical feature

If you’re faced with This PC’s processor doesn’t support a critical feature issue, you can try either of our recommended solutions below and see if that helps to resolve the issue.

1. Update BIOS
2. Create Windows bootable drive and perform a clean install

Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions.

1] Update BIOS

This solution requires you to try updating the BIOS on your system and see if the issue will be resolved.

Using tools from OEMs is the easiest way to do so. All OEM manufacturers have utilities that help you easily update, BIOS, firmware, and drivers. Search for yours and download it from the official site only. This is the safest way to update the BIOS.

• If you own a Dell laptop you can head over to Dell.com, or you could use Dell Update Utility.
• ASUS users can download the MyASUS BIOS update utility from the ASUS support site.
• ACER users can go here. Enter your Serial Number/SNID or search for your product by Model, select BIOS/Firmware, and click the Download link for the file you want to download.
• Lenovo users can use the Lenovo System Update Tool.
• HP users can use the bundled HP Support Assistant.

Once you complete the manual update of the BIOS/firmware on your system, the Windows Upgrade block notification should be removed. Consequently, you can proceed with the upgrade process again, and it should be completed successfully, allowing you to take full advantage of the new features in Windows.

2] Create Windows bootable drive and perform a clean install

If you’re running into the issue when you’re attempting to upgrade Windows using the Media Creation Tool (MCT), this solution requires you to directly clean install Windows without upgrading first to resolve the issue.

If this does not work, your hardware may not support the installation, and you need to either consult a support engineer or upgrade your hardware.

How do I bypass Unsupported processor in Windows 11?

To bypass the unsupported processor requirement in Windows 11, use the Registry Editor to modify installation parameters. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup and create a DWORD value named AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU, then set it to 1. Proceed with the installation by launching the setup file.

Why are some CPUs not supported?

Some CPUs are unsupported due to compatibility issues with the motherboard’s chipset or lack of required features. Additionally, outdated BIOS versions may not have the necessary updates to recognize newer CPUs. Ensuring both the motherboard and BIOS are up-to-date can help resolve these issues.

Read: Your PC’s CPU isn’t compatible; The CPU is not supported

How to improve processor performance in Windows?

To improve processor performance in Windows, you can disable unnecessary startup programs, adjust power settings to High Performance, and update your CPU drivers. Cleaning up temporary files and running regular malware scans also help maintain optimal processor speed.