How to Fix “This PC Can’t Be Upgraded to This Version of Windows”

So you’re all excited to upgrade your Windows, but then—bam! A scary message appears: “This PC can’t be upgraded to this version of Windows.” What now? Panic? Throw your laptop out the window? Nope! Let’s take a deep breath and walk through how to fix this problem, step by step. It’s easier than you think!

Whether you’re upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 or just doing a feature update, sometimes Windows throws a tantrum. Good news is, we’ve got all the tricks to help you calm it down. 😊

Why Does This Happen?

This error usually means your computer is missing something the upgrade needs. Don’t worry—your PC is probably not broken. There are a few common reasons this message pops up:

• Your hardware might not meet Windows 11 requirements.
• You might have incompatible apps or drivers.
• There could be a setting inside Windows that’s blocking the update.
• Sometimes, Windows just gets confused. (Yes, that happens more than we’d like!)

First Thing: Check Compatibility

Let’s make sure your system can handle the upgrade. If it can’t, no point in trying to force it.

1. Download Microsoft’s PC Health Check Tool.
2. Run the tool. It will tell you if your PC can run Windows 11.
3. If you’re not trying to upgrade to Windows 11, skip this step.

If the tool says you’re good to go, yay! If not, it’ll tell you what the problem is—like a missing TPM chip or unsupported processor.

Update Windows the Smart Way

Sometimes using Windows Update is not the best option. You can manually upgrade using the Media Creation Tool.

1. Go to the Microsoft Windows Download page.
2. Choose either Installation Assistant or Media Creation Tool.
3. Follow the instructions. It’s easy and might skip the annoying error.

This works wonders if Windows Update keeps giving you the error message. Plus, you’ll be updating like a pro.

Disable Safeguard Holds

Windows sometimes blocks updates because of compatibility concerns. That’s called a “safeguard hold.” Sounds fancy, right? But you can bypass it.

1. Open Registry Editor (type regedit in the Start menu).
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Orchestrator
3. Add a new DWORD (32-bit) called AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU.
4. Set its value to 1.

Be careful when editing the registry. If you’re not sure, ask a tech-savvy friend or back it up first.

Free Up Some Space

Windows needs about 20 GB of free space to upgrade. If your C: drive is packed with cat videos and game saves, it might be time to clean up.

• Use Disk Cleanup (search for it in the Start menu).
• Delete temporary files.
• Uninstall old apps you no longer use.
• Empty your recycle bin!

You’d be surprised how much space junk files can eat up. 💾

Update Your Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause the big scary error too. Let’s fix that.

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start button → choose Device Manager).
2. Go through your devices and right-click each one → choose Update driver.
3. You can also visit your computer manufacturer’s website for the latest driver software.

Start with your graphics card, network adapter, and storage controller. Those matter the most during upgrades.

Unplug All External Devices

Yep, even that fancy gaming mouse. Sometimes, external hardware can confuse Windows during an upgrade.

• Unplug USB drives and external hard disks.
• Remove printers, webcams, and even headphones.

After the update is done, you can plug everything back in. Promise!

Turn Off Third-Party Antivirus

Your antivirus might be trying to “help” by blocking changes to Windows. Turn it off just for the upgrade process. But don’t forget to turn it back on afterward!

Some common ones that like to block updates:

• Avast
• Norton
• Bitdefender
• Kaspersky

Don’t worry—Windows Defender will still guard your PC while the other one sleeps.

Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows actually has a built-in tool to fix itself when updates go wrong. Handy, right?

1. Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot.
2. Click Other troubleshooters.
3. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter.

It might fix the problem automatically. Less work for you!

Clear the SoftwareDistribution Folder

This folder stores temporary update files—and sometimes they get corrupted. Let’s get rid of them!

1. Search for Services in the Start Menu and open it.
2. Scroll down and stop the service called Windows Update.
3. Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete everything inside.
4. Restart your PC and try the update again.

This one feels like magic when it works. ✨

Still No Luck? Try a Clean Installation

If nothing else works, a clean installation might be the best option. It gives you a fresh, clean slate—no bugs, no errors.

1. Back up your files to a USB drive or cloud storage.
2. Use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB.
3. Restart the PC and boot from the USB drive.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows fresh.

It takes some time, but wow, your PC will feel brand new!

Quick Recap

Let’s do a speed run of everything we’ve covered:

• Check compatibility with the PC Health Check Tool
• Try upgrading using the Media Creation Tool
• Turn off antivirus and unplug devices
• Free up disk space and update drivers
• Try the update troubleshooter
• Clear the SoftwareDistribution folder
• Edit the registry if needed (carefully!)
• If all else fails, go for a clean install

Wrap Up 🎉

Getting that update error feels frustrating—but now you know how to fight back! With just a little tech magic (and some patience), you can get your PC upgraded and running like new. 💪

Next time you see that dreaded message, don’t sweat it. Just pull up this guide, grab a snack, and start fixing!