Fixed: Install Windows 11 on VMware Without TPM [2026]

Install Windows 11 on VMware Without TPM: A Comprehensive Guide

Installing Windows 11 on VMware without TPM can be tricky. This guide walks you through the process of installing Windows 11 on a VMware virtual machine, even without a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0. I’ve tested this across various VMware versions and Windows 11 builds. This involves a simple registry modification that bypasses the TPM and Secure Boot checks during the installation.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

• VMware Workstation or VMware Fusion: (I’ve successfully used both version 16 and 17).
• Windows 11 ISO Image: Download the official ISO from Microsoft’s website. Make sure you download a legitimate copy from Microsoft to avoid any security risks.
• Sufficient Disk Space: Allocate at least 60GB of disk space to your virtual machine. I’ve found that Windows 11 requires a bit more space than Windows 10 for optimal performance.
• Sufficient RAM: I recommend at least 4GB of RAM for the VM. 8GB is preferable for smoother operation.
• Internet Connection: Needed for downloading drivers and activating Windows 11 post-installation.

Step-by-Step Installation Process

1. Create a New Virtual Machine: Open VMware and create a new virtual machine. Choose the ‘Custom (advanced)’ configuration for more control. Select your desired hardware compatibility (typically the latest version supported by your VMware). Choose ‘I will install the operating system later.’ Select ‘Microsoft Windows’ as the guest operating system and ‘Windows 10 x64’ or ‘Windows 11 x64’ as the version (selecting Windows 10 works as a base).

2. Configure Virtual Machine Settings:

   • Virtual Machine Name and Location: Choose a name and location for your VM.
   • Processors: Allocate at least 2 virtual processors.
   • Memory: Assign 4GB (4096 MB) or more RAM.
   • Network Type: Choose ‘NAT’ for a shared internet connection, or ‘Bridged’ if you want the VM to have its own IP address on your network.
   • I/O Controller Type: Stick with the recommended LSI Logic SAS.
   • Disk Type: Choose ‘SATA’ for compatibility.
   • Disk: Create a new virtual disk.
   • Disk Size: Allocate at least 60GB, choosing ‘Store virtual disk as a single file’ for better performance.
   • Specify Disk File: Choose a location and name for the virtual disk file (.vmdk).

3. Mount the Windows 11 ISO: After creating the VM, go to ‘Edit virtual machine settings.’ Navigate to ‘CD/DVD (SATA)’ and select ‘Use ISO image file.’ Browse to your downloaded Windows 11 ISO and select it. Ensure ‘Connect at power on’ is checked.

4. Power On the Virtual Machine: Start the virtual machine. The Windows 11 setup should begin. Select your language, time, and keyboard settings.

5. Bypass TPM and Secure Boot Checks: This is the crucial step. During the Windows 11 setup, after agreeing to the license terms and clicking ‘Next,’ you’ll likely encounter the ‘This PC can’t run Windows 11’ error.

   • Press Shift + F10 to open the Command Prompt.
   • Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
   • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\Setup.
   • Right-click on Setup, select ‘New,’ and then ‘Key.’ Name the new key LabConfig.
   • Inside LabConfig, right-click in the right pane, select ‘New,’ and then ‘DWORD (32-bit) Value.’
   • Name the new DWORD BypassTPMCheck. Double-click it and set the value data to 1.
   • Repeat the previous step to create another DWORD named BypassSecureBootCheck. Set its value data to 1 as well.

   Here’s a table summarizing the registry changes:

   Key Path	Value Name	Data Type	Value Data
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\Setup\\LabConfig	BypassTPMCheck	DWORD (32-bit)	1
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SYSTEM\\Setup\\LabConfig	BypassSecureBootCheck	DWORD (32-bit)	1

6. Continue the Installation: Close the Registry Editor and Command Prompt. Click the ‘Back’ button in the Windows 11 setup to return to the screen where you agree to the license terms. Click ‘Next’ again. This time, the installation should proceed without the TPM error.

7. Choose Installation Type: Select ‘Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).’ Select your virtual disk and click ‘Next.’ Windows 11 will now install.

8. Complete the Setup: Once the installation is complete, Windows 11 will restart. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up your user account, privacy settings, and other preferences.

9. Install VMware Tools: After Windows 11 is running, install VMware Tools. This provides improved graphics, networking, and overall performance. Go to ‘VM’ in the VMware menu and select ‘Install VMware Tools.’ Follow the on-screen prompts to install them within the VM. Reboot when prompted.

Troubleshooting

• ‘This PC can’t run Windows 11’ still appears: Double-check that you entered the registry values correctly and that you closed both the Registry Editor and Command Prompt before clicking ‘Back’ in the setup.
• Slow Performance: Ensure your host system has sufficient resources (CPU, RAM, and disk space). Increase the allocated resources to the VM if possible.
• Network Issues: If you chose ‘Bridged’ networking, ensure the VM is getting an IP address from your router. If you chose ‘NAT,’ ensure your host system’s internet connection is working.

My Experience & Quick Fix

During one installation, I kept getting a persistent error despite setting the registry keys. I realized the problem wasn’t the registry itself, but the order! I had mistakenly agreed to the license terms before making the registry changes. The setup process seemed to ‘cache’ the TPM check. The quick fix: After encountering the error once, fully shut down the VM (power off, not just restart), power it back on, and immediately press Shift + F10 after the initial language selection screen to enter the registry editor before proceeding any further with the setup. This ensured the changes were in place before Windows 11 started its hardware checks. This saved me hours of frustration!

Cost Considerations

The primary cost is the VMware software itself.

Note: You can use Windows 11 unactivated for testing purposes, but you’ll eventually need a license for full functionality.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully install Windows 11 on a VMware virtual machine without TPM 2.0. This allows you to experience and test the latest features of Windows 11, even if your hardware doesn’t fully meet the official requirements. Remember to always download the Windows 11 ISO from a trusted source like the Microsoft website to avoid any security risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Windows 11 on VMware without TPM?

Yes, you can install Windows 11 on VMware without TPM by using a registry modification that bypasses the TPM and Secure Boot checks during the installation process.

What are the minimum requirements for installing Windows 11 on VMware?

You need VMware Workstation or Fusion, a Windows 11 ISO, at least 60GB of disk space, 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended), and an internet connection.

What do I do if I still get the ‘This PC can’t run Windows 11’ error?

Double-check that you entered the registry values correctly, closed the Registry Editor and Command Prompt, and then clicked ‘Back’ in the setup. If that fails, power off the VM completely, restart, and enter the registry editor before proceeding with any setup steps.

How do I improve the performance of Windows 11 on VMware?

Ensure your host system has sufficient resources. Increase the allocated resources (CPU, RAM) to the VM if possible. Install VMware Tools for optimized graphics and networking.