Generally speaking, Windows 10 is superior to its predecessors in many aspects which is why more and more Windows users switch to it every day. However, it’s worth pointing out that computers may run into several issues during the upgrade to Windows 10. For instance, Windows 10 Setup window could display a message that says “This PC’s processor doesn’t support a critical feature (NX)” and prevent the upgrade. Read to the end if you see the same message and have no idea what to do next.
What Might Have Gone Wrong
BIOS
In layman’s terms, quite a few factors affect the performance of your PC and BIOS is one of them. If you have an old BIOS, it might not be compatible with Windows 10. Thus, if you come across the “This PC’s processor doesn’t support a critical feature (NX)” message while updating to Windows 10, you may want to give BIOS some thought.
Drivers
Drivers in essence tell Windows computers how to use connected devices. If the drivers experience problems, it’s only natural that computers would go haywire. You have a hard time updating to Windows 10? In that case, it’s a good idea to take drivers into account.
Windows
All in all, if Windows upgrade fails time and again, there is a good chance that Windows is at fault. Unless you take action, you cannot upgrade to Windows 10.
Actions To Take
Update BIOS
Updating BIOS is one of the best solutions for upgrade problems including “This PC’s processor doesn’t support a critical feature (NX)”. In the beginning, you should check out the BIOS version by following the steps down below:
- Step 1: Press Windows key + R to launch Run.
- Step 2: Type msinfo32 then hit enter.
- Step 3: Click on System summary on the left panel to view your system specifications. Your BIOS version and date should be among the details.
Now that you have the details of your BIOS, head over to the website of the manufacturer of your computer and search for BIOS updates. You can update your system BIOS by flashing the old one manually or update it using the Windows update utility.
Auto
- Step 1: Temporarily disable your antivirus program and close running applications.
- Step 2: Search for the latest update and download it on your PC.
- Step 3: In the download folder, right-click the BIOS update file and select Run as administrator to start the update process. If your computer is a laptop, connect it to a power supply as BIOS update can take a long time.
- Step 4: Follow the pop-up installation instructions from the installation wizard.
- Step 5: Restart your computers after the installation is complete.
Don’t be alarmed if your computer beeps, blinks, or restarts several times during the upgrade. It’s perfectly normal.
Manual
Updating BIOS manually is tedious and technical. You should only consider doing things manually if the BIOS update installer is unavailable.
- Step 1: Visit the website of the manufacturer of your computer and search for BIOS update
- Step 2: Plug your USB drive into your PC and format it into the fat32 file system.
- Step 3: Copy your BIOS update file on the flash drive and eject the drive from your PC.
- Step 4: Restart your computer and boot into the BIOS menu by pressing the key shortcuts on your keyboard.
- Step 5: Click on the BIOS menu and select update.
- Step 6: Insert the flash drive containing the update. Your BIOS should automatically detect the file and initiate the update process.
- Step 7: Once the update is complete, save the changes and exit to restart your computer with the new BIOS installed.
Think About The Drivers
Updating your Windows drivers is a critical step in keeping your computer running smoothly. Drivers tell your computer how to use your devices and can also help improve performance and fix problems. The ideal method to update computer drivers is to use a driver manager. Driver managers will scan your computer for outdated drivers and automatically install the latest versions.
You can also update your drivers manually by downloading the latest versions from the manufacturer’s website. Nonetheless, the process is a bit complicated as you must get the right drivers for the right device.
Use Media Creation Tool
- Step 1: Go to Microsoft Software Download page.
- Step 2: Navigate to Create Windows 10 installation media then hit Download Tool Now.
- Step 3: The moment the download completes, hit Run once prompted.
- Step 4: As Media Creation Tool opens, read the terms and conditions, check the checkbox next to I accept the terms then hit Accept.
- Step 5: Select Upgrade this PC now and choose Next.
- Step 6: Ensure that the checkbox next to Install Windows 10 is checked. Depending on the situation, you could check the checkbox of Keep personal files and apps before clicking Install.
- Step 7: Choose the account you want to sign in with then accept the privacy terms.
- Step 8: Sign in to your account.
Recommendations
- Keep your BIOS updated to avoid incompatibility errors during upgrades.
- Install a driver manager on your computer to automate the update of drivers.
- Only install Windows updates from Microsoft’s official site or verified sources.
How Do I Enter Into BIOS Settings?
You’ll need to restart your computer and press the BIOS key. This key is usually F2, but it could be F1, F3, Esc, or a combination of keys. You can search for BIOS keys here.
What’s The Difference Between BIOS And UEFI?
BIOS is the basic firmware interface for a computer and is typically stored on a ROM chip. UEFI is a newer firmware interface with more advanced features and is stored on a flash memory chip.
How Many Types Of BIOS Are There?
There are four types of BIOS: Basic Output System, Extended BIOS Data Area, BIOS Runtime Interface, and UEFI.
What Is The Long-Form Of BIOS?
The BIOS long-form is a Basic Input/output system.
Is BIOS Software Or Firmware?
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is firmware that initializes a computer’s hardware when it is powered on.
What Is The Biggest Advantage That UEFI Has Over BIOS?
One main advantage of UEFI over BIOS is that UEFI is fully capable of booting a computer from a hard drive, whereas BIOS can only boot from a limited set of devices, such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM. UEFI also has a graphical user interface (GUI)
Hoang Tu is a seasoned Microsoft Windows expert with a strong IT background. Studying at Hanoi Bach Khoa University, he gained valuable experience at Hanoi Computer and FPT Soft before joining Milagro Mobile Marketing. Specializing in providing tips and tutorials on Windows for global users, Hoang Tu’s expertise covers various Windows versions. With a talent for clear communication, he offers practical solutions and advice to users of all skill levels. His dedication to empowering individuals in their Windows experience has earned him recognition in the tech community, making him a trusted resource for optimizing system performance and resolving technical issues.