Downgrading my HPZ440 bios

[astronaut221]

Hi, 

I have a hpz440 which currently uses windows 10 and I want to upgrade to windows 11. My system is currently using version 2.61 and I want to downgrade to 2.54 so I can get windows 11. The things is: I am a novice and terrified of bricking my pc. Could anyone please help me step by step on how to safely downgrade my bios? I tried to download the 2.54 bios and run it as an admin but it says windows explorer 11 is not supported. I would greatly appreciate some help. The more you can break it down the better for me.

wish you all the best, 

astronaut221

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Your PC does not meet Microsoft's minimum W11 hardware requirements to run W11--even if you roll back the BIOS to do the TPM 2.0 firmware upgrade you may have come across on this forum.

So unless there is another reason why you want to update the TPM 2.0 firmware such as for playing certain video games that require that feature there is no need to downgrade the BIOS.

The only way you can install W11 on your PC is to use a workaround that bypasses the W11 hardware checks.

If you are happy with your PC, and if you are interested in installing W11 24H2 via an in-place upgrade on your PC as is, watch this video, which is the easiest way to do it in my opinion, and I have tried many different ways to do this during the last 3 years.

How to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported PC in 2025 (New Easiest Method, No CMD)

Download the W24H2 ISO file and use that (3rd option).

Download Windows 11

You can download the free 7-Zip file utility from the link below. The top line is for 64 bit.

7-Zip

You'll have to repeat this procedure each October when Microsoft rolls out the new builds because a PC that does not meet Microsoft's minimum W11 hardware requirements will never automatically get the update to the next build.

Other than that, your PC will continue to get the monthly cumulative and other updates.

That's only a minor inconvenience to have continued OS support beyond October of 2025.

If things don't work right on W11, you have 10 days to easily go back to W10 as long as you don't delete the W1 upgrade files or the Windows.old folder.

How to Go Back to Windows 10 from Windows 11 (Tutorial)

[astronaut221]

HI paul_tikkanen,

Thank you so much. The reason why I want to upgrade to windows 11 is for 2 reasons mainly: when windows 10 support ends I want to have the security updates and also, I may be wrong but I feel like in the future, games will more likely run on windows 11 exclusively. My main use case for the system is gaming. 

In your opinion, do you feel like my reasons are valid for upgrading to w11? 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I have upgraded all of my unsupported PC's to W11, so they continue to get OS security support and whatnot.

Upgrading the TPM firmware to 2.0 is not required to run W11.

But, if you want to upgrade the TPM firmware to 2.0 to play video games, see if this discussion is of help to you:

Solved: HP Z440 Workstation TPM 2.0 Upgrade - HP Support Community - 9422601

[astronaut221]

I'm sorry paul_tikkanen,

I got very confused when I read the part 'I had to delete the "TPMConfig64.log" file (last file as found in C:\SWSetup\sp87753) before installing TPM 2.0.' I apologise for asking, but could you make a step by step for upgrading to tpm2.0. A lot of this doesn't make any sense to me at all. I can definitely upgrade to w11 using the video however.

All the best

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I suggest that you reply to the post I linked you to, and I'm sure the person that actually did the upgrade on his Z440 will be able to help you with that.

I don't have a Z440 and I did not have to do a BIOS downgrade or delete any files when I upgraded my Elitedesk 800 G3's TPM 1.2 chip to 2.0.

It was relatively easy to do.

I just followed the instructions on the attachment below:

[astronaut221]

Thanks Paul, I really appreciate your help

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

You may want to do the easy part first, which is upgrading to W11.