Installing Windows 11 fails with multiple BSOD error screens despite PC passing PC Health Check for Windows 11

Question

Installing Windows 11 fails with multiple BSOD error screens despite PC passing PC Health Check for Windows 11

Nathan Petty 20

I have a custom built PC currently running Windows 10 that I would like to run Windows 11. The hardware is as follows:

Intel i5-9600k
Gigabyte B365M DS3H on F7 firmware
Crucial 8GB DDR4 2666
WD Blue 2.5' SATAIII 256GB SSD

I've enabled Intel PTT and Windows shows the TPM 2.0 active. CSM is disabled so that UEFI is being used and Secure Boot is enabled. I've tried doing an in place upgrade, running setup from a Windows 11 ISO mounted locally as well as running it from a USB and cleaning the disk first. Every option fails with various BSOD screens. In particular, I've seen "Kernel Security Check Failure", "IRQL_NOT_LESS_THAN_OR_EQUAL", "MEMORY_MANAGEMENT" and "WORKER INVALID". It always fails during install, even on a blank drive, before ever getting to the OS. Windows 10 installs without issue, even after the Windows 11 blue screens (I reinstalled Windows 10 to get it back up for now). I've used memtest to check the memory with no errors, swapped out the SSD and changed which slot my RAM is in with no luck. With no issues for Windows 10, it feels like a compatibility issue, but it meets all the Windows 11 requirements on the website and passed the PC health check without issue. Has anyone seen this issue before? Thanks!

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Answer accepted by question author

David-M 125K Independent Advisor

Thanks for the screenshot.

There is no obvious factor that explains the error.

Here's a suggestion.

Try resetting your BIOS settings to factory defaults. This ensures that no advanced settings are interfering with the installation process.
Also, make sure the XMP/DOCP/EXPO (RAM overclock) memory profile is disabled.

After these adjustments, try to install Windows 11 again. If possible, disconnect non-essential peripherals and avoid connecting to the internet during the installation to prevent drivers from loading automatically.

Let me know the result.

Feel free to ask back any questions.

Nathan Petty 20 Reputation points

2025-09-09T20:01:49.8766667+00:00

Thanks David. I did attempt the factory defaults on BIOS earlier, but that turned CSM back on which I believe puts it back into Legacy BIOS mode. Should I leave that on and try the install? I also confirmed XMP is set to Disable. Would DOCP and EXPO be separate settings or would they be the same thing?
David-M 125K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-09T20:11:43.9833333+00:00

Windows 11 is not officially supported in Legacy BIOS mode, and attempting installation under this configuration may lead to failure or system instability. I recommend keeping CSM disabled and ensuring the system is running in UEFI mode with Secure Boot enabled.

Let me know the result.

Feel free to ask back any questions.
David-M 125K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-09T20:13:20.75+00:00

Hi again.

Would DOCP and EXPO be separate settings or would they be the same thing?

DOCP and EXPO are essentially the same thing as XMP.

Feel free to ask back any questions.
Nathan Petty 20 Reputation points

2025-09-11T14:02:24.86+00:00

Hi David,

I think you got it! I believe the issue was the network connection. I reset the BIOS to default and then turned CSM back off, but before I installed, I also pulled both network cables (the machine has a PCIE network card) and then utilized the OOBE\BYPASSNRO option during install and Windows 11 installed without issue. I was then able to connect the network cable again. I do believe I have to reinstall one more time because it installed in a dual boot configuration with the boot manager still on my old Windows 10 drive, but I think it should work as long as I leave the network disconnected.
David-M 125K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-11T14:09:33.12+00:00

You are on the right track.

If you experience a crash when attempting to connect after completing the Windows 11 installation, visit the manufacturer's website to download and install the latest driver for your network adapter.

To simplify the process, you can store the driver on the same USB flash drive you're using for the Windows installation. Just be sure not to modify or delete any of the existing installation files. This will ensure the installation media remains fully functional.

Feel free to ask back any questions.

1 additional answer

Your answer

Nathan Petty 20 Reputation points

2025-09-09T20:01:49.8766667+00:00

Thanks David. I did attempt the factory defaults on BIOS earlier, but that turned CSM back on which I believe puts it back into Legacy BIOS mode. Should I leave that on and try the install? I also confirmed XMP is set to Disable. Would DOCP and EXPO be separate settings or would they be the same thing?
David-M 125K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-09T20:11:43.9833333+00:00

Windows 11 is not officially supported in Legacy BIOS mode, and attempting installation under this configuration may lead to failure or system instability. I recommend keeping CSM disabled and ensuring the system is running in UEFI mode with Secure Boot enabled.

Let me know the result.

Feel free to ask back any questions.
David-M 125K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-09T20:13:20.75+00:00

Hi again.

Would DOCP and EXPO be separate settings or would they be the same thing?

DOCP and EXPO are essentially the same thing as XMP.

Feel free to ask back any questions.
Nathan Petty 20 Reputation points

2025-09-11T14:02:24.86+00:00

Hi David,

I think you got it! I believe the issue was the network connection. I reset the BIOS to default and then turned CSM back off, but before I installed, I also pulled both network cables (the machine has a PCIE network card) and then utilized the OOBE\BYPASSNRO option during install and Windows 11 installed without issue. I was then able to connect the network cable again. I do believe I have to reinstall one more time because it installed in a dual boot configuration with the boot manager still on my old Windows 10 drive, but I think it should work as long as I leave the network disconnected.
David-M 125K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-11T14:09:33.12+00:00

You are on the right track.

If you experience a crash when attempting to connect after completing the Windows 11 installation, visit the manufacturer's website to download and install the latest driver for your network adapter.

To simplify the process, you can store the driver on the same USB flash drive you're using for the Windows installation. Just be sure not to modify or delete any of the existing installation files. This will ensure the installation media remains fully functional.

Feel free to ask back any questions.

Answer 1

David-M 125K Independent Advisor

Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

Please share a screenshot of your system information.

(You've already provided some of your PC's specifications. However, some details were not covered.)

Press "Windows + R", type msinfo32 and press Enter.

Maximize the window and use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool.

I await your reply.

Nathan Petty 20 Reputation points

2025-09-09T19:38:38.63+00:00

Sure thing! Here is the screenshot of the Summary. Let me know if you need any sub windowsSystem Info.png