Is it worth trying to install Windows 11 on an old, unsupported laptop? It sounds like when there's a major update, it may advise that Windows 11 can't install on the machine. I have read one person having this problem, so I'm wondering if it's worth installing it if I am going to hit a snag like this.
Upgrading to Windows 11 on unsupported equipment
(6 posts) (3 voices)-
RandomGamer
MemberPosted 5 months ago # -
ChrisS
AdministratorAre there features in Windows 11 that compel you to install it?
Microsoft says that the current version of Windows 10, 22H2, will be the final version of Windows 10. That sounds serious.
But, Windows 10 support ends on October 14th, 2025 so there's no pressing need to do anything for two years.
By that time Windows 12 will be out and it will likely upgrade all existing Windows 10 installations.
So, fighting to install (or keep installed) Windows 11 is pointless unless there are features that you need/want.
Posted 5 months ago # -
mikiem2
ModeratorBuilding on what Chris posted, and apologizing in advance if I go too long...
Win10 is going away, but pressure is building on Microsoft to extend its life the way it did with XP -- no one wants to see billions of devices headed to landfills en masse. Microsoft is also reportedly working on multiple versions of the next version of Windows. There's the once again attempted alternative to Chromebooks -- this would work a lot like Android, needing to be implemented by the manufacturer, tailored to the hardware. There's the full-tilt Windows, which itself may have 2 semi-versions, one for hardware capable of running its AI, one for hardware that cannot. And there may be a consumer-oriented version to take the place of Win10. On top of that Microsoft is working on further developing Hybrid Windows, which would actually run in the cloud, and be accessed by your device.
Now Win11... the hardware requirements are there to ensure the device can run Windows added security -- mainly the memory virtualization scheme -- with less of the decrease in performance you see with non-spec hardware. The same security features have always been there with Win10, but most people, at least in the consumer sphere, left it turned off because of the performance hit. They also leave it turned off in Win11, because no matter how large it is, a performance hit is still a performance hit.
Microsoft knows this, but they're walking a tightrope... they make most of their Windows-related money from manufacturers installing Windows on new hardware, so they need to keep these people happy. They also need to keep consumers happy, because Apple & Google are more than happy to sell them non-Windows devices. So you've got this passive-aggressive stance where Win11 runs great on non-spec hardware -- IMHO *slightly* better than Win10 -- and Microsoft makes it relatively easy to install it, but they also add roadblocks, trying to convince the OEMs that they're really pushing you to buy new PCs & laptops.
Now, the nitty gritty of installing Win11 on non-spec devices... *Most* of the time it's simply a matter of replacing a single file in the setup files you get with the ISO. The easiest way to do this is to use Rufus, a small free app to put a bootable ISO on a bootable USB stick, which will replace that file for you if you select the option to make it compatible with non-spec hardware. If you're already running Win10, you can just use those same files on the USB stick to perform an in-place upgrade -- just run setup.exe while Win10 is running. Why that way instead of fresh? Win11 will reuse drivers that it does not have access to. [I'm uncertain how well it would work if you're running Win7.] That said, if the device is REALLY out of spec for Win11, you *might* have to start with a Win10 setup ISO, then replace install.wim file with one from a Win11 ISO. Note that some ISOs may have an .esd file instead of a .wim file -- Google and you'll see how to convert them along with more info.
Win11 on non-spec hardware runs just the same as on spec hardware -- the only difference is that you will not be offered version upgrades/updates via Windows Update. If the upgrade requires a reinstall, you'll have to run setup using the files in the new ISO with that one file replaced. If the upgrade only uses / needs a regular update, similar to what you get on Patch Tuesday, search online for the update file -- I posted a link to an article with a link to the file you need to download for Win11 23H2 for example.
Should you - shouldn't you?... I have Win11 on a mini-PC & a tablet, both using older Intel Atom CPUs, which are like the bottom of the barrel when it comes to performance. Win11 does Not make it feel like I've upgraded the CPU, but Windows performance is a little snappier, Win11 takes up a little less disk space, and updates [Patch Tuesday], which are a major pain point on those two, are slightly less painful.
Posted 5 months ago # -
RandomGamer
MemberThank you both for responding.
ChrisS,
No, there isn't anything that is compelling me to install except I wanted to see if I could do it. It was an idea I had and thought I would see if it was possible. I see what you mean, though by not upgrading. I wanted to try it. I don't mind what happens to the laptop as it will be old.
mikiem2,
It sounds like there are some possibilities of another version of Windows to install. Maybe I can look into that when it comes out.
I forgot about the virtualization component. That's good to know. I understand now why they would want to make money by installing Win 11 on new hardware. So, it looks like one thing I will need to do is use Rufus and then run setup.exe on Win 10. I saw the bypasses Rufus had when I was looking for info on circumventing TPM but it looks like it isn't on the most recent version. I will either do Win 7 to Win 10 and then 11; or, Win 10 to Win 11 as that seems to be the best upgrade path. Another thing I may need to do is replace a file, basically. I will have to research that more if I come to that point or I may post again if I need help.
That's what I was thinking - that I am not going to get the updates. If the upgrade does cause me to reinstall, then I would replace the file as you described then as a workaround? If it's a regular update then I would just download it from the link you put on your other post?
That's the question. I think I am still going to go for it but hoping am I understanding what to do when updates or upgrades from Update come. That's cool you can run 11 on an Atom.
Posted 5 months ago # -
mikiem2
ModeratorI'm hoping this will explain a bit better...
For most of the year you don't have to worry about anything -- all the Update Tuesday patches install / update normally. It's that once a year version update that's a potential problem. If the new version is different enough from the old one, then Windows has to be reinstalled -- that's the only option, and the only difference between hardware that meets the Win11 spec and hardware that doesn't, is Windows Update will download the files & run setup on the hardware that meets spec, and you have to download & run setup manually [after changing appraiserres.dll] otherwise. You can still do that with an update like the current 22H2 -> 23H2, which does not require a Windows reinstall, but it's quicker to just run the patch. The only hassle is Microsoft doesn't offer the patch in their catalog -- Windows Update History doesn't even show a KB number -- so you have to find a copy that someone kindly posted online. That said, you do not have to upgrade from one version to the next as long as the version you're using is still supported -- my tablet was still running 21H2 until October when it reached End Of Life, & I reinstalled Win11 to upgrade to 23H2, but I would have had to reinstall Windows anyway to get version 22H2, so I didn't really lose anything.
The only things you might have to be prepared for are Win7 keys no longer work for Win10 or 11, and Microsoft is now requiring an online connection & Microsoft account for Win11 setup. Google and you'll find ways to get around that, but if you decide to play by the rules, Win11 setup does not have much in the way of drivers for network adapters. You can buy cheap wireless or wired USB network adapters that include their drivers in the USB dongle's electronics, & that's what most people use I think -- to upgrade my tablet from Win11 21H2 -> 23H2 I had to plug in [& connect] a wired USB network adapter I had laying around. The good news is that installing Win11 takes less time nowadays -- it really is faster than installing Windows in the past.
One other note: you can use a Windows To Go drive to see just how well a PC / laptop runs Win11 without going through the time and effort to install it. Either Rufus or AOMEI Partition Assistant [it's been a GOTD] can easily create a Windows To Go drive. You'll need an external SSD -- USB sticks are too slow, but with an SSD performance is really close to having Windows installed normally. While prices are slowly increasing, you can still buy a 2.5" SSD for ~$15, and a USB housing can be as cheap as around $5. I prefer to use a Windows Enterprise ISO because it will not attempt to activate and can't / won't mess with your current Windows activation -- you can download the Ent. ISO from the Insider downloads page -- signing up as an insider simply takes filling in the blanks with your Microsoft account. Running Win11 Ent unactivated only means you need to sign in with a password -- you can't use a PIN -- you can't change the wallpaper, and since you're not signed into a Microsoft account, you can't use OneDrive.
Posted 5 months ago # -
RandomGamer
MemberThat's good that I won't have to be concerned about most updates. I wouldn't look forward to reinstalling Windows but at least I know. And, it doesn't take as long as you said, so that is also a plus. Thanks for this info and also about the patch and not needing to upgrade.
I read that about the keys. I think I will actually go with Win 11 as I have legitimate key for it.
I didn't know about the drive. I think I may have AOMEI on another computer. Good to know about the Enterprise ed. I don't mind about not being able to sign into a Win account, etc.
Thanks for all your help with this.
Posted 5 months ago #
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