Anyone thinking on installing Windows 11 insider on their main desktop?

bobkn · Jul 11, 2021

SylenThunder said:
This is probably just a BIOS setting that needs to be changed.

If the CPU is the one listed in "My Computer", for that poster, it's a G860, second generation core CPU ("Sandy Bridge"). No BIOS change will get it to pass the compatibility check. (Which is not the same as there being no hack to install 11 on the PC.)

DooRules · Jul 11, 2021

Used Macrium to do a backup and installed to daily rig.

SylenThunder · Jul 11, 2021

bobkn said:
If the CPU is the one listed in "My Computer", for that poster, it's a G860, second generation core CPU ("Sandy Bridge"). No BIOS change will get it to pass the compatibility check. (Which is not the same as there being no hack to install 11 on the PC.)

Ahh true. I was just thinking of one of the systems I had played with where that option was disabled in BIOS. (Probably to support Linux/dual-boot)

Bree · Jul 11, 2021

I have half a dozen laptops of various specs, each with its own job to do, such as hosting VMs. A couple of them get a lot of use as general purpose machines. About 5 days ago I upgraded one of them to Win11, keeping all its files and apps. It's not a 'supported' machine, so it needed some workarounds to install. But now upgraded, Windows 11 is working well.

I've been using it as my main machine, doing all the things it used to do for me in Win10. So far it has performed faultlessly.

This machine is my main 'test bed' for trying out Windows 11, I also have a clean install in a VM. The rest of my machines are staying firmly on Windows 10 until at least the release of 11, and maybe longer.

Winuser · Jul 14, 2021

I used the Insider builds of Windows 10 on all my computers and now I'm doing it with Windows 11. I know it's not recommended but with Macrium Reflect I feel I'm only a image restore to going back to a build that works. I recently bought this desktop and I did a image before I setup the computer by using a Macrium boot disk. Then I did a Image after I setup the computer and installed my programs. I hope I don't have to but if I do have to go back I can. I also have restore images with Ashampoo Backup Pro 15 and EaseUS Todo Backup. I've had EaseUs Todo for years and recently I was able to buy Asampoo for a very big discount.

TheOldMarine · Jul 14, 2021

Been using Windows 11 since the first day the insider preview came out. I do dual boot, on two completely separate m.2 drives. I boot one legacy and one UEFI. Works good so far. I keep them bot current.

Semper Fi.

Ray (the old Marine)

Black Fox · Jul 14, 2021

I have installed it since last month and I'm doing very well

magilla · Jul 14, 2021

I have converted my main computer to Windows 11. About 1.5 weeks ago I did that. It has been trouble free for me so far. I have lots of apps on my main computer. All of them are working without a problem. My computer meets all standards EXCEPT the CPU is not on the acceptable list. However, it is one of the CPU's that Microsoft is still reviewing for possible inclusion.

Bree · Jul 14, 2021

My 'daily use' laptop falls below spec on almost all counts, but I manage to use a workaround to do an in-place upgrade from its W10 to W11. I'm not intending this a a long term solution, rather a way to test W11 against all my current software and working practices. Works fine - I'm posting from it now.

This upgrade was done on a clone of its HDD, the original is sitting in an anti-static bag, ready to swap back in when I'm done testing. Long term plan is to take an image of my W10 machines, then restore to a fully compliant newer laptop. But I'm not prepared to do that until W11 is released, when the dust has settled and the minimum requirements are finalised. No point in buying hardware now that may (or may not) make the grade later.

magilla · Jul 14, 2021

Bree said:
My 'daily use' laptop falls below spec on almost all counts, but I manage to use a workaround to do an in-place upgrade from its W10 to W11. I'm not intending this a a long term solution, rather a way to test W11 against all my current software and working practices. Works fine - I'm posting from it now.

This upgrade was done on a clone of its HDD, the original is sitting in an anti-static bag, ready to swap back in when I'm done testing. Long term plan is to take an image of my W10 machines, then restore to a fully compliant newer laptop. But I'm not prepared to do that until W11 is released, when the dust has settled and the minimum requirements are finalised. No point in buying hardware now that may (or may not) make the grade later.

Sounds like a well-thought out plan, Bree.

Bree · Jul 14, 2021

magilla said:
Sounds like a well-thought out plan, Bree.

Thanks, I though so. What with all these 'workarounds' to get it installed, I'm getting quite proficient at taking a Legacy/MBR install and restoring it to a UEFI/GPT machine (a VM is a great way to practice such things). I'll be ready to do the same on real hardware come the release of W11.

Dru2 · Jul 14, 2021

Will you install Windows 11 insider build on your main PC?

No, I don't run Insiders on my main rig. Once the OS moves out of Insiders yes. Am running it on my backup system.

Main PC meets all the Windows requirements. See system specs. Backup system's processor isn't supported but OS still installed.

larc919 · Jul 14, 2021

Not considering it even remotely. And unless there are massive improvements by release time over what I'm seeing now in 11, I won't consider it even then.

BunnyJ · Jul 14, 2021

I'm still using it and so far no issues to report. It just works for me and it meets my needs. In Sept I'm getting a processor upgrade.. was planned and I'll be all set.

Again.,.. YMMV

Dru2 · Jul 14, 2021

I currently have no plans to build a new system anytime soon since my current one fully meets 11's requirements. But by the time Windows 11 is released to the pubic, I'll probably be on the verge of doing a new build, and this system will become the new backup.

SylenThunder · Jul 14, 2021

I've switched back to using Win10 more because the snail pace of drag and drop when working in folders is killing me. Not sure what happens but when I go to do this it's like time slows to a crawl for the mouse cursor.

hsehestedt · Jul 14, 2021

I ended up making a good compromise. I didn't want to upgrade my primary desktop machine yet, at least not until a BETA version is available rather than a Dev build.

However, I did perform a clean install of 11 on my laptop computer. It's technically just outside of supported parameters because it has a 7th gen Intel i7 CPU, but since that is allowable now during pre-release I decided to try it.

The result: It runs absolutely beautifully. It's a little hard to believe that a laptop with a 7th Gen i7, NVMe SSD, 32GB RAM, 4k display, and thunderbolt 3 might not make the final cut.

johnlgalt · Jul 14, 2021

SylenThunder said:
I've switched back to using Win10 more because the snail pace of drag and drop when working in folders is killing me. Not sure what happens but when I go to do this it's like time slows to a crawl for the mouse cursor.

Yeah. I ran into that today when I (foolishly) tried to use Windows Explorer instead of my default FM.

it was excruciating - as if I were on a dialup connection trying to play an online game.

hsehestedt · Jul 14, 2021

johnlgalt said:
it was excruciating - as if I were on a dialup connection trying to play an online game.

My recollection from previous OS versions while still in development is that performance issues are often among the last things to be resolved. Especially early on there can be a lot of test code.

Let's hope that these details get some polish before final release.

Dru2 · Jul 14, 2021

hsehestedt said:
It's a little hard to believe that a laptop with a 7th Gen i7, NVMe SSD, 32GB RAM, 4k display, and thunderbolt 3 might not make the final cut.

I have a near similar spec's laptop - 17-7600U, 1TB NVMe drive, and 16gig of RAM, Thunderbolt, all in a 14 inch Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga X1 (gen 2) laptop with a WQHD (2560 x 1440) OLED Touch screen.

Anyway, I was about to put Windows 11 on it, but it suddenly hit me, that if the final OS is released and there are restrictions due to my CPU, I'd have to revert back to Windows 10. Still thinking about it though...