How much of an issue is it to install W11P

Not exactly sure if this is the right place to ask, but here goes.

To be upfront, I've installed Windows OS from DOS to 10, but have yet to mess with 11 with a unit that comes without an OS.

My question is, If I buy a (Dell) laptop that says "has no OS”, how much of an issue is it to install W11P?.

I have read that the installation of 11 isn't like any of the other systems. Also, I would think that any laptop would have had some sort of OS installed at one point, and should be able to get the OS installed that originally came with the system. I was thinking if it had W10, I should be able to just reinstall 10 and do the update to 11 from that, as the original system should self activate.

I have a DELL 7740, now, the same model# that I'm looking at getting, although with somewhat different components, i.e., CPU, and a dedicated GPU as well as the usual intel 630. And wonder if I would be able to just recover that backup to the new system. The backup I use does have a recover to dissimilar. I don't think the BIOS version would be an issue.

Any reply is OK. Thanks

The installation of Windows 10 and 11 are nearly identical. In fact, a Windows 10 key is a Windows 11 key and a Windows 11 key is a Windows 10 key - there is absolutely no way to differentiate one from the other because there is no difference .

Put another way, if you have a BIOS that has a signature indicting that this system originally shipped with Win 10, you can also install the same edition (Home, Pro, etc.) of Windows 11 on that system.

From a practical standpoint, there are some tighter system requirements for Windows 11, for example, it requires a system that is at least capable of Secure Boot, it requires a TPM 2.0 module (or equivalent CPU firmware TPM), and an 8th gen Intel CPU or newer (don't know the AMD versions of the top of my head). However, even if you do not meet all of those requirements, there are workarounds.

The bottom line that you should almost certainly be able to install Win 11.

As for restoring an image from another similar system, I would advise against that, especially if you are expecting to network these machines together because they will both end up with the same SIDs. However, you can do this as a shortcut...

Note that I am assuming same hardware, or "mostly" the same for this process.

On your existing system, even if it is running Windows 10, export all your drivers like this:

Open a command prompt as admin and run...

MD C:\Drivers_Backup
pnputil /export-driver * C:\Drivers_Backup

This will make a backup copy of ALL drivers used by that system. Win 10 drivers can be used on Win 11. As a rule, they are generally the same. Copy those to an external HDD, thumb drive, etc.

Perform the clean install of Win 11 on the new system. After installation, attach the drive with the drivers. Open an elevated command and run the command below. Change the path to the location of your backed up drivers:

pnputil /add-driver D:\Drivers_Backup\*.inf /subdirs /install

When done, reboot. This installs all the drivers in one shot.

NOTE: During the driver installation, your screen may flash or go blank temporarily when the display driver is being installed. This is normal and expected behavior.

BTW, I was not sure of the model precisely. When I look up a Dell 7740 I am presented with a Dell Precision Workstation 7740 which appears to have a 9th gen Intel. Does that sound correct?

Follow-up: You had voiced concern over how different it might be to install Windows 11. Other than some different hardware requirements, I tried to point out that the procedure is nearly identical to Windows 10. There are a few minor differences, such as Microsoft really, really wanting you to use a Microsoft account, but again, that can be easily worked around.

However, you might just want to take a look at the tutorial linked to below which shows the entire clean install procedure for Windows 11. This way you will know exactly what to expect during installation.

Wild Bill said:

I have read that the installation of 11 isn't like any of the other systems.

Click to expand...

The only difference is that Windows 11 is going to check for a specific CPU model or above for support and also check for a TPM module (either physical or on the CPU). If you don't have those things, it's going to say your hardware is non-compatible. There are workarounds if you want to proceed.

If your hardware is compatible, it's pretty much the same type of install it has been for many, many years.

Wild Bill said:

My question is, If I buy a (Dell) laptop that says "has no OS”, how much of an issue is it to install W11P?.

Click to expand...

Your 'W11P' is short for Windows 11 Pro?

As others have said, it's as straight forward as installing W10 Pro.

But to activate it you'll have to but a licence key. If you're buying a new laptop direct from Dell it would probably work out cheaper to include W11 Pro in the bundle. You could always wipe it and do your own clean install after you have set up the PC's pre-installed W11 and it has been activated with a digital licence.