Installation of Windows 11 on unsupported old hardware

Khalid Alshanfa · Feb 10, 2022

This is how I installed Windows 11 Enterprise on my old Dell Optiplex 9010. First I installed windows 7 Enterprise. Then I upgraded using Windows 11 Evaluation DVD ISO from within Windows 7.

I have managed to install Windows 11 in physical and virtualbox.

I have tried it with windows 8.1 enterprise and windows 10 but it did not work.

Steps:

1. Create a virtual machine in VirtualBox. Make sure to select Version: Windows 7 (64-bit)
2. Create a virtual hard disk. I have chosen a 32 GB VHD file type.
3 Press create button to accept the defaults.
4. Mount your Windows 7 Enterprise ISO file as virtual optical disk.
5. Click start button and install Windows 7.
6. After you have done with Windows 7 installation, mount your downloaded Windows Evaluation ISO file into windows 7 desktop.
7. Click your mounted DVD and the Installation of Windows 11 will start. Just click next next and that is it.

here my brand new Windows 11 Desktop. I am running this virtual machine in a Windows 11 physical machine with 8 GB Ram. It is an OPTIPLEX 9010.

VirtualBox_Windows 7 Enterprise 64 bits intial desktop.png

And this with the settings:

The attached screen shots are my setup demo using VirtualBox machine.
This is a youtube demo. Be aware it is just raw file I did not edit it and I have not added any songs or sounds to it

Step 3 created Virtual machine default settings.png

Step 4 attach Windows 7 ISO file to the virtual machine.png

Step 7 mount Windows 11 Evaluation DVD ISO file.png

Just wait for the installation to finish. I took me around 45 minutes just to install.
Installation of Windows 11 is done

If I tried to install Windows 11 directly without going through Windows 7, it will not work. You will get this image:

spapakons · Feb 14, 2022

I don't know what tricks you did, but never been able to upgrade directly from Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate to Windows 11 Pro, no matter what I did. To bypass compatibility checks and upgrade directly from Windows 8.1 or 10, enable to show hidden files. Mount the ISO or open it with WinRAR and extract all files to a folder. Run Setup, when the progress goes to 100% you see the first Setup screen. Before doing anything else, delete the file C:\$Windows.~BT\sources\appraiserres.dll from the Setup cache. This will bypass the check and let you upgrade, even a very old PC with Legacy BIOS (not UEFI) without TPM without Secure Boot. Also read the relevant threads, this has been discussed before.

PS: If you prefer the Windows 7 or 8.1 interface, there are utilities to replace Windows 11 icons and the taskbar to make it very similar to 7 or 8.1 In my computer I have Windows 8.1 icons and Windows 7 taskbar/start menu.

The-Hive · Feb 14, 2022

I think this has been covered many times in other threads

Khalid Alshanfa · Feb 15, 2022

I have done no tricks. I just installed Windows 7 Enterprise and then upgrade directly from Windows 11 Enterprise evaluation ISO I have downloaded from Microsoft. Windows 11 Enterprise.
I have shared my experience with the forum as some members could not upgrade directly from Windows 7. I thought it will help if others could confirm it worked for them.

spapakons · Feb 15, 2022

Maybe that works only for Enterprise. When tried to upgrade from Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate to Windows 11 Pro I was only offered the clean installation.

CornishRattler · Feb 15, 2022

I'm a little sceptical I have to say tbh

erpster4 · Feb 15, 2022

spapakons said:
Maybe that works only for Enterprise. When tried to upgrade from Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate to Windows 11 Pro I was only offered the clean installation.

note that Khalid said he used the "evaluation" enterprise ISO, not the full VL (non-eval) edition enterprise ISO

also, recently saw this from ghacks.net a few days ago:

Windows 11 will soon remind you if your PC does not meet the requirements - gHacks Tech News

Microsoft is testing a new feature in its Windows 11 operating system currently that will remind users of the device if system requirements are not met.

www.ghacks.net

Od1sseas · Feb 15, 2022

Or just use the .reg hack? Is far easier and faster

spapakons · Feb 15, 2022

I lost too many hours trying to upgrade Windows 7 directly to 11 without success. It would be faster to upgrade 7 to 10 and then to 11. I would activate Windows 10 and Windows 11 would activate automatically from Microsoft servers when first online.

Khalid Alshanfa · Feb 15, 2022

Actually I used both windows 11 VL and Eval versions. However, Windows 7 is a VL version. At first, I thought it will only work with VL versions only. Then when it worked with windows 11 eval version, I made the post.
I made the experiment as I want to confirm to myself this: If a machine can run Windows 7 64bits, It will be able to run Windows 11.
Personally, I have not used windows 8 at all. I only started using windows 10 since September last year. I thought why not try Windows in a physical machine instead of a VM such the one offered by Microsoft

spapakons · Feb 16, 2022

Windows 7 64-bit can run in all computers with a 64-bit CPU and at least 2GB RAM. No other requirements. Windows 8, 8.1, 10 64-bit have additional requirements, namely some specific instructions which are not present at the first AMD 64 CPUs for example. The latter can run Windows XP x64, Windows Vista and 7 64-bit, but not Windows 8 or newer. The rule goes if a computer can run Windows 8 64-bit or newer, then it can also run Windows 11 albeit with tricks to bypass compatibility check.

shaocaholica · Feb 16, 2022

Well that was easy. Rufus install media creator and clean install on a 2009 Dell Optiplex thats BIOS only (upgraded).

AddRAM · Feb 16, 2022

Great job :)
Nice specs too, other than it`s a Dell :)

shaocaholica · Feb 16, 2022

I don't know why people hate on Dell I've never had a problem with their enterprise hardware but I've always gotten them used/off lease and I've never had to actually deal with Dell reps in over 20+ years. Their enterprise BIOS and chassis layout are pretty darn good IMO.

Not even challenging at all. I have to try on something older.

spapakons · Feb 16, 2022

Dell and HP often customize desktop hardware (custom power supply, custom motherboard), so if something happens you cannot just replace parts. You must ask them for repair. This is what I hate in these manufacturers.

AddRAM · Feb 16, 2022

My 1st PC was a Dell.

CornishRattler · Feb 16, 2022

My current one is

spapakons · Feb 16, 2022

I may don't like Dell's custom hardware, but I have to admit they have excellent Warranty policy. In most cases they come and repair the computer at your place, or take it for repair and return it afterwards without any charge.

AddRAM · Feb 16, 2022

Dell doesn`t come to your house, a PC Technician will come to your house. I use to do that all the time when I first started out, but got sick of doing that pretty quick, especially in or around Philadelphia.

CornishRattler · Feb 16, 2022

I've had 3 Dells over the years including my current one, haven't had to use the repair service once. Maybe I've been lucky

Installation of Windows 11 on unsupported old hardware

New member

Attachments

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

The First Three Star Guru

My Computers

New member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

New member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Member

My Computer

R.I.P.

My Computers

Member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

R.I.P.

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

R.I.P.

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Similar threads