Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

Hazel123 · Jul 3, 2025

spapakons said:
I don't know about all the desktop environments in Linux, but I prefer KDE since it looks similar to Windows and easier to use. I have installed Ubuntu (Gnome) at a virtual machine and then the full version of KDE, so most utilities were installed automatically and I didn't have to search for them. Also initial setup might be lighter, but the more applications you add the computer slows down. So the myth that Linux is faster than Windows breaks when you have finally installed all the apps and games you need (assuming you find an equivalent app for every one you used in Windows).

I think it is a myth yes, and it's not faster any longer (Bodhi linux being an exception but that is a bit different). They all got heavier over the last decade. I don't think this netbook would handle KDE - it had to be an XFCE flavour or Bodhi, or something niche, weird and wonderful that was unsupported. There are a couple of lighter ones but horrible to use and install. I've only ever used it on netbooks really though.

I'd still rather use Windows 11. This little netbook was great with 21H1 on it! But have had to give up on that idea.

hsehestedt · Jul 3, 2025

spapakons said:
Unfortunately I sold my netbook before I had the chance to try Windows 10 on

Time marches on. Still, I too hate wasting hardware that is still perfectly good.

I really wish that MS would put out an official "lite" version of Windows made specifically for older hardware, just maybe cut down on some features to lower the hardware requirements. But so long as they insist on all the secure boot and TPM hoopla I guess that is just a pipe dream.

Then there are the hardware vendors who don't make life easy. I have a brand spanking new (2025 release) little Mini Notebook from one of those no name Chinese manufactures. Wonderful machine and SUPER portable. 10.5" 1920 x 1200 screen, 12GB DDR5 RAM, N150 CPU, backlit keyboard, Modern Standby that actually works, and all Win 11 requirements easily met. But for some reason, when running anything based on Win RE or Win PE, and this includes Windows setup, the screen is rotated 90 degrees making it exceptionally difficult to navigate.

Thankfully, my "thing" is unattended setup. So, I whipped up a quick install disk and now the rotation no longer matters. I boot from the flash drive and a short time later I have a fully configured Windows 11 installation with all drivers, Windows customizations, and most apps all preinstalled. Well before it ever gets to the desktop the screen rotation issue fixes itself when the proper drivers get installed.

I do the same for all my machines, especially older ones. Since I have the drivers for every system exported it makes life so easy.

Hazel123 · Jul 3, 2025

I wish they would do a version for older or lower grade hardware as well but I doubt very much it will happen, as you say. The argument is security but also it's about selling new laptops. Your new mini laptop sounds good., I've looked at things like that before, but I am picky about keyboard travel and find it hard to find any laptop at all I like typing on! I am sure there are some small ones with good keyboards though. Also when it comes down to it, I really wouldn't know what I'd want in terms of small and portable, when I have a phone! It';s just because I have a perfectly functioning old one it seems useful occasionally!

Windows 11 marketing is very different from Windows 10, which would work on just about anything. But then they desperately wanted to have people upgrade from Windows 7. So maybe there is hope they will create a light or "version 2" of Windows 11 - if they desperately now want people to upgrade from Windows 10. Different strategy though I think. Last time it was the carrot - this time it's the stick!

spapakons · Jul 3, 2025

Official Microsoft "light" versions of Windows:

Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs (light version Windows XP). It just misses some features of the regular Windows XP Home version to make a smaller footprint. I didn't realize any significant increase in performance to make the lack of features worth it. I prefer the regular Windows XP Home or Pro and disable stuff to make it lighter.

Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Windows Thin PC (light version of Windows 7 32-bit). Same, has less features but not perceptible difference in performance, so I prefer the standard Windows 7 Home Premium or higher version and disable stuff to make it lighter.

Windows 7 editions - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise (light version of Windows 10 Pro 32-bit). Same, didn't see any perceptible difference in performance. Does it count I installed it in a virtual machine with just 1GB RAM? Not it doesn't, my HP Stream 7 tablet runs the full version of Windows 10 Pro 32-bit with only 1GB RAM. Cannot tell if it is slower or not from the virtual machine running Windows 10 IoT Enterprise with 1GB RAM. Probably slightly slower, but I don't want to miss any features, so I can tolerate it. The Tiny 10 third-party version is based on Windows 10 IoT Enterprise with even less features. The only advantage is that you gain a couple of GB disk space by removing these features, but again I hate missing them, so I prefer the full regular version and use Compact OS feature and compress all files to gain these 2-3 GB.

Windows IoT - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

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hsehestedt · Jul 3, 2025

Hazel123 said:
I've looked at things like that before, but I am picky about keyboard travel and find it hard to find any laptop at all I like typing on!

That's funny, I too am picky about keyboards, but not so much about key travel. For me, the big issue is backlight - I simply cannot stand laptops without it. I'm also picky about the layout and I'm very happy with this one. My friend actually purchased the previous version. Only difference is a CPU refresh from an N100 to N150 and improved charging capability in the new version. But when I saw his machine, the KB was one item that sealed the deal for me.

That said, this little minibook actually has surprising key travel for such a little system. I find myself constantly reaching for this thing even when other machines are within reach. Just in you have any interest at all here are some links to the exact model:

MiniBook X N150

10.51

www.chuwi.com

Good images of the keyboard on the above link if you scroll down.

Same device on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/eJwzkdM

dacrone · Jul 3, 2025

Hazel123 said:
No I didn't like Lubuntu either. I don't like most of them for one reason or another. I quite like this one though. It was still slightly pernickety to install but it got there. I have used it before about 10 years ago and it's not a lot different - it was known then for throwing an error at install so I just ignored it and it went away again.

12 years ago it would fit on a little 7" 701sd netbook. Not any more - it's 20gb now and only 64 bit.

Speedwise it's not much better than a slightly optimised Windows 10 really but that's ok.

We had to go through all this with a previous 10" netbook when Windows 10 came out. That previous netbook would only run Windows 7 - the processor was limited to Windows 7 only. But it did run Linux so that ended up with a version on many years ago.

if its a small tablet/pc (you stated 10"), look up POPos

spapakons · Jul 3, 2025

I feel I don't get the maximum performance and access to all features unless I install a standard version of Windows (not light) and proper drivers from manufacturer. I prefer running Windows 7, if it doesn't support anything newer, than a current Linux version. As previously said, I would keep an updated antivirus and watch where I click to be protected. Linux default open source drivers just make the devices work, they don't offer all features or maximum performance. Let alone the difficulty and much less software, so it's not an option for me and therefore I wouldn't recommend it to others. Stick with Windows, no matter how old.

Bree · Jul 3, 2025

garlin said:
Wait WU literally says "Enrol" in 5 different places??

QA is dead at MS.

No, quite the opposite. 'Enrol' is the correct British localisation for my 'English International' EN-GB install of Windows.

Is it enrol or enroll?

In American English, the verb is spelled enroll. In British English, enrol is the correct spelling. The third person singular form of the verb shares the

quillbot.com

garlin · Jul 3, 2025

You enrol in an enrollment. But install an instalment? That's just weird

Hazel123 · Jul 3, 2025

hsehestedt said:
That's funny, I too am picky about keyboards, but not so much about key travel. For me, the big issue is backlight - I simply cannot stand laptops without it. I'm also picky about the layout and I'm very happy with this one. My friend actually purchased the previous version. Only difference is a CPU refresh from an N100 to N150 and improved charging capability in the new version. But when I saw his machine, the KB was one item that sealed the deal for me.

That said, this little minibook actually has surprising key travel for such a little system. I find myself constantly reaching for this thing even when other machines are within reach. Just in you have any interest at all here are some links to the exact model:

MiniBook X N150

10.51

www.chuwi.com

Good images of the keyboard on the above link if you scroll down.

Same device on Amazon:

https://a.co/d/eJwzkdM

This does seem to have quite a few good reviews and be popular. I see you can return it within 30 days - but it needs posting back to China! So you might need to return it within a week to allow enough time for it to get there, and also it wouldn't be worth it - the cost of shipping would be about a fifth of the cost of the laptop. I guess if buying one and something wasn't right, it would be easier (and maybe cheaper) to just sell it on as new on ebay or something.

Anyway I'm tempted. But I'd hate to buy one and find I couldn't get on with the keyboard. I had RSI in the past and it's quite a finite thing - it's either right - or it isn't!

Hazel123 · Jul 3, 2025

garlin said:
You enrol in an enrollment. But install an instalment? That's just weird

There is fulfil and fulfillment as well

Anyway after being quite enthused by this Windows 7-like Xubuntu install on the netbook, I tried installing it on a spare 14" laptop. And wasn't impressed on that. Everything came out so tiny it was unreadable! Found a setting for x2 which then made everything too big. Fiddled about with dpi settings and icon sizes and wasn't satisfied. It really made me miss Windows 11 and it's propotionality!

So while the Xubuntu is great for a 10" netbook (IMO) I'm not sure about it for any other sized computer!

Hazel123 · Jul 3, 2025

Bree said:
Whether you want to use W10 is up to you, but if you do then a licence to use ESU on up to 10 PCs can be free. It was for me....

Can I now purchase the extended ESU for Win 10? If so, where? - Windows 10 Help Forums - post #33

View attachment 138367

So it seems I have more than 1000 microsoft reward points in my account. So is that basically 1000 per computer to extend Windows 10? ie if you use the points to extend one computer, they are gone? Or can you opt to extend a certain number of computers (without specifying them?)

Edit - it's only for one computer apparently. Also I think I've spotted a catch. If, during your ESU year, you upgrade to Windows 11 (possibly accidentally if Windows pushes it.......) and you then reinstall Windows 10, then you lose the year's extended support (according to AI). The ESU is tied to the particular install, not the machine itself. On the other hand if you're enrolled in the ESU then maybe they won't push Windows 11 updgrading (although I'd be surprised if they didn't!).

Bree · Jul 3, 2025

Hazel123 said:
So it seems I have more than 1000 microsoft reward points in my account. So is that basically 1000 per computer to extend Windows 10? ie if you use the points to extend one computer, they are gone? Or can you opt to extend a certain number of computers (without specifying them?)

Edit - it's only for one computer apparently. Also I think I've spotted a catch. If, during your ESU year, you upgrade to Windows 11 (possibly accidentally if Windows pushes it.......) and you then reinstall Windows 10, then you lose the year's extended support (according to AI). The ESU is tied to the particular install, not the machine itself. On the other hand if you're enrolled in the ESU then maybe they won't push Windows 11 updgrading (although I'd be surprised if they didn't!).

Don't believe everything AI tells you

It is your Microsoft account that holds your ESU licence once you have enrolled ('free' for 1000 points, or by syncing your PC settings). You can then use that licence on up to 10 PCs. See the FAQ at the bottom of this page:

Microsoft said:
I have multiple Windows 10 PCs. Do I need to purchase ESU for every device?
You can use your ESU license on up to 10 devices once you enroll in ESU. Any additional Windows 10 PC you wish to enroll in ESU must meet the eligibility requirements. To enroll a different PC, navigate to Settings > Update & Security >Windows Update. Select Enroll now, then follow the prompts to add the device the ESU.

Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program - Microsoft Support

support.microsoft.com

Hazel123 · Jul 3, 2025

So what about the bit about - if you then upgrade to 11 and reinstall Windows 10 again you lose the ESU? Would it just class it as one of your 10 computers if you reinstalled again? Also. Presumably you need Windows 10 installed on a computer to enrol for the licence? Or could I just do it in my microsoft account even though I have Windows 11 installed on my main computer at the moment? (I do have a spare one I could install Windows 10 on if necessary). Even though I'm not planning to use Windows 10 ongoing, it would still be useful to have the extension! Particularly as my laptops need 10 on first before upgrading to 11 (if I ever needed to do a clean install for some reason).

And presumably also, any supported W10 computer would need to be signed in with a microsoft account - to get the licence then? I have one that is just set up with a local account.

Bree · Jul 3, 2025

Hazel123 said:
So what about the bit about - if you then upgrade to 11 and reinstall Windows 10 again you lose the ESU? Would it just class it as one of your 10 computers if you reinstalled again?

Probably you'd need to reinstall ESU if you have had to reinstall W10. I would expect, as the PC had been on ESU before, that it would just reuse it's previously issued licence, and not count as adding another PC to your licence.

Hazel123 said:
Also. Presumably you need Windows 10 installed on a computer to enrol for the licence?

Definitely. You can only click 'enrol now' when you get the 'Windows 10 support ends in October 2025' notification in Windows Update on a W10 machine.

Hazel123 · Jul 3, 2025

I just did an in place upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 tonight, and noticed it went straight to 24H2. I assumed it would go up through a couple of versions before it got to 24H2 (like windows 10 used to). It was also really quite quick to install.

I had clean installed Windows 10 on it, updated it fully. No Windows 11 update appeared after a number of checks (and neither was there any ESU offer). I'm assuming because it was a local account and not signed in with Microsoft account? So used the Windows Installation assistant.

Definitely wouldn't want to go back to Windows 10 - 11 looks cleaner and less messy.

Bree · Jul 3, 2025

Hazel123 said:
No Windows 11 update appeared after a number of checks (and neither was there any ESU offer). I'm assuming because it was a local account and not signed in with Microsoft account?

No, I got mine with a local account. Microsoft say the Enrolment Wizard will start rolling out in July, and the rollout should be mostly complete by end of August.

At present only W10 machines on Insider builds have been seeing 'enrol now' in Windows Update. I enrolled a W10 VM in the Insider Release Preview channel to get mine early. I would expect to start seeing it on my RTM W10 machines after the July Patch Tuesday update.

Hazel123 · Jul 3, 2025

Bree said:
No, I got mine with a local account. Microsoft say the Enrolment Wizard will start rolling out in July, and the rollout should be mostly complete by end of August.

At present only W10 machines on Insider builds have been seeing 'enrol now' in Windows Update. I enrolled a W10 VM in the Insider Release Preview channel to get mine early. I would expect to start seeing it on my RTM W10 machines after the July Patch Tuesday update.

So if you got it with a local account, that must mean the ESU is attached to the computer as it doesn't know your microsoft account?

spapakons · Jul 4, 2025

ESU is like a digital license. It is on Microsoft servers, so if you upgrade to Windows 11 and then reinstall Windows 10, it should be there. If it isn't, you should be able to enroll again without additional cost and of course without counting as one extra computer out of 10. How do you check if ESU is enabled? Is there something in System Info?

Bree · Jul 4, 2025

Hazel123 said:
So if you got it with a local account, that must mean the ESU is attached to the computer as it doesn't know your microsoft account?

spapakons said:
ESU is like a digital license. It is on Microsoft servers, so if you upgrade to Windows 11 and then https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...33e17de9-36b3-43bb-874d-6c53d2e4bf42reinstall Windows 10, it should be there. If it isn't, you should be able to enroll again without additional cost and of course without counting as one extra computer out of 10. How do you check if ESU is enabled? Is there something in System Info?

According to Microsoft:
"The ESU license is tied to your Microsoft account, so you may be prompted to sign in if you typically sign into Windows with a local account"
Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program - Microsoft Support

I would expect that keeping a local account and adding your MS account for other apps to use should be sufficient, as it is for things like OneDrive and the Store.

Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

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