Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

ThrashZone · Oct 3, 2021

Michele said:
Microsoft actually halting unsupported CPU from getting security updates would be a first. I think there will be intense backlash, probably more so than the initial one for the CPU thing

Hi,
Yeah someone was impress on how many people were using win-11 so far
I stated majority were likely using unsupported hardware and got crickets lol

clam1952 · Oct 3, 2021

Backlash maybe, however as many get the OS for free and Win10 is good for another 4 years before it's a problem, I doubt if Microsoft are going to be bothered, they probably considered any downside to the new requirements a long time ago and have gone ahead anyway, time will tell if they got it wrong!
It's unknown just what will happen regarding security or other updates for unsupported PCs, as to whether they will be available via Windows update or if you have to download manually or if you can even get them.
As a random thought, if any future Win11 security updates utilise the new security features, they may not work or install on unsupported hardware anyway so using an unsupported PC if still possible may not last for long.
Too many questions and no answers from the Redmond bunch yet.

shipinomore10 · Oct 3, 2021

When W 11 came out back in June I updated my Windows 10 home pro with it. Took some time to complete. I ran it for about a month
with no errors. Then MS came out with their list of approved CPU's and mine did not make the cut.
There are tips being posted that tell how to get around the error. Also warnings that you have to sign a disclaimer for any problems that
might be caused to your system. I think I can go back to the last good Image file backup done with Macrium.
Shipinomore10

BunnyJ · Oct 3, 2021

Waiver.. that's speculation and not fact.

spapakons · Oct 4, 2021

I would have no problem upgrading my unsupported computer to Windows 11 and then to any new build using any hacks described in this forum, but I need to make sure that the newer builds can still use the same hacks to avoid the check. If Microsoft changes the routine and the hacks are useless I would be left with an old build and eventually some applications would not work demanding to upgrade. Besides I am never an early adopter. I installed Windows 10 a few months after the initial release in 2015 to make sure I familiarize very well first with the new interface and that my PC and my apps are compatible with 10. So I will probably upgrade in 2022 when the next build is out.

Try3 · Oct 6, 2021

Upgrading with the Windows 11 RTM ISO on a well-below spec computer

I wanted a Windows 11 testbed computer so I would not need to experiment with my main computers. The only computer I could spare was a Dell Inspiron 1545 from 2010.

Intel Celeron CPU 900 @ 2.20GHz

RAM 3GB

Display driver Mobile Intel® 4 Series Express Chipset Family (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM 1.1)

I proceeded with this computer despite its clear lack of Windows 11 compatibility.

1 I decided to upgrade from Windows 10 by using the downloaded RTM ISO in a Repair install [In-place upgrade] procedure i.e. mounting the ISO then running its setup.exe.
Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade - ElevenForumTutorials
Download Windows 11 - MS
I set Power options beforehand so the monitor would stay on the whole time and I'd be able to glance over to see how it was getting on.

2 Then, while setup.exe was running [it was preparing itself for several minutes after starting], I used File explorer*** to watch its temporary working folders populate [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT] then I deleted
C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\appraiserres.dll
[thus bypassing compatibility checks]
before then responding to the Ready to install dialog.

*** I might have had to set File explorer to show hidden items but didn't make any note of this at the time.

[File explorer, View menu, Hidden items]

3 The installation then ran without incident.
I deliberately chose to skip updating during the installation.

4 This procedure worked. My wildly below spec computer now has Windows 11.
The update took 3 hours on this non-compliant computer but I was happily getting on with work on one of my main computers so I didn't care how long it took.

Windows 10 Home x64 Version 21H2 Build 22000.194 posted.png

Windows 11 Home x64 Version 21H2 Build 22000.194

5 PostScript - Windows update has been running automatically on this computer and has installed updates without any action being taken on my part. See my post #285 on the next page of this thread.

Whilst I have only described using the Repair install / In-place upgrade procedure, some of the other guides about upgrading to Windows 11 include advice about Clean installs as well.
Ways to install Windows 11 - bypass TPM, CPU checks - MSSupport
Windows 11 TPM Requirement Bypass it in 5 Minutes TechPowerUp
How to install Windows 11 without TPM 2.0 - gHacks
Upgrade to Windows 11 - ElevenForumTutorials
Clean Install Windows 11 - ElevenForumTutorials

Good luck with yours,
Denis

Bree - Again, thanks for the compatibility check bypass [my step 1 above].

spapakons · Oct 6, 2021

Well done. I'll try myself and let you know. For your Intel Mobile 4 family (aka GMA 4500) graphics, you can try this driver here that also enables the Intel Graphics Properties and tweaks performance. Worked in my test laptop (see my specs)

Custom Driver : Intel GMA 4500 MHD Extreme Plus - by nIGHmAYOR - Windows 10 Help Forums

This is a driver I made for a toddler whose parents didn't want to buy him a real PC but persisted that I should help him with it , so yea there are a couple of drivers out there that can help it port to windows 10 but the problems they add are greater th

www.tenforums.com

Try3 · Oct 6, 2021

spapakons said:
For your Intel Mobile 4 family (aka GMA 4500) graphics

Thanks for that suggestion. I'll look into it.

Whilst it had no problems in Windows 10, in Windows 11 the display is extremely bright even at its minimum setting and that would be nice to sort out.
[No errors shown in Device manager]

All the best,
Denis

spapakons · Oct 6, 2021

If you update the graphics drivers, probably you should also control the brightness. If the brightness controls do not work or the range is not enough, you can also tweak the gamma value from Intel Display Properties.

Bree · Oct 6, 2021

Try3 said:
Bree - Again, thanks for the compatibility check bypass [my step 1 above].

Thanks for the nod. Nicely presented description of the steps required.

Try3 · Oct 6, 2021

Bree said:
Thanks for the nod. Nicely presented description of the steps required.

And thank you for doing the clever bit first.

I've just fiddled with some of the words used in my step 2 but have not changed its meaning.

Denis

spapakons · Oct 7, 2021

Clumsy me! I tried to delete the wrong file and of course didn't work. After I deleted the C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\appraiserres.dll it bypassed the compatibility checks and right now I upgrade the Insider's Preview version into the official release (RTM) in my virtual PC. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for sharing,

Try3 · Oct 7, 2021

spapakons,

My pleasure.

I've already had a successful test of restoring the ability to have Taskbar toolbars. The Start menu is disabled as a by-product which does not worry me in the slightest - my "Menus" taskbar toolbar has been my primary menu system for years.

Reg Hack to get old context menu no longer works

With the latest build of Windows 11 (22000.168) the registry hack to get back the old right click context menus no longer works for me. Just wondering if it's the same for the rest of you who may have been using it. For the most part I can take 11 or leave it since the only 2 things I detested...

www.elevenforum.com

Primarily posts #4, #20, #21, #24 - It was all a bit off-topic as far as that thread was concerned but gold-dust for me.

I'm also going to use the test computer to investigate a host of issues including
- ungrouping taskbar application buttons
- allowing automatic Windows updates
- inhibiting automatic Windows updates
- my applications [I'm not expecting any problems]
- my various scripts - batch files, vbs, VBA, PS

But my first task is to write down my test plan from all my poorly scribbled notes & even more poorly scribbled ideas.

Best of luck with your own tests,
Denis

spapakons · Oct 7, 2021

Whatever you try for customization let us know. To save you time, I already tried Open Shell, doesn't work. I also tried Customizer God, doesn't work.

spapakons · Oct 7, 2021

Successfully upgraded Windows 11 Pro Insider's Preview into the official release (RTM, 21H2) build in my VMWare Virtual PC. See picture below... I am posting this from that PC.

spapakons · Oct 7, 2021

Just a quick question or point me to the appropriate thread. How can I choose the default app for videos, music, web browsing etc? Going through all the available extensions one-by-one is not really convenient. Thanks.

Try3 · Oct 7, 2021

spapakons said:
Whatever you try for customization let us know. To save you time, I already tried Open Shell, doesn't work. I also tried Customizer God, doesn't work.

I do not intend to use Open shell or any other third-party Start menu utility. My Menus Taskbar toolbar does all that I need and it is now working in Windows 11.

spapakons said:
How can I choose the default app for videos, music, web browsing etc? Going through all the available extensions one-by-one is not really convenient. Thanks.

I have not looked into that subject. Doesn't Choose Default Apps in Windows 11 - ElevenForumTutorials cover it?

Denis

Bree · Oct 7, 2021

spapakons said:
Just a quick question or point me to the appropriate thread. How can I choose the default app for videos, music, web browsing etc? Going through all the available extensions one-by-one is not really convenient.

I find the easiest way is to do it by app rather than extension. If you search by app rather than extension then click on Photos it conveniently lists all the extension Photos could be set for, so you can change each to whatever you want (in my case Windows Photo Viewer).

Do the same thing for each of Microsoft's default apps that you want to replace. For example, to set a default browser, go to Default apps > Microsoft Edge.

Timaximus · Oct 7, 2021

I am running the W11 RP 22000.194 since sept 10 on my incompatible laptop. And no performance issues or whatsoever.

After the 22000.194 update rolled out I also activated the Virtualization in the Bios.

Can someone see if Windows is using that Virtualization now? I mean, Virtualization is enabled on this machine but does W11 use it all the time or in some cases.

My laptop runs as smooth as always as it did under W10. Games runs fine too (like Fortnite, Doom Eternal, Age of Empires 3 DE, GTA 5).

Regards,

Timaximus

spapakons · Oct 7, 2021

For Default Apps, yes, I have seen that if you select an application you can then set each supported extension to open with that, but this is not convenient with apps that support a lot of different file formats, such as VLC that supports tons of video and audio formats.