Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

Buddywh · Sep 23, 2025

jimbo45 said:
What on earth does Malwarebytes do these days for domestic computer users. -- Good for C20 stuff but we are nearly 30% through C21 -- WD itself is almost now of military strength. No need for malwarebytes or any 3rd party A/V stuff for domestic computer users. Just learn to avoid scams (far more of a problem) -- don't give away personal info on social media sites, and if you do download stuff from some of those well known sites e.g one still flying the jolly roger flag then use a VPN and ensure you download the proper stuff -- avoid like the plague any .rar type files (these are the one's most infested with "nasty payloads") and avoid any extra "offers" etc.

This comment (I'm usually known here for my real HATE of some of these 3rd party A/V suppliers preying on people's security feelings on domestic computers) only applies to DOMESTIC users -- Corporates etc have other issues to deal with of course -- but do you really think a serious hacker in 2025 is bothered with trying to get a paltry €5.00 from a domestic user when with a bit of work they can shut down loads of EU and UK airports, cause a month long outage at the UK's Jaguar Range Rover plant with consequence to zillions of workers in the ancilliary supply chains not only in the UK, disrupt national health type systems of many countries, disrupt banks and stock markets, NATO command centres etc etc.

I can't know about whether having a load of this unnecessary 3rd party stuff gives people "peace of mind", but both economically and technologically it's JUST PLAIN BONKERS.

Cheers
jimbo

MalwareBytes is free and easy to use, and has saved my butt more than once (not running Windows 10/11). For that reason, I look on it as "another set of eyes", as it were, when run on demand in addition to Defender running in the background. And did I say it's free already? so nothing to lose right?

I do not KNOWINGLY visit pirate sites to download crap; but I never know where a spastic click of the mouse when scrolling through an email might take me. My browser has saved me more than a couple times from that: but there are definitely limitations to what that can do for me too.

I don't do "social media". Unless you call ElevenForum social media (and a few other similar forums)... and even then not very much. But yes, I have DL'd some scripts linked from posts here... am I endangered by that? Is ElevenForum packed with links to virus's and rootkits? I hope not!

spapakons · Sep 23, 2025

Even if you visit a suspicious site, once you see that you won something and asks for your phone number, it's common sense NOT to type anything and close the window or tab immediately. Same if you see a lot of windows or tabs automatically open. Close them all and don't visit that site again. You could also visit that from a virtual machine so in worst case only the virtual system is damaged, not the host. Even better if the virtual machine runs some Linux version and not Windows. If you decide to take the risk and use your PC instead, at least use a separate browser, not your default browser. I use Opera which also has built-in VPN.

Buddywh · Sep 23, 2025

spapakons said:
...You could also visit that from a virtual machine so in worst case only the virtual system is damaged...

I HAVE set up a VM to do that when I went to W11 Pro and it's included SandBox VM. That was a while ago and wasn't intrigued by the crap I came across; it may be I was looking in the wrong dung heaps but I gave up on it after a while and haven't felt the need to try again.

Like I say, I'm mostly worried about rushed or spastic mouse clicks and phishing attacks in emails and the like. I do like to think I use common sense to what I'm willing to open but they are also getting better about how they get past even that. And those "you've won something" adverts pop up even on sites with the highest reputation; they may simply be scams but I still dismiss or ignore them outright.

spapakons · Sep 23, 2025

The rule about emails is simple. I never open an e-mail from an unknown sender. Most of them might just be ads or spam, but why waste my time? I not even open emails about new posts in this and other forums. I just manually check my notifications.

Buddywh · Sep 23, 2025

spapakons said:
The rule about emails is simple. I never open an e-mail from an unknown sender. Most of them might just be ads or spam, but why waste my time? I not even open emails about new posts in this and other forums. I just manually check my notifications.

Great policy to follow, and one I always do follow. And it works great... right up until that one time it doesn't.

Like any defense, a layered defense is the best.

BKnight · Sep 25, 2025

Finally got my i7 7700k Windows 10 system updated to Windows 11 (up to date).

Went through a bit of trial and error since I wanted to do an update instead of a clean install. My system is very tweaked and customized which would take me weeks to get it back to how I want it.

First I went the route of using Rufus, trying all sorts of things but could never get success with it for an update of Windows 10 to 11. A clean install would have been much easier and probably would have worked. I read many, many posts on things to try but none worked for me using Rufus.

Saw some posts on Reddit about people using Flyoobe with success, so I thought I'd give it a try.
Went to their github and grabbed Flyby11 3.0 (Classic) from the Releases section. People reported that using this version was the best for success doing a direct upgrade from Windows 10 to 11.

That was a success! At first I thought it would not complete the update as it was stuck on 59% for a few hours. I thought about cancelling it and throwing in the towel. Luckily I left it keep going, and after a little more than 4 hours it finally completed! Every little tweak I made carried over perfectly and everything works very well. Super impressed with that program and how easy it was. The whole key was patience.

One thing I did (which was also recommended when doing the upgrade) is when you get asked to download the updates during the install is to select download them later.

Finally got my system to Windows 11, all up to date. Yes, Windows update is also working perfectly.

Buddywh · Sep 25, 2025

BKnight said:
... I wanted to do an update instead of a clean install. ...

I personally feel the registry hack method is the best way if doing it as an update and actually quite easy for someone comfortable with editing the registry. I wonder if Flyby11 simply posts the registry hack for someone who's not comfortable doing it manually.

spapakons · Sep 25, 2025

As mentioned in earlier posts, you must disconnect from the internet during the whole upgrade, because of a hidden online compatibility check making the upgrade fail at about 70-75% before even the first restart! Other precautions are to disconnect any additional disks and leave only the Windows disk connected, to disconnect external devices and disable secondary devices (sound, LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) and finally to disable all startup applications and non-Microsoft services. Needless to say that third-party antivirus, antimalware or firewalls can interfere with the upgrade and so is recommended to at least disable them until next restart or permanently, or even better, uninstall them and reinstall after the upgrade. Also some customization utilities (Open Shell, Start Is Back etc) might cause issues and is best to be uninstalled before the upgrade and reinstalled later. For all of us running Windows 11 24H2, we can use the 25H2 Enablement Package to switch to Windows 11 25H2 without doing a full upgrade, so these precautions are not necessary.

BKnight · Sep 25, 2025

spapakons said:
As mentioned in earlier posts, you must disconnect from the internet during the whole upgrade, because of a hidden online compatibility check making the upgrade fail at about 70-75% before even the first restart! Other precautions are to disconnect any additional disks and leave only the Windows disk connected, to disconnect external devices and disable secondary devices (sound, LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) and finally to disable all startup applications and non-Microsoft services. Needless to say that third-party antivirus, antimalware or firewalls can interfere with the upgrade and so is recommended to at least disable them until next restart or permanently, or even better, uninstall them and reinstall after the upgrade. Also some customization utilities (Open Shell, Start Is Back etc) might cause issues and is best to be uninstalled before the upgrade and reinstalled later. For all of us running Windows 11 24H2, we can use the 25H2 Enablement Package to switch to Windows 11 25H2 without doing a full upgrade, so these precautions are not necessary.

All good advice for sure.

However I did not disconnect from the internet, and let 2 external USB drives plugged in (one 14TB and the other 5TB). Also made no changes software wise on my system. Left everything as it was and the update was successful for me.

garlin · Sep 25, 2025

Buddywh said:
I personally feel the registry hack method is the best way if doing it as an update and actually quite easy for someone comfortable with editing the registry. I wonder if Flyby11 simply posts the registry hack for someone who's not comfortable doing it manually.

FlybyOOBE (formerly Flyby11) is simply running:

Code:

setup /product Server

This hack has been discussed many times before. You can run it by hand from the mounted ISO image.

Buddywh · Sep 25, 2025

garlin said:
FlybyOOBE (formerly Flyby11) is simply running:

Code:

setup /product Server

This hack has been discussed many times before. You can run it by hand from the mounted ISO image.

And I'm not sure I'd like to install Win11 Server. Pro is really more than I need, but have had had some fun with a few of it's features (like the Sandbox even though I don't code).

garlin · Sep 25, 2025

It's a command-line hack to trick Setup into thinking the ISO only has Windows Server, which has no HW restrictions to enforce.
Setup doesn't actually check if your ISO has Server or not.

spapakons · Sep 25, 2025

Buddywh said:
And I'm not sure I'd like to install Win11 Server. Pro is really more than I need, but have had had some fun with a few of it's features (like the Sandbox even though I don't code).

Like I said, simply bypassing compatibility check is not enough. You have at least disconnect from the internet. Also others have posted that Setup has no issues with other MBR disks, but has trouble with other GPT disks. Those are disks larger than 2TB, so I would disconnect those.

PS: This parameter is to TRICK Setup it is installing a Server version of Windows for which doesn't check compatibility. If is actually installing Windows 11 which is in the ISO.

Buddywh · Sep 25, 2025

spapakons said:
....
PS: This parameter is to TRICK Setup it is installing a Server version ...

Ahh, understand now. Thanks.

BKnight · Sep 26, 2025

Buddywh said:
Ahh, understand now. Thanks.

Another nice thing is that it even carried over my Local account.

I too was first confused about the Server version setup process, but in the end you end up installing Windows 11 which is in the ISO, as spapakons mentioned above.

HarleyQuinn · Sep 26, 2025

spapakons said:
At work we still use some old XP and Windows 7 computers. Apart from being rather slow compared to my home PC, the only thing I don't like is that I can't browse all sites with the very old browser versions. Browsers like My Pal and Supermium can browse more sites but are still not compatible with all. In Windows 7 official browser versions stop at 109 and Firefox ESR at 115, still don't browse everything. Thankfully R3DFOX is equal to current Firefox and much faster, so it makes using Windows 7 feel like using Windows 10 or 11.

this is what my mom was facing, she was using win7(untill 2025) and then all browsers stopped supporting had issue opening websites while she read stuff. When i visit she asked me to update because im good with tech. But i was mac user and didnt know anything about windows. When i saw incompatible, the fancy words tpm 2.0 or secure boot ect.. also her old laptop's battery wear level was bad i told mom she needs change laptop, it was time. Got her new i3 hp shes happy. Thing was her old i7 laptop actually functioning all good and we didnt wanna throw away waste in corner. I took it and updated ssd+ram and new battery. Later figured out how to install windows 10 and then 11. It runs pretty smooth and doing such outlaw stuff gives me joy

So when is 25h2 officially out? In microsoft site all i see *(Current release: Windows 11 2024 Update l Version 24H2)*

spapakons · Sep 26, 2025

Good trick to tell your father or other relative/friend he needs to replace the old computer. Then buy him a new cheap one, he barely needs any better anyway, and take his older but better one! I know you didn't do that on purpose, but I did...

Back in the 90's while studying abroad something happened and the computer wouldn't load Windows. My father just bought a new one. When back home I just reinstalled Windows and made it my own.

Buddywh · Sep 26, 2025

BKnight said:
Another nice thing is that it even carried over my Local account.
...

That is totally one of the best reasons for doing an update vs. clean install: it keeps things going that you've been using for years and long since forgot how you set them up or that newer Windows releases have made 10 times more difficult to set up (like local accounts).

spapakons · Sep 26, 2025

That's why I always try to upgrade first and if I cannot, then I clean install Windows. It's not only Windows and Office, there are tens of applications and games to reinstall and reconfigure, let alone the time I need to backup and restore my data. With my limited free time it would take me more than a week. No thanks!

spapakons · Oct 2, 2025

What is the minimum 24H2 build number to use the 25H2 Enablement Package?

I downloaded the 25H2 Enablement Package from here:

How to get the Windows 11 2025 version 25H2 Update

Windows Experience Blog: Windows is essential for more than a billion people to connect, learn, play and work, and today we are announcing the availability of the Windows 11 2025 Update (also known as Windows 11, version 25H2). This year’s annual feature update (version 25H2) will continue the...

www.elevenforum.com

and installed it on a virtual machine that was running Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.4770. I had in mind to run Windows Update and install all updates first, just in case, but I was distracted and just proceed to install the 25H2 Enablement Package. It completed successfully, I restarted and now I have Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.4770 and installing the rest updates. I haven't seen any issues yet, so I was wondering which is the minimum Windows 11 24H2 build that you can use the 25H2 Enablement Package? I hope I won't be missing any updates because I upgraded earlier without installing all available updates in 24H2. If I have any issues I will report them. Thanks.

Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

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