Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

Is this still working on the latest ISOs, or is Rufus the best option now

setup.exe /product server

Stigg said:

Is this still working on the latest ISOs, or is Rufus the best option now

setup.exe /product server

https://twitter.com/x/status/1710915255465873560

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Yes, I used that fix twice during the past month.

Stigg said:

Is this still working on the latest ISOs, or is Rufus the best option now

setup.exe /product server

https://twitter.com/x/status/1710915255465873560

Click to expand...

How can I get the windows 11 upgrade link.

jerrypc1 said:

How can I get the windows 11 upgrade link.

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Simply download latest official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft, mount it (open with File Explorer) and run the above command.

spapakons said:

Simply download latest official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft, mount it (open with File Explorer) and run the above command.

Download Windows 11

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Hi,

I understand that this is the best and easiest approach for forcing the update on unsupported machines, am I correct?

Also, by doing this, will I still receive system, security, and Windows 11 version updates?

Thanks in advance,

Abscondere said:

Hi,

I understand that this is the best and easiest approach for forcing the update on unsupported machines, am I correct?

Also, by doing this, will I still receive system, security, and Windows 11 version updates?

Thanks in advance,

Click to expand...

Welcome to Eleven Forum.

Windows 11 on an unsupported device will receive through Windows Update all the same Cumulative, System, and Security updates as a supported device would.

The only thing Windows Update will not offer is a Feature Update to the next version. For that a manual in-place upgrade using an ISO and a workaround would be required. Note that some Feature Updates have been by Enablement Package, for those you can download the small Enablement Package (you'll find it in the News section on this site) and install it yourself - no workaround needed, it doesn't check.

This is from Gemini, is it accurate?

For most users, the Windows 11 26H2 update (slated for late 2026) will not require a complete reinstall.

Because 26H2 is based on the same "Germanium" platform as versions 24H2 and 25H2, it is expected to arrive as a small enablement package. This means the update acts more like a "master switch" that turns on new features already sitting dormant on your drive, rather than a full operating system swap.

Summary of 26H2 Requirements​

Feature	Requirement
Install Type	Enablement Package (Fast update)
Base Version	Must be on 24H2 or 25H2
Hardware	No new major requirements for standard features

HTA said:

This is from Gemini, is it accurate?

For most users, the Windows 11 26H2 update (slated for late 2026) will not require a complete reinstall.

Because 26H2 is based on the same "Germanium" platform as versions 24H2 and 25H2, it is expected to arrive as a small enablement package. This means the update acts more like a "master switch" that turns on new features already sitting dormant on your drive, rather than a full operating system swap.

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We have no definitive statement from Microsoft yet, but rumour is that that's true. Phantomofearth has proved to be a reliable indicator in the past.


Zac Bowden is a reliable source too.

Zac Bowden said:

The next version update offered to existing Windows 11 PCs on 25H2 or older will be 26H2, based on Germanium.

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@HTA the 26300 build is currently available in the Insider Dev Channel. In Winver it's still masquerading as 25H2, but in 'Uninstall updates' a 26H2 enablement package can clearly be seen. That's about as conclusive proof as you can get.....

@Bree Thanks. That's good news.

If 26H2 can be installed by an Enablement Package over 25H2, then this is perfect news. Every computer that can be forced to run Windows 11 24H2 will also run 26H2. This is at least 1st generation Intel Core-i3 or equivalent AMD, anything with SSE4.2 instructions. Check your CPU with CPU-Z to confirm.

Just a reminder, the upcoming version is 26H2. The version 26H1 is a modified 25H2 version to support specific hardware. You won't see any difference in performance or compatibility if you install it in any other computer instead of the standard 25H2 version. It receives exactly the same updates as 25H2 and has the same issues. You won't miss anything staying with 25H2, you won't fix anything with 26H1.

how do i get win11 onto this machine? win 10 ltsc is running great and win11 23h2 is no option because support ends soon, so what do i do?

Django said:

how do i get win11 onto this machine? win 10 ltsc is running great and win11 23h2 is no option because support ends soon, so what do i do?

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Unfortunately your Core 2 Quad Q6600 does not have the SSE4.2 instruction set required to run 24H2 and above. Either stick with Win10 LTSC or try Linux.

Yes, your valid Windows options are Windows 10 22H2 64-bit or Windows 11 23H2 and keep Windows Defender or third-party antivirus updated. If you stay in Windows 10 22H2 you can enroll with ESU (Extended Security Updates) and have one more year of protection. Older ESU for Windows 7 was 3 years, so you might be lucky and Microsoft extends Windows 10 ESU to 3 years as well, getting you protection until October 2028. However, as I have said in other threads, you don't need official Microsoft protection to stay secure. Just keep Windows Defender or third-party antivirus updated and watch each popup message, don't just click OK to get rid of it. If unsure better click Cancel instead.

I would think twice before wiping Windows to install Linux because of limited software and hardware compatibility and less easy to use. However, if you insist installing a different OS, apart from Linux, a very light OS is Android for x86. Yes there a special version for computers with Intel or AMD CPUs. This has no drivers to download, if it works fine. If something doesn't work there is no driver to make it work. But, it is as easy as using an Android tablet and you get access to all these games and apps in Google Play Store. Tip: If built-in Wi-Fi doesn't work, try a wireless USB dongle. Also the ethernet might work, but not convenient for a laptop. Similar for the camera or Bluetooth. Replace them with USB devices, if necessary. These usually work with the built-in drivers. Also if a x64 Android version doesn't work try the respective x86 (32-bit) version or an earlier version.

spapakons said:

If you stay in Windows 10 22H2 you can enroll with ESU (Extended Security Updates) and have one more year of protection.

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@Django says they have LTSC. Windows 10 LTSC 2021 is in mainstream support until Jan 12, 2027.
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 - Microsoft Lifecycle

spapakons said:

Older ESU for Windows 7 was 3 years, so you might be lucky and Microsoft extends Windows 10 ESU to 3 years as well, getting you protection until October 2028.

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Win7 ESU was only ever available through volume licencing for organisations and businesses. The one year Win11 ESU for consumers is the first time MS have ever made ESU available to all.

As was the case with Win7, there are three years of ESU available to volume licencing customers - at a price that doubles each year!

Microsoft said:

Extended Security Updates for organizations and businesses on Windows 10 can be purchased today through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Program, at $61 USD per device for Year One.... The price doubles every consecutive year, for a maximum of three years.

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Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10

I think it's unlikely MS will change their mind and offer years 2 & 3 to consumers.

The Linux question always depends on what you use your pc for and as support ends only older software will run anyway ...
Internet watch a movie writing a letter all easy on Linux editing photos takes a little of adapting and learning.....
People still have this egg heads run Linux idea
Try it on a live usb you can see if your hardware is detected... If not then you can look elsewhere and you have lost nothing..

Windows is not without it's quirks and lately I have found it a pain but I like my toys and stick with it

Might as well stay on Windows 10 LTSC until 2027 - but that's only a year or so. Gives you time to think about upgrading the computer maybe? If you don't want to do that, and want to try Linux - then the latest Kubuntu version is, IMO, the nearest you'll get to something usable out of the box and intuitive and reliable. If you can cope with all the program names beginning with K (eg Konsole). It's quite good but not a replacement for Windows IMO. There are alternatives to Windows programs unless you do a lot of photo editing.

You can still run Windows 11 on any other older computer as long as it has SSE4.2 - so you don't have to buy something new and expensive. You could do with a ram upgrade anyway. 16gb is about the base these days.

Or you can just keep Windows Defender updated and keep using Windows 10 or Windows 11 23H2. You won't miss a thing. By the time these versions are too old that no modern apps work on them (in simple terms they get as old as Windows XP) you would have gained many years of life time for your old computer. By then it would be more worthwhile to replace. You will also get a much faster PC for the same money you can get today.

Im looking at updating my windows 10 pro machine with a Flash USB created with rufus and windows 11 pro 24h2 iso I do have GPT + secure boot but only TPM 1.2 so that TPM 2 is being bypassed with rufus. This PC may not get feature updates but it will get security updates. It seams a good path to go VRS going the route of paying for the ESU each year. ? I plan to clone my OS SSD to a spar ssd drive and do it on that cloned drive - in case this update fails