Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

wordsworth · Oct 17, 2021

StormHelm said:
Greetings to all from a new member,, I have read posts and I also have i7/7700k besides TPM 2.0 and UEFI etc,, I installed win 11 on an SSD I reserve for testing on 10 Oct and I have had absolutely NO issues and have received Cumulative updates for this month plus security updates for Defender ..
I checked the update catalogue page and sure enough,, what I received and yes,, it can be used as backup in case..
Hopefully Microsoft blinked??

Welcome to elevenforums StormHelm.

I don't think Microsoft blinked but rather they knew along what they were going to do and the firestorm that would ensue. I expect that when they had discussions on all of this, perhaps a year ago who knows, they decided they'd put a registry hack out there for those who were determined to have at it, and they relied on the lawyers to cover the legalities which is why if using the MS supplied registry hack you click on an acknowledgment to do so; that and the few statements MS has released on the subject is indicative of the hand of the lawyers.

I fully expect that sometime down the road (22H1, 23H1) Microsoft will release a Win 11 build that will not run on a CPU older than the eighth generation they have specified, or run less stable as MS has indicated and we'll just need to deal with that. Until then I'll enjoy running Win 11 on my unsupported 6th gen CPU.

Congrats on installing Win 11 on your 7th gen BTW. :)

Hazel123 · Oct 17, 2021

wordsworth said:
Welcome to elevenforums StormHelm.

I don't think Microsoft blinked but rather they knew along what they were going to do and the firestorm that would ensue. I expect that when they had discussions on all of this, perhaps a year ago who knows, they decided they'd put a registry hack out there for those who were determined to have at it, and they relied on the lawyers to cover the legalities which is why if using the MS supplied registry hack you click on an acknowledgment to do so; that and the few statements MS has released on the subject is indicative of the hand of the lawyers.

I fully expect that sometime down the road (22H1, 23H1) Microsoft will release a Win 11 build that will not run on a CPU older than the eighth generation they have specified, or run less stable as MS has indicated and we'll just need to deal with that. Until then I'll enjoy running Win 11 on my unsupported 6th gen CPU.

Congrats on installing Win 11 on your 7th gen BTW. :)

I think you're right. When Windows 10 came out MS had the motivation to have everyone upgrade and get off Windows 7. Windows 7 was just too popular (and getting difficult to support). This time they have the motivation to get everyone to buy a new computer - now they've got used to Windows 10 as the standard OS.

So yes maybe by the next couple of feature updates it will be a case of - this machine will no longer be supported. Mind you I ran XP with updates turn off for over a year - it was still supported but I had no room on my mini ssd drive for any more updates! Just used antivirus - and never had a virus.

dany00711 · Oct 17, 2021

i think y can also install on 1gb ram

Bree · Oct 17, 2021

StormHelm said:
I also have i7/7700k besides TPM 2.0 and UEFI etc,, I installed win 11 on an SSD I reserve for testing on 10 Oct and I have had absolutely NO issues....
Hopefully Microsoft blinked??

Welcome to Eleven Forum StormHelm

As you can see reading back through this thread, once it has installed 11 runs well and gets all the updates on almost any machine, no matter how far below spec it is. A PC with a legacy bios, no secure boot or TPM, minimal RAM and a 1st gen Intel processor may take a few workaround to get it to install, but will run fine.

No, Microsoft haven't blinked, but they will allow an unsupported install, and may not need any workarounds for a PC such as yours that meets all the requirements except that the processor is a generation too old. The risks are likely to be low, after all you do have the required TPM 2.0 and UEFI security. However, Microsoft will not provide support should you have problems, and they reserve the right to withhold updates. This is probably more of a legal disclaimer than an actual threat to do so, but should not be ignored.

Microsoft said:
The following disclaimer applies if you install Windows 11 on a device that doesn't meet the minimum system requirements:

This PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements for running Windows 11 - these requirements help ensure a more reliable and higher quality experience. Installing Windows 11 on this PC is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates. Damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren't covered under the manufacturer warranty.

Installing Windows 11 on devices that don't meet minimum system requirements - Microsoft Support

Learn what to do when you see a warning message that your device does not meet Windows 11 minimum system requirements to upgrade.

support.microsoft.com

KCMichaelB · Oct 17, 2021

I installed Win 11 on my Lenovo desktop - 4th gen i5-4570, TPM 1.2(see My Computer for specs) on Friday and have had no issues so far. Prior to the install I created a system image and backed up personal data. Curious to see if any one with similar specs has had any issues that may have installed Win 11 at an earlier time.

dany00711 · Oct 17, 2021

system is stable and faster than 10 but nothing new. Games works ok dx12 too

spapakons · Oct 17, 2021

I have a third generation Intel Core-i7 CPU, I have UEFI and Secure Boot but no TPM at all. For more details see my specs on www.tenforums.com I plan to install a spare SSD, clone my current Windows 10 installation (legacy BIOS, Secure Boot disabled) and then upgrade to Windows 11. I will have the chance to test Windows 11 on my everyday computing and let you know. In the meantime I installed Windows 11 on my Vista era Acer laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, no UEFI, no Secure Boot, no TPM). See my specs. Read my previous posts for details.

dany00711 · Oct 17, 2021

for normal using not need secure boot also this stupid tpm.

spapakons · Oct 17, 2021

You don't need UEFI either. I prefer legacy BIOS to format the disk as MBR. This creates fewer partitions compared to UEFI GPT and saves precious space on SSD disks. That said I have seen some cases that installing Windows 10 on MBR is not supported by an M.2 SSD, only UEFI GPT alloes you to proceed. SATA 2.5" SSDs don't have this restriction.

ThrashZone · Oct 17, 2021

Bree said:
Welcome to Eleven Forum StormHelm

As you can see reading back through this thread, once it has installed 11 runs well and gets all the updates on almost any machine, no matter how far below spec it is. A PC with a legacy bios, no secure boot or TPM, minimal RAM and a 1st gen Intel processor may take a few workaround to get it to install, but will run fine.

No, Microsoft haven't blinked, but they will allow an unsupported install, and may not need any workarounds for a PC such as yours that meets all the requirements except that the processor is a generation too old. The risks are likely to be low, after all you do have the required TPM 2.0 and UEFI security. However, Microsoft will not provide support should you have problems, and they reserve the right to withhold updates. This is probably more of a legal disclaimer than an actual threat to do so, but should not be ignored.

Installing Windows 11 on devices that don't meet minimum system requirements - Microsoft Support

Learn what to do when you see a warning message that your device does not meet Windows 11 minimum system requirements to upgrade.

support.microsoft.com

Hi,
Yeah any manufacture warranty would of ran out already lol
Beside what physical damage can win-11 actually do beside bitlocker encrypt a disk or kick you off win-11

spapakons said:
You don't need UEFI either. I prefer legacy BIOS to format the disk as MBR. This creates fewer partitions compared to UEFI GPT and saves precious space on SSD disks. That said I have seen some cases that installing Windows 10 on MBR is not supported by an M.2 SSD, only UEFI GPT alloes you to proceed. SATA 2.5" SSDs don't have this restriction.

Pretty easy to restore a system image to a m.2 I've done it many times.
Just did 11 from an m.2 to a 2.5" sata too
I do mbr as well if gpt were important hdd's & ssd's would already be gpt and they are not.

mccnavy · Oct 17, 2021

For those that have done this in the past, what is the best resource to see when Microsoft releases updates that can be downloaded manually. Basically, if MS decides to cut off Windows Update for unsupported hardware, is there a good way to see when they are releasing those updates? My assumption would be, if you know the KBXXXXX code, you can search on Microsoft Update Catalog and download it that way? Just curious. Thanks.

spapakons · Oct 17, 2021

Apart from Microsoft Update Catalog (which I guess you can search by date), there is also UUP dump, see this link:

windows 11 - Browse known builds

windows 11 - Browse known builds on UUP dump. UUP dump lets you download Unified Update Platform files, like Windows Insider updates, directly from Windows Update.

uupdump.net

Bree · Oct 17, 2021

mccnavy said:
what is the best resource to see when Microsoft releases updates that can be downloaded manually. Basically, if MS decides to cut off Windows Update for unsupported hardware, is there a good way to see when they are releasing those updates?

Eleven Forum is your best resource. When any new cumulative update is released Brink posts a News item for it, and always includes the direct download links from the update catalog. See this one from Patch Tuesday, for example. The download links are at the bottom of the article.

KB5006674 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Build 22000.258 - Oct. 12

UPDATE 10/21: KB5006746 Windows 11 Cumulative Update Preview Build 22000.282 - Oct. 21 October 12, 2021 - KB5006674 (OS Build 22000.258) For information about Windows update terminology, see the article about the types of Windows updates and the monthly quality update types. For an overview...

www.elevenforum.com

Wisewiz · Oct 17, 2021

mccnavy said:
For those that have done this in the past, what is the best resource to see when Microsoft releases updates that can be downloaded manually.

What Bree said.
I have 11 on one fully compliant and on one not (yet) compliant, and for the non-compliant, if MS stops offering updates, I'm counting on 11 Forum > Windows News (and Brink, of course) to keep me up to date on what there is and where to get it. I really don't think updates are going to be a problem for tech-savvy users, and it's moot for non-tech-savvy users, because they won't be running 11 on non-compliant machines.

spapakons · Oct 17, 2021

Let's hope Microsoft won't block updates, because even when downloaded from Microsoft Update Catalog or elsewhere, they may not install on incompliant systems.

dany00711 · Oct 18, 2021

i have GPT dont know why but i have one ssd and one hdd

dany00711 · Oct 18, 2021

uup dump works also microsoft update catalog still

spapakons · Oct 18, 2021

In theory all updates work except when checking compatibility. So far only upgrades to the next build check, all others just install. But I have seen some Windows 10 updates intended for older builds that display an error and do not install on newer builds, Accordingly, Microsoft could check and block updates for non-compliant systems. Hopefully they never bother to do that.

Hazel123 · Oct 18, 2021

Interested to know if anyone else has noticed a difference between the legacy bios Windows 11 install and the GPT install (either using rufus or any other work around). I used rufus to make two usb sticks - one for legacy bios, one for uefi. The legacy bios version I installed on a netbook and amazingly it runs really well. I was complaining about a lack of colour and then realised this was only on the netbook (not the unsupported laptop with uefi). For example if choosing a theme in light mode - this gives colour to the taskbar and start menu on the uefi laptop. But on the netbook everything stays light/grey. Also in paint there is no colour for icons on the netbook. Now obviously the netbook is unsupported! The install works amazingly well in usage - with only 2gb ram. So either the legacy bios install has something else removed, or the graphics driver can't handle what's installed.