Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

Hazel123 · Oct 19, 2021

A question - is it legal to install on unsupported hardware? Microsoft software licence terms say - under 2. Installation and Use rights

c. Restrictions . For the avoidance of doubt, this licence does not give you any right to ….

iv work around any technical restrictions or limitations in the software

jaree1961 · Oct 19, 2021

Hazel123 said:
A question - is it legal to install on unsupported hardware? Microsoft software licence terms say - under 2. Installation and Use rights

c. Restrictions . For the avoidance of doubt, this licence does not give you any right to ….

iv work around any technical restrictions or limitations in the software

Now that is a GOOD question?????
But even Microsoft have acknowledged how you can install on incompatible systems, and all they have done is publish a "disclaimer"
Installing Windows 11 on devices that don't meet 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."

So like you @Hazel123, I think that is a bloody good question

Bree · Oct 19, 2021

Hazel123 said:
A question - is it legal to install on unsupported hardware? …. iv work around any technical restrictions or limitations in the software

If Microsoft wanted to say that it was illegal then they would not have stated that you can do so, but it's not recommended. Nor would they have published the registry hacks to enable you to so.

This statement is effectively a codicil to the EULA that absolves them from any blame should you do so....

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

Hazel123 · Oct 19, 2021

I guess it’s one thing to install it on your own machine at home, and another thing to install it on old laptops and sell them! Shame as I have a netbook I’d like to sell and it runs much better on 11!

Hazel123 · Oct 19, 2021

Posted at the same time Bree. Good point - if they’ve published the registry hacks. In that case the wording “work around any technical restrictions or limitations in the software” could mean different things. The software being the operating system itself or install requirements added to the os. Ie it could be vague and ambiguous although I wouldn’t want to argue it in a court of law lol.

But seems they have been contradictory putting that in the licence terms and publicly saying “not recommended but here’s how to do it “. Or did they actually say that?! Or was it the media misquoting? Lol.

BunnyJ · Oct 19, 2021

Hazel123 said:
A question - is it legal to install on unsupported hardware? Microsoft software licence terms say - under 2. Installation and Use rights

c. Restrictions . For the avoidance of doubt, this licence does not give you any right to ….

iv work around any technical restrictions or limitations in the software

Interesting.. you now ask that?
No.. it's not illegal but MS doesn't have to provide support.

Bree · Oct 19, 2021

Hazel123 said:
....publicly saying “not recommended but here’s how to do it “. Or did they actually say that?! Or was it the media misquoting?

No. the quote is accurate and taken from here:

Microsoft said:
Microsoft recommends against installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet the Windows 11 minimum system requirements. If you choose to install Windows 11 on a device that does not meet these requirements, and you acknowledge and understand the risks, you can create the following registry key values and bypass the check for TPM 2.0 (at least TPM 1.2 is required) and the CPU family and model.....

Ways to install Windows 11

Hazel123 · Oct 19, 2021

BunnyJ said:
Interesting.. you now ask that?
No.. it's not illegal but MS doesn't have to provide supporton.

Only just read the licence terms when installing :)

Hazel123 · Oct 19, 2021

Thanks Bree. They should put that in the licence terms then!

BunnyJ · Oct 19, 2021

Hazel123 said:
Only just read the licence terms when installing :)

And did you read them before you installed 11?

Hazel123 · Oct 19, 2021

So in that case no reason why I can't sell a netbook with Windows 11 on. Proving I say - don't know if it'll continue to be supported so you may have to reinstall Windows 10.

Hazel123 · Oct 19, 2021

BunnyJ said:
And did you read them before you installed 11?

Nope. Not the first time. On the third occasion, yes - lol. I am in the habit of installing Windows 10 which I know is legal and just ticking the box and continuing. So just decided to stop and read.

BunnyJ · Oct 19, 2021

Hazel123 said:
So in that case no reason why I can't sell a netbook with Windows 11 on. Proving I say - don't know if it'll continue to be supported so you may have to reinstall Windows 10.

Why not.. you can install 11 on a toaster and sell it. But I wouldn't provide any guarantee on the device.. it's an as is sale. Oh and I doubt MS will provide support.. don't forget to include that in the contract

BunnyJ · Oct 19, 2021

Hazel123 said:
Nope. Not the first time. On the third occasion, yes - lol. I am in the habit of installing Windows 10 which I know is legal and just ticking the box and continuing. So just decided to stop and read.

Now you know. :thumbsup:

Bree · Oct 19, 2021

Hazel123 said:
Only just read the licence terms when installing :)

Sometimes it pays (quite literally) to read the EULA carefully....

PC Pitstop, a computer maintenance tool, created perhaps one of the most well-known funny contract agreements of all time. In 2005, the company added the following "special consideration" clause to its EULA [sic]:

A special consideration which may include financial compensation will be awarded to a limited number of authorize licensee to read this section of the license agreement and contact PC Pitstop at consideration@pcpitstop.com. This offer can be withdrawn at any time.

Click to expand...

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-ridiculous-eula-clauses-agreed/

Hazel123 · Oct 19, 2021

Thanks Bree :) . So did anyone else read it when first installing Windows 11? :wink:

. Even online install instructions say - tick the box, click next ...

BunnyJ · Oct 19, 2021

Hazel123 said:
Thanks Bree :) . So did anyone else read it when first installing Windows 11? . Even online install instructions say - tick the box, click next ...

When I installed it I had a compliant device so I knew I would be ok.

Hazel123 · Oct 19, 2021

Anyway I have just installed it on another netbook. Same Intel Atom N450 processor, same graphics driver needed GMA 3150. But this time screen looks fine, not stretched, despite only having the microsoft basic display adapter installed. I wonder why. Same size screen too - 10".

iko22 · Oct 19, 2021

Hazel123 said:
A question - is it legal to install on unsupported hardware? Microsoft software licence terms say - under 2. Installation and Use rights

c. Restrictions . For the avoidance of doubt, this licence does not give you any right to ….

iv work around any technical restrictions or limitations in the software

Perhaps this Wikipedia article answers your question. According to the Wikipedia article "A technical limitation is an inability of either computer software or hardware to achieve some functionality. For example, due to technical limitation, normal 32-bit computer operating systems have a 4 GiB limit on addressable memory.
A technical limitation of a software usually refers to what the defined system is unable to do as of its present state. The technical limitation of software usually serve as recommendations for improvements on upcoming systems."
So, a technical limitation would be you cannot upgrade a 32-bit Windows to a 64-bit Windows, you have to Clean Install, or you cannot install W11 on 32-bit hardware because w11 is only available as a 64-bit OS.
My interpretation also is that you can run W11 on unsupported hardware because the licenced software in its present state can allow you to make that tweak.
"The technical limitation of software usually serve as recommendations for improvements on upcoming systems" seems to suggest that the technical limitation of todays software is then a feature of tomorrows software.
Remember that one of the limitations of software is that it corrupts if it is not handled correctly. So I guess this term protects the manufacturer against such similar eventuality.