Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

hsehestedt · Oct 4, 2022

SlicEnDicE said:
You don't hack the registry, you reconfigure it. There's a slight difference as these additions to the registry is supported features. We should be a bit careful what words we use.

If we are aiming for technical accuracy, let me throw in yet even more technical detail:

The registry entries used for a clean install WILL NOT in any way alter the registry of Windows. Let me explain....

When you start Windows Setup by booting from your Windows installation media, it is import to realize that you are NOT running Windows. You are at that point running Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment). This is run entirely within a RAM Drive with the drive letter X:. Thus, when you make the registry changes, you are only modifying the instance of Windows PE that resides in RAM. As soon as the first reboot during setup happens, those registry settings are gone forever, but by that point, the job that they were intended to do has already been completed.

I know that this may seem picky, but I like for people to understand what is happening "under the hood".

spapakons · Oct 4, 2022

The keys you change are not there by default, so you add some new keys in Registry with specific values to bypass compatibility check. These modifications affect Windows Setup only, as stated above, not your actual Windows 11 installation. By the work "hack" others understand that you tweak some values, as you actually do, so it is correct. Thanks for trying to correct me, but it wasn't necessary.

SlicEnDicE · Oct 4, 2022

We have completely different views of what hack / hacking means in computer science...but I digress.

spapakons · Oct 4, 2022

Hacking doesn't always mean stealing or destroying of data. It depends on the context.

SlicEnDicE · Oct 4, 2022

Never has it meant neither...

Dirtyflash · Oct 4, 2022

Excuse me if I seem a bit confused, I was under the impression in order to install Windows 11 on an unsupported device was a simple matter of modifying the appraiserres.dll file which then bypassed the hardware requirements? Are some unsupported devices more difficult to install Windows 11 on than others? It's just that I've seen so many different methods mentioned in this thread which I find perplexing.

dbartenstein · Oct 4, 2022

Dirtyflash said:
Excuse me if I seem a bit confused, I was under the impression in order to install Windows 11 on an unsupported device was a simple matter of modifying the appraiserres.dll file which then bypassed the hardware requirements? Are some unsupported devices more difficult to install Windows 11 on than others? It's just that I've seen so many different methods mentioned in this thread which I find perplexing.

I've used that method before, but I find using the Rufus utility to create a USB with all the right settings on it is even easier.

pietcorus2 · Oct 4, 2022

Still no solution for these discusting event id=1108 !
Is it coz Im not "compatible " ?
Some people in these forums are not seeing these errors id=1108 in there eventviewer ..............???
Never seen this before , started after the upgrade !

WAI · Oct 4, 2022

Looking through but this is an issue since Vista but I would not worry about it? LINK

spapakons · Oct 4, 2022

It depends on if you upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 or you do a clean installation (format). In the first case you need to replace the appraiserres.dll file or use a patched USB drive created with Rufus. The same if you upgrade from an old Windows 11 version (such as 21H2) to a new version (such as 22H2).

If you do a clean installation (format), then you need to modify the Registry of the installation environment (not the Registry of the final Windows 11 system). This can be done by either manually modifying the appropriate keys or using a script to automatically change the keys. Another option is to use a patched USB drive created with Rufus. An even easier option is to use a hybrid Windows 10/11 USB drive that uses the Windows 10 installer to install Windows 11. The disadvantage of the hybrid USB is that it cannot be used for upgrade from Windows 10 or to reinstall the same version to repair any issues (in-place upgrade).

Dirtyflash · Oct 4, 2022

spapakons said:
It depends on if you upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 or you do a clean installation (format). In the first case you need to replace the appraiserres.dll file or use a patched USB drive created with Rufus. The same if you upgrade from an old Windows 11 version (such as 21H2) to a new version (such as 22H2).

If you do a clean installation (format), then you need to modify the Registry of the installation environment (not the Registry of the final Windows 11 system). This can be done by either manually modifying the appropriate keys or using a script to automatically change the keys. Another option is to use a patched USB drive created with Rufus. An even easier option is to use a hybrid Windows 10/11 USB drive that uses the Windows 10 installer to install Windows 11. The disadvantage of the hybrid USB is that it cannot be used for upgrade from Windows 10 or to reinstall the same version to repair any issues (in-place upgrade).

Very interesting post. My recent experience with a clean install on an unsupported cpu with a USB drive that had a modified appraiserres.dll file proceeded without a hitch. It's why I'm trying to understand if different unsupported devices behave differently when clean installing. The device in question get offered an invitation to join the Windows Insiders Progran with a notation " Your PC does not meet the minimum hardware requirements recommended for Windows 11, and there may be issues and bugs that impact your experience."

spapakons · Oct 4, 2022

If I am correct, trying to join the Insider's checks your hardware and doesn't allow you to proceed with an unsupported computer. One workaround (I guess, haven't tested) is to manually download an Insider's ISO and bypass compatibility check to upgrade or do a clean installation.

enite · Oct 10, 2022

Hello guys and girls, I let you the little update about my situation.
So, unfortunately the "MSConfig fix" and the "update drivers" part not resolve the problem. I will try the VM way this weekend and if it not work, I think I will transfert my ssd on the supported computer of my gf, upgrade to 22h2 with it and put it back on my computer. Not the easiest way but the pragmatic one :/
Thanks for your help guys, I kept you posted, best regards.

junglee · Oct 11, 2022

The Insider updates are coming like clockwork every Wednesday. Today I got Windows 11 Home Version 22H2 (10.0.22623.741)

Bree · Oct 11, 2022

junglee said:
The Insider updates are coming like clockwork every Wednesday. Today I got Windows 11 Home Version 22H2 (10.0.22623.741)

It was actually released on Monday 10th, and I got it then by clicking on Check for updates. If you wait or Windows Update to check automatically then it could be up to 24 hours later before you see it offered.

KB5018503 Windows 11 Insider Beta Build 22621.741 and 22623.741 - Oct. 10

UPDATE 10/13: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/kb5018490-windows-11-insider-beta-build-22621-746-and-22623-746-oct-13.9706/ Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22621.741 and Build 22623.741 (KB5018503) to the Beta Channel. Build 22623.741 = New...

www.elevenforum.com

spapakons · Oct 11, 2022

Success story: I upgraded my test laptop (see my 1st system specs) from 21H2 to 22H2. My first attempt failed because I was at work controlling the laptop via AnyDesk. I disabled all non-Microsoft services and startup applications, and also the Windows Defender. Obviously I could not disconnect from the internet or I would lose access to the laptop, so I mounted the ISO, started Setup and replaced the file with an empty dummy. A little later upgrade failed. Even though I selected to disable Windows Update during installation, I bet it tried to update something or checked compatibility online, that's why it failed.

I waited to return home and tried again, this time disconnected from the internet. Guess what, it succeeded! So to make sure you will have a successful upgrade on an unsupported computer, make sure you do it disconnected from the internet!

Bree · Oct 11, 2022

spapakons said:
So to make sure you will have a successful upgrade on an unsupported computer, make sure you do it disconnected from the internet!

Yes, I have found that to be a key requirement too.

hsehestedt · Oct 11, 2022

spapakons said:
Success story: I upgraded my test laptop (see my 1st system specs) from 21H2 to 22H2. My first attempt failed because I was at work controlling the laptop via AnyDesk. I disabled all non-Microsoft services and startup applications, and also the Windows Defender. Obviously I could not disconnect from the internet or I would lose access to the laptop, so I mounted the ISO, started Setup and replaced the file with an empty dummy. A little later upgrade failed. Even though I selected to disable Windows Update during installation, I bet it tried to update something or checked compatibility online, that's why it failed.

I waited to return home and tried again, this time disconnected from the internet. Guess what, it succeeded! So to make sure you will have a successful upgrade on an unsupported computer, make sure you do it disconnected from the internet!

Good info. Thanks for sharing that.

spapakons · Oct 11, 2022

Regarding my test laptop upgrade to 22H2, as with all upgrades any customizations were lost, both custom system icons and the custom Intel Mobile 4 family graphics drivers (aka GMA 4500). I had to reinstall the custom drivers again and then use the Windows Update Show/Hide Tool to hide (block) the generic Intel drivers update. I also had to redo all customizations in the user interface. Explorer Patcher had a bug (hanged and forced Explorer to restart when I right-click on the taskbar) but it was fixed after updating both Open Shell and Explorer Patcher to the latest versions.

I saw some changes in the user interface. The most annoying is the absence of Disk Cleanup in the Disk Properties. I had to search for it to use it! Why? Is there any way to put it back? Thanks.

spapakons · Oct 13, 2022

Another case of an unsupported computer that could not upgrade from Windows 11 21H2 to 22H2 while connected to the internet. Once disconnected from the internet it upgraded successfully, so make sure you are disconnected from the internet before trying to upgrade. It is my father's Pentium Gxxxx desktop computer, Legacy BIOS installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot.