Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

starchase · Oct 11, 2023

Bree said:
FWIW, the appraserres trick still works for today's Dev build release. So far the only build that the old methods don't work for is the current Canary build.

It also still works if:

To get version 23H2 right now, go to Microsoft's link, the standard download page, go to "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" and download the file from there, being careful to select the ISO, not the option for use with a USB drive. You will then get an ISO called Windows.iso. Then do this:

1. create a folder on your desktop and name it anything you want, the name is irrelevant. Copy the ISO to this folder as you can't mount it until you copy it and work with the copy.

2. when it is done copying open the folder. Go to the Sources folder and you want to replace the appraiserres.dll file.

3. to create the file open any Notepad type program and I just type a few characters in a file and save it as appraiserres.dll (make sure it doesn't have a .txt extension added). Then replace the existing file in Sources with this new one.

4. finally, run the Setup.exe file and you are on your way to an In-place Upgrade keeping your existing programs and settings.

Easy peasy.

John

Bree · Oct 11, 2023

starchase said:
To get version 23H2 right now, go to Microsoft's link, the standard download page, go to "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" and download the file from there, being careful to select the ISO, not the option for use with a USB drive. You will then get an ISO called Windows.iso.

The ISO I see to download from there is not 23H2. The download link says that it is an ISO called Win11_22H2_EnglishInternational_x64v2.iso.

I downloaded that one on 25th May and its hash code matches the current one in the 'verify' table on that download page, confirming that it 's still the same ISO that was released over five months ago.

Stigg · Oct 11, 2023

Bree said:
The ISO I see to download from there is not 23H2. The download link says that it is an ISO called Win11_22H2_EnglishInternational_x64v2.iso

Even using the Media Creating Tool, it downloads Windows 11 Version 22H2 Build 22621.1702.

WAI · Oct 11, 2023

I downloaded the build from UUPDUMP. CN Working Fine on my 775 build. I have MBR and UEFI in my SIGNATURE

Bree · Oct 11, 2023

Stigg said:
Even using the Media Creating Tool, it downloads Windows 11 Version 22H2 Build 22621.1702.

The current ISO from Microsoft's download page has the folowing SHA256 hash.

So does the one I downloaded five months ago. They're the same ISO.

starchase · Oct 11, 2023

Bree said:
The ISO I see to download from there is not 23H2. The download link says that it is an ISO called Win11_22H2_EnglishInternational_x64v2.iso.

I downloaded that one on 25th May and its hash code matches the current one in the 'verify' table on that download page, confirming that it 's still the same ISO that was released over five months ago.

No, if you are at Download Windows 11 and choose crreate media creation tool

and click Download Now, this will download the mediacreationtool.exe which if you run this Windows setup will begin to allow you to make a USB key or an ISO:

and so, selecting the ISO option and clicking Next you get to downoad an ISO file named Windows.iso:

I just did it.

So when I went this route yesterday and used the iso to perform an in place upgrade what installed was Windows 11 version 23h2.

see my post # 24 here: Does this look Right How to Download and Install the Windows 11 23H2 Update

I must add that there is a discrepancy in Windows reporting the versions, see my post #22 here:
Does this look Right How to Download and Install the Windows 11 23H2 Update
John

hsehestedt · Oct 11, 2023

starchase said:
No, if you are at Download Windows 11 and choose crreate media creation tool
View attachment 73912
and click Download Now, this will download the mediacreationtool.exe which if you run this Windows setup will begin to allow you to make a USB key or an ISO:
View attachment 73913

and so, selecting the ISO option and clicking Next you get to downoad an ISO file named Windows.iso:
View attachment 73914

I just did it.

So when I went this route yesterday and used the iso to perform an in place upgrade what installed was Windows 11 version 23h2.

see my post # 24 here: Does this look Right How to Download and Install the Windows 11 23H2 Update

I must add that there is a discrepancy in Windows reporting the versions, see my post #22 here:
Does this look Right How to Download and Install the Windows 11 23H2 Update
John

I'm not buying it. When I do the exact same steps and I actually run a DISM command to get the WIM Info it is still the same old build 1702 that it has been for months. Build 1702 is the May 9, 2023 update.

Have yopu actually examined the ISO image and retrieved the build number?

Whackbag · Oct 11, 2023

25967.1000.Gallium-X64-EN-US-XXL-SUPER-MULTI.ISO
SHA-256 : b416925a3eead5195c1afc597e0dbaabb77fef92a78c07ca754641b494c1ac9d

Bree · Oct 11, 2023

starchase said:
click Download Now, this will download the mediacreationtool.exe which if you run this Windows setup will begin to allow you to make a USB key or an ISO....
....and so, selecting the ISO option and clicking Next you get to downoad an ISO file named Windows.iso

We all know how to make ISOs, the question is 'what's in it?'

hsehestedt said:
I'm not buying it. When I do the exact same steps and I actually run a DISM command to get the WIM Info it is still the same old build 1702 that it has been for months. Build 1702 is the May 9, 2023 update.

Have you actually examined the ISO image and retrieved the build number?

You don't even need to go as far as making the ISO to find out. Just run the MCT as far as the licence agreement, then open C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\products.xml to see the build it will make.

The ISO you use for the in-place upgrade is not what's making it become 23H2, but it may be an update it downloads during the install that does. I'll have to test this. You have a choice when updating whether to check for updated or not.....

...I'll try it both ways in a VM and report back.

Edit:

This is what you get if you don't let Setup check for update, 22H2 build, exactly what's on the ISO.

If you let Setup check for updates it spends a long time downloading them.....

...and this is what gets installed - 23H2 build 22631.2428.

23H2 is installed by a small Enablement package. It looks like MS have already put it of the update servers, ready for the launch, but not yet marked it as available for Windows Update to offer the upgrade to RTM machines. Seems that an in-place upgrade bypasses that block, finds it when checking for updates and installs it. Whether this is intentional or an oversight of the part of MS is unclear.

starchase · Oct 11, 2023

Bree said:
We all know how to make ISOs, the question is 'what's in it?'

You don't even need to go as far as making the ISO to find out. Just run the MCT as far as the licence agreement, then open C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\products.xml to see the build it will make.

View attachment 73916

The ISO you use for the in-place upgrade is not what's making it become 23H2, but it may be an update it downloads during the install that does. I'll have to test this. You have a choice when updating whether to check for updated or not.....

View attachment 73920 View attachment 73921

...I'll try it both ways in a VM and report back.

I certainly admit I have not the faintest idea how or why the version obtained using the DISM utility didn't match the version reported by Winver. That's one reason I posted all that information so people who know tons more than I can make observations. The Sources folder I used did com from the Media Creation tool method of downloading the ISO. I'm downloading it again just to make sure.

And I did click the "Not right now" radio button as I didn't want updates ad drivers and optional features to clog the instalation - but it started downloading updates anyway!!!!! It did occur to me that maybe the update to ver. 23H2 was what it was downloading as it did take a considerable amount of time to finish that stage and start the real installation, i.e., copying files etc.

I'll Mount the ISO and see what DISM says and report.

hsehestedt · Oct 11, 2023

Bree said:
ou don't even need to go as far as making the ISO to find out.

Good call, Bree!

starchase · Oct 11, 2023

Well, DISM reports the same output from the Media Creation Tool's ISO as I previously reported and it doesn't match the version that my Windows 11 system in now showing which is "Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2428)". I can't explain it. I can only describe what I did.

Code:

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.22621.1

Details for image : E:\sources\install.esd

Index : 1
Name : Windows 11 Home
Description : Windows 11 Home
Size : 16,509,169,302 bytes
WIM Bootable : No
Architecture : x64
Hal : <undefined>
Version : 10.0.22621
ServicePack Build : 1702
ServicePack Level : 0
Edition : Core
Installation : Client
ProductType : WinNT
ProductSuite : Terminal Server
System Root : WINDOWS
Directories : 24682
Files : 106166
Created : Friday, May 5, 2023 - 09:09:25 AM
Modified : Wednesday, October 11, 2023 - 08:42:58 PM

Bree · Oct 11, 2023

I have now confirmed that an in-place upgrade of RTM 22H2 with an RTM 22H2 ISO that's allowed to check for updates will find and install the KB5027397 23H2 Enablement Package. That's currently only suppose to be available on the Insider Release Preview channel. @Brink may want to take note.

KB5027397 Enablement Package for Windows 11 Insider Beta build 22631.xxx (23H2)

UPDATE 10/31: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/kb5027397-enablement-package-for-windows-11-version-23h2-feature-update.19372/ KB5027397 has been officially released in the Release Preview channel on September 26, 2023. Requirement is KB5030310 or higher. Microsoft is releasing updates to the...

www.elevenforum.com

I have updated post #1,569 with my test results and screenshots.

Bree · Oct 11, 2023

starchase said:
Well, DISM reports the same output from the Media Creation Tool's ISO as I previously reported and it doesn't match the version that my Windows 11 system in now showing which is "Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.2428)". I can't explain it. I can only describe what I did.

From my testing it looks like you did, after all, allow Setup to check for updates. That was what downloaded and installed the 23H2 Enablement Package. There's no harm done, we're all going to get it through Windows Update once 23H2 is officially launched.

But if you really want to wait it out like the rest of us, you are at liberty to unistall the Enablement Package and go back to 22621 :wink:

Ghot · Oct 12, 2023

Bree said:
Seems that an in-place upgrade bypasses that block, finds it when checking for updates and installs it.

I'm testing it right now, on my Public Channel install.
Using MCT to make the ISO, then I'll mount it and run setup and allow updates.

I have a fresh backup I can restore from if things go bonkers.

spapakons · Oct 12, 2023

Until I see the words "October 2023 version" on Microsoft's site, I am not wasting my time to download 22H2. Even if a Windows update turns 22H2 into 23H2 during installation, I am not doing it. To make extra sure the upgrade of an unsupported computer will succeed and eliminate the risk of a hidden online compatibility check during installation, I always disable Windows Update AND stay disconnected from the internet. This should currently give me 22H2 and there is no guarantee that it will turn to 23H2 after installing all updates. So no thanks. I won't risk it. I prefer to wait a few days more to get the 23H2 ISO directly without having to involve Windows Update.

Ghot · Oct 12, 2023

Continued from post #1575

After the In-Place upgrade it came up 22621.1702
Checked WU and got a few... rebooted after they were done.
Checked WU again, and it's doing Oct patch Tuesday updates now...

After doing everything... it still came up as 22621.2428 - 22H2

Well.... it didn't work for me. BUT... I'm on a local account and not an Insider. That may be why.

@Bree

Oops... I didn't do KB5027397 afterwards. I did it before the In-Place Upgrade.

I was already on 22621.2428
I then did KB5027397
Then did the In-Place Upgrade (using MCT and then mounting the ISO, etc).
Then did all the resulting updates.

I "did" get the bell to the right of the clock... but nothing else 23H2-wise.

Anyway.... I then restored from my Oct 10th backup.

spapakons · Oct 12, 2023

Like I said. Why rush trying uncertain things and risk damaging my current system? Last thing I want is a clean installation due to some mishap...

I would rather wait for a few days to get the official Windows 11 23H2 ISO from Microsoft's site. Even then, I am not going to upgrade my main PC until I have first successfully upgraded my test laptop and probably a couple other unsupported computers and made sure there is no risk.

hsehestedt · Oct 12, 2023

spapakons said:
Like I said. Why rush trying uncertain things and risk damaging my current system? Last thing I want is a clean installation due to some mishap...
I would rather wait for a few days to get the official Windows 11 23H2 ISO from Microsoft's site. Even then, I am not going to upgrade my main PC until I have first successfully upgraded my test laptop and probably a couple other unsupported computers and made sure there is no risk.

If you have a good backup, then virtually anything you can do is safe

Bree · Oct 12, 2023

spapakons said:
Until I see the words "October 2023 version" on Microsoft's site, I am not wasting my time to download 22H2. Even if a Windows update turns 22H2 into 23H2 during installation, I am not doing it.

I tested it in a VM with an ISO I downloaded 5 months ago. You don't need to download again, any 22H2 RTM install media will do it if you do an in-place upgrade.

I'm not going to update any of my physical machines though. Apart from anything else is can only be a matter of weeks before the official launch.