Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

BunnyJ said:

Wiki? Ah.. not the best source.

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As they say, "my 2 cents".

BunnyJ said:

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

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I agree that it is legal. Microsoft had sent me an upgrade 21H2 to install Windows 11 on my non-compliant ASUS Laptop as a Windows Insider. Microsoft also provided support to Windows 11 on last patch Tuesday. I am sure that other Insiders too would have received this upgrade and support.

In my opinion, since you bought the Windows 11 license, you have the right to install it in any device you can, even your microwave! How to accomplish this is your problem. Microsoft just tries to discourage you installing on unsupported devices, but doesn't stop you entirely. In comparison you cannot install Mac OS on non-Apple computers without some elaborate hacking and modified installation media. Don't forget that Windows 11 can be activated with a Windows 10 and probably also Windows 8 and 8.1 and 7 key. So if you activate Windows 11 on the netbooks using a genuine Windows 7 license and give the sticker with them, it should not be illegal to sell them. Just make it clear to the buyer there will be no official support from Microsoft and he should ask for your help. As for graphics drivers, you can download the Windows 10 one from Microsoft Update Catalog and manually install it from Device Manager.

iko22 said:

As they say, "my 2 cents".

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Thanks - much appreciated :) . I'm happy with the microsoft link from Brink which makes it clear Microsoft have provided a work around so people can install on unsupported software. So presumably that invalidates part of their EULA anyway.

spapakons said:

In my opinion, since you bought the Windows 11 license, you have the right to install it in any device you can, even your microwave! How to accomplish this is your problem. Microsoft just tries to discourage you installing on unsupported devices, but doesn't stop you entirely. In comparison you cannot install Mac OS on non-Apple computers without some elaborate hacking and modified installation media. Don't forget that Windows 11 can be activated with a Windows 10 and probably also Windows 8 and 8.1 and 7 key. So if you activate Windows 11 on the netbooks using a genuine Windows 7 license and give the sticker with them, it should not be illegal to sell them. Just make it clear to the buyer there will be no official support from Microsoft and he should ask for your help. As for graphics drivers, you can download the Windows 10 one from Microsoft Update Catalog and manually install it from Device Manager.

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Absolutely Windows 11 activates.

Just make it clear to the buyer there will be no official support from Microsoft and he should ask for your help.

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Thanks. I tend to do that anyway and supply a usb image for reinstalling.

I did download the driver from the Microsoft Catalogue but it isn't accepted. So I've had to resort to the Vista 64 bit one - which works fine (the only "issue" is the icons for search and chat don't display properly - but I just remove those from the taskbar).

Unfortunately the second netbook runs quite slow and laggy on Windows 11 - even with the graphics driver replaced (identical processor and graphics to my personal netbook which runs really zippy). So I won't be selling it with Windows 11 on anyway. It was quite nippy on Windows 10 until 20H2 when it struggled. It's a child's rugged laptop, but basically a 10" Eee PC with a rugged casing and splashproof keyboard. Been reluctant to sell it because it's actually great to type on! But clearing some space - I have a lot of old netbooks. Sadly most will now only run Linux due to the Intel 915GM chipset. They were on Windows 7.

Incidentally - downloads from the Microsoft update catalogue are flagged as being insecure! Big warnings on download - even from inbuilt Defender. Regardless of which computer I download on. It won't work because it's only 32bit - even though it says it's for Windows 10 and 8.1. They don't have 64 bit one in the microsoft catalogue.

I downloaded it anyway. Because it's from the Microsoft Catalogue and because I read this article. Extracted from the cabinet file and scanned it and it was fine.

spapakons said:

In my opinion, since you bought the Windows 11 license, you have the right to install it in any device you can, even your microwave! How to accomplish this is your problem. Microsoft just tries to discourage you installing on unsupported devices, but doesn't stop you entirely. In comparison you cannot install Mac OS on non-Apple computers without some elaborate hacking and modified installation media. Don't forget that Windows 11 can be activated with a Windows 10 and probably also Windows 8 and 8.1 and 7 key. So if you activate Windows 11 on the netbooks using a genuine Windows 7 license and give the sticker with them, it should not be illegal to sell them. Just make it clear to the buyer there will be no official support from Microsoft and he should ask for your help. As for graphics drivers, you can download the Windows 10 one from Microsoft Update Catalog and manually install it from Device Manager.

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Not really. You purchased a license for a previous version of Windows.. 10 etc. They aren't selling 11 yet and the previous keys work with 11 oh and it's a free upgrade.

I would wipe Linux and install Windows 7. It is not obsolete yet as is Vista. Many applications still run OK and update on 7 and a lot of devices support 7. The average user should not have any issue for at least another 5 years.

Windows 7 is really slow on the little 7" netbooks too! And has missing drivers etc. I see the point but people buying them don't want Windows 7 now and I wouldn't be comfortable selling something that was unsupported. So technically shouldn't sell anything with Windows 11 on either! Also I would need Windows 7 licences - most of them came with XP or Linux originally. Windows 7 wasn't free to upgrade I have a box full of old 701sd's. With various spare parts, batteries etc.

windows 7 ? LOL

Linux may seem easy to use if everything is already configured and all you do is surf the web and watch Netflix. But if you ever have to install something new or configure anything, you have to be at least an advanced user. A novice will most likely get stuck and keep calling you for help. I would not like anyone bothering me several times a day for stuff that are trivial to do in Windows... So linux, thanks but no thanks. I would rather install Windows XP than Linux. To me it seems easier and better than Linux.

spapakons said:

Linux may seem easy to use if everything is already configured and all you do is surf the web and watch Netflix. But if you ever have to install something new or configure anything, you have to be at least an advanced user. A novice will most likely get stuck and keep calling you for help. I would not like anyone bothering me several times a day for stuff that are trivial to do in Windows... So linux, thanks but no thanks. I would rather install Windows XP than Linux. To me it seems easier and better than Linux.

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I'm far from an advanced user of Linux but I never had a single issue installing anything into it...

I just hate it when for most tasks you have to go to the terminal. I feel like I use an '80s computer. Even then I prefer MS-DOS to Linux terminal. I am familiar with the DOS commands and it is not case sensitive (VERY important). I would either try to find cheap Windows 7 licenses to use Windows 7 or I would install Windows 11 and see how slow it is without hardware acceleration (Microsoft Basic Display Adapter). If it not too annoying, I would give it with Windows 11. The average user would think the delay is because the netbook it old anyway, he cannot tell the difference with or without acceleration.

I just thought of another workaround! Why give it with Windows 7 or 11 activated? Just chop the price and give it with Windows 11 new installation and let the user know it is for 30 days evaluation, license sold separately. You are not illegally using Windows 11. You are evaluating it!

spapakons said:

I just hate it when for most tasks you have to go to the terminal. I feel like I use an '80s computer. Even then I prefer MS-DOS to Linux terminal. I am familiar with the DOS commands and it is not case sensitive (VERY important). I would either try to find cheap Windows 7 licenses to use Windows 7 or I would install Windows 11 and see how slow it is without hardware acceleration (Microsoft Basic Display Adapter). If it not too annoying, I would give it with Windows 11. The average user would think the delay is because the netbook it old anyway, he cannot tell the difference with or without acceleration.

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Many distros of Linux have a store that lets you to install tools/software and I rarely had to make use of a super user command. And I've used it and I only had to use the terminal when I wanted to. It wasn't for most tasks.

I would never use 7.. it's no longer supported and it's a huge security risk.. if I had to choose between 7 and Linux.. I would opt for Linux every time.

Cheers all. Yes one I could sell with Windows 11 - even though it's a bit slow. The others will only run, xp, windows 7 or linux (and even then there isn't much in the way of 32 bit linux). Yes Linux is a very different kettle of fish but they're just little netbooks that people tend to get for kids as a cheap first computer - I just set them up so they're easy to use and have games and kids software on. Then mostly they're just used for web browsing otherwise. I always offer to reinstall if they mess it up but never had anyone ask me to yet! I reckon they get sold on after a year or so! I've used Bodhi Linux mainly - it's quite fast and light. It's not Windows - but fine for a kid to use software on and mess about with webcams to take shots or store pictures etc. It started when our boy had a netbook that wouldn't run windows any more. He didn't care what was on it as long as there were some games. Now he's got a blooming expensive gaming PC - whatever did I start .

The reason I have so many is I kept buying them up cheap - always kept a couple for myself and still use one now and then - but everyone has smartphones now.

Plan to sell a few little ones with Linux on, then buy a few more 10" ones and put Windows 11 on them :). They need ssd's installing though. So I rarely make a profit! The Pink Disney ones still go for about £100 though. Not many of those about. The fastest ones are the 1015PX (which is also upgradeable unlike some of the 10" ones). I love mine.

Hazel123 said:

Plan to sell a few little ones with Linux on, then buy a few more 10" ones and put Windows 11 on them :). They need ssd's installing though. So I rarely make a profit!

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Whatever

Giving a kid a computer without Windows is a matter of time before he wants to play a game not available on Linux and gets frustrated. Linux doesn't have the tons of games available on Windows. Wine emulator can play some Windows games, but cannot do wonders.

spapakons said:

Giving a kid a computer without Windows is a matter of time before he wants to play a game not available on Linux and gets frustrated. Linux doesn't have the tons of games available on Windows. Wine emulator can play some Windows games, but cannot do wonders.

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Giving someone a PC that could get virus is a good idea? How about this? Make sure the PC has a current OS? Like say,, 10?

But it s buyer be ware.. but I wouldn't want to be that sucker.

a guy got it running on a Pentium 4. I think it'll run on any Pc with a 64bit CPU.
I got mine running with WINNTSetup

If you leave Windows 7 without antivirus, yes, it is risky. Why not install a free antivirus such as Avira? It won't be that slow. You can even disable unneeded shields.