Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

Interesting article about the numbers of people still running Windows XP ............. What really struck me though, is that Windows XP only stopped being supported in 2014. That is only 11 years ago! And since then we've had Windows 7 and Windows 10 - the changes are too fast IMO. If computers last 10 years or more, then we should expect operating systems to last 10 years from the date the computer was bought!

Computers last as long as they suit your needs or they are broken and you cannot find parts to repair them. If all you do is write simple Word documents and check your socials, you can keep using Windows XP forever or until you cannot open the social websites anymore and there is no newer XP browser.

spapakons said:

According to this site your CPU supports SSE4.2 so you can upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 and later to 25H2 which has the same system requirements.
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This got to me kind of late... but thanks for the information! I had read in so many places that AMD's FX processors (whether Bulldozer or Vishera) weren't compatible with Win11, that was a surprise.

At any rate, I ran the .REG file in the original post while in Windows10 to update it's registry to bypass compatibility testing. Then ran media creation tool and did an in-place upgrade to Win11. It all ran perfect, all the inevitable updates posted successfully and I'm using now. I don't know if it was the registry edit or that Vishera processors actually are compatible, but it's working perfect.

The only problem is it won't advance to Standard Security Supported (at least) in the Device Security system tool. That's even though I'm using Secure Boot, processor virtualization with all the Core Isolation settings enabled. I suppose that's the TPM 1.2 module, which is probably OK since I'm not in a corporate environment anyway... and I'm not going to play any games that require it either! I know it (win11) will continue getting security updates for while yet, so I assume the security it does have is adequate for web browsing into the future.

Thanks again for the info! I thought I was going to have to finally set this old beast aside but it's back at it again doing quite well the things everyone says it shouldn't do very well, if at all.

Buddywh said:

This got to me kind of late... but thanks for the information! I have read in so many places that AMD's FX processors (Bulldozer nor Vishera) aren't compatible with Win11, so that was a surprise.

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They are not supported processors for Windows 11, that's not the same as 'not compatible'. As long as they have SSE4.2 (which they do) then (with a workaround to install it) they can run W11 24H2 and above.

Windows 11 supported AMD processors

Buddywh said:

The only problem is it won't advance to Standard Security Supported (at least) in the Device Security system tool..... I suppose that's the TPM 1.2 module....

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Yes, Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0. It will not recognise or use TPM 1.2, even if present. This doesn't stop W11 running normally, but does limit the security options available.

Bree said:

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Yes, Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0. It will not recognise or use TPM 1.2, even if present. This doesn't stop W11 running normally, but does limit the security options available.

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All that I know Windows uses a TPM for is to store the Bitlocker keys which isn't important to me. There are some games that need it (TPM 2.0) too, also unimportant to me.

Do we know other uses of TPM 2.0 by Windows? I suppose some corporate sites might use it for device attestation which might be something they need Windows' help with... but that's a guess at best.

Curiously though, in the Security Processor Details in Device Security, Windows tells me it's ready for both ATTESTATION and STORAGE. So if it doesn't recognize or use it Windows is sure trying to confuse me to the contrary!

Just got these three out of a cupboard. Three 7" Eee 701sd's 8gb drives, all fully working, with good batteries (batteries came from broken ones), and good keyboards (I have spare keyboards as well). Have two more black ones and a black 9" 900 - plus two boxes full of various parts.

Not sure what's on any of them but it'll be some form of linux as the one with Windows 7 on, the ssd died. 60gb ssd for one of them is on its way (via a used 901).

Obviously Windows 11 won't install. Windows 10 might but ............ would probably be difficult to use! I have all the drivers needed to install Windows 7 again but ...........

I no longer have my original one which was the 701 4gb.

With only 8GB disk you can install Windows XP, not sure for Windows 7. Then connect an SD card, if it has a card reader, and keep all your data there to leave as much free space as possible in the disk. Also create folders and move your user data on the SD card. Don't forget to install any applications on the SD card and apply Compact OS and compress all files to increase free space. It is rather challenging but doable.

spapakons said:

With only 8GB disk you can install Windows XP, not sure for Windows 7. Then connect an SD card, if it has a card reader, and keep all your data there to leave as much free space as possible in the disk. Also create folders and move your user data on the SD card. Don't forget to install any applications on the SD card and apply Compact OS and compress all files to increase free space. It is rather challenging but doable.

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Thank you. I know these inside out I've repaired them, pulled them apart, installed on them, learned computing on them and did all sorts on them in the past It's best when they have a bigger drive in. I actually have an original install recovery disc of XP for these models (it works on any of them - even the linux models) and isn't computer specific). Don't want to install it though as it's just frustrating it's not current!

But - 32 bit and only bodhi linux will fit without a bigger drive (which works ok on a computer this size and Windows 7 was a bit slow - so no doubt windows 10 would be slow. From what I remember I think Windows 10 might only install on the 901 with the latest bios.

just for added interest this site does old software and drivers that maybe of use for WinXP.

best of luck, Steve ..

Thank you - that's a great link PuTTy is still being used today! No I'm not putting XP back on them though - I grieved for ages after XP ended! Don't want to go back there. Because it still works and it's too tempting.

Anyway I tinkered a bit with my main 701 sd 8gb (keeping the other two for spares really).

Not quite Windows 11





Not quite Windows 7






It's Bodhi Linux with a Windows 11 desktop image and (second two) - a Windows 7 "theme"

It fits on 5gb and has the basics - Firefox, photo viewer, folders to copy and paste into and pdf reader.

So it's fine as a netbook (ie internet only) and reasonably nippy and currently supported, so I'll probably start using it again as my "round the house portable" and forget trying to buy a small Windows 11 computer. It's about the only Linux I really like because it's very very basic and easy to install and fine for just web browsing really and very stable and reliable.

There is hardly anything 32 bit left to install these days, except, ironically, Windows 10 but I don't think I'll even attempt to install Windows 10 on this, but might on the 9" on one.

When there is no other 32 bit left at all that is supported, then I might put XP back on it, from the recovery cd, for posterity, and just leave it disconnected from the internet.

Sorry - I'll stop going on now as I haven't upgraded it to Windows 11 which is what this thread is about. But I do love this little netbook - the ergonomcs, size etc. I went through a few of them as I used to type a lot on them and eventually the mouse pad or keyboard packs up (but is replaceable).

Perspective is a great thing - my 10" netbook screen looks positively large after using this - and my phone screen seems positively small

16 year old "laptop" photographed with 21st century iphone.
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For a modern super light OS with very small RAM and disk requirements, consider Android! No kidding, there is a x86 port that runs on any Intel or AMD CPUs. For very old computers (such as a humble Pentium M or old 32-bit Atom) consider version 4, although not very useful today. For newer and faster systems you can install version 6, 7, 8 up to 9. See here:



You can even run it from USB for test compatibility before installing. Even a typical netbook is much faster than your average tablet!

spapakons said:

For a modern super light OS with very small RAM and disk requirements, consider Android! No kidding, there is a x86 port that runs on any Intel or AMD CPUs. For very old computers (such as a humble Pentium M or old 32-bit Atom) consider version 4, although not very useful today. For newer and faster systems you can install version 6, 7, 8 up to 9. See here:

Android-x86 - Porting Android to x86

Android-x86 is an Android Open Source Project licensed under Apache Public License 2.0. Some components are licensed under GNU General Public License (GPL) 2.0 or later.

www.android-x86.org

android-x86 - Browse Files at SourceForge.net

android-x86 files. Full list of files for android-x86, A project to bring Android to the x86 platform

sourceforge.net

You can even run it from USB for test compatibility before installing. Even a typical netbook is much faster than your average tablet!

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I have had android on one of them. I thought the X86 process wasn't supported any more? I'll have a look at your links. Edit - yes unfortunately it's no longer supported.

There is also LMDE 32 bit (Linux Mint based on debian) but I think it's a bit heavy and haven't tried it. But all the 32 bit linux versions (all 5 or 6 of them) are coming to an end I think ...............like the Android X86 project. I reckon in 5 years time there may be no supported 32 bit operating systems (except maybe Windows 10 for enterprise with extended licences).

Hazel123 said:

I have had android on one of them. I thought the X86 process wasn't supported any more? I'll have a look at your links. Edit - yes unfortunately it's no longer supported.

There is also LMDE 32 bit (Linux Mint based on debian) but I think it's a bit heavy and haven't tried it. But all the 32 bit linux versions (all 5 or 6 of them) are coming to an end I think ...............like the Android X86 project. I reckon in 5 years time there may be no supported 32 bit operating systems (except maybe Windows 10 for enterprise with extended licences).

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5 years extension for such old systems is better than nothing. Also I have an old Huawei smartphone running Android 8.0 Oreo. I haven't any issues with apps or games yet. So versions 8 and 9 are still very useful. For newer computers you can install the respective 64-bit versions for better performance.

As an update on the Lenovo 11e - they wouldn't take it back. I guess technically it's not faulty if it's just missing an operating system. So I fiddled around a bit with it. Might keep it but if I sell it on I really want to erase the drive first.

So - had a few more attempts at creating the erase utility from Lenovo both with USB and cd. While the drives are recognised they wouldn't boot. With my serial number on the Lenovo page it does say the utility may not be compatible with my machine. From 2019 they were supposed to have the built in erase utility in bios/apps section. Mine is from July 2019 and there is nothing in bios - not even in hidden menus.

Chat GPT said if it was previously enterprise, they sometimes remove that part of the bios via firmware so I can't get it back again. The only possibility might be reflashing the bios with the consumer bios which might brick it. So won't bother with that.

Final attempt was taking the back off to see if there is a PSID number. There isn't.

So the options are - just accept it can only ever be erased by filling the drive with zeros (which would erase anything new on it but anything existing would be cryptographically locked. Or replace the drive.

It's an M.2 2242 drive. There are quite a few second hand ones around - BUT - not all of them have the same connector as the ones in the Lenovo which has two slots at the connector end - some only have one. The available ones with two connectors seem to be from other Lenovo machines! So they could also be self-encrypted - so that would be a bit pointless.

The only new ones I've seen are 2tb ones costing about £200. If I keep it I won't bother. I'll just install on the drive. I don't think there's any malware hidden on it after installing and scanning everything. If I sell it - would I want to buy another drive? I might need to just sell with a warning that the drive can't be secure erased.

So it seems some built for enterprise were set up to ensure the drive would ALWAYS be self-encrypted.

I would put the new disk and install Windows and use it. If I later wanted to sell it, I would put the old disk back, delete all partitions, reinstall Windows and drivers. I would keep the new disk for another system. This way nobody would be able to see my personal data.

Hazel123 said:

It's an M.2 2242 drive. There are quite a few second hand ones around - BUT - not all of them have the same connector as the ones in the Lenovo which has two slots at the connector end - some only have one.

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This may help explain the different M2 connector types, and what can be used in which.

Bree said:

This may help explain the different M2 connector types, and what can be used in which.

What is M.2? Keys and Sockets Explained

Learn the differences and compatibility of M.2 keys and sockets for SSDs. Compare B, M, and BM types with practical charts and tips for confident upgrades.

www.atpinc.com

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Thank you. Yes had just discovered the two slots are a "B+M key". I believe my machine only needs a B key but the current drive is a B&M.

Found a 250gb hynix one on ebay for £16 - seller says it isn't encrypted so fingers crossed. Same nvme that's in the machine at the moment but 250gb instead of the existing 128gb.

Guess what - exactly the same thing. New/used drive arrived, installed it. Went to check it could be securely erased, and it can't - failed again. I did ask the seller and they said no it wasn't encrypted but I don't think they understand that if it came from a Lenovo machine, it could be - unless someone has used the Lenovo decryptification on it first. This is very frustrating. Just about all the drives are from Lenovo's - because that's the type they use. There are some new ones available but they are from makes like Kingspe - so not sure how good they are and also most of them are sata rather than nvme.

Although - one thing I've ready is that Lenovo firmware immediately encrypts them as soon as they're installed, so that might be the issue. I'll just have to give up on this one and sell it with a note that the drive can't be securely erased if they ever want to remove their data in future and they'd have to either replace the drive or zero it out instead.

I've also tried setting a password on the drive to see if that made any erase settings appear in bios but zilch (and took me ages to work out how to get rid of the password again).

Check BIOS for HDD password and remove it.