Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

zbook · Oct 16, 2025

It's more likely a driver problem as garlin commented.

patrickdrd · Oct 16, 2025

YES – the upgrade finally completed!

thanks @Ben Myers (and the rest of course!)

spapakons · Oct 16, 2025

patrickdrd said:
couldn't this error be related to "/product server"?
normal installation (without server) started with Ben Myers's suggestion,
let's see how this goes

The whole point of the /product server parameter is to fool Windows 11 Setup that it is going to install a Windows Server version and skip compatibility check. Setup never checks compatibility for Server versions. Of course since the install.wim file contains only Windows 11 installation files, it will actually install Windows 11 Home or Pro depending on key typed or user choice. Not a Server version. Since 24H2 this is the only workaround along with the Registry patch that still works to bypass compatibility check and upgrade unsupported computers to Windows 11. Rufus just patches Setup in advance, so you don't have to manually create the Registry keys.

patrickdrd · Oct 16, 2025

the strange/funny thing was that the image(s) I used
(the plurar is because I updated two laptops with unsupported hardware,
the other a vaio one, which I used tiny11 for)
were both not updated with the latest patches,
so I had to install October's patch and .net framework update again

spapakons · Oct 16, 2025

That's why I usually install all available updates in the previous Windows version before upgrading to the new version. To improve compatibility as much as possible.

patrickdrd · Oct 16, 2025

of course I had installed october's updates before upgrading so now why does it ask again for it?
In any case, it fails to install anyway, I guess I have to wait till next month to get clean november update

Hazel123 · Oct 16, 2025

I think it just does that - I had similar.

Bree · Oct 17, 2025

With MS having just updated the MCT to build 26200.6899 I thought it was time to re-test the known workarounds with a clean install....

Brink said:
Windows 11 version 25H2 build 26200.6899 now available to download as ISO or USB with MCT.

With my 'least appropriate' laptop falling at the SSE4.2 hurdle testing duties fell to my 2nd most inappropriate laptop, a Toshiba L750 from 2011, a Legacy BIOS machine with no TPM and a Pentium B950.

I'm please to report that the known registry fixes from 24H2 still work with the new 25H2 install media. As I borrowed these from Rufus that should continue to work too.

At OOBE both start ms-cxh:localonly and the commands from BypassOOBE.cmd still work as before to create a local account.

It appears that the only change MS have made for the 25H2 install media is to remove the BypassOOBE.cmd script. Just save yourself a copy from 24H2.

spapakons · Oct 18, 2025

Thank you for sharing, however I have kept a copy of the first 25H2 ISO of October 1st just in case. I suggest you keep that too. Don't delete it.

Bree · Oct 18, 2025

spapakons said:
Thank you for sharing, however I have kept a copy of the first 25H2 ISO of October 1st just in case. I suggest you keep that too. Don't delete it.

I'm a bit of a hoarder. I have the full set, MCT (.esd) and direct download (.wim) ISOs...

....and a whole lot more besides

Longs2517 · Oct 20, 2025

I had the same "Why Not Win11?" results as Bree showed in Post 2948 above, from an Acer Aspire 5741G with 4 MB RAM and an Intel Core I5 processor, system is circa 2010. Using a USB created from a Windows 11 25H2 ISO with Rufus, I was able to successfully do an "In Place Upgrade" retaining my Applications and Files, to Win 11 Home 25H2. I subsequently ran Windows Update and the system updated.

HarleyQuinn · Oct 20, 2025

Hi guys, Last week I did clean install with rufus to skip requirements, ms account or few other data collection pages. Everything went pretty good at first try.

I'm writing from Microsoft Windows 11 Home 26200.6899. So far everything seems very okay. I've never had issues like heat, freeze or blue screen or device components ect... Device runs pretty smooth I must say I haven't realize any speed difference compared to mom's 2024 laptop (Intel Core i3-N305) lol

I do receive security updates everyday. I'm pretty much happy! Our family laptop from 2012 with intel i7 still going strong

spapakons · Oct 21, 2025

The issues of overheating or SSD failing etc are due to faulty firmware or drivers on specific models. They don't affect all Windows 11 users, only those that have the specific devices. Regarding SSDs it was revealed that some units were accidentally shipped with a "technical" (Beta) firmware which malfunctioned and caused issues in Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. Once these SSDs were upgraded to the last official firmware using manufacturer's utility, the issues are gone. So you better upgrade your computer BIOS, all devices' firmware (when applicable) and all drivers before upgrading to Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2.

brack · Oct 22, 2025

I am in the process of attempting to upgrade my Dell Latitude E6540 from Windows 11 23H2 to Windows 11 25H2.

This PC does not meet the Windows 11 requirements as: only TPM1.2; Processor level; and does not secure boot. As you can see I was successful to upgrade to Windows 11 23H2 years ago, however I have not been able to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2.

It fails at the very end of the upgrade with the following error code: 0xC1900101 - 0x4000D The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE_DATA operation.

I have followed the Tutorial - Bypass Windows 11 System Requirements on Unsupported PC: Option 2 - Bypass Windows 11 System Requirements using Reg file.

Any advice on why it may fail or options to reach a successful upgrade.

spapakons · Oct 22, 2025

Disconnect all external devices except mouse and keyboard. Go to Device Manager and disable sound, LAN, WiFi, Bluetooth, Camera and any other device not needed for the upgrade (don't touch system devices). That way Setup will not try installing drivers for them causing this BSOD. Also make sure you have disabled any third-party antivirus, antimalware and firewall, all startup applications and even most non-Microsoft services. Finally, make sure you stay disconnected from the Internet during the whole upgrade process. If you have created a USB flash drive with Rufus, run Setup from there. If you have simply mounted the ISO (aka Open with File Explorer), then check This PC to see which drive letter is the virtual DVD with the Setup files, say D, replace as appropriate. Then open a Command Prompt as Administrator and execute this command to bypass compatibility check:

D:\setup /product server

HarleyQuinn · Oct 22, 2025

@brack

hi as far as i know tpm 2.0 and secure boot requirement started with version 24h2 so maybe thats why u were able to update back then and struggling now. With 25h2 things getting even harder but not unsolvable. Close secure boot and tpm. Use rufus to make bootable iso for clean install, skip requirements. During install never connect to internet. Then you should be able to install.

By the way may i ask why are you upgrading? Are you having any issue with 23h2?

Bree · Oct 22, 2025

HarleyQuinn said:
hi as far as i know tpm 2.0 and secure boot requirement started with version 24h2

No, TPM 2.0 and the ability to use Secure Boot have been a Windows 11 requirement since the launch of 21H2 in October 2021. These requirements can be bypassed.

Archived page from 24th June 2021: Internet Archive Wayback Machine | Windows 11 Specifications - Microsoft

There was a new requirement added in 24H2, that the CPU includes the SSE4.2 instruction set. This requirement cannot be bypassed, 24H2 or later just can't run without these instructions.

brack said:
The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE_DATA operation.

Welcome to Eleven Forum.

Your CPU has SSE4.2. If it didn't then it would not have been able to boot at first restart.

brack · Oct 22, 2025

spapakons: Thanks for the advice will give it a try and update my results.

HarleyQuinn: I am trying an update not a clean install and the tutorial I am using should bypass the TRM 2 requirements. Doing the upgrade as I understand there will be no more updates for 23H2.

Bree: My PC does meet the CPU requirement of SSE4.2

NormanF · Oct 22, 2025

Hazel123 said:
I still have an old HP Pavilion DM4 lying around somewhere! 1st Gen I think. It has an ssd. Maybe I should try installing on that. Although I've had enough installing recently lol. And spare parts for it as I had another one but hinges went completely. They just seemed to go on forever apart from the hinges.

Toggle off all unnecessary apps loading at start up so you can use Windows right away.

Bree · Oct 22, 2025

brack said:
It fails at the very end of the upgrade with the following error code: 0xC1900101 - 0x4000D The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE_DATA operation.

That's likely to be a driver issue.....

A frequently observed result code is 0xC1900101. This result code can be thrown at any stage of the upgrade process, with the exception of the downlevel phase. 0xC1900101 is a generic rollback code, and usually indicates that an incompatible driver is present.....

....Analysis of supplemental log files is often helpful, such as:

The minidump file: $Windows.~bt\Sources\Rollback\setupmem.dmp

Event logs: $Windows.~bt\Sources\Rollback*.evtx

The device install log: $Windows.~bt\Sources\Rollback\setupapi\setupapi.dev.log

Windows 10 upgrade resolution procedures - Windows Client

Discover general troubleshooting procedures for dealing with 0xC1900101, the generic rollback code thrown when something goes wrong during a Windows 10 upgrade.

learn.microsoft.com

Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware

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