Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware


I am also planning to install 25H2 using the server method and then use the small enablement package to upgrade to 26H2. But I want to delete all my partitions and format them and do a clean install. But Windows 11 25H2 ISO is on the same hard drive, so how can I delete, format, and install 25H2 on the same hard drive?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

window 10 version 22H2 (OS Build 19045.6466Intel Core i7 @2.80GHz 57 °C Sandy Bridge 32n...4.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)Intel HD Graphics 3000
OS
window 10 version 22H2 (OS Build 19045.6466
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell/E6400
CPU
Intel Core i7 @2.80GHz 57 °C Sandy Bridge 32nm Tech
Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0K0DNP (CPU 1)
Memory
4.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Sound Card
High Definition Audio Device
Monitor(s) Displays
single
Screen Resolution
1366x768 pixels
Hard Drives
WDC WD2500BPVT-75JJ5T0
Keyboard
Device Name Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Internet Speed
10mb
Browser
ms edge
Antivirus
win defender
Shambles Bank said:
As a matter of interest, just how old is this laptop? I was in a similar position a couple of years back with a 9 year old Dell laptop. In the end it was just easier to buy a new machine. Saved a lot of bother.
Click to expand...
It's a 12 year old Asus high end gaming laptop. Still runs great.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 24H2Intel i7-3612QM12GBnVidia GeForce GT 650M
OS
Windows 11 Pro 24H2
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Asus UX51VZA
CPU
Intel i7-3612QM
Motherboard
American Megatrends
Memory
12GB
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GeForce GT 650M
Shambles Bank said:
As a matter of interest, just how old is this laptop? I was in a similar position a couple of years back with a 9 year old Dell laptop. In the end it was just easier to buy a new machine. Saved a lot of bother.
Click to expand...
According to the specs in the profile, it's around 13 years old.

EDIT: 12-14 years old model, depending on market. The tech is 14yo
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9550 / Linux Mint 22.3Ryzen 7 2700U Pro32GBiGPU Vega 10
    OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9550 / Linux Mint 22.3
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo A485
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 2700U Pro
    Motherboard
    Lenovo (WiFi/BT module upgraded to Intel Wireless-AC-9260)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    iGPU Vega 10
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" FHD (built-in) + 14" Lenovo Thinkvision M14t (touch+pen) + 32" Asus PB328
    Screen Resolution
    FHD + FHD + 1440p
    Hard Drives
    Intel 660p m.2 nVME PCIe3.0 x2 512GB
    PSU
    125W(Dock)/65W(Travel Adapter)
    Keyboard
    Thinkpad / Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    1/1Gbit
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    SecureBoot: Enabled
    TPM2.0: Enabled
    AMD-V: Enabled

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9550(RP)i7-7700k @4.8GHz32GB 2x16GB 2133MHz CL15EVGA GTX1080Ti FTW 11GB
    Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9550(RP)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7-7700k @4.8GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus PRIME Z270-A
    Memory
    32GB 2x16GB 2133MHz CL15
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GTX1080Ti FTW 11GB
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" 10-bit Asus PB328Q
    Screen Resolution
    WQHD 2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB ADATA SX8000NP NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4
    PSU
    850W
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 2S
    Internet Speed
    1/1Gbit
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    AC WiFi Card
  • Asus U46SV (laptop), i5-2410M, 8GB RAM, 500GB SSD, 750GB HDD, Windows 10. (used as a local Minecraft server and data dump)
Davidoo said:
I have unsupported hardware and have installed the 24H2 and 25H2 updates using the product server workaround. I know last year some said I would eventually just get updated to 25H2 via a windows update enablement package, but it never happened and I got impatient and just did it via ISO. What do the gurus have to say this year? Will my unsupported laptop eventually just get updated to 26H2 with no action on my part, or will I have to do the ISO again?
Click to expand...
Windows Update will never offer the 25H2 Enablement Package or the 26H2 Enablement Package for our unsupported computers. We have to manually download and install it. See these threads:

www.elevenforum.com

Get ready for Windows 11 version 25H2 - Enablement Package and ISO downloads available

UPDATE 9/30: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/windows-11-version-25h2-now-available.40396/ Windows IT Pro Blog: How easy is it to move to Windows 11, version 25H2? As easy as a quick restart if you're on version 24H2! Today, Windows 11, version 25H2 became available to the Windows Insider...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

www.elevenforum.com

Get ready for Windows 11 version 26H2

Windows IT Pro Blog: The next annual update for Windows 11 is coming soon and is already available to Windows Insiders! Windows 11, version 26H2 continues our focus on delivering a predictable, low-disruption update experience for organizations and IT professionals. For devices already running...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

Make sure you download the general availability x64 version (KB5121794) unless you run an Insider's version or Windows on ARM64. You download 26H2 Enablement Package, install, restart and you switch from 25H2 to 26H2. No compatibility check, no messing with your drivers, no messing with your customized icons, no risk. While every upgrade using the ISO takes much longer, always restores any customization to default and has a risk of something going wrong.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (7582), 25H2 (9457)Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz4GBMobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (7582), 25H2 (9457)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    802.11g wireless 54 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, no SSE4.2, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (build 26200.9457)Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generat...2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB...
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (build 26200.9457)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB (GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SA510 2.5 1000GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Deepcool Gamma Archer CPU cooler, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Mouse
    Microsoft Compact Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    802.11ac 5GHz wireless 260Mpbs
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
That’s the problem with tech, within weeks or months it’s already been superseded, after a decade and a half, it’s a technical dinosaur. I’ve still got a Sony Walkman in as new condition, but the cassettes are terrible, it doesn’t even come close to my Apple iPhone and pods.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    W11 Pro 26H2 26300.9550 W.F.E 1000.26100.372.0Intel i5 10400x2 8gb Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    W11 Pro 26H2 26300.9550 W.F.E 1000.26100.372.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI
    CPU
    Intel i5 10400
    Motherboard
    B560M PRO-VDH WiFi BIOS 1.A1
    Memory
    x2 8gb Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Realtek onboard AL897
    Monitor(s) Displays
    MSI MAG Artymis 242C
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500gb
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNova 650w G3
    Case
    Gaming case
    Keyboard
    MSI GK20
    Mouse
    MSI Versa 300
    Internet Speed
    500mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
    Other Info
    MSI Herald BE9400 WiFi PCIe
    Printer - Brother MFC-L2750DW

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Home 25H2 26300.955012th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-1215U8GBIntel(R) UHD Graphics (128 MB)
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Home 25H2 26300.9550
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI Modern 14 C12M 637UK
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-1215U
    Motherboard
    Micro-Star International Co., Ltd. MS-14J1 (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics (128 MB)
    Sound Card
    Intel Smart Sound Technology for Bluetooth Audio
    Internet Speed
    500mbps
    Browser
    Brave
    Antivirus
    BitDefender
gaffar said:
I am also planning to install 25H2 using the server method and then use the small enablement package to upgrade to 26H2. But I want to delete all my partitions and format them and do a clean install. But Windows 11 25H2 ISO is on the same hard drive, so how can I delete, format, and install 25H2 on the same hard drive?
Click to expand...
No need. Download both the 25H2 Enablement Package and the 26H2 Enablement Package. Run the first and restart to switch from 24H2 to 25H2. Run the second and restart again to switch from 25H2 to 26H2. See my previous reply. Even better, if you change your mind, just uninstall the 26H2 Enablement Package to go back to 25H2. Similarly, uninstall the 25H2 Enablement Package to go back to 24H2.

PS: If you prefer a clean installation, you can clean install 24H2 and switch to 25H2 and then to 26H2, or you can clean install 25H2 directly and then switch to 26H2.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (7582), 25H2 (9457)Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz4GBMobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (7582), 25H2 (9457)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    802.11g wireless 54 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, no SSE4.2, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (build 26200.9457)Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generat...2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB...
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (build 26200.9457)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB (GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SA510 2.5 1000GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Deepcool Gamma Archer CPU cooler, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Mouse
    Microsoft Compact Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    802.11ac 5GHz wireless 260Mpbs
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
Shambles Bank said:
That’s the problem with tech, within weeks or months it’s already been superseded, after a decade and a half, it’s a technical dinosaur. I’ve still got a Sony Walkman in as new condition, but the cassettes are terrible, it doesn’t even come close to my Apple iPhone and pods.
Click to expand...
According to Moore's Law, every 1-2 years the technology is twice as fast and cost half than it costs now.

PS: A 10yrs+ old analog tape should have degraded, especially if played too often, and surely doesn't compare to a digital file. However, a fresh analog tape (assuming you can find one), correctly recorded with respect to the volume level (no clipping or no too low) should be as good as the digital file. In blind A-B comparison most wouldn't tell the difference.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (7582), 25H2 (9457)Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz4GBMobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (7582), 25H2 (9457)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Extensa 5630EZ
    CPU
    Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T7250, 2000 MHz
    Motherboard
    Acer Extensa 5630
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Mobile Intel(R) GMA 4500M (Mobile 4 series)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC268 @ Intel 82801IB ICH9 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB SATA Device (250 GB, SATA-III)
    Internet Speed
    802.11g wireless 54 Mbps
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE
    Antivirus
    WINDOWS DEFENDER
    Other Info
    Legacy MBR installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, no WDDM 2.0 graphics drivers, no SSE4.2, cannot get more unsupported ;) This is only my test laptop. I had installed Windows 11 here before upgrading my main PC. For my main PC I use everyday see my 2nd system specs.

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (build 26200.9457)Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generat...2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB...
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 (build 26200.9457)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built PC
    CPU
    Intel Core-i7 3770 3.40GHz s1155 (3rd generation)
    Motherboard
    Asus P8H61 s1155 ATX
    Memory
    2x Kingston Hyper-X Blu 8GB DDR3-1600
    Graphics card(s)
    GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GB (GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD audio (ALC887)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia KDL-19L4000 19" LCD TV via VGA
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 32-bit 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SA510 2.5 1000GB SSD as system disk, Western Digital Caviar Purple 4TB SATA III (WD40PURZ) as second
    PSU
    Thermaltake Litepower RGB 550W Full Wired
    Case
    SUPERCASE MIDI-TOWER
    Cooling
    Deepcool Gamma Archer CPU cooler, 1x 8cm fan at the back
    Keyboard
    Mitsumi 101-key PS/2
    Mouse
    Microsoft Compact Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    802.11ac 5GHz wireless 260Mpbs
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Legacy BIOS (MBR) installation, no TPM, no Secure Boot, WDDM 3.0 graphics drivers, WEI score 7.4
If I don't care about hash codes and install windows insider preview, will I or anyone else receive any error messages. I wish no error messages.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

window 10 version 22H2 (OS Build 19045.6466Intel Core i7 @2.80GHz 57 °C Sandy Bridge 32n...4.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)Intel HD Graphics 3000
OS
window 10 version 22H2 (OS Build 19045.6466
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell/E6400
CPU
Intel Core i7 @2.80GHz 57 °C Sandy Bridge 32nm Tech
Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0K0DNP (CPU 1)
Memory
4.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Sound Card
High Definition Audio Device
Monitor(s) Displays
single
Screen Resolution
1366x768 pixels
Hard Drives
WDC WD2500BPVT-75JJ5T0
Keyboard
Device Name Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Internet Speed
10mb
Browser
ms edge
Antivirus
win defender
gaffar said:
I am also planning to install 25H2 using the server method and then use the small enablement package to upgrade to 26H2. But I want to delete all my partitions and format them and do a clean install. But Windows 11 25H2 ISO is on the same hard drive, so how can I delete, format, and install 25H2 on the same hard drive?
Click to expand...

Use Rufus to create a bootable Windows 11 25H2 USB flash drive. If the PC does not meet the Windows 11 hardware requirements, enable the "Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0" option in Rufus.

Boot from the Windows 11 25H2 USB flash drive by opening the computer’s one-time boot menu and selecting the USB flash drive as the boot device.

On the "Select location to install Windows 11" screen, delete all partitions on the target disk until the entire disk is shown as Unallocated Space.

Select the unallocated space and click Next. Windows Setup will create the required partitions automatically and perform a clean installation of Windows 11.
 
Last edited:

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProAMD Ryzen 9 9950X3DKingston FURY Beast 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 6000MT/sASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 9070 OC Edition 16G...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650E Taichi Lite
    Memory
    Kingston FURY Beast 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 6000MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 9070 OC Edition 16GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    Solidigm P44 Pro 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 HomeIntel Core Ultra 9 275HX64GB (2x 32GB) DDR5-6400NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 16GB GDDR7 Laptop GPU
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 16"
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
    Memory
    64GB (2x 32GB) DDR5-6400
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 16GB GDDR7 Laptop GPU
    Hard Drives
    2x 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD (SK Hynix)
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

An automated script for MCT created installation media usb to install Windows 11 v25H2 on an unsupported pc hardware.
Replies
5
Views
2K
Ramesh Sharma
R
Install Windows 11 v25H2 on an unsupported pc hardware avoiding error message "This pc can't run Windows 11".
2
Replies
25
Views
8K
garlin
G
  • Article Article
Let's install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware
Replies
19
Views
9K
HarleyQuinn
HarleyQuinn
Solved Installation of Win 11 on incompatible Win 10 CPU
2 3
Replies
48
Views
22K
mecanicogolf
mecanicogolf
How to Perform an Unattended Installation of Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware
Replies
16
Views
28K
hsehestedt
hsehestedt

Latest Support Threads

Latest Tutorials

Back
Top Bottom