Solved New to Win11 - Seeking general feedback

when you open Rufus to start a new burn of the Windows ISO it will present you with a check list.
on that check list you can disable all the checks including bitlocker and TPM and set the install to a local account
which also gives you the option of inserting a 'user' name for that local account.

when you use it it will become crystal clear as everything is presented to you in a very easy to understand format.
i just normally tick all the boxes insert my user name and then let Rufus burn the ISO.

just to note.
i would also set Rufus to GPT and UEFI at the very beginning before you click the burn button.

best of luck, Steve ..
edit = spelling

SJMaye said:

I have used Rufus before. Can you explain how the checks are disabled? Are they doing this through the use of RUFUS? Is there a setting within RUFUS that allows this?

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As soon as you open a Windows 11 ISO, Rufus detects it is Windows 11 and offers you options to ignore CPU, TPM, Secure Boot, RAM and create a local account. In latest versions these options appear after to click to start creating the USB flash drive. By default Rufus offers to create a GPT type USB flash drive which boots in modern UEFI firmware computers (you see the manufacturer logo with the spinning curves when booting). I think this is what you need to install Windows 11 on the Chromebook. However, if you need MBR type USB flash drive for installing on older computers with Legacy BIOS (or in new computers with CSM support enabled in UEFI Firmware), you can change it accordingly. If the option for MBR doesn't appear press ALT+A to enable it.

Assuming you create the appropriate USB flash drive (probably GPT type), connect it on the Chromebook. I don't know if that is the same key, but in most computers you press F12 to select boot device. Google it if it is different. Turn on the Chromebook with the USB connected and press the key several time until you see the Boot menu. Select the USB and wait for Setup to load. Follow onscreen instructions. After installation you will see the OOBE screen (Out Of Box Experience) where you configure some settings. When you see the network screen DON'T connect to Wi-Fi! Instead press SHIFT+F10 to open a Command prompt and execute this code: start ms-cxh:localonly. This will open a new window where you can create a local account! complete the rest configuration and you should see the desktop. Now you may connect to the internet to activate Windows and download any drivers and updates.

PS: From Google:

Chromebooks don't have a traditional BIOS setup like other computers. Instead, they utilize a firmware called Chrome OS and a recovery mode accessed by pressing specific key combinations during startup. To boot from a USB drive, you'll need to enable developer mode and then use specific key combinations like CTRL+L or CTRL+U to access the boot menu and select the USB drive.

Wow. Thanks for that. Seems RUFUS has been updated since I last used it.

cereberus said:

There are many things about Windows 11 that are superior to Windows 10 - main one being Windows 10 is static (although some recidivists do not like change of course).

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Are you saying that because W11 is still in development, and thus subject to change, whereas W10 won't change, thus W11 is better? How about what aspects of it are better - or liked by users? When W10 has a feature that works nicely, how is it an improvement to take it away?

SJMaye said:

Considering its age. I doubt it has TPM.

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Take your pick.

QuicktellPro said:

Take your pick.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=install+windows+11+on+unsupported+pc

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For older Windows 11 versions 21H2, 22H2 and 23H2 all you need is a 64-bit CPU with at least 2GB RAM and 50GB free disk space. See relevant sticky thread how to bypass compatibility check. For current 24H2 and coming 25H2 versions the CPU must have the SSE4.2 instruction set. This means at least 1st generation Intel Core-i3 or higher. If you bypass compatibility check, no UEFI, no TMP, no Secure Boot are necessary. If you cannot find Windows 10/11 drivers, any earlier 64-bit driver works except for Intel graphics drivers for Windows 7 which are locked to install only on Windows 7. There are some hacked versions that don't check Windows version and can be installed on 8/10/11.

spapakons said:

For older Windows 11 versions 21H2, 22H2 and 23H2 all you need is a 64-bit CPU with at least 2GB RAM and 50GB free disk space. See relevant sticky thread how to bypass compatibility check. For current 24H2 and coming 25H2 versions the CPU must have the SSE4.2 instruction set. This means at least 1st generation Intel Core-i3 or higher. If you bypass compatibility check, no UEFI, no TMP, no Secure Boot are necessary. If you cannot find Windows 10/11 drivers, any earlier 64-bit driver works except for Intel graphics drivers for Windows 7 which are locked to install only on Windows 7. There are some hacked versions that don't check Windows version and can be installed on 8/10/11.

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Can I assume I can still load it with a local account, too?

SJMaye said:

Can I assume I can still load it with a local account, too?

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step 15 Clean Install Windows 11
or set Rufus to create local account

glasskuter said:

step 15 Clean Install Windows 11
or set Rufus to create local account

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So, it is the same as what I did for my desktop. Thank you.

Yes that method you used will will work no matter what method you use to create installation media, but if you use Rufus to create install media, there are check box options for bypassing TPM, secure boot, and RAM requirements. There is also a checkbox for creating a local account.

glasskuter said:

Yes that method you used will will work no matter what method you use to create installation media, but if you use Rufus to create install media, there are check box options for bypassing TPM, secure boot, and RAM requirements. There is also a checkbox for creating a local account.

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Clear and concise. Thank you!

If you don't like the icons and some other details in Windows 11 there are workarounds. Just see the personalization threads. For example I have Windows 7 start button and start menu, Windows 8.1 system icons and Windows 10 File Explorer. I also have the full right-click taskbar list, not only Taskbar Settings and Task Manager. I also have Windows 7 gadgets, the nicer Windows 7 calculator, all Windows games and even Windows Media Center.

spapakons said:

If you don't like the icons and some other details in Windows 11 there are workarounds. Just see the personalization threads. For example I have Windows 7 start button and start menu, Windows 8.1 system icons and Windows 10 File Explorer. I also have the full right-click taskbar list, not only Taskbar Settings and Task Manager. I also have Windows 7 gadgets, the nicer Windows 7 calculator, all Windows games and even Windows Media Center.

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Thank you for that. Since installing Win11 with a local account I am pretty happy with the performance. I am old and normally don't take change well, but I don't even mind the change to Win11 system notification sounds. That alone killed Win8 for me. The one PC I had with Win8 I changed all the sounds, icons... everything to be Win7. I just did not like it at all. So far Win11 is doing it for me. But again, thanks for the tips.