You Can Install Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware, but You Might Not Want To
Microsoft’s stringent hardware requirements for the upcoming Windows 11 have left many users behind, but it turns out there is a way to install a new OS even if your PC’s processor or security features don’t meet company standards, although that doesn’t guarantee it will function properly. …
According to The Verge , Microsoft confirms that users can manually install Windows 11 using an ISO. This bypasses normal Windows update procedures, which means you don’t need to go through the Windows PC Health Check to install Windows 11. However, your computer must still meet the minimum hardware requirements:
- 64-bit processor with a clock speed of 1 GHz with at least two cores
- 4 GB of RAM
- At least 64 GB of free storage space
We’ll learn more about the manual installation process when Windows 11 is available in the coming weeks, but the process will likely resemble installing Windows 10 from an ISO , which means you’ll also need one of the following settings:
- DVD drive that can burn discs
- Or a virtual disk installed on your PC
If you meet all of the above hardware requirements, you can install Windows 11 even if you don’t meet the TPM or SecureBoot requirements for regular updates.
Of course, this is not the intended upgrade path. Microsoft would prefer users to buy a new PC or upgrade their hardware to the recommended specs, but it does offer manual ISO installation as a fallback measure for businesses looking to preview Windows 11 as well as stubborn users who don’t want to upgrade. their equipment. Of course, manually installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware is not secure.
The biggest drawback is that older PCs may not be eligible for future Windows 11 updates. Skipping new features and updates is one thing, but the security and driver updates are of the greatest concern. These small updates are released more frequently, separate from large-scale version updates. While Microsoft hasn’t confirmed it will block updates on older hardware, the company is certainly considering doing so. If this happens, the old PC may face the risk of not corrected security issues, such as the recent vulnerability PrintNightmare .
However, even if older PCs cannot automatically install updates, it is possible that Microsoft will release future versions of Windows 11 as ISO images that you can use to manually update to the latest build (if they do become available, i.e.).
Likewise, older PCs can face compatibility issues due to outdated drivers. Inappropriate or outdated drivers can prevent you from using USB devices, disrupt basic functionality, and even prevent applications from starting. Likewise, some games will not perform well if the display drivers are not updated. While you can manually update your drivers, it is a tedious process and it can be difficult to find and install the correct drivers.
Again, it isn’t explicitly confirmed that Microsoft will block updates to older hardware, but it could happen at any time. It might be better to use Windows 10 on older computers if you don’t want to deal with these issues. Plus, there are ways to try out Windows 11 without installing anything.
[ The Verge ]