Installing Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware

How to run Windows 11 on a computer without a compatible processor and/or TPM 2.0. Tutorial includes both an upgrade from Windows 10, and a clean installation.

NOTE: Please do read the notes in my pinned comment. :)

Web resources referred to in the video are as follows:

Microsoft Windows 11 health check:

Windows 11 page for downloading Windows 11 ISO:

Rufus imaging software:

Microsoft page with the warning about installing Windows 11 on systems that don't meet minimum requirements:

Microsoft page with the Windows 11 upgrade Registry hack:

Other useful pages include:

Windows 11 hardware requirements:

Intel processors that Windows 11 actually supports:

AMD processors that Windows 11 actually supports:

My video on “PC BIOS Settings” is here:

And if you want to manually implement the Registry changes needed during a Windows install from standard media, this is covered in my video “Windows 11: The Good, The Bad & the Ugly”:

Finally, you may be interested in my video about Windows 11 configuration and privacy settings here:

For additional ExplainingComputers videos and other content, you can become a channel member here:

More videos on computing and related topics can be found at:

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:09 The State of Play
05:19 Warning!
04:03 Download Windows 11 ISO
05:07 Clean Install with Rufus
10:23 Upgrade via Registry Hack
15:14 Avoiding e-Waste (wrap)

#Windows11 #Upgrade #Unsupported #explainingcomputers

[ExplainingComputers]

IMPORTANT NOTES: In the "Download Windows 11 ISO" section, I at one point ( 4:12 ) I say "the process starts by downloading a Windows 10 ISO file". I should have said "Windows 11 ISO file", which is what I proceed to do! My bad. :(

Secondly, as some have rightly pointed out in these comments, installing Windows 11 using the methods shown will install a version that will not then offer an upgrade to the next version (well, at least not based on current Microsoft practice). So, for example, right now, Windows 11 22h2 will be installed, which will receive updates until October 8 2024. This is not inherently a problem, as the process shown in the video can be repeated to move to the next version, so providing another few years of support. But it is worth being aware of.

Finally, I'd note that I made this video because I've had a lot of requests to make an episode on this topic. But I am not here suggesting that is it what everybody should do! If you have a working Windows 10 system, there is a sound logic to let sleeping dogs lie and let it run well into 2025 before deciding to upgrade to Windows 11 (and this is regardless of whether your hardware is supported or not). But many people I know are keen to have the latest Windows -- or to know their future options -- and for those individuals, I hope that this video is useful.

[ChrisShawc]

I expect this video is going to have a high number of views over the next two years.

[Rodewerksahed]

Your videos are always so very clear and concise. No awful 'supporting' background music either. Thanks for uploading 👏👍

[hotdog]

First time here and incredibly impressed with the presentation style. Not too fast like everyone is a PC expert, not too slow like we've never used a keyboard before either; just the right balance of knowledge and speed. Made this look so easy, I will definitely be giving it a go on at some point. Thanks for a cracking video. 👍👍

[jackburton]

Great video Chris.
It's ridiculous Microsoft put these arbitrary requirements into W11.

[tichwykes]

Brilliant video Chris I love the fact you have the option to upgrade with some registry alterations meaning I shouldn't lose any data & more importantly the software I use in the observatory as setting all that up can take a while, I can see me doing an upgrade soon now thanks for this much appreciated.

[benwillis]

Brilliant! I imagine the process of upgrading from W10 to W11 on unsupported machines will only become more streamlined with time, but you have made it look really simple, thank you!

[ZaelleLexil]

I appreciate how thorough you are in this video. A lot of tutorial videos will skip too many things and just expect users to know what was snipped out in between, but it's not always obvious even to well versed users. Especially so when using software they may have not run into, such as Rufus, etc. Going along for the ride with the user who needs the assistance is much better than only showing highlights.

[srtcsb]

Thanks for this Chris. As usual you've produced a quality video with easy to understand instructions (as easy as it gets in this case). I'll be using this soon to upgrade my dual-boot machine... Though I rarely use Windows much anymore, it's still good to stay current. Cheers. 🙂👍

[fixerman]

I always love your videos but this one is marvelous! While I am not considering doing this at this time, it is great to know it's an option! Thank You and keep these wonderful videos coming!

[saleo]

Comprehensive, clear, and instructive. Thank you for all your wonderful videos.

[p-anando]

Thank you very much.
The upgrade was very easy, thanks to your simple explanation.
You saved 3 laptops, and 4 computers from going to the scrapyard.
Your video will be of immense environmental value, as people will be able to use their hardware for many years to come. 👏

[codingbloke]

Well done, really clear instructions.

[manjacovus]

THE best Windows 11 tutorial I've seen.
Keep up the good work!
Many thanks and mega-congrats .

[CAIORAZ]

This has to be the most detailed and well-rehearsed step-by-step video I've ever watched. Great job!

[sturmgesutz]

These are without doubt the best videos on YouTube on explaining about pc's. So very well made, and very informative with everything clearly and concisely explained. Absolutely love them. Got me out of a few dilemmas in the past. Absolutely top notch in every department.

[benni_w_]

Thank you for this easy demonstration of installing Windows 11 on older computers! I think that this is very important from the e-waste perspective alone, since there are plenty of older systems which are perfectly capable of running basic tasks (e.g. office applications, webbrowsing) for many more years.
The PC I gave to my mum which is used for such basic office tasks and runs an i7 2600k will probably receive this treatment in 2 or 3 years once Win 10 support ends. That PC is more than capable of handling text editing, webbrowsing and 1080p60 video watching today and will almost certainly be capable of doing so in a few years.

[iandron]

Thanks Christopher, crystal clear as always.

[pebosk]

Great video, your easy to listen to and this video is clearly explained. I appreciate that you just "got to it" with little fluff. 👍

[kieranmasonmusic]

That’s amazing that rufus can give you options to get rid of the tpm check!

Great video!