How to Run Windows 11 on an Unsupported Computer – Guide
If you have an unsupported PC, you can still upgrade to Windows 11 - but not through Windows Update. Instead, you’ll need to use a bootable USB drive or ISO file to do a clean install or manual setup.
Microsoft has announced that organizations can install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, allowing them to test the operating system. However, the company will not provide any documentation or maintenance for this workaround and users should be aware that there is no guarantee of stability or driver compatibility.
Download Windows 11 ISO
Downloading the ISO is necessary to bypass Windows 11 Setup Wizard, Windows Update, and Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool.
To download Windows 11, open the Select Download drop-down list on Microsoft’s page, choose Windows 11, click the Download button and select your product’s language from the Choose One drop-down list. Confirm your selection and click 64-Bit Download to begin downloading the 5.1GB image. Step two can be done while this is happening.
Edit Windows registry to bypass CPU check
To access the Windows Registry Editor, users can click Start and type regedit, then press Enter. They can also navigate to Computer > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > Setup > MoSetup by pasting the address into the box below “File, Edit, View, Favorites, Help” or searching through folders one at a time.
To enable Windows 10 upgrades on unsupported hardware, users must create a new DWORD Value (32-bit) in the right pane of the registry editor, naming it “AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU” without quotes. After double-clicking the value and entering 1 in the Value data field, users can click OK and close the registry editor.
Open the ISO in Windows Explorer and start the installation
To install the ISO, right click on it and select Open with > Windows Explorer to mount the virtual disk. Then double click on the configuration file to begin.
Success! By using the registry hack, you can now install Windows 11 without losing your data. However, Microsoft may not provide security updates if you take this route.
Final note
If you’re looking to run Windows 11 on an unsupported computer, this guide can help. Got questions? Reach out to us. And don’t forget to share the love and spread the word!
