 |  |
|---|
Posted on 07/30/2023 8:30:11 AM PDT by fireman15
Here's how to use Windows To Go and Rufus to set up Windows 11 on a PC that doesn't meet its requirements.
Windows 11 system requirements specify that it needs UEFI, Secure Boot and TPM. Many old computers are powerful enough to run Windows 11. Yet, they cannot install the OS because of these requirements. Windows 11 refuses to install and displays the message "this PC can't run Windows 11".
There is a way to bypass these requirements and install Windows 11 on any powerful computer, even if it is old. The process is quite simple as well.
Unlike earlier versions, Windows 11 is rigid with its minimum system requirements. It not only asks for a fast processor but also insists on the processor being a certain generation or higher. The supported processors include newer models from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm.
You can check if your PC meets these requirements using the PC Health Check app. But, if any of the requirements are not fulfilled, Windows will say that the system does not meet the requirements.
Windows 11 compatibility check is not only a warning, but will also result in refusal to install the OS. Windows 10 will retire on October 14, 2025, after which it will not get any updates. As such, your PC won't get any new features or security fixes unless you install Windows 11 on it.
However, you can give your computer a new lease of life by creating a Windows To Go bootable disk. With that, you can bypass all these requirements:
A compatible processor, A UEFI BIOS, Secure Boot compatibility, TPM (Trusted Platform Module), and a Microsoft account for the initial device setup.
(Excerpt) Read more at makeuseof.com ...
I started testing Windows 11 on this laptop about the same time the retail version was released. Getting around Microsoft's restrictions has never been much of a challenge. Mostly I have just used Windows 11 in a Hyper-V virtual machine which has the disadvantage that it is very difficult to use the Ryzen 5's capable integrated GPU.
I have spent a lot of time over the years getting various operating systems to run on USB devices. Most Linux builds offer "live" versions, some with "persistence" meaning that changes you make and updates that you add will be there the next time that you use the USB device. Most of the time you have to do a little messing around to get this to work properly.
Windows To Go has been around for years for some flavors of Windows which allows one to do the same thing. But for some reason I hadn't really thought about trying to use Windows To Go with Windows 11.
I had a spare USB3 NVME SSD enclosure that I bought on sale at Amazon a few months ago for $9.99 but had put the SSD that I had intended to use in it in my wife's laptop. After reading this article I looked at Amazon and was able to get a name brand 512GB NVME SSD on sale for $18.99 with free shipping. This was too much for me to resist.
I was shocked at how fast I was able to get Windows 11 up and running on this external SSD. It is a slight challenge finding a few Windows 11 drivers since my laptop had not made the official cut. But even that was not much of a challenge since I had been through it before.
I apologize for the embarrassing number of pop-ups at the MakeUseOf.com website, there are ways around that too, but it is easiest to just try and ignore them. I thought the article had some helpful advice on how to do this procedure quickly and easily using Rufus and a link to Microsoft's Windows 11 ISO files without getting bogged down jumping through the usual hoops. It is best to use this with a USB3 enclosure with a fast SSD, but it also works OK with a normal USB3 stick or SD card in a USB3 adapter.
Interestingly enough Microsoft recognized my laptop's hardware identifiers and applied my digital Windows 10 pro license to Windows 11 without me having to do anything. This was a slightly unnerving but welcome surprise.
Or, you could just install Linux. Problems solved.
Or stick with Windows 7. XP also works very well.
I should mention that once you get your Windows To Go set-up working the way you want... it can be easily cloned to an internal drive if you later want to use it as your primary system.
Could I just replace the microprocessor for my Compaq CQ57-339WM laptop?
“Or, you could just install Linux. Problems solved.”
Blaspheme. How could you suggest such a socially incorrect heretical concept?
vikingd00d said: “Or, you could just install Linux. Problems solved.”
I was gonna say that.
I was well aware that these would be the likely first responses. If either of you had bothered to read my initial comment you would have been able to surmise that I have been using various forms of Linux, Windows, and other operating systems for decades. I like to tinker and thought others might be interested in this informative article.
I’m waiting for Windows 12....
“I was well aware that these would be the likely first responses.”
Just ignore them.
| |
|---|
The only thing wrong with it you can’t upgrade you have to do a clean install . All my computers have win 11 but I don’t run win 11 on all of them ,LOL
Why run Windows 11? Windows 10 is enough Torture for me.... I working on migration back to Apple.
I considered upgrading but then I read that it actually slows done your PC installing Windows 11.
Could I do the setup on a USB 2.0 external HDD and then clone it to the internal drive?
“I’m waiting for Windows 12....”
With a monthly subscription to use it.
I am amazed at how folks just keep hitting their head against that wall before they figure out that wall is never going to give, it is just getting stronger because they do.
bump for later
I have realized the big obstacle holding back adopting Linux are those four letters “CMOS”. No one trusts themselves to go reset their boot order to boot from USB first. And now days PC manufacturers have thrown as many road blocks they can into allowing an alternative OS to boot. Now you have to change three or four different CMOS settings to allow booting an alternative from USB. I think MS is paying them to do this.
And this will also be an issue with the concept in this post. You first have to set the CMOS boot order to boot from an external USB first.
“I have realized the big obstacle holding back adopting Linux are those four letters “CMOS”.”
No, the obstacle is Linux, itself.
“No one trusts themselves to go reset their boot order to boot from USB first.”
Not true.
“Not true.”
Speak for yourself, you greatly overestimate the confidence of the general user. 9 times out of 10 as soon as I mention “CMOS” to someone I am helping install linux they say “I will take it to my computer shop then”. Most are scared to death to make any changes at all to their CMOS settings because they think they will brick it.
“No, the obstacle is Linux, itself.”
There is nothing at all wrong with “owning your own” Linux. In far too many ways it is superior. And if you think it is harder to use then you are ten years behind the times...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.