Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- windows_11_unsupported [2023/05/08 20:24] – [Thoughts about risk:] phillip
+++ windows_11_unsupported [2023/05/11 11:48] (current) – [Reasons to not install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware?] phillip
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Windows 11 with Unsupported Hardware ======
-May 7, 2023: Windows 11 is not supported on all computers that have been supported with Windows 10. This has been the case since Windows 11 was released. There have been "workarounds" for installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware since the pre-release versions of Windows 11. This video: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL_maCWM5bk|Explaining Computers, install or update on unsupported hardware]] is precise and complete on many of the aspects of installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. Items worth mentioning before you watch the video…. The video identifies a "Clean Install" method and an "Update to Windows 11" method. If you want to "keep" all of your data and applications, the "Update" method should be your choice.
+May 7, 2023: Windows 11 is not supported on all computers that have been supported with Windows 10. This has been the case since Windows 11 was released. There have been "workarounds" for installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware since the pre-release versions of Windows 11. This video: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL_maCWM5bk|Explaining Computers, install or update on unsupported hardware]] is precise and complete on many of the aspects of installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. Items worth "highlighting" about the video…. The video identifies a "Clean Install" method and an "Update to Windows 11" method. If you want to "keep" all of your data and applications, the "Update" method should be your choice.  If you just want to "see if it works" and you have "plenty" of free space on your c:\ drive, freeing/shrinking the C partition can give you space for a clean install and a dual boot option.
 ===== Reasons to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware? =====
+ <font inherit/Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;;inherit;;inherit>As observed in the Sun City Help Center, some residents are buying new computers because their computer does not qualify for Windows 11. In some cases the result is additional stuff in a landfill, wasted time and money. Since Windows 11 is not new anymore and Windows 10 is approaching end of support in October 2025, the interest in Windows 11 continues to escalate. If your hardware tells you that you cannot upgrade, there are workarounds to install Win11, but there are some risks and caveats.</font>
+Opinion… If it works, why not. I have used the methods described here to install Windows 11 on a laptop with a 4th generation Intel processor with no TPM. That computer does have an SSD. It works and does updates. Is it as "secure" as Microsoft wants it to be? No. But it is configured with Windows Defender and Firewall. If the computer does not "walk" and/or I do not allow "somebody" free/remote access, it is probably as secure as it has ever been. I am assuming that Windows 11 is as "up to date", as any other Microsoft operating system, from the perspective of security issues.
+===== Reasons to not install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware? =====
-You want to "see" it work on your hardware. You wish to invest time learning to "do it". You wish to see if it will do "updates" after you discover it will work on your hardware. You have older hardware and you are concerned about Windows 10 reaching "end of life". You want to be using a supported OS, past Windows 10 "End of Support" (October 14, 2025).
+Reference [[:windows_alternatives|Windows Alternatives]].  Linux may be a better solution to your laptop or desktop computing needs. There are multiple flavors of Linux that will operate just fine on just about any generation of laptop or desktop. Why choose a Linux solution? It is free. It works. It will run Windows applications. Updates are not continuous and painful. If your primary computing activities are email, surfing the internet and a small set of applications, give Linux a try. Giving it a try can include installing Linux as an "alternate/dual" boot. You can use both Linux and if it "takes some time" to learn some of the nuances you have the capability to run Windows. Will Linux be an "educational" experience? Yes. The lessons are simple and the rewards will include savings in time, money and smaller amounts of computers in land fills. Is learning to use Linux painful? Opinion… Not nearly as painful as tolerating the taste of the Microsoft kool aid.
@@ Line 21: / Line 27: @@
 ===== Thoughts about costs: =====
-Windows 11 installation or upgrade takes "time". How much time? It depends on the hardware. Usually, the performance of the disk drive is the "number one" factor impacting "how much time",  is required for installation or upgrade. A system with a SSD (Solid State Drive) instead of a "spinning" hard drive, will often complete a clean installation in 10 to 20 minutes. How long does it take a "spinning" hard drive for the same operations?   Much longer…. An upgrade is more costly (time wise) than a clean installation. A system with an SSD is much faster. Attitude…. If you can afford it, and your computer does not contain an SSD, upgrade to an SSD before going down the Windows 11 path. However, if the time it takes for install or upgrade is a "do not care" to you. Ignore the previous commentary about SSD, especially if you like to watch the Windows spinning wheel.
+Windows 11 installation or upgrade takes "time". How much time? It depends on the hardware. Usually, the performance of the disk drive is the "number one" factor impacting "how much time", is required for installation or upgrade. A system with a SSD (Solid State Drive) instead of a "spinning" hard drive, will often complete a clean installation in 10 to 20 minutes. How long does it take a "spinning" hard drive for the same operations?  Much longer…. An upgrade is more costly (time wise) than a clean installation. A system with an SSD is much faster.   Attitude…. If you can afford it (Today, May 2023,  $20 for a 256 gb SSD upgrade in the help center), and your computer does not contain an SSD, upgrade to an SSD before going down the Windows 11 path.   The SSD upgrade will give you the "backup" you might want if the Windows 11 upgrade exposes an "UhOh".   However, if the time it takes for install or upgrade is a "do not care" to you. Ignore the previous commentary about SSD, especially if you like to watch the Windows spinning wheel.
-Time, disk space, alternate partition.
 ===== Alternative partition or Dual boot: =====
@@ Line 29: / Line 34: @@
 If you have enough "unused disk space" on your computer you might consider "freeing up enough of it" and installing Windows 11 on/in the "free space". How much space would you need to "give it a try"? 50 gigabytes will be enough for a "test". If the "result works" then "rethinking" how you want to use "disk space" would be the next step.
-The Disk Management program in Windows allows you to "shrink" a partition. If you discover your "C:\" drive has lots of free space, it is possible with Disk Management to shrink the C: drive by some part of the unused space. Then you could install Windows 11 on/in the free space. The step of "freeing the space" must be completed before following the "clean install" process mentioned in the video. What could you do with a computer that can boot windows 11 or windows 10?  Appreciate the fact that it can be done?
+The Disk Management program in Windows 10 allows you to "shrink" a partition. If you discover your "C:\" drive has lots of free space, it is possible with Disk Management to shrink the C: drive by some part of the unused space. Then you could install Windows 11 on/in the free space. The step of "freeing the space" must be completed before following the "clean install" process mentioned in the video. What could you do with a computer that can boot windows 11 or windows 10?  Demonstrating dual boot before migration, might give you a bit more confidence in doing an "upgrade" from Windows 10.   Once you prove that Windows 11 will boot and detects all your hardware devices, then an upgrade of your Windows 10 partition to Windows 11 is not as exciting.