Microsoft’s strict hardware requirements for the upcoming Windows 11 have left many users behind, but it turns out there’s a way to install the new OS even if your PC’s processor or security features don’t meet the company’s standards—though it’s not guaranteed to run properly.
According to The Verge, Microsoft confirms users can install Windows 11 manually with an ISO. This bypasses the normal Windows update procedures, meaning you don’t have to pass the Windows PC Health Check to install Windows 11. However, your PC still has to meet the minimum hardware requirements:
A 64-bit 1 GHz processor with at least two cores
4 GB of RAM
At least 64 GB of free storage space
We’ll know more about the manual installation process once Windows 11 is available in the coming weeks, but the process will likely resemble installing Windows 10 with an ISO, which means you’ll also need one of the following setups:
A DVD drive that can burn discs
Or a virtual drive installed on your PC
As long as you meet all of the above hardware requirements, you can install Windows 11 even if you don’t meet the TPM or SecureBoot requirements needed to upgrade through the normal channels.
Of course, this isn’t the intended upgrade route. Microsoft would much rather have users buy a new PC or upgrade to the recommended hardware specs, but it’s offering the manual ISO installation as a fallback measure for businesses that want to preview Windows 11, as well as stubborn users who don’t want to upgrade their hardware. Of course, manually installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware isn’t risk-free.
The biggest downside is that older PCs may be ineligible for future updates to Windows 11. Missing out on new features and upgrades is one thing, but the bigger concerns are security and driver updates. These smaller updates roll out more frequently, separate from the large-scale version upgrades. While Microsoft has not confirmed it will block updates on older hardware, the company is certainly considering it. If that happens, older PCs may be at risk of unpatched security issues, such as the recent PrintNightmare vulnerability.
However, even if older PCs can’t install updates automatically, it’s possible Microsoft will release subsequent versions of Windows 11 as ISOs as well, which you could use to manually update to the latest build (as long as they actually become available, that is).
Similarly, older PCs may run into compatibility issues from outdated drivers. Mismatched or outdated drivers can prevent you from using USB devices, break basic features, and even prevent apps from running. Similarly, some games will run poorly if your display drivers aren’t up to date. While you can manually update drivers, this is a tedious process and it can be difficult to find and install the proper drivers.
Again, it’s not outright confirmed Microsoft will block updates for older hardware, but it could happen at any time. Sticking with Windows 10 on older PCs might be better if you don’t want to deal with these issues. Besides, there are ways to try out Windows 11 without having to install anything.
[The Verge]
If you’re a Facebook fan but hate its recent redesign, there’s hope. You can no longer revert back to “Old Facebook” simply by clicking a button in yo
Though we live in quarantine times and nobody is going anywhere—nobody should be going anywhere, at least—it’s possible that you still need to get out
Should you buy a new iPhone 12 directly from Apple, directly from your carrier, or sign up for Apple’s iPhone upgrade program? It depends. There are a
It’s unclear just how many new iPhone 12 owners are affected, but it seems that there’s at least some kind of issue that prevents the new iPhones from
Microsoft is testing out a new password-management feature in its Authenticator app, which makes the former even more useful as a one-stop shop for al
We’ve told you before about JustWatch, a service that allows you to search for a movie to discover where it is available for streaming or rental. But
If you’ve enabled automatic updates on Windows 10, you’ve probably noticed the addition of a new—and rather annoying—weather and news widget in the ta
As cool and convenient as wireless charging can be, boy is it slow. We’ve talked about how inefficient wireless charging is, especially compared to tr
We are a comprehensive and trusted information platform dedicated to delivering high-quality content across a wide range of topics, including society, technology, business, health, culture, and entertainment.
From breaking news to in-depth reports, we adhere to the principles of accuracy and diverse perspectives, helping readers find clarity and reliability in today’s fast-paced information landscape.
Our goal is to be a dependable source of knowledge for every reader—making information not only accessible but truly trustworthy. Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance our content and services, connecting the world and delivering value.
