Workaround to Upgrade Windows 11

Requirements

To upgrade to Windows 11, you’ll need:

• Windows 11 ISO file
• Windows PowerShell (Admin access)
• Basic knowledge of mounting ISO files and using command prompts

Why Upgrade to Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware?

If your system doesn’t meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements, this guide offers a way to still take advantage of the new features in version 24H2 without buying a new machine, provided your processor supports SSE 4.2 instructions and PopCnt. By following these steps, you’ll be able to enjoy the updated Windows experience while keeping your current hardware setup.

Steps to Upgrade to Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO File

First, download the ISO file from the official Microsoft website:

1. Open your browser and search for ‘Windows 11 download’.
2. Click on the official Microsoft link to the download page.
3. Scroll down to find the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image” section.
4. Select “Windows 11 multi edition” from the dropdown menu and click “Download.”
5. You’ll need to select the language matching your current system:
   • In Windows PowerShell (run as Administrator), execute the following commands to check your system language:Get-WinSystemLocaleORdism /online /get-intlThis will display your installed language and system locale.
      
6. Select the appropriate language from the ISO download page based on this information.

Step 2: Mount the ISO File

Once the ISO file has downloaded:

1. Right-click on the file and select “Mount” or open it with File Explorer.
2. Take note of the drive letter assigned to the mounted ISO. In my video example, I had the driver letter D.

Step 3: Run the Windows 11 Setup from Command Prompt

Now, start the installation process via Command Prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type the following, replacing D with the drive letter of your mounted ISO:D:\setup.exe /product serverThis will start the Windows 11 setup wizard and also bypass the hardware requirements.

Step 4: Complete the Windows 11 Setup

Follow the instructions on the Windows setup wizard:

1. Change the “Choose how Setup Downloads Updates” to “Not right now” on the first setup screen.
2. Accept the license terms and ensure that the option to “Keep files, settings, and apps” is selected to ensure you don’t lose any data.
   Note: If this option is unavailable, it means there is a mismatch between the ISO file language and the system language. Try downloading the Windows 11 ISO file again but select the language currently installed on the system you want to upgrade.
3. Proceed with the installation, and Windows 11 will be installed without any hardware restrictions.
4. Once the upgrade is finished, check for and install the latest Windows 11 updates.

Conclusion

You can now enjoy Windows 11 even if your hardware doesn’t meet Microsoft’s official requirements. By following these steps, you’ll retain all of your files, settings, and apps during the upgrade process. If this guide was helpful, don’t forget to check for updates after installation to ensure your system remains secure and up-to-date.

For further optimization of your Windows 11 system, consider using tools like WinToys. You can follow this guide on optimizing Windows with PowerToys to improve privacy and performance after the upgrade.