It WORKED! W11 on an unsupported computer... but!

[Denyse]

I viewed a few of the many work a-rounds to get Windows 11 on unsupported computers, and did find one method that seemed to be a possibility. I downloaded the required files, dug out an old Dell XPS 17 computer (from 2010) and then followed the easy to follow instructions.

Low and behold, it worked! No problems (read on) all of my old software was still there and everything ran...

BUT, her it comes, TOO SLOW. While the method to install Windows 11 was flawless, on my really old computer, the processor 1.87GHz just did not have enough to make using it with Windows 11 worth it. So, I used the recovery option, and in less than an hour my old computer, that was made to run with Windows 7 was again humming away with Windows 10 Pro, like a champ.

I write this to let everyone know, while it is possible to run Windows 11 Pro on an old computer, and it will update, if your processor does not have the power, do not waste your time.

 

[Charvelx04]

Funny enough, all she requires is a dual core CPU. But, I've never seen a dual core with Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 support without using a separate chip, so MS's specs on it run wild, and make little to no sense.

 

[Denyse]

The system I got it onto, had an i7 processor and 16gb of ram, and a 3gb NVIDIA but it still just ran too slow. I may give it another go, on a desktop that is also an i7 but it has 32gb and a 16gb NVIDIA, but all it has on it now is just Windows 10 Pro, nothing else. So if it too runs slow it will tell me something, with no other overhead.

 

[EMS]

Not sure how this is a help issue.....moved to GD

 

[Charvelx04]

Not sure how this is a help issue.....moved to GD

Yeah, I questioned that at first too...

But... to add to this discussion, if anyone's interested in having Windows 11, but not all that bloat... check out Tiny11.

https://www.techradar.com/news/tiny11-is-out-promising-to-be-windows-11-without-steep-hardware-requirements

 

[EMS]

microsoft are trying to dictate the market with their software at some point people will get hacked off with it and say.......I'm going to use open source instead. You wait, microsoft will announce that win 10 updates will be ending soon (as soon as win 11 hits a certain amount of sales)

 

[Denyse]

From a girlfriend who works at Microsoft, in 2024 Windows 12 will come out, and there will be a version that will not have the hardware restrictions of Windows 11; due to the number of computers that the Federal government uses that do not meet those requirement and as such the government never came to an agreement with Microsoft to upgrade their operating systems from Windows 10 to 11. That is a huge amount of money lost to the company.

 

[Denyse]

Not sure how this is a help issue.....moved to GD

Maybe not on this board, but it is a major topic in the HELP section of a lot of others.

 

[EMS]

Maybe not on this board, but it is a major topic in the HELP section of a lot of others.

I am not thinking of other boards, just this one and I am sure when people see it or get pointed to your post, it will help others. I am glad it worked for you, I think I put win 10 on an old dell and it was extremely sluggish so I put win 7 on and it ran quite happily and sits idle in a corner with the other dell that has win 7 on it.

Wayback when vista came out, I built my computer to use the OS as efficiently as possible and because there was supposed to be loads of games coming out for vista.....however, the reverse was the case, I think I had 2 games for it but it worked well, never had any issues with sorting out drivers etc. Think the mobo died on that....

 

[Weaserlorian]

I am not thinking of other boards, just this one

Exactly

 

[Denyse]

Looking around the place, I have computers that still run, Unix, 2 with MSDOS (different versions), Windows 3.11, Windows 98SE, Windows XP Professional , Windows 7 Professional, Windows 10 Professional and of course the one I am on now, Windows 11 Professional, can hardly wait until I can add more junk to my collection with one running Windows 12 Professional as well. Also sitting in the rack are various other operating systems both Microsoft (like Vista and ME, and a couple that never saw the light of day) and server editions along with some non-pc stuff. Just cannot throw anything away.

 

[Charvelx04]

Maybe not on this board, but it is a major topic in the HELP section of a lot of others.

You didn't ask a question, which made the difference.

And, even though you didn't... I replied with Tiny11.. and yes, there's even a Tiny10.

Also sitting in the rack are various other operating systems both Microsoft (like Vista and ME, and a couple that never saw the light of day) and server editions along with some non-pc stuff. Just cannot throw anything away.

I've collected all versions myself. Not on a rack, all Windows versions (and DOS from 1 to 7) up to XP (slipstreamed) are on a single DVD. The rest have their own DVD respectively. Too many Linux distros to download, might as well just leave them on the servers and let others keep them alive. I stopped collecting server editions after 2003.

 

[Denyse]

I am not sure if I can use img codes or not but if I can, here is what I accomplished last night.

 

[EMS]

IMG code is fine as long as its done properly....some people use photo hosts that won't work here. I used to use Imgur but they expect you to sign up with them now and I'm not into all that jazz anymore. cutting corners to save time is a better bet lol

I was just having a look and the only way that can have an upgraded CPU you have to change the mobo too....not very cost effective. I guess that's why I like building my own lol

 

[Denyse]

I just don't have the knowledge or ability to build my own laptop. I desktop, I have done, but a laptop is way beyond my abilities.

 

[Charvelx04]

I just don't have the knowledge or ability to build my own laptop. I desktop, I have done, but a laptop is way beyond my abilities.

Truly, it's the same as a desktop. All it takes is a screwdriver...and, a more delicate touch when it comes to removing components. Most of the components are connected to the board, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, via mylar connecting cables. The clips that hold these tape-like connectors can be easily broken, so again, a delicate touch is needed to open the clips to release the cables.

Other than that, keeping an eye on how many screws you've removed and where they go, is all you need. Some laptop screens are easily replaced as well... some lids are held together with small screws, most just snap together, so have to be careful there when separating them.

Once you get used to it, it's not such a big deal.

 

[Denyse]

I do appreciate the words of encouragement, but I would rather leave it up to someone like yourself, who has done it and has a better grasp of all the things that can go wrong. Letting someone who know how to disarm a land mine is the same sort of thing, it is not something to try when if does not go right there is no second chance; as could happen if I attempted to work on my only laptop computer. Now if you need someone to service your Leica Camera, that I can do, as I know where every little lever and spring goes.

BTW... I can also service many a weapon, some blindfolded. But that is for a different discussion.

 

[EMS]

Truly, it's the same as a desktop. All it takes is a screwdriver...and, a more delicate touch when it comes to removing components. Most of the components are connected to the board, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, via mylar connecting cables. The clips that hold these tape-like connectors can be easily broken, so again, a delicate touch is needed to open the clips to release the cables.

Yep the connectors can be rather fiddly and a wire could easily come out if you don't do it properly. I've stripped laptops and they definitely need a bit of a careful touch a bit like cameras.