If you have a computer with unsupported hardware, you may upgrade to Windows 11, but not through Windows Update. Instead, you will have to use a bootable USB flash drive or ISO file to manually perform a clean install or in-place upgrade.
Microsoft left the loophole open, but it doesn’t mention it anywhere in the documentation, nor is it supported. According to the company, installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware is an option for organizations. However, anyone could upgrade at their own risk knowing there is no guarantee of system stability and driver compatibility.
In other words, you can continue with the setup manually if you choose to install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware. However, you must confirm that the upgrade will have an “unsupported state.” Microsoft defines an “unsupported state” as a device that does not meet the minimum system requirements, and as a result, it won’t be entitled to receive updates from Windows Update. Although these devices may continue to receive updates anyway, the company isn’t obligated to provide security and driver updates or technical support.
This guide will teach you how to install Windows 11 (version 21H2 or 22H2) on a computer with incompatible hardware. Since the device does not officially support the new version of Windows, it’s not recommended to use this workaround unless you know the risks and understand that stability, compatibility, and updates are not guaranteed.
Install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware from USB
Using the ISO file to perform a clean installation, you will need to create a bootable media using a third-party tool like Rufus or Command Prompt to start the setup process with a USB flash drive.
In addition, you also have to make sure the device can start from USB, which means you will have to change the UEFI settings. Since most computers have different settings, you must check your manufacturer support website for more specific details.
To install Windows 11 on an unsupported PC, use these steps:
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