Updating Windows 11 On “Unsupported” Systems

Microsoft have established a high bar to entry at launch for Windows 11, with hardware requirements including a T.P.M. (Trusted Platform Module), 4 G.B. of R.A.M. and Secure Boot capabilities, leaving a straightforward upgrade beyond the reach of a large proportion of the world’s computers, including relatively recent hardware easily capable of running Windows 10, yet deemed “unsupported” in relation to its successor.

Image Credit: Microsoft

Despite these barriers to entry, it is entirely possible to install Windows 11 on “unsupported” hardware, either as an upgrade or via clean installation, and we’ve created modified installation media in each of the videos linked below which facilitate Windows 11 installation on unsupported devices.

In circumventing these obstacles, a degree of concern is understandable, and possibly the largest single consideration is whether Microsoft will continue to provide Feature and Quality updates for unsupported systems via the familiar Windows Update channel.

Microsoft have made public comment in this regard, specifically stating “devices that do not meet these system requirements will no longer be guaranteed to receive updates, including but not limited to security updates.” Indeed, pursuing the installation of Windows 11 on an “unsupported” system carries the disclaimer that “if you proceed with installing Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates.”

Image Credit: Microsoft

However, at the time of the publication of this article (January 15^th, 2022), our unsupported devices have received some fifteen updates specifically for Windows 11 since upgrading in mid-October 2021, in line with our officially supported hardware.

It is entirely within the gift of Microsoft as to whether provision of updates for unsupported systems will continue, and the position could change very rapidly. It was for this reason that the precursor video “Preparing For Windows 11 - Creating A Full System Image” was published.

The objective in this video was to create a system image, freezing an existing Windows 10 installation in time, complete with apps, files, folders and settings, allowing us to rapidly revert back to Windows 10 at any moment, should the position change in relation to Windows 11 updates. This provides us with the ultimate safety net prior to the installation of Windows 11, giving us a non-expiring backup, which can be called upon in unforeseen future circumstance, and entirely removing the risk from updating to Windows 11.

Indeed, there exists a degree of risk in remaining with Windows 10. Microsoft have published the end-of-life information for Windows 10 Home and Pro, and the clock is already ticking toward the deadline of October 14^th, 2025. Whilst that provides us with a very generous period of more than three years to take action, it doesn’t present an upgrade path for Windows 10 devices, meaning that their security risks will begin to increase rapidly beyond that point, and placing users in the position of either needing to replace their potentially vulnerable hardware, or follow our unsupported route to Windows 11.

Image Credit: Microsoft

During this three-year transitional period, we would expect to see new features appearing in the flagship Windows 11, whilst Windows 10 is effectively allowed to stagnate with minimal support, and this has historically been the case in the transition between operating system versions. There exists the significant prospect of Windows 10 being left as the poor relation to a thriving Windows 11. As computer enthusiasts, we see no reason why we shouldn’t be able to update to Windows 11, and we actively pursue the objective of using the very latest version of the operating system which our device can comfortably utilise.

What if there are no future updates, and we have no desire to roll back to Windows 10 using the system image we have created? Numerous third-party applications have been published which allow updating without recourse to Windows Update, and, were Microsoft to withdraw updates for unsupported devices, we would certainly turn to these products to prolong the life of our Windows 11 installation. Whilst this may prove prohibitive for casual users, for enthusiasts and more skilled operators, it will represent an acceptable compromise for continuing use of Windows 11. In the event that this situation should arise, we fully intend to publish a workable solution via our platforms.

We should, of course, acknowledge that threats to device integrity and data security are emerging and evolving all of the time, and the hardware limitations imposed by Microsoft are designed to place Windows 11 in the strongest position possible to rise to these new challenges. By taking steps to deliberately circumvent these requirements and run on less-than-optimal hardware, we potentially undermine those efforts. However, given both the potentially devastating environmental consequences which would result from the scrapping of an entire generation of computers, and the financial cost of replacement to their users, there is a strong justification for promoting solutions which seek to prolong the life of perfectly usable hardware. Whilst we acknowledge there are potential pitfalls in pursuing this objective, we maintain that this is an option which is beneficial to a significant number of Windows 10 users.