windows 11 upgrade PC not compatible

topdecko

We have small business - 6 workstations

none of them compatible with Windows 11 upgrade. Will we just have to bite the bullet and buy new PCs - these are not that old and run fine on windows 10 but the processors are not on the approved list . any other option apart from serious outlay on new PCs??

Not sure i have the tech capability to bypass the download process - altering registry and so forth.

Spear

What's the exact spec? If they're workstations they may have options for TPM modules on the motherboard.

Cordell

You don't need TPM modules, any fairly recent computer will have a firmware based TPM. The problem may be that the CPUs are too old to be supported but that doesn't mean it won't work, I installed Win 11 on a 7700.

https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/bypass-windows-11-tpm-requirement

topdecko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123544196#Comment_123544196

ProcessorIntel(R) Core(TM) i5-6500 CPU @ 3.20GHz 3.19 GHz

Installed RAM16.0 GB (15.9 GB usable)

Storage932 GB SSD CT1000MX500SSD1

Graphics CardIntel(R) HD Graphics 530 (128 MB)

topdecko

I read somewhere that 40% of computers won't be eligible for upgrade. Is it likely that they will prolong the updates for Windows 10 or relax the requirements to avoid making millions of computers redundant?? Seems a shame to dump these computers when nothing much wrong with them

Cordell

You have the option of staying on Windows 10 past the EOL date which apparently is October this year, it will keep working but won't be getting updates, or get someone who knows what they're doing to make the upgrade.

AllForIt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123544322#Comment_123544322

The processor is the same as in my HTPC ( a desktop pc under the telly) with only 8gb of ram and is more than capable of running windows 11. In fact it performs better than 10. Boots up in no time etc.

I do have a dedicated graphics card though but I wouldn't think that makes much difference for office applications.

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123544336#Comment_123544336

I would try upgrading one of yours using the upgrade hack then run it for a bit to see if it works OK. My guess is it will. I have an older system running Windows 11 perfectly.

eeepaulo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123544336#Comment_123544336

it might be a bit of a cliff with a lot of viable hardware no longer supported.

thats a 6th gen cpu, so just missing out, they (probably) have tpm2.0 but the cpu is unsupported, at the moment they will work with windows 11 but at some point in the future they may do an update and not have the cpu instruction sets to work, and there will be no bypassing that, i would upgrade my aunties pc but you are in a business so not sensible.

you say they are workstations, i dont suppose they have an enterprise licenses by any chance?

right click start, system, check the windows version

Spear

These are business machines though. A workaround/bypass could be undone overnight by an update pushed by MS, something they've been murmuring about lately. So one morning these machines could all be unbootable meaning business interruption. And disabling Windows Update could leave them at risk instead.

blackbox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123544397#Comment_123544397

I'm thinking of doing this. Does it automatically get the Windows 11 updates?

the_amazing_raisin

I'm just going to chuck it out there, you could get a paid support version of Linux

Paid versions of Redhat or Suse can include direct support and migration solutions, so you'll have a rep assisting you to move to Linux

As long as there isn't windows specific software you're using then it's feasible

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123544413#Comment_123544413

tbh I haven't checked its on an old machine under my desk that I used for a couple of days after upgrading it. It did the upgrades for the time it was running. If I get a chance I will dig it out and check again. Hardware was similar to the OP's with an i5 6400.

celtic_oz

Business PCs would be taking a big chance on running windows 11 on unsupported hardware, the lot could go down the same month with Windows updates. Updating is mandatory for security.

same performance Mini PC as the OP (Multithread Rating 5612 Single Thread Rating 2096 ) = €150 here which includes windows 11 pro will use one tenth the electricity.

deployed loads of them

browse the website for more powerfull ones if required .. I've been using the Nuc M5 as a daily driver for 2 years no issues.

topdecko

Just to be clear those mini PCs mentioned above will run the same programmes as current desktop??

We use practice management software, email and run scanner through reception but thats about it. no power hungry programmes.

We have all the USB ports used assume you just get USB expander and run them all through that.

Big price difference to traditional desktop providers. thanks

Spear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123545545#Comment_123545545

Yes, they use 64bit x86 CPUs, the same as the i5 6500's you currently use.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123544405#Comment_123544405

it's not even something that MS might deliberately do; though that is a possibility that they could deliberately disable the workaround.

but the concern i'd be referring to is that they won't be doing any QA testing for scenarios arising from the old, unsupported hardware mixed with workarounds, so it could well be that a 'bug' not in scope of testing could cause problems. and you can be guaranteed that the people who have volunteered to be early testers before public release are on fully supported systems; MS would usually not allow them to test if they were not.

though it has to be said that plenty of bugs in supported scenarios still make it through anyway!

Glaceon

There is also the option of paying for extended support, it might buy you some time.

in2dark

You can use this tool and let ms think you need to spend thousands of euros for no reason whatsoever

https://github.com/builtbybel/Flyby11

ItHurtsWhenIP

There is this option available to you OP:

https://0patch.com/

For €25pa per machine, you will get future M$ updates as micro patches. It would probably be cheaper than the M$ extended support offering, which tends to increase every year.

celtic_oz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123545545#Comment_123545545

yes they have a similar passmark and same architecture

old i5 : here

N150 : here

higher numbers are better

if you need to check other CPUs just google "passmark cpu" eg "passmark N150" , the first link is usually correct.

I would regard the N150 as the base CPU for Office PC's .. runs Office 365 smoothly enough, at €150 they are commodity Pcs keep one in the cupboard as a spare, store data on fileservers/cloud.

They come with 4 usb ports, 2 at the front and 2 at the back and will run 2 monitors via HDMI

i5 relatively cheap also :

My advice: buy one and test it. Dont mess around with unsupported workarounds.

Shipping is free but takes a week, make sure you choose UK plug