How to Install Windows 11 24H2 on Unsupported Hardware

Jerry updated on Sep 20, 2024 to Windows System To Go | How-to Articles

Want to install Windows 11 24H2 on unsupported hardware? This post has all the answers. Let's see how to bypass the stringent Windows 11 hardware requirements and install Windows 11 24H2 using a clean install and in-place upgrade.

Microsoft made it mandatory for PC users to support the Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 hardware features to download the new Windows 11 24H2. This frustrates Windows 10 and early Windows 11 users, as fully functional PCs cannot install new Windows because of stringent hardware requirements. Let's see how to bypass Microsoft's restrictions and install Windows 11 24H2 on unsupported hardware. If you want to install Windows 11 24H2 on unsupported PC, EaseUS will help you.

Can I Install Windows 11 Without Secure Boot and TPM 2.0

Yes, using customizable ISO files and an in-place upgrade, we can install Windows 11 without the required hardware. Let's first understand what Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 mean and then learn how to bypass them.

Secure Boot

Secure Boot improves the security and compatibility checks during booting to eliminate external threats. The feature is embedded into the PC's UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) firmware, preventing unauthorized software from loading during the Windows boot checks. This feature allows only trusted software to get into the kernel during boot.

TPM 2.0

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 microcontroller manages the PC's security on the hardware side. It is designed for hardware-based security to secure hardware components with the help of integrated cryptographic keys. The microcontroller generates, stores, and manages the encrypted keys to perform the cryptographic operations. TPM is critical for computers as it handles sensitive data and creates unique system signatures. TPM makes it impossible for attackers to enter the devices as it keeps the hardware in check.

As you can see, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 secure the boot process and prevent external software from running at startup. These features were introduced to improve security standards and regulations and make Windows more suitable for enterprise requirements. Except for these strict hardware requirements, Windows 10 users can run any Windows 11 release without switching to the new CPUs - so much so that computers running chips released over 15 years ago can still work with the new Windows 11. 

So, how do you install Windows 11 24H2 on unsupported hardware using the customized ISO files? They work the same on devices with unsupported hardware as those with Microsoft Windows 11 requirements. You can opt for a clean install of Windows 11 24H2 or perform an in-place upgrade on any computer running Windows 10 or later.

Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 24H2 on Unsupported PC

The guide below will outline the steps to install Windows 11 24H2 on unsupported hardware through a clean install and an in-place upgrade. The Clean Install works for Windows 10 and 11, whereas the in-place upgrade is compatible only with Windows 11. Also, remember that a fresh install removes everything on the PC. If you want to retrieve important data, backup it before going for a clean install.

Download Windows 11 24H2 ISO File (Optional)

Microsoft offers the Windows 11 24H2 preview for the Insider Program subscribers. You should download the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file and burn it on a USB drive using Rufus software while customizing it. However, the easy way is to use EaseUS OS2Go to customize the Windows 11 ISO without downloading any ISO file.

Step 1. Go to the Windows Insider Program.

Step 2. Log in to your Microsoft account.

Step 3. Scroll down and click Select Edition. Select the "Windows 11 Insider Preview (Release Preview Channel) – Build 26100.xxxx" from the options.

Step 4. Click Confirm, choose the language, and click 64-bit Download to download your PC's Windows 11 24H2 ISO file.

Bypass Windows 11 System Requirements with OS2Go Bootable USB

To bypass the Windows 11 requirements like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, you can tweak the 24H2 ISO file and customize it for installation. EaseUS OS2Go, a free and practical bootable USB creator, can help you.

It allows you to bypass the Windows requirements to create a Windows 11 24H2 installation USB to install the 24H2 version of PCs with unsupported hardware. It allows you to run Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 from USB on any computer and runs fully functional Windows.

The Portable Windows USB acts as your system and emergency disk to boot the PC and resolve issues on Windows. Mac users can run any Windows apps, including games like Fortnite and Minecraft, on Mac. The USB installation media comes with BIOS and UEFI support. It can also help you install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account and install 2 operating systems simultaneously.

If you want the new Windows 11 24H2 on your PC, download OS2Go now and use it to create a bootable USB to bypass all software and hardware requirements.

Step 1. Install EaseUS OS2Go on your Windows computer. Plug in a USB drive or external hard drive that is large enough.

Step 2. Choose the third tab "Windows Install Drive Creator". First choose the Windows versions you want to install, EaseUS OS2Go supports creating Windows 11/10/8.1 installation media. You could also select a local ISO file. When all set, click "Create".

Step 3. Then you will see a safety warning message, telling you that all data on the selected disk will be deleted. Click "Continue" to proceed.

Step 4. Then EaseUS OS2Go will start to create the Windows Installation media. It usually takes a while to download a ISO file, the time it takes depend on your OS and Network condition. When the progress reaches 100%, the USB drive should be bootable now.

Step 5. Insert the Windows Installation media to your computer and start the installation process.

Clean Install Windows 11 24h2 on Unsupported PC

Once you have the bootable USB to bypass the Windows 11 requirements using OS2Go, start the PC using the Windows 11 24H2 USB flash drive. The BIOS environment key can be F1, F2, F10, F12, or Del, based on your manufacturer. Get into BIOS and set the USB flash drive to boot drive. Now, use the steps below to get the Windows 11 clean install.

Step 1. Turn on the PC with the Windows 11 24H2 USB drive.

Step 2. Press any key and set the Windows basic setup based on your requirements. You can set the installation language, format, keyboard, etc.

Step 3. In the Setup option window, select Install Windows 11. Also, check "I agree everything will be deleted, including files, apps, and settings." A clean install erases everything on your PC.

Step 4. Now, Windows asks for a product key to make the license available. If you are already running Windows, click "I don't have a product key," and your OS will automatically activate the Windows. You should provide the product key if it is a new device without any prior Windows installation.

Step 5. Choose the Windows 11 edition of the license key and Next.

Step 6. Select all the partitions on the hard drive you want to install Windows 11 24H2. Windows will delete all the partitions and make space for the latest Windows 11. 

Tip: The Drive 0 partitions usually contain all installation and boot files. 

Step 7. Again, select the hard drive (Drive 0) to get the Windows 11 24H2.

Step 8. Once you have everything to install, click Install.

Step 9. On the first page, select the region to prepare Windows for an out-of-the-box experience (OOBE). Click Yes, and configure your Windows.

Share this article on your social media to help more people install Windows 11 24H2 on unsupported PC!

 

Upgrade from Earlier Windows 11 Version to 24H2 on Unsupported PC

The clean install will not keep the files and apps on the PC. An in-place upgrade is the best alternative if you want to retain them after the Windows 11 installation. Like the clean install, the in-place upgrade can bypass the Windows restrictions and upgrade the PC.

Note: This process only works for Windows 11. But, if you are running Windows 10, create a backup of important files, use Rufus or OS2Go to bypass the Windows requirements, and get the latest Windows 11 24H2.

Download Windows 11 24H2 ISO File

You need to get the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file on your PC. To find the details of the ISO file, refer to the above method (Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 24H2 on an Unsupported PC). 

Upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 unsupported PC (in-place upgrade)

This one is for Windows 11 users who want to keep their data or cannot perform clean installation. In the in-place upgrade, we use a special command to bypass the Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, or unsupported hardware. The steps to perform the in-place upgrade with the special command are given below:

Step 1. Open Windows File Explorer (Windows + E).

Step 2. Find the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file and right-click on it.

Step 3. Hover on Open with the submenu, and select the Windows Explorer option.

Step 4. Now, you must confirm the drive letter with the installation file to get the latest Windows 11 (the upgrade with Windows 11 24H2 will replace all the files in this drive).

Step 5. Now, launch Command Prompt and Run it as administrator. 

Step 6. Type the command below to open the location of the drive with the installation file and execute:

X: (Replace the X with the drive letter)

Step 7. Run the command below to run the Windows 11 setup to bypass the hardware requirements.

setup.exe /product server

Note: If this command fails to work, you should execute it in the Sources folder. Enter the cd sources command and run the setupprep /product server command to get the Windows setup.

Step 8. Click the "Change how Windows Setup downloads updates" option on the following screen.

Step 9. Check "Not right now" and click Next.

Step 10. Here, you will have three options to decide whether to keep the files. Select "Keep files, settings, and apps" and continue.

Step 11. Click Install, and complete the Windows setup to get the new Windows 11 24H2 on your PC. 

Since we evaded the Windows 11 requirements, the new Windows 11 will run unsupported. You may download the system upgrades, but they don't guarantee they will work, and Microsoft has no support. Sometimes, it may not work entirely, or Windows sends a message saying the computer setup is incompatible with the Windows 11 24H2 version.

To Sum Up

The stringent hardware requirements for Windows 11 24H2 frustrate users, as they can run otherwise perfectly compatible devices incompatible with the new OS version. So, we need to get past TPM, Secure Boot, and supported hardware to install the latest Windows 11 preview. This blog tells you how to install Windows 11 24H2 on unsupported hardware with a clean install and in-place upgrade. 

A clean install is the go-to option since the in-place upgrades may or may not work. To make a bootable USB file, EaseUS OS2Go helps you with a safe and simple procedure to burn a customizable ISO on the USB without downloading it. Additional features like rescue disks provide security. 

FAQs on How to Install Windows 11 24H2 on Unsupported PC

Here are some frequently asked questions on how to install Windows 11 24H2 on unsupported hardware.

1. What do I do if my processor doesn't meet Windows 11 requirements?

For newer Windows 11 versions, Microsoft made hardware features like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 mandatory. So, if the processor fails to meet minimum requirements, you should buy a computer with compatible hardware or use customizable ISO files to get past the hardware features. Another way is to modify the Windows registry to bypass hardware rules.

2. How to upgrade Windows 11 23H2 to 24H2?

A regular update will suffice if you have supported hardware and features like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. If the computer fails the minimum requirements, buy a new PC or tweak ISO files to surpass hardware features. 

3. Should I update to Windows 11 24H2?

It is up to the users to choose. Since Windows 11 24H2 is not fully functional, it is only released for Insiders. If you are excited about the features of the latest preview, subscribe to the Insider program to get the 24H2 ISO and install it.

4. What is in place upgrade in Windows 11?

An in-place upgrade moves from an older Windows to a newer version, keeping the files, apps, and data intact. It uses the installation media to reinstall only core operating system components.