I recently found out that some machines meant for users were running Windows 11, even though they shouldn't be compatible according to the official list. While checking hardware specs of my remaining Windows 10 systems, I came across some identical units already operating on Windows 11. It turns out one of the techs mixed up the batches and used a USB stick to stage these systems.
Curiously, I grabbed another machine from that same batch, and it allowed me to install Windows 11 without any issues—no warnings or blocks whatsoever. Is this common? If so, what risks should I consider before keeping these systems running Windows 11? I'm planning to phase out these machines but might prioritize the Windows 10 ones first. Also, I'm aware that Microsoft could eventually prevent updates on unsupported hardware, but I'm wondering if there are other risks to be mindful of. Just to note, these machines are all i5 7th gen Lenovo models.
5 Answers
You can edit the installation USB to skip the strict requirements. It's a bit of a hack, but it gets the job done. Just keep in mind, I wouldn't do it on essential production equipment.
You might be surprised, but many PCs can install Windows 11 even if they don't meet the minimum specs. I've tried it with various older machines, and the install went smoothly without complaints. The main concern down the line is that a future Windows update could potentially brick unsupported devices, and Microsoft will definitely remind you that they warned about it. It's probably best to phase them out just to avoid any major headaches later.
We're running a bunch of i5 7th gen Dells that have Windows 11 in our loaner pool. They get monthly updates but won’t upgrade automatically through WSUS; we have to do that manually. By the time new builds come out, we'll have replaced those systems anyway, so it’s not a huge deal for us.
There's a workaround with installers that ignore the normal checks when you're installing from a USB. You can bypass the TPM requirement pretty easily, and it runs just fine afterward. However, I wouldn't recommend doing this for machines you rely on for production work due to potential instability in the future.
Yeah, it seems like Microsoft has relaxed those strict requirements a bit. We had a lot of devices that were marked as incompatible, and now some of them are getting through installations without issues. Just be cautious since updates could stop being available for these units at any time.
Totally get your concern. I've moved these older systems to the back of my list as well instead of keeping them front and center.