Need to upgrade wife's PC to allow Windows 11

antspants · Jun 19, 2024

Sigurd said:
I agree that I could build a new one, and your comment re static no longer being such an issue is reassuring - that was always a worry despite my earthing everything in sight including myself and the cat!
The argument against self build is manual dexterity. I have just built myself (or rather my garden pond fish) a water level alarm after a near miss. Fortunately they (the fish) had the sense to head for the deepest part of the pond. But I did find it harder than I expected - fiddly and took longer than it should have.

Hi Ian. Isn’t this for your good wife? Just get a laptop with an external monitor to plug into the HDMI (OR DP) output. That way she can take it with her if you go stay with the kids

Sigurd · Jun 19, 2024

The computer is for her and she certainly wouldn't want to take it with her when visiting. Anyway our kids visit us!

As my initial thought was that W10 would cease to be supported this year is wrong, I will leave any change till next year!

Scannerman · Jun 19, 2024

As a youngster I used to make affordable garden ponds with poly and flat stones. Some of them really did look quite attractive. Goodness! If you would tackle a job like that then snapping a PC together in these modern times would be simple for you. Hardly any PC builder uses a ground strap anymore. It simply isn't necessary. Just to be on the safe side I will touch a metal object that I know is already grounded before I begin. I think this is more out of habit and custom than anything else. If you can still use both your hands you can build a PC.

Believe it or not an 11 year old girl built this PC:

https://www.elevenforum.com/account/th-attachment-manager/98508/view

I was only allowed to supervise. Any time I reached for something my hand got slapped. lol

You're in good company here should you decide to DIY a PC. We even have a builder thread for that here and if you're in need of a proper, functional OS TechnoMage2021 can help you out gratis. He specializes in cleaning out your operating system so it runs like greased lightning *and he can tell you just how he does it.*

XxXxX · Jun 19, 2024

according to ASUS your motherboard has TPM2 which will support windows 11.
your CPU does not meet the requirements as its series 3 AMD CPU.
but you can upgrade the CPU as the MOBO is socket AM4.

just a thought.

Hope this helps and best of luck. Steve ..

SIW2 · Jun 19, 2024

That has already been suggested earlier in the thread. post #10 .

The A320M-K supports Windows 11.
The Ryzen 3 2200G does not.
Here's the list of CPUs the A320m-K supports: PRIME A320M-K - Support
And the list of AMD CPUs that support Windows 11: Windows processor requirements Windows 11 supported AMD processors
So, the PC could be officially upgraded to 11 via a CPU upgrade. (The BIOS might need to be updated first.)

in post#18 the OP said

I will probably leave things be ad buy her a new PC for Christmas!

post #20

If you are getting a new one, her old pc will be useful to someone . Vey cheap and easy to put in a win11 compatible cpu

Scannerman · Jun 19, 2024

@Sigurd Although it is true that you could swap out the CPU on that AMD system board you may not necessarily be able to use all of the features that come with that new chip on that particular platform. I would be very careful in my selection of a Win11 ready CPU in this situation. Technically, it is the quick and easy fix but it can present new issues. You will likely have to flash your BIOS but again, flashing the BIOS with a USB stick in UEFI is a simple and easy process (unlike the days of yore). Either way you'll be removing your heat sink and likely reconnecting wires. Not that this is a big deal. TBH That board really isn't so old so it does seem to be a viable option.

TechnoMage2021 · Jun 20, 2024

The last time I tried to help someone, with some advice, I got a reprimand from the Administrators.
There are alternatives to almost everything, it's just that some of them break forum rules.

I've found that some things that seem so Important to some folks, just aren't that important at all.

Rufus proved that, by taking out all of the MS conditions and stipulation, when burning an ISO to a Flash Drive.

I just installed two OS's this morning, that by the rules, should not have been able to be installed on my 12 yr old PC.

But, Rufus makes it possible.
Almost any PC made on or after 2012, will run Windows 11, at least once it's been "Rufusized".

So far, the only stipulation that has not been bypassable, is the SSE4.2 instruction set, in the CPU, required for 24H2.

I gave up building PC's, back 18 yrs ago, when I retired. Since then, I've only repaired two desktop PC's that had blown mother boards.
I got the replacement boards off of eBay. I'm running one of those now, and the other one is my Backup PC, and test bed.

I still have one empty case that I'm refinishing, and I'll get the motherboard and CPU for that one off of eBay too. That's the best source for cheap computer parts. WE Octogenarians, have to go Cheap! lol

Cheers Mates!
TM

Scannerman · Jun 20, 2024

TechnoMage2021 said:
Almost any PC made on or after 2012, will run Windows 11, at least once it's been "Rufusized".

Gotta luv Rufus! Makes installing so easy. And MageMeister you're being much too humble. I've seen your work. lol

TechnoMage2021 · Jun 21, 2024

Well, as of 12:01 tonight, I will officially be 81 yrs old. And if someone calls me tomorrow and asks for my help with their PC, I'll go.
It's what I've been doing since 1980. I will do what's required to make their PC run the very best it can. And I never ask, "Is it legal?" Who really knows. I've always prided myself on being able to tweak and tune any PC to get the very best out of it.
I greatly admire those who can go the next step better.
Just like Carol Shelby was able to improve on the lowly Ford Mustang, there are those who have improved on the very questionable Windows.

I can't afford a Shelby Mustang, but I can afford a Better version of Windows. (usually FREE)
I just love Smaller and Faster, and totally free of freezes and BSOD's. But for those who are just afraid to even try something new, they will never know the freedom I enjoy.

Today, we all welcome the first day of Summer!

TM

badrobot · Jun 21, 2024

Just get a new PC. It won't be worth all the trouble for you given the fact that you don't even want to consider installing from scratch (reformat) because you might end up doing so after the upgrade if things somehow go south after the upgrade.

Scannerman · Jun 22, 2024

badrobot said:
Just get a new PC. It won't be worth all the trouble for you given the fact that you don't even want to consider installing from scratch (reformat) because you might end up doing so after the upgrade if things somehow go south after the upgrade.

Probably the cheapest option is what TechnoMage2021 has suggested. In fact, Sigurd won't even have to touch the original OS if he can give his desk top dual boot. To be safe, all he need do is pop in a fresh SSD after disconnecting the original for safety reasons and install the operating system of his choice via Rufus. After the updates are done he can shut off the PC and reconnect the original operating system, turn the PC back on and F2 to the BIOS to select his OS. This way he has his choice of operating system without any concern for data loss.

johnp · Jun 22, 2024

Sigurd said:
My wife's PC runs on Windows 10 as it will not accept Windows 11. She only uses it for basic office functions using Office 365, accessing internet and looking at photos sent by family, ie Not a high power user!
PC's basic specs are -
AMD Ryzen 3 2200G with Radon Vega Graphics
Mobo - ASUSTek A320M-K
Memory - 8GB
The VDU is an Asus 21" one

Her options are a new PC, or a new CPU and possibly motherboard.
My daughter suggested a laptop (using the existing external keyboard she is used to) but that would mean a smaller screen which she wouldn't like.

I stopped keeping up on Mobos and CPUs a few years ago after I bought myself a high power machine intended to probably last me out, so I am totally out of touch on possible upgrade paths. So I'd welcome suggestions.

Download Ventoy:

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Initialise a USB stick with it.

Copy the .iso file of Windows 11 to the USB stick.

Boot with the USB stick, and Windows 11 will install fine, bypassing the hardware requirements check.

I am running Windows 11 on a PC from 2014, and it works fine.

Sigurd · Jun 22, 2024

Happy birthday Technomage. We share June birthdays though mine started 4 years earlier than you.

I can understand the feeling of wanting to help with PCs. After retirement I found myself "on call" for friends' PCs (on the basis that I knew more than they did which wasn't saying much!). The joke was tat previously I had been "on call" for their bodies! At least I knew what I was doing for those.

As for my wife's PC - as she doesn't need a high performance machine, replace is the simplest option.

Edit - Just looked at the photo - maybe I should update it!!

TechnoMage2021 · Jun 22, 2024

Some folks are totally freaked by the thought to loosing years of data files in an attempt to upgrade their OS.
Laptops can get a little dicey, but for a Desktop, the solution is easy. First get yourself a new SSD, , the little ones, like 120GB are as cheap as a good meal in a quality restaurant. I get mine directly from Crucial/Micron, or Amazon, in a pinch.

Find yourself a good version of Windows 11, download the ISO and using Rufus, (latest version) burn the ISO to a Flash Drive.
Rufus will ask you what you want it to remove,,, don't be picky, just check Everything!

Then open up your PC and unplug the existing hard drive. If you have an open drive bay, install the new SSD.

Boot up your PC using the new Flash Drive you just created with Rufus, and run the Windows 11 Install.
The Windows Installer should create the partitions on the new SSD, that it wants.

When the install is done, it's your option, to tweak and tune, and install programs to your hearts content.
(while your old HD, and all its data files are safely disconnected and set aside)

If for any reason the install fails, you can always re-connect your old HD, and formulate a new plan. Like, come back here and holler for HELP!

It's SUMMER! Or if you're Down Under, it's WINTER!

Either way, Y'all have a great day!

TM

bfunke · Jun 22, 2024

I have two desktops and a laptop. The laptop was purchased a year ago to replace an ancient Asus laptop whose hinge had broken after years of traveling the globe. I much prefer working from a desktop at home. My desktops are ancient machines hailing from earliest days of Win7. One I pulled out of the county recycle dumptser when I turned in a Pentium 4machine. I’ve upgraded them with SSDs for the OS and larger HDs for my data files. The both run Win 10 just fine. I plan to keep them until Win10 EOL in Oct 25 but realize they are approaching the end of their usefulness so I’ll build a new Win 11 machine by then. I think Sigurd should keep his wife’s Win10 machine for now and keep an eye out for a bargain such as Black Friday and upgrade her PC on his timeline.

Sigurd · Jun 22, 2024

I think Sigurd should keep his wife’s Win10 machine for now and keep an eye out for a bargain such as Black Friday and upgrade her PC on his timeline.

That's the plan!

MisterEd · Jun 22, 2024

TechnoMage2021 said:
The last time I tried to help someone, with some advice, I got a reprimand from the Administrators.
There are alternatives to almost everything, it's just that some of them break forum rules.

I've found that some things that seem so Important to some folks, just aren't that important at all.

Rufus proved that, by taking out all of the MS conditions and stipulation, when burning an ISO to a Flash Drive.
View attachment 99655
I just installed two OS's this morning, that by the rules, should not have been able to be installed on my 12 yr old PC.

But, Rufus makes it possible.
Almost any PC made on or after 2012, will run Windows 11, at least once it's been "Rufusized".

So far, the only stipulation that has not been bypassable, is the SSE4.2 instruction set, in the CPU, required for 24H2.

I gave up building PC's, back 18 yrs ago, when I retired. Since then, I've only repaired two desktop PC's that had blown mother boards.
I got the replacement boards off of eBay. I'm running one of those now, and the other one is my Backup PC, and test bed.

I still have one empty case that I'm refinishing, and I'll get the motherboard and CPU for that one off of eBay too. That's the best source for cheap computer parts. WE Octogenarians, have to go Cheap! lol

Cheers Mates!
TM

At least you can talk about using Rufus to bypass Windows 11 requirements on this forum. A week ago I made the same suggestion on another forum. My post was quickly deleted by the forum moderator and I got scolded for doing so. They said they only allowed official Microsoft approved methods to install Windows 11.

The strange thing is that even Microsoft does not stop people from talking about Rufus on their support forums. They only discourage people from using it because its developer is not one of their partners.

bobkn · Jun 22, 2024

MisterEd said:
At least you can talk about using Rufus to bypass Windows 11 requirements on this forum. A week ago I made the same suggestion on another forum. My post was quickly deleted by the forum moderator and I got scolded for doing so. They said they only allowed official Microsoft approved methods to install Windows 11.

The strange thing is that even Microsoft does not stop people from talking about Rufus on their support forums. They only discourage people from using it because its developer is not one of their partners.

I wonder whether the mods of that unnamed forum are just being priggish, or whether there's a fear of legal action by Microsoft?

If MS has ever had their attorneys issue cease-and-desist letters over aiding installation of 11 on unsupported hardware, I haven't heard of it.

In my ignorance, I wonder whether there will be any hacks to get Copilot + running on unsupported hardware? I speculate that Copilot + developers did not have access to hardware with NPUs.

TairikuOkami · Jun 22, 2024

MisterEd said:
The strange thing is that even Microsoft does not stop people from talking about Rufus on their support forums.

Rufus is literally in MS Store, if they did not want people to use it, they would simply ban it, like they did other "bad" apps.

MisterEd · Jun 22, 2024

bobkn said:
I wonder whether the mods of that unnamed forum are just being priggish, or whether there's a fear of legal action by Microsoft?

If MS has ever had their attorneys issue cease-and-desist letters over aiding installation of 11 on unsupported hardware, I haven't heard of it.

In my ignorance, I wonder whether there will be any hacks to get Copilot + running on unsupported hardware? I speculate that Copilot + developers did not have access to hardware with NPUs.

Microsoft has this disclaimer on their support forum:

Installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet Windows 11 minimum system requirements is not recommended. If you choose to install Windows 11 on ineligible hardware, you should be comfortable assuming the risk of running into compatibility issues.

Your device might malfunction due to these compatibility or other issues. Devices that do not meet these system requirements will no longer be guaranteed to receive updates, including but not limited to security updates.

In one post on their support forum they said this"

Rufus is not a Microsoft partner, and their software is not open source, so I don't think they are completely trustworthy. I don't recommend using third-party software to try to crack the limitations of Windows 11. Windows 11's limitations on hardware are affected by a variety of factors, including security. You can continue to use Windows 10, which will be supported until 2025.

Even then they don't stop people from discussing using Rufus to bypass the requirements to install Windows 11.

I think that website just like Microsoft is being very cautious about bypassing the official requirements to install Windows 11. Technically they say doing so voids any support from Microsoft if they do. But how many people actually want official support from Microsoft? Microsoft has also said that bypassing the official requirement may in the future cause updates to stop. That hasn't yet but may in the future.

BTW, some people with unsupported hardware installed Windows 10 with no problem when it was first released. However, after a few years they stopped getting updates.