Need to upgrade wife's PC to allow Windows 11

Sigurd · Jun 3, 2024

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.

idgat · Jun 3, 2024

Sigurd said:
it will not accept Windows 11

Why? What have you tried?

Sigurd · Jun 3, 2024

Standard MS update path. Said this PC will not accept W11. I did check the basic things that could be done at the time (can't recall now whatthey were) but none were possible or worked.

Fabler2 · Jun 3, 2024

You could use a laptop, just connect the monitor to it and use your original mouse and keyboard if wanted.

idgat · Jun 3, 2024

Sigurd said:
Standard MS update path.

Create installation USB with Rufus and Windows 11 ISO. Make sure Rufus options are all selected that bypass the so-called security MS bulldust

Plenty of instructions in this forum about installing 11 on "unsupported" (ppffffttt!!) devices. Not worth the cost of a new device until you've really tried it (unless you want an excuse for having to get a new computer ...

)

NormanF · Jun 3, 2024

You could always clean install Windows 11 LTSC 26100.2. No Secure Boot, TPM or CPU enforced.

Sigurd · Jun 3, 2024

NormanF said:
You could always clean install Windows 11 LTSC 26100.2. No Secure Boot, TPM or CPU enforced.

That is a possibility but unlike my PC she only has a single hard disk - system and data files. I know there are ways round that the need for a reformat during the process (according to the but it adds complications. Also this seems to be an evaluation - I assume it then needs to be bought.

idgat said:
Plenty of instructions in this forum about installing 11 on "unsupported" (ppffffttt!!) devices. Not worth the cost of a new device until you've really tried it (unless you want an excuse for having to get a new computer ... )

Also a possibility but to be perfectly frank, I don't know if I want to go via these DIY options. Having just celebrated (!) my 85th birthday and not being hard up I was considering as per original post a replacement mobo/CPU (installed by local PC shop) or even a new PC.
A few years ago computing DIY was a pleasure - now sadly a bit of a chore!

z3r010 · Jun 3, 2024

Honestly, at 85, I'd just go and buy a new PC and save the messing.

steveg · Jun 3, 2024

A laptop connected to an HDMI monitor works quite well if wanting a larger screen. Is what I'm using now.

bobkn · Jun 3, 2024

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.)

This isn't a recommendation. Just a statement of fact.

The lowest-cost option would be to just do an unsupported upgrade to 11. Tutorial:

Bypass Windows 11 System Requirements on Unsupported PC

This tutorial will show you how to bypass the Windows 11 CPU, RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0 system requirements allowing you to clean install or upgrade to Windows 11 on a unsupported PC that doesn't meet these requirements. Installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet Windows 11...

www.elevenforum.com

(I did such an upgrade on a laptop a couple of years ago. The laptop was similar to your wife's PC: everything needed for 11, except for an unsupported CPU. I set a Registry that was provided by Microsoft to allow developers to work on 11 on unsupported hardware. I don't know whether that is still available.)

One recommendation: image the current drive before trying an upgrade. If you lack such a capability, it's long past time to get it.

FDretired · Jun 3, 2024

Sigurd said:
[...]

Also a possibility but to be perfectly frank, I don't know if I want to go via these DIY options. Having just celebrated (!) my 85th birthday and not being hard up I was considering as per original post a replacement mobo/CPU (installed by local PC shop) or even a new PC.

Sigurd said:
A few years ago computing DIY was a pleasure - now sadly a bit of a chore!

I was is a similar situation 2 years ago. I purchased windows 11compatible motherboard and CPU from Amazon. I also purchased new memory.

I then took these items to my computer guy with my windows 10 desktop. He replaced the new components in my old system. I had to make changes in the bios of ATX Asus motherboard to activate TPM2 module. I then updated my computer to windows 11. It was automatically activated.

At my age of 81 I still like to challenge my brain for upgrades. I confirm with the computer guy that the components I purchase from Amazon are compatible.

pparks1 · Jun 3, 2024

Sigurd said:
My wife's PC runs on Windows 10 as it will not accept Windows 11.

Windows 10 will be supported until Oct of 2025, so you still have almost a year and a half before it's no longer supported.

Naj Snarf · Jun 3, 2024

If you already have a Windows 11 ISO, there is a very simple way to change Windows 10 --> Windows 11 wit a few cmd/admin commands. If you cannot find this on internet i can try to explain here.

Rollback_Jockey · Jun 3, 2024

Some of the machines I've got Win 11 to work on are so old they're clockwork so need winding up.

Sigurd · Jun 4, 2024

Windows 10 will be supported until Oct of 2025, so you still have almost a year and a half before it's no longer supported.
I must admit I hadn't read that properly. When a message pops ups on the screen saying end of support is imminent one assumes it is relatively soon!

FDretired said:
At my age of 81 I still like to challenge my brain for upgrades.

Where do you get the brain upgrades from? Could do with one more than my wife's PC does.

bobkn said:
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

Thanks Bob for that information.

And thanks to all who have contributed their comments - all helpful, or entertaining, as usual!

Naj Snarf · Jun 4, 2024

Did you read my # 13?
NajSnarf (90...)

Dark Knight · Jun 4, 2024

Upgrading the wife's pc will probably cost you less on the long run.
I just bought my son an Asus laptop with Windows 11 and I will tell you what ..... you will be severely disappointed in the amount of laptop you will get for the money you spend for something that will probably be out of spec in a few years and is a pain in the ass to upgrade.

I built my own tower about 10 years ago for a fraction of what I spent on that laptop , it has ran Windows 7 , 8, 8.1, 10 and now can run 11 22H2 if I wanted to run on unsupported hardware without issue, I never saw the "must have" specs coming from MS , but I would have to replace the cpu and mobo to upgrade to 11 ...... according to MS.

If you want her to run 11, save yourself the money and upgrade your wife's hardware , you'll be better off.

Sigurd · Jun 4, 2024

Naj Snarf said:
Did you read my # 13?
NajSnarf (90...)

yes I did - sorry. Response got missed out by me.
Having found me error re date of support withdrawal I will probably leave things be ad buy her a new PC for Christmas!

Naj Snarf · Jun 4, 2024

in the mean time you may try it at least , and if it doesn't please yoy you can go back to W 10 within a few days

SIW2 · Jun 4, 2024

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

could even be something cheap like this 3-3200g

CeX

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