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Today, we’ll explore how to install Windows 11 on old unsupported hardware.
We use 8 years old laptop by HP to test and it works great. No any issue found yet.
The model is HP EliteBook 8470p and this is the quick demo after installing Windows 11 successfully.
The tutorial is very straightforward with following steps.
Step 1. We'll explore how to backup Windows License.
Step 2. We'll explore how to download Windows 11 disk image ISO file
Step 3. We'll show you how to install Windows 11 to go so that you can run it on any devices you want including Unsupported Hardware claimed by Microsoft.
Step 4. We offer you some tips on backup and restore Windows license.
What you should know.
If you still like Windows 10 and don't want to dive into Windows 11 user interface changes, Windows 10 is still supported by Microsoft till 2025.
While Windows 11 new design is refreshing, some designs do not make sense and have some small bug. That’s what you can expect from a new release.
You cannot install Windows 11 on unsupported device the same way you do with other Microsoft Windows version, because Windows 11 has some special requirements which are mostly supported with newer devices only. But, with some tricks, you can install Windows 11 on any old devices. We’ll show you how.
This method tested and worked on HP Elite book 8470P which has TPM version 1.2 and MBR disk system while Windows 11 requires TPM version 2.0 and GPT disk type.
*Note:
You will need a Microsoft Account to backup and activate digital license. Make sure you have one because it is almost impossible to up and run Windows 11 and New Microsoft store without a Microsoft account.
How to Backup Microsoft Windows Digital License
To backup Windows 10 Digital License is easy, just sign in one of your Microsoft account or you can add a specific device manually to your Microsoft account.
How to add a specific device manually to your Microsoft account
- First, go to Microsoft account website.
- Then, sign in or create an account if you don't have one.
- Next, go to Devices menu, the select add device.
- Then, select your region and enter your device serial number.
- To find your device serial number, please go to its manufacturer's or product official website or Google it.
- Most old devices have its serial number under the battery or bottom of the case.
- Then accept the terms and click confirm.
- You will see registered device listed as shown in the video if you register successfully.
If you could not register a device manually, simply sign in your Microsoft account
- Go to Windows Settings
- Then go to accounts.
- Then select your info.
- Then select sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
How to Sync Your Settings in Windows 10
- Go to settings.
- Then select Sync your settings.
- Then enable sync settings.
- Make sure everything you want to sync is enabled.
How To Windows 11 disk image ISO file
- Go to Windows 11 download page on Microsoft website.
- It is free to download.
- Look for Windows 11 disk image ISO file.
- Then, choose language and region you want to download.
- Then, Click 64 bit version to download Windows 11.
- Note. Windows 11 has only 64 bit version.
If you want to check your device information, you can Download and Install PC Health Check App.
It is available on Microsoft website.
This is an example of a device which does not meet windows 11 requirements.
What you will need in order to Install Windows 11
- An Internal hard drive. The hard drive you want to install Windows 11 to.
- Then a hard drive enclosure. It is the hard drive cloth with USB connection.
- And finally, a Partition Assistant software. In this case, we use AOMEI Partition Assistant because it has a free version.
A hard drive enclosure is cheap. It costs from $5 or more depend on type of your hard drive and the manufacturer’s brand name. You can buy it from your local store or online.
So, why do you need a Hard Drive Enclosure?
- Because Windows 11 has some special requirements which older devices do not have.
- For example, Windows 11 requires TPM version 2.0 while yours may be version 1.2.
- Windows 11 requires GPT disk type while yours may be MBR disk type.
- Since you can’t install via UEFI and BIOS as you do with other Windows version, you have to install Windows 11 to a portable device. In this case, the trick is we have to install Windows 11 into our normal hard drive but we have to remove it from the laptop and put it into a hard drive enclosure instead.
- After installation complete, put the hard drive back to the laptop, so that you can now run Windows 11 on your older device.
Why do you need Partition Assistant software?
- Because Windows 11 requires GPT disk system while older device has MBR disk version.
- Also, some Partition Assistant software has a feature where you can install Windows to a portable device.
How to Download Partition Assistant software?
- In this tutorial, we use AOMEI Partition Assistant because it has a free version.
- You can download it from diskpart.com
How to Convert MBR disk to GPT disk with Partition Assistant.
- First, right click on the hard drive you want to install Windows 11.
- Then, select convert to GPT Disk
What is Windows To Go?
In short explanation, Windows To Go is a windows feature which you can install and run Windows on any portable devices via USB connection.
In this trick, we’ll install Windows 11 on a normal drive with hard drive enclosure.
How to Create and Install Windows 11 To Go.
- First, open Partition assistant software.
- Then, go to Tools.
- Then, select Windows to go creator.
- Next select Create Windows to go for personal computer.
- Then, select the Windows 11 disk image ISO file we downloaded. Click next.
- Then, select advanced option.
- Then, select general for type of created system.
- Then, select Legacy and U E F I so that installed Windows 11 will run on any device booting system.
- Then, select OK.
- Wait till the installation completes.
After the installation completes, remove your hard drive from enclosure.
Then put it back to your laptop and turn your laptop on.
Now, you device is running Windows 11.
Tips.
To activate Windows 11 license, just sign into your Microsoft account with backup of Windows 10 activation
Then, restore your device drivers if you backed up locally or just do it with Windows Update.
Now everything is up and running.
Enjoy!