Upgrading to Windows 11 24H2 on Unsupported Hardware: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re running Windows 11 on a system that doesn’t meet Microsoft’s requirements, you might encounter challenges with major feature updates like version 24H2. While regular updates may proceed without a hitch, upgrading to significant versions can feel impossible. Fortunately, there are workarounds to successfully upgrade to Windows 11, version 24H2, even on unsupported hardware.

The following guide offers a comprehensive step-by-step approach to navigate these upgrades effectively. This method should also assist users who are locked into a prior version of Windows 11.

Guide to Upgrading to Windows 11, version 24H2

Since traditional Windows Update methods can’t be used for unsupported hardware, you’ll need to obtain the Windows 11, version 24H2 ISO image. Utilizing Rufus is one of the most efficient ways to achieve this.

Step 1: Download the Windows 11, version 24H2 ISO

Visit the Rufus official website to access the tool.
Select the appropriate Rufus version for your device—most users should download the Windows x64 Standard version.
Run the Rufus application post-download.
When prompted by User Account Control, choose Yes to allow it to make changes.
In Rufus, switch the option from “Select”to “Download”.
Click Download and wait for the ISO download prompt to appear.
Select the following options sequentially: Windows 11 -> 24H2 -> Windows 11 Home/Pro/Edu -> Choose your Language -> x64.
Press the Download button and choose a directory to save the ISO file.

This process downloads the ISO image directly from Microsoft to your local system, preparing you for the next steps.

Step 2: Prepare the ISO with Rufus

Once you’ve downloaded the ISO, follow these steps to prepare your USB drive:

In Rufus, click the Start button to begin writing the installation files to your USB flash drive.
Keep the default settings for Windows User Experience; ensure the first option is checked.
Confirm by selecting OK to begin the writing process on your USB drive.

Step 3: Bypass Compatibility Checks for Upgrade

Attempting to launch the setup directly from the USB drive (by clicking on setup.exe) will likely lead to an installation failure. Instead, follow these steps to bypass the compatibility checks:

Run the following commands in the setup directory:

reg.exe delete “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\CompatMarkers”/f 2>NUL
reg.exe delete “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Shared”/f 2>NUL
reg.exe delete “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\TargetVersionUpgradeExperienceIndicators”/f 2>NUL
reg.exe add “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\HwReqChk”/f /v HwReqChkVars /t REG_MULTI_SZ /s, /d “SQ_SecureBootCapable=TRUE,SQ_SecureBootEnabled=TRUE,SQ_TpmVersion=2,SQ_RamMB=8192,”
reg.exe add “HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup”/f /v AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU /t REG_DWORD /d 1

To streamline this process, you can create a new. bat file in the same directory. For convenience, I’ve provided a pre-uploaded file here for temporary storage.

After placing the. bat file in the root directory of the USB flash drive, do the following:

Right-click on the. bat file and choose “Run as administrator”.
Confirm the User Account Control prompt to enable necessary Registry alterations.
After completion, double-click on setup.exe to initiate the upgrade.
Follow the on-screen instructions to transition to Windows 11, version 24H2.

If all goes well, your upgrade should proceed smoothly without further issues.

Are you able to run Windows 11 on your machine? Have you successfully upgraded to the latest version? Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Additional Insights

1. What should I do if my upgrade fails?

If the upgrade fails, revisit the Registry edits to ensure they were executed correctly. It is also advisable to check for any additional system requirements that may not have been bypassed.

2. Will upgrading to Windows 11, version 24H2 affect my system’s performance?

While upgrading, many users report improved performance with newer features. However, as on unsupported hardware, your experience may vary, and it’s essential to monitor system performance post-upgrade.

3. Are there any risks involved with bypassing hardware requirements?

Yes, bypassing hardware requirements may expose your system to stability issues, security vulnerabilities, and potential data loss. It’s crucial to back up your files and create a restore point before proceeding.

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