Guide: Install Windows 11 23H2 on Unsupported Hardware|2 Ways

What is an incompatible or unsupported Windows 11 23H2 Device?

Let's say what the Windows 11 23H2 unsupported hardware is. Microsoft's latest Windows 11 operating system has higher hardware requirements, and many existing or older devices may not meet them. When a device falls short of these requirements, it is considered incompatible or unsupported.

In simpler terms, if a machine lacks the necessary specifications to install and use the software, it's regarded as incompatible or unsupported by the software. Microsoft has provided an official list outlining the hardware requirements a device must meet to install Windows 11. This typically includes having a TPM 2.0 chip, the Secure Boot feature in BIOS, and a compatible processor. The following article provides a comprehensive list with details of Windows 11 hardware requirements: Windows 11 System Requirements or Hardware Specifications.

To determine if your computer supports Windows 11 23H2, Microsoft offers the official "PC Health Check" tool. Windows 10 users can use this tool to check the compatibility of their device with Windows 11 23 H2. Simply download and install the tool, and it will help you assess your device's eligibility.

Is it OK to run Windows 11 23 H2 on unsupported hardware?

By default, attempting to upgrade to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware will result in an error message during the setup wizard, stating, "This PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements to install Windows 11," preventing installation or upgrade to Windows 11. That’s the same if you want to get Windows 11 23H2 upgrade on unsupported hardware

However, there are ways or workarounds to bypass these hardware requirements and install Windows 11 on unsupported devices.

Note: Do some preparations before you exceed

The question arises: should you install Windows 11 23 H2 on your unsupported device? Generally, if your computer doesn't meet the system requirements for Windows 11, it's advisable to stay with Windows 10.

While workarounds and official methods may allow you to install Windows 11 on an older, incompatible computer, you're likely to encounter performance and stability issues. Windows 11 23H2 is designed for high-end devices, and forcing its installation on an incompatible device may lead to bugs and other issues during usage.

So I suggest you may need to backup your data no matter before or after installing the new version of Windows 11. AOMEI Backupper Standard is Free backup and restore software for Windows 11 that protects you all the time.

★ It offers multiple backup options like System backup, File Backup, Disk Backup, Partition Backup, etc. to backup items as needed.
★ It can help you save storage space with different features, such as backup compression, automatic split, incremental and differential backup, etc. (differential backup is available in Pro version)
★ You can enable auto backups on a regular basis, such as daily, weekly, monthly, USB plug in, or event triggers, and always keep changes up to date.

Download and open AOMEI Backupper Standard.

1. Select "Backup" -> "System Backup."
2. Choose your backup destination (options include local & external hard drives, USB flash drives, network drives, cloud storage, etc.).
3. Click on "Start Backup" to easily back up your Windows OS.

How to install Windows 11 23 H2 on Unsupported hardware

If your computer meets the system requirements for Windows 11, the upgrade process is straightforward. You can directly upgrade from Windows 10 using the Windows Update feature.

1. Click on Settings and choose Update & Security > Windows Update.

2. Select Check for updates to see all available updates, including Windows 11 23 H2.

✍Note: Typically you need to run Windows 11 22H2 before you upgrade to Windows 11 23 H2.

3. Click on the Windows 11 new update and start the installation.

The crucial step is ensuring your computer meets the system requirements. You can use the free backup software, AOMEI Backupper Standard, which includes a tool called Windows 11 Update Checker. This tool helps you verify all hardware requirements and provides links to related information.

# 1. Install Windows 11 23H2 on unsupported hardware with No TPM and Secure Boot

If getting a new compatible computer isn't convenient for you, but you want to try Windows 11 23 H2, you can install it on unsupported hardware using the Registry Editor. This allows you to bypass Microsoft's requirement check, but keep in mind that your device needs to have at least TPM 1.2 and UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled.

Bypass TPM 2.0 and CPU requirement check

Step 1. Press Windows + R, type regedit in the Run dialog, and click OK.

Step 2. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MoSetup, right-click it, select New, and choose DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 3. Create a new entry called AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU. Double-click on it, and set its value to 1.

Bypass TPM or Secure Boot check

Step 1. In the Registry, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > Setup. Right-click in the blank space on the right, choose New, and then Key to create a new registry named LabConfig.

Step 2. Select the LabConfig key, right-click in the blank space, and create two DWORD (32-bit) Value options from the New menu. Name them BypassTPMCheck and BypassSecureBootCheck, and set their value data to 1.

After completing these steps, close the Registry Editor and restart your PC. You can now install Windows 11 23H2 on unsupported hardware without TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements.

# 2. Install Windows 11 23H2 on unsupported hardware from bootable USB

If you prefer not to edit the Registry, you can create a bootable USB and install Windows 11 23H2 on unsupported hardware. Use a bootable USB drive creation tool like Rufus or similar products. I'll use Rufus as an example.

Step 1. Connect a USB drive to your PC and open the Rufus app. It will automatically detect the USB device. Click Select and choose the Windows 11 23H2 ISO image.

✍Tip: if you don’t know how to install Windows 11 23H2 ISO, please refer to the post How to Download Windows 11 23H2 ISO (Easy 2 Ways).

Step 2. The Image option will appear; choose Extended Windows 11 Installation.

Step 3. Since upgrading to Windows 11 requires a GPT partition, select GPT in the Partition scheme. Click START to create a bootable USB drive, allowing you to install Windows 11 23H2 on unsupported hardware, including those without TPM.

★Tip:
If you're using an MBR disk, please convert it to a GPT disk.

Verdict

The launch of new version of Windows 11 leads the issue of Windows 11 23H2 unsupported hardware. Although Microsoft gives a list of hardware requirements to allow so, you can run Windows 11 23H2 on your unsupported hardware. This guide offers 2 ways so that you can follow them.

Since the born-with un-compatibility, you need to take care of your unique data. A versatile backup solution like AOMEI Backupper Standard allows you to protect your data with customized services. In the advanced edition, you can utilize features such as differential backup and auto-delete backups to optimize disk space. Download and explore more practical features for a comprehensive backup solution.