Updating Windows 11

[delboyuk2508]

Hi

I have a home built PC running Widows 11 version 22H2 (I think), I would like to update it to the latest version 26H2 as it has stopped receiving windows updates as the previous version is no longer supported my Microsoft.

The problem I have is that the hardware of my PC is not supported by windows 11, even though it has run with no issues for a number of years, and I can't remember how I managed to install windows 11 in the first place.

I have tried various ways to overcome this issue but I can't seem to find a way that works.

So any advice would be gratefully received.

Cheers

Derek

 

[Delta3D]

26 releases aren't out yet, but assume you mean 25H2.

Are you getting an error when you use Windows Update?

 

[delboyuk2508]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick reply.

It says that my hardware does not meet the minimum requirements for windows 11, even though its already running it.

Cheers

 

[Django x2]

Find a copy of Windows 11 LTSC and use Rufus to build a USB drive. In the Rufus options - select the options that apply to you (probably "Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, TPM) Windows 11 LTSC currently operates at 24H2

 

[BurningHorizons]

I've just had to do this on a PC running an unsupported Intel Core i5 Gen 7. It was really easy...

• Download the Windows 11 version 25H2 image (from Microsoft) and mount it in your system.
• Open the mounted ISO and go to the sources folder.
• Press and hold the Shift key and right-click an empty space. Select Open PowerShell here.
• Type cmd in the PowerShell window and press Enter.
• Type setupprep.exe /product server and press Enter.

Explainer: This command tricks Windows into thinking you are installing Windows Server, and it skips the hardware requirements. Don't fret, you are still getting a regular Home or Pro edition, depending on your current installation. The command is only necessary to bypass the requirements.

• Follow the on-screen instructions and select the necessary option on the "Choose what to keep" page. If you want to continue using your computer as is, select the first option.
• Confirm the action and then sit back and wait for Windows 11 to install itself.
• Done, you are now on vanilla Windows 11 version 25H2. This is the easiest option that does not require fiddling with the system registry or using third-party apps.

 

[Medic-one]

Over the last few weeks my computer started playing up a bit, the BIOS loading picture seemed to take longer, sometimes appearing twice before I was able to log on so I've updated the BIOS to the latest version but that seems to have made no difference.

I've also noticed my Windows 11 Pro version doesn't have updates any more and the clock doesn't update so I have to manually adjust the time every time. I've read some bits about the later versions of Win 11 not supporting some CPU's but mine isn't that old so hopefully that's not the problem.

My current version of Windows 11 Pro is 22H2, and my CPU is a "AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D Cache Eight Core 4.5GHz". I've downloaded the update assistant but that doesn't seem to do anything apart from telling me where I can check if I can run windows 11 (which I have been for a few years).

Would that method described by BurningHorizons in the post above also be the best way to update mine ? And will that do a clean install or will I retain all my current installed apps etc ?

 

[Tetras]

Would that method described by BurningHorizons in the post above also be the best way to update mine ? And will that do a clean install or will I retain all my current installed apps etc ?

With that CPU you should be able to get all the updates from windows update normally, if you're not receiving them, there's maybe something not right with the config or you have an incompatible app/driver that is blocking the update.

My guess from the symptoms you describe is a dodgy battery, though with a 5800X3D I'd assume your PC isn't that old?

 

[BurningHorizons]

Would that method described by BurningHorizons in the post above also be the best way to update mine ? And will that do a clean install or will I retain all my current installed apps etc ?

If you use the method I posted then you have the option to retain or do clean. I retained. As Tetras posted, something doesn't seem right as your config should allow normal regular updates.