The escalating tussle between Microsoft and an ever-persistent community of Windows hackers has taken a new turn. In the latest edition of this ongoing saga, Microsoft has implemented stricter policies regarding Windows 11 upgrades for PCs deemed "incompatible." Yet, as with any game of cat and mouse, users have already found workarounds—at least for the time being.
Here's an overview of these requirements:
One enthusiast even recreated this issue on a virtual machine lacking TPM support, which raised red flags for many. With every update, Microsoft fine-tunes the barriers, much to the dismay of users with older hardware.
Here are the commands you’ll need to run from an elevated command prompt:
Quick Overview:
Microsoft’s shifts certainly reflect its ongoing commitment to security and performance, but the need for balance is undeniable—especially for those who still rely on older yet functional hardware.
As we push forward, users encountering upgrade hurdles are encouraged to share their experiences. Communication and community effort are vital as more challenges arise in this evolving landscape.
If you've ventured down the wild world of Windows 11 upgrades and encountered roadblocks, do let us know your experiences. Together, we can tackle the evolving quirks and intricacies that come with such an ambitious operating system.
Source: ZDNet Microsoft cracks down on Windows 11 upgrades for 'incompatible' PCs, but there's a fix - for now
The Compatibility Roadblock
When Microsoft launched Windows 11 back in 2021, it introduced stringent hardware requirements aimed at fortifying security and system performance. The operating system requires a compatible CPU and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. These requirements are considered critical for running the new OS. If your device fails to meet these benchmarks, the compatibility checker built into the Setup program halts the upgrade, effectively sending users back to square one.Here's an overview of these requirements:
- Compatible CPUs: Only specific models are allowed. If your CPU doesn’t make the cut, that’s a dead end for you.
- TPM 2.0: Lacking a TPM means you won't be able to upgrade, at all.
The Ingenious Workarounds
Despite these constraints, the community has risen to the challenge. Two popular methods emerged, allowing users to bypass the compatibility check:- Registry Modification: Microsoft acknowledged this method, albeit geared primarily for enterprise users. Users can modify certain registry settings to facilitate an upgrade, though it remains unsupported and may not work for all hardware.
- Rufus Utility Hack: The more popular method involves using the Rufus utility, which replaces the compatibility appraisal file (Appraiserres.dll) with a zero-byte version. This method has been especially attractive to those wanting to bypass TPM requirements altogether. Users can execute this hack effortlessly with a click of a checkbox in Rufus.
The New Snag with Windows 11 version 24H2
As users migrated to the 24H2 version, reports emerged of failed installations, particularly when leveraging the Rufus bypass. An error message popped up, essentially blocking the upgrade, even when users employed the traditional workarounds.One enthusiast even recreated this issue on a virtual machine lacking TPM support, which raised red flags for many. With every update, Microsoft fine-tunes the barriers, much to the dismay of users with older hardware.
The Adaptive Response from the Community
In the spirit of co-operation and innovation, Rufus developer Pete Batard swiftly introduced a new workaround following user reports. He outlined the need for some command-line wizardry, requiring users to execute additional registry edits before running the installation setup.Here are the commands you’ll need to run from an elevated command prompt:
Bash:
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- Copy these commands directly for successful execution.
- Post-execution of these commands, users reported that upgrades proceeded smoothly.
Continuing Challenges for Users
While advanced users can relish these workarounds, many casual users may find the additional compatibility checks cumbersome. The barriers raised against older systems lacking TPM or those relying on Legacy BIOS configurations could hinder a smooth transition to Windows 11, revealing a usability gap.Microsoft’s shifts certainly reflect its ongoing commitment to security and performance, but the need for balance is undeniable—especially for those who still rely on older yet functional hardware.
As we push forward, users encountering upgrade hurdles are encouraged to share their experiences. Communication and community effort are vital as more challenges arise in this evolving landscape.
If you've ventured down the wild world of Windows 11 upgrades and encountered roadblocks, do let us know your experiences. Together, we can tackle the evolving quirks and intricacies that come with such an ambitious operating system.
Source: ZDNet Microsoft cracks down on Windows 11 upgrades for 'incompatible' PCs, but there's a fix - for now