Hey all—planning to upgrade Windows 11 on an unsupported hardware box (older CPU/TPM) via ISO in-place upgrade. I run Norton 360 (firewall/AV/VPN). Do I need to disable or uninstall Norton during the upgrade, and did anything break after (subscription, firewall rules, VPN adapter, browser protection)?
What’s more, has anyone successfully upgraded from windows 10 to Windows 11 on an unsupported PC?
Device-Dabbler 
The best way forward with any big migration, is to image / clone your existing set-up, so you’ve got some thing to return to, if everything goes pear-shaped.
W11 will not unsupportedly load to dinosaur-devices. I would guess that you need at least UEFI, SafeBoot is handy.
I’ve a couple of pre-UEFI W10 devices. They’re only any good for email and domestic stuff. Ask ‘em to work hard and it takes ages to complete photo imaging, image / clone, cloud app pinging and MS monthly updates. If you’re a gamer, you’re gonna lose.
Best advice, buy a current device and fly through your stuff.
Bored, with an afternoon spare; I loaded W11 on to a 2008 BIOS only device of a decent spec.
The migration got right to the final boot-up, MS pop-up, “there’re security issues” and reverted me to W10. On an old device, it took 4+hours. A complete and utter waste of time.
W11 works with the modern generations of chip-sets, which is what it’s built on. What you don’t know, when your current software becomes problematic, because chip-generations have moved forward and legacy software starts to malfunction, because it’s nolonger supported and compatible with what’s being periodically updated.
If you’ve loads of spare time, give W11 a go. Don’t be surprised down the road that if it starts playing up, it’s probably because the existing chip-set has run out puff.
MS don’t guarantee UNSUPPORTED. How long will a W11 unsupported device last, nobody knows
@user9229 @ITMA ITMA has the idea spot on with the issues you MAY or may not run into. Secure Boot is a MUST to bypass and not have any major issues. I would remove your Norton product(s) BEFORE doing the in place upgrade as a precaution just to make things go smoother.
OPatch offers micro-patching to at least keep the major security issues in check, I would also check them out BEFORE proceeding as well to see if that fits your needs.
Conversely, this is what I will be using on at least three older laptops for family to use. Much of the look and feel of Windows 11 within a Linux distro using Wine and with Android plus Play Store support with a sideload of Power Tools. At least 5 years long term support as well. Downside is Norton will not be supported.
SA
I might add, play the waiting game with Windows 11. Microsoft doesn’t have the market share to just dump 300-400 million users and expect to see their bottom line growth expand. Windows 10 came along and MS relented for the exact same reason. Windows 11 also isn’t all its cut out to be, its also a warning to everyone how dedicated Microsoft actually is for full control of every licensed devices Windows in installed on. AI and the “Windows as a subscription” model are already in place. Use Opatch on your current Windows 10 install and wait things out a bit longer. Then decide. Just some friendly heads up advice.
SA
It is an easy job now if you want to upgraded from windows 10 to Windows 11 on an unsupported PC. Here is a simple way to help you do that:
Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO from the Microsoft website.
Step 2: Right-click the ISO file and select “Mount”. This will make it appear as a new DVD drive in “This PC”.
Step 3: Open the mounted drive and run the setup.exe file.
Step 4: When you get to the “This PC can’t run Windows 11” screen, press Shift + F10 and use the exact same Registry Editor steps from Method 1 to create the LabConfig key and DWORD values.
Step 5: Close the windows and proceed with the upgrade. It will attempt to install Windows 11 while keeping your personal data and applications.
For the most stable result on an unsupported PC, this method is highly recommended. It gives you a fresh start and avoids potential software conflicts from an old Windows 10 installation.
Indeed these are avenues, they also DO NOT exclude the security risks that are still present. How? Microsoft is closing the door to installation ( legit installs or otherwise ) using a non-Microsoft local account at setup. They most assuredly will stop security updates, if they have not done so already leaving users right where they were with Windows 10. Use OPatch as suggested before to stay as safe as possible, no registry editing or security bypasses required.
The other demon in the bag is Microsoft’s continuing push for AI with Co-Pilot +, it is now capable of creating documents from most third party software. These folks want data and as much as our current scabs in government will allow them. The next push will be Windows as a subscription services with an annual fee, the scenario has been spoken about for quite some time. The only thing stopping that in the present is Microsoft has to get past forced trashing of millions of perfectly good computers and the e-waste that comes with it. Guess who pays for that as well? You got it…we do.
SA
You cam upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 on any PC no matter it is supported or unsupported according to this tutorial:
https://www.syscute.com/guide/winupgrademate.html
You can try out yourself.
