Windows 11 is the newest version of Microsoft’s operating system, but it comes with some strict hardware requirements that may prevent many users from upgrading. Microsoft claims that these requirements are necessary to improve the security and functionality of Windows 11, but some users disagree and want to try the new OS on their older devices.
If you are one of those users who want to install Windows 11 on a PC that does not meet the minimum system requirements, you may be looking for a way to bypass the hardware check during the setup process. There are several methods to do so, such as using tools like Ventoy or Rufus, or editing the registry manually. However, there is also a simpler and easier way to skip the hardware check with just a single command.
In this article, we will show you how to use this command to install Windows 11 on any PC, regardless of its hardware specifications. We will also explain the risks and limitations of installing Windows 11 on an unsupported device, and how to avoid them.
Table of Contents
What Are the Hardware Requirements for Windows 11?
Before we proceed, let us review what are the hardware requirements for Windows 11. According to Microsoft, your PC must have the following components to install Windows 11:
- A compatible 64-bit processor that has at least two cores and runs at 1 GHz or faster
- At least 4 GB of RAM
- At least 64 GB of storage space
- A motherboard that supports UEFI and Secure Boot
- A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip, version 2.0 or higher
- A graphics card that supports DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
- A display that has a resolution of at least 720p and a diagonal size of at least 9 inches
These requirements are quite strict, especially for the processor and the TPM chip. Many older PCs may not have a compatible processor or a TPM chip at all, which means they cannot install Windows 11 normally. Even some newer PCs may have a TPM chip that is version 1.2 or lower, which is also not supported by Windows 11.
How to Bypass the Hardware Check with a Single Command
If your PC does not meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11, you may still be able to install it by using a special command parameter that tells the installer to ignore the system requirements. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft’s website and mount it on your PC or create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Rufus.
Step 2: Open a command prompt window as an administrator and navigate to the drive where the Windows 11 installation files are located.
Step 3: Type “setup /product server” (without quotes) and press Enter to start the installation process.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
The command parameter “/product server” makes the installer think that you are installing a server edition of Windows, which does not have the same hardware requirements as the desktop edition. However, this does not affect the actual installation and you will still get the regular Windows 11 version.
This trick works for both clean installations and upgrades from previous versions of Windows. However, if you have installed Windows 11 on an unsupported device, you may encounter problems when installing dynamic updates.
What Are the Risks and Limitations of Installing Windows 11 on an Unsupported Device?
While installing Windows 11 on an unsupported device may seem tempting, you should be aware of the potential risks and limitations that come with it. Microsoft warns that such devices may not receive future updates, including security updates, and that they may experience compatibility issues or even hardware damages. You should also check the warranty terms of your PC manufacturer before attempting the installation.
To avoid these risks and limitations, you should consider upgrading your PC hardware to meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. Alternatively, you can wait for Microsoft to release an official workaround for installing Windows 11 on unsupported devices, which is expected to happen in early 2024.
Summary
You can install Windows 11 on any PC with a simple command that bypasses the hardware check during the setup process. The command is “setup /product server” and it works for both clean installations and upgrades. However, you should be aware of the risks and limitations of installing Windows 11 on an unsupported device, such as missing updates, compatibility issues, or hardware damages. You should also check your PC warranty before attempting the installation.