Question So . . I've been posting about keeping my PCs secure after October 14 . . . Installed Win 11 Pro on a "test" machine . . . I've got a question . . .

[BonzaiDuck]

Summarizing (probably again), I had a system that wasn't being used enough, and I tested installing Win 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC. Fully successful. If I need security updates for seven more years, I can have it on that or my other PCs.

Next, I decided to add a $25 TPM2.0 module to my motherboard, and my processor was the last generation not covered by M$'s list of eligible CPUs. So I made the appropriate registry hack recommended for systems that have TPM, UEFI and Secure Boot. I was able to upgrade my original Win 10 Pro (before the test with IoT) -- after making a bare-metal restore with Macrium Reflect backups. The Win 11 Pro seems to be totally stable. Various friends here have chimed in about the uncertainties of using a Win 11 on ineligible hardware for "serious work". I may agree with that, but I'm testing this, and it seems fine. I got several updates without missing a lick.

I figured we'd all be more knowledgeable about this situation with older hardware if there were a compilation or indications of other users who've had problems with Win 11. Some people used older hardware than I, so they didn't have TPM 2.0, or they had pre-Skylake processors. So a ran a search here at the forums.

I cannot find anybody reporting troubles with their Windows 11 installation on the older hardware.

What do YOU know? Curious minds want to know! As we say at the National Enquirer!

To answer the obvious question of "Why didn't you make this upgrade-install four years ago?" And the answer is: Taking care of two disabled (now deceased) family members, I only had time to manage our money, answer e-mails etc. on a reliable PC, and didn't think I needed Win 11. I STILL don't think I NEED it, but we're trying to stay abreast of the technology. So -- changing diapers, feeding an aging parent -- all the eldercare activity -- and I had a disaster in 2021 when I zapped a vaping-pen with static charge when I went to pluck it out of my computer USB port. That was stupid, of course. No time to build a new computer, or dick around with installing Windows 11. The hardware trouble was enough added to my family responsibilities.

So what do YOU know? What big troubles have you had with your old computer and Windows 11? Perhaps this is a thread to accumulate information we should've started a couple years ago. In my Anandtech search, I didn't find ANY_Freakin'-Thing.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

. . . . And here's another thought.

Way back during the 1990s, Intel was under pressure because a construction company in Florida -- probably working with PERT or CPM work-scheduling models -- discovered a flaw which led to inaccuracies in large-scale computations. M$ has always seen two hazards: the possibility of a law suit from some private sector business -- or litigation from the Federal Trade Commission or DOJ Anti-Trust Division based on competitor complaints.

Despite all the new AI aspects of programming in mainstream software, also forcing uncertainty on wayward consumers, there are many reasons they will first show you how to hack the registry and then tell you to press the "Accept" button when they describe vague risks of running Win 11 on dated hardware.

 

[mikeymikec]

I've done many "unsupported PC" in-place upgrades to Win11 23H2 and 24H2, no problems yet. A surprising complete lack of drama overall really!

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I've done many "unsupported PC" in-place upgrades to Win11 23H2 and 24H2, no problems yet. A surprising complete lack of drama overall really!

Then the speculations and opinions are true. This is more about money and corporate contracts to buy office PCs in bulk, and less about AI microcode.

I would maybe expect troubles for systems without TPM 2.0 or SSE 4.2. But -- so far -- we're saying nobody is reporting troubles.

It's also part of the M$ legal strategy.

Sad -- all those consumer mainstreamers out there, dumping their perfectly good hardware so they can have security through the latest OS. I can understand -- with their general lack of expertise, neither they nor would I be willing to take the time. All that trouble to get internet for poor folk who lack the means.

Geesh. I wonder what school districts do about this. Or maybe the just distribute tablets according to established routine . . .

Anyone else with a story to tell -- a story of troubles or lack thereof?

 

[mikeymikec]

The only trouble I've run into is as you say, CPUs without SSE 4.2: I built a few AM3 Phenom II era PCs which handled 23H2 fine but wouldn't take 24H2 (they went through the usual upgrade routine, then at the point of the first reboot they immediately rebooted again and reverted to 23H2 / Win10).

 

[BonzaiDuck]

The only trouble I've run into is as you say, CPUs without SSE 4.2: I built a few AM3 Phenom II era PCs which handled 23H2 fine but wouldn't take 24H2 (they went through the usual upgrade routine, then at the point of the first reboot they immediately rebooted again and reverted to 23H2 / Win10).

That's why I think I'm in sort of a gray area. My motherboard was manufactured to add a TPM 2.0 module, and I meet the SSE4.2 criterion.

It just may be that a solution to this problem of the feature update can be resolved by installing Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2024 LTSC. You can buy licenses from several entities who claim to be "MS partners". The licenses may range from $12 to $35, and the purchase points you to the download link. And you aren't going to get a feature update with the IoT version, AFAIK.

You would have to experiment with it, and I can't guarantee it. When I tried to upgrade from Win 10 IoT . . .LTSC to Win 11 IoT . . LTSC 2024, I couldn't achieve activation. Now, to be sure, activation seems to be a major problem chronicled in Blogs and forums regarding Windows 11. But I wouldn't know more than that.

The main objective would be to stay in the loop for security updates.