Windows 11 anyone ?

[Jax]

I received an email yesterday about the launch of Win11. It came with a link to obtain a download that tests your computer to see if it's suitable to run Win11. I am using a Lenovo laptop with 1TB hard drive, 8GB memory and an HD screen. The proccessor is Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-6100U CPU @ 2.30GHz. According to the test, this laptop is not able to run Win11 due to the processor not being suitable and it reccommends buying a new PC.

While I know this laptop isnt what some would consider highly specified, I'm sure there are many thousands of lesser specified laptops around the world and prob many being sold right now. The good side is, if it's not suitable, and can't run Win11, that means MS can't do a sneaky download and install it whether I want it or not. So far I haven't seen anything about Win11 that would make me want to upgrade anyway.

Jax

[Ian]

We've covered this a few months ago. Many PCs can get a BIOS upgrade or other configuration to enable compatibility.

https://www.e-group.uk.net/forum/forum/out-of-focus-area/general-tech-talk/836670-windows-11-to-be-announced-next-week

Ian

[Jax]

We've covered this a few months ago. Many PCs can get a BIOS upgrade or other configuration to enable compatibility.

https://www.e-group.uk.net/forum/forum/out-of-focus-area/general-tech-talk/836670-windows-11-to-be-announced-next-week

Ian

Thanks Ian, it was covered more than 12 months ago and, given I can't usually remember what I did yesterday, I had totally forgotton about the discussion. The compatability test now states why you won't be able to run Win11 and seems very definite although it simply said my processor was not compatible. The laptop I use is approaching 5 yrs old and I have upgraded the memory and a new keyboard last year. I can't imagine what benefit Win11 would provide as this does all I need and does it very fast too. At my age I have to consider if the laptop is going to outlast me or visa versa so I doubt if I will be buying anything just to run an OS I don't really need.

[wornish]

Windows 11 doesn't give you any real benefits apart from round corners on your on-screen windows. My 3-year-old HP laptop is not compatible due to its processor not being supported but somehow a similar one in a Microsoft branded pc does work! Strange that, can't think why?
From what I have read so far the benefits of upgrading are minimal if not zero. Microsoft will continue to support and update W10 until at last 2025 so I have no intention of buying a new PC just for W11 which is what this upgrade seems to be all about.

[Jax]

Thanks Dave, you have more or less confirmed my opinion of Win11. The lack of hype and excitement from Microsoft and others is indicative in itself. Looking at some of the information provided by Microsoft might make you think it has been designed for the benefit of Developers and not the general user base. I certainly won't be downloading it any time soon.

[Ian]

I suggest that anyone who has a PC that is less than 6-7 years old should have a very good chance that all that is required, should an initial Windows 11 validation test fail, that a BIOS setting or BIOS upgrade may solve the problem.

The first port of call should be your computer's manufacturer.

My desktop PC failed W11 validation but a simple BIOS setting change enabled it to pass.

My laptop is getting on for 5 years old and it passed without problems. Reports here of PCs just 3 years old not passing are almost certainly symptomatic of a simple configuration change required.

Ian

[wornish]

I wish that were true. In my case it says it's the actual processor that is not supported. Tweaking the bias won't fix that.
I just re-checked and I bought it mid 2016 so it's just over 5 years old. I use it for controlling my astro gear so have no plans/need to move it to W11.

[Jax]

As stated above, I received the same result of the Intel processor not being compatible. It is slightly hard to understand why Microsoft would create an update that wouldn't be compatible with some Intel processors less than 5 years old. There is another possibility that the validation software is flawed. Like you Dave, I am not bothered in the slightest as I have no intention of dowloading an update to Win11 when it will serve no useful purpose. Even if the test was positive and Win11 had something desirable, I would still wait a few months and let those who jumped in with both feet at the onset iron out the bugs.

[OM USer]

I'm old school. I like my windows with sash cord, square corners, title & menu bars, and proper scroll bars (for the sash cords of course). I also like my windows to be windows and not full screen tiles and I detest the way "control panel items" are split between settings and control panel in W10.

[Jax]

I have just spent an hour trawling through some of the posts and articles on the net regarding processors being deemed unsuitable for Win 11.( Yes I know that is very sad ) It seems many thousands if not millions of WIn10 users have received the same results as Dave and Myself. There are as many suggestions for "fixes" as stars in the sky. It is interesting to note many hold the opinion that this is a marketing ploy by Microsoft to make users purchase new compatible computers. Some have ignored the findings of the test software and installed the download anyway to find their equipment runs Win11 perfectly. This seems to conflict with Microsoft's advice that computers failing the test will not be able to run the update. Some with very old PCs or laptops recieved a Pass when they ran the test. After all the hype has eventually died down, I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft release a fix and all those who want Win11 will be able to download and install the update.

Jax

[blu-by-u]

None of my Laptops or desktops are compatible and so W11 is not going to be for me.

[wornish]

Well guess what?

Microsoft have just released a guide as to how to by-pass the checks for TPM2 and for the CPU type so older PCs can install W11

Hope this link works

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ways-to-install-windows-11-e0edbbfb-cfc5-4011-868b-2ce77ac7c70e

[ianinsuffolk]

A really difficult time for me. Rebuilt PC with all new components to get really fast processor/memory/graphics 6 months ago. The +£300 motherboard failed on the TPM test, despite it being set up in Bios. 3 weeks of useless ideas from the manufacturer concluded in a beta upgrade being suddenly available for Win11! If even well known manufactures cannot get their act together then there is little hope for the rest of us. Yes there now is a workaround from Microsoft to avoid tpm issues. All in all very unsatisfactory by all involved in the PC industry .

[blu-by-u]

That happen to me also. Hence I am not going to even look at Win11 until by default that TPM requirement is removed.

[Jax]

Well guess what?

Microsoft have just released a guide as to how to by-pass the checks for TPM2 and for the CPU type so older PCs can install W11

Hope this link works

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...b-2ce77ac7c70e

Thanks Dave the link works fine

I don't think I've seen so many "get out clauses" in one article before. Basically it seems Microsoft are saying " You can try this but if it wrecks your computer you can't blame us ". All in all a very poor performance from Microsoft but if anyone is determined to run Win11 they now have some options available.

Jax

[Melaka]

I suspect the latest BIOS update to my Asus Prime Z370P will enable it to run W11. The problem is that no matter how often I try (F2 or Delete) I cannot get into the BIOS to update it. Any ideas please?

[Jax]

I suspect the latest BIOS update to my Asus Prime Z370P will enable it to run W11. The problem is that no matter how often I try (F2 or Delete) I cannot get into the BIOS to update it. Any ideas please?

Not sure if this will be of any interest:

Guide to Enter BIOS on an ASUS Laptop/Desktop/Notebook (4winkey.com)

If the update is an official one supplied by Asus, surely it will update the Bios itself without you needing to get into it

Jax

[Melaka]

Thank you. Unfortunately the BIOS does not update automatically - you have to do it from within the BIOS.

[Jax]

Thank you. Unfortunately the BIOS does not update automatically - you have to do it from within the BIOS.

Thats a new one on me. Lenovo and HP are the only laptop brands i've had over the years. When an official bios update is released, all Ive needed to do is click the download and install tab. You learn something new every day

Jax

[wornish]

Some real-world comparison tests.

https://www.techspot.com/article/2349-windows-11-performance/

As thought, the performance of Windows 11 is no different to Windows 10. The only change is the round corners on windows and the start menu moved to the middle.

[OM USer]

I have seen some adverts claiming that it is faster and thought this is a load of old tosh. Since when has a new release been faster than the previous one. Even if it was afte a few updates it would be crawling again.