Dangers of Installing Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware

Although Microsoft has published two ways to install Windows 11, using either method creates substantial risk for organizations. The accompanying screenshot shows Microsoft’s warning against installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, including hardware without a supported Trusted Platform Module (TPM) or CPU. Organizations can install the OS on unsupported hardware by modifying the Windows registry or by creating installation media. The greatest risk of doing this: the device might not receive a needed security update and therefore be at risk of a zero-day or other threat that installs malware such as ransomware. In such an event, an organization’s insurance policy might not cover any losses. Customers are given only 10 days after installing Windows 11 to undo the installation by rolling back to Windows 10 without having to completely reinstall the OS.

The TPM, CPU, and other requirements are described at https://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-11-specifications.

Installing Windows 11 on unsupported devices is described at https://support.microsoft.com/windows/installing-windows-11-on-devices-that-don-t-meet-minimum-system-requirements-0b2dc4a2-5933-4ad4-9c09-ef0a331518f1.