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Microsoft doesn't make it easy to install or upgrade to Windows 11, imposing strict hardware limitations on which PCs can run the operating system.
At the very least, your computer's motherboard needs to support Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, both of which are security features that aim to protect against malicious access. But such requirements leave older PCs out of the running, giving you little choice but to remain on Windows 10 until it's no longer supported -- or buy a new computer.
Also: How to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11: Two ways
If you're still keen on moving your current PC to Windows 11, a couple of third-party tools are able to bypass Microsoft's restrictions and let you install and run the OS on otherwise unsupported computers. One tool is the popular Rufus. Another one is called Flyby.
Freely available from a Windows utility developer called Belim, Flyby offers a few different methods for installing Windows 11, specifically the 24H2 version. You're able to update your current PC to the latest flavor of Windows 11 or install it through a USB drive. You can download the Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft yourself, or Flyby will download it for you.
To bypass Microsoft's restrictions, Flyby treats the Windows 11 client installation like a Windows server installation. But you still end up with the desktop version of the OS.
"Flyby11 offers all the currently working methods to bypass the restrictions for installing Windows 11 24H2 on unsupported hardware," the developer says on his GitHub page. "The internet is full of guides showing how to get around the TPM, Secure Boot, and processor requirements, but Flyby11 does all that automatically for you."
Also: Your Windows 10 PC can't be upgraded? You have 5 options before support ends in 2025
Before you try this, know that Microsoft naturally discourages people from installing Windows 11 on unsupported devices. If you still decide to forge ahead, the company warns that the PC will no longer be supported and won't be "entitled" to receive updates. Despite Microsoft's protestations, this can still be a viable way to extend the life of a computer that you want to keep using.
How to use Flyby
Flyby is capable of downloading the necessary Windows 11 ISO for you. However, I ran into a Microsoft-generated error when trying to download the file through Flyby. The error indicated that using anonymous or location-hiding technologies is not allowed, referring to the method by which Flyby tries to connect to Microsoft's Windows 11 Download service. For that reason, I recommend downloading the file yourself.
Head to Microsoft's Download Windows 11 page. The available version is Windows 11 24H2. In the past, I advised people to steer clear of this version as it was plagued by a number of glitches. Microsoft has since patched most of the key bugs, so you should now be able to run this 2024 edition without any major hiccups.
Also: The ultimate Windows 11 upgrade guide: Everything you need to know
Scroll down the page to the section for Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices. Click the drop-down menu for Select Download and choose Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices). Next, click the Download Now button. Click the drop-down menu for language and select your language (and region, if required). Click Confirm. Finally, click the button for 64-bit download and choose a location to download the ISO.
Next, head to the GitHub page for Flyby11. The page includes some helpful reading as it describes the latest features for Flyby so you can see what options are available. Click the link for flybyscript.zip to download the zip file.
Extract the contents of the downloaded zip file. Run the Flyby11.exe file. If you receive an error from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen preventing the file from running, click the option to run it anyway. The Flyby screen then pops up.
Also: Windows 11 editions explained: Versions, SKUs, and Home vs. Pro
Notice that Flyby lists a few different methods for installing Windows 11. If want to update your current version of Windows (10 or 11) to Windows 11 24H2, check the box for the first method to perform an in-place upgrade via the server setup. Assuming you already downloaded the ISO from Microsoft, click the button for "Mount and Run ISO" at the bottom.
Select the ISO file that you downloaded. A Windows Server setup screen pops up indicating that Flyby has triggered the Windows Server installation. Click Next to continue.
Accept the usual license terms. Make sure you choose the option to keep files, settings, and apps. The process will then check for updates. At the Ready to Install screen, click Install to proceed.
Also: Why you don't need to pay for antivirus software anymore
Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETAfter the installation finishes, your PC is automatically rebooted. Sign in at the login page and give the update some time to complete. To make sure Windows 11 24H2 installed properly, head to Settings, select System, and then click About. Under Windows Specifications, the version should indicate 24H2.
Overall, Flyby is a solid tool that will get the job done. It's not as user friendly as Rufus. But it's good to know that another tool is available if you want to jump to Windows 11 on an older PC.
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