CPU Upgrade To Make My System Windows 11 compatible.

[John_G-2014]

I am currently on Windows 10 Home.  My system diagnosis to upgrade to WIN11 (before WIN10 ends support in Oct) says my CPU (Intel Core i3 6100T) does not meet the requirements.  I think everything else does meet the requirements (TPM 2.0, etc, etc.)   One of my thoughts was to upgrade my CPU if possible to make it more compatible.  Don't know if this is a realistic option, how much it may cost etc.  Does anyone have some light they could shed?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Your PC's motherboard does not support any Intel 8th gen core processors, which Microsoft has established as the minimum processor requirement for W11.

If you are happy with your PC, and if you are interested in installing W11 24H2 on your PC as is, watch this video, which is the easiest way to do it in my opinion, and I have tried many different ways to do this during the last 3 years.

How to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported PC in 2025 (New Easiest Method, No CMD)

Download the W24H2 ISO file and use that (3rd option).

Download Windows 11

You can download the free 7-Zip file utility from the link below. The top line is for 64 bit.

7-Zip

You'll have to repeat this procedure each October when Microsoft rolls out the new builds because a PC that does not meet Microsoft's minimum W11 hardware requirements will never automatically get the update to the next build.

Other than that, your PC will continue to get the monthly cumulative and other updates.

That's only a minor inconvenience to have continued OS support beyond October of 2025.

If things don't work right on W11, you have 10 days to easily go back to W10 as long as you don't delete the W1 upgrade files or the Windows.old folder.

How to Go Back to Windows 10 from Windows 11 (Tutorial)

[John_G-2014]

Thank you so much!  I will follow all of your advice.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome. 

[John_G-2014]

If I may ask, will this also mean all security updates, etc. as well?  I generally use Windows Defender as my anti-virus, will that also continue as normal?  All this based on the fact of re-installing each October, as you said.

(PS: I had been watching several of the installing WIN11 on non-compatible WIN10 platform videos, but hadn't seen the one you suggest yet, they seemed a bit daunting try, but i may have no choice.)

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're PC will get every cumulative and security update a fully W11 capable PC will get, including the Windows Defender updates.

The only update it won't get is the automatic update to the next build of W11, and my assumption is that we will just have to use the video method on the next W11 ISO file that comes out in the Fall.