Replacing a processor that meets the requirements of W11

[Kris_Kur]

My old laptop does not meet the requirements for Windows 11. The report shows that only the processor does not meet these requirements. Will replacing the processor with one supported by Windows 11 allow to installation W11?

Is it possible in general?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Your notebook's processor is an integral part of the motherboard and cannot be upgraded without replacing the motherboard.

There are no motherboards for your notebook's model series that come with W11-supported processors.

If you are happy with your PC, 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 24H2 on Unsupported PC (Early Access) 2024 (youtube.com)

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

Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com)

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.

And best of all, it can be done at absolutely no cost.

[Kris_Kur]

Thank you for the hint. And I will use it.

I have already bought a new laptop with Windows 11 (HP ProBook 450 15.6 inch G9 ), but I would like to pass this old one (HP ProBook 450 G4,) to my wife who now uses an almost antique HP Compaq 6370b computer.

Of course, I would like to upgrade my ex to Windows 11, and as you explained, it is possible and not very inconvenient.

However, I have an additional question – how will I know about Microsoft's new builds and where will I be able to download them from (this may be a stupid question, but I haven't watched the video yet - sorry)

Regards

Kris

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The new builds will be released to the W11 download site normally sometime in October of each year until Microsoft quits updating the W11 builds like they did for W10.

Download Windows 11

This is the same link I gave you in my first reply.

The video is going to explain how to get the old preview build from the Microsoft Insider program.

Now that 24H2 is released to the public you use that build to run the video guy's procedure on to update your G4 to W11.

So, you can skip through that part.

You will see the latest build info at the top of the W11 download webpage:

 (Current release: Windows 11 2024 Update l Version 24H2)

You will know when you can reapply the procedure in the video when you see that it indicates:

 (Current release: Windows 11 2025 Update l Version 25H2)