Windows 11 Hardware Support Help!

[soapyfish]

Hi Everyone,

 

We are in process of planning to replace some of our hardware to ensure compatibility with wndows 11, From reading it looks like the several key components are DX12 GPU and TPM 2.0. and secure boot. Offcially supported CPU's look to be the 8th Gen Core series or higher. Currently none of our hardware is this new and so does not meet the minimum spec. We have 3rd gen i5 and 6th gen i5 desktops and laptops.

 

Some of the desktops and laptops with TPM chips and some without. All the machines without a TPM chip flat out will not install Windows 11 which makes sense however machines with TPM 1.2 which does not seem to meet the minimum spec will install windows 11 from the latest ISO? Additionally Some of the machines with TPM 1.2 can be flashed with newer firmware to make them TPM 2.0 this applies to 6th Gen Desktops and Laptops although sadly not the 3rd gen machines.

 

I am not sure why I am able to install windows 11 on Machines with TPM 1.2 when TPM 2.0 seems to be the minimum spec. does anyone have any insight or idea on what might be happening?

 

Following the spec here(PDF DOWNLOAD)

https://download.microsoft.com/download/7/8/8/788bf5ab-0751-4928-a22c-dffdc23c27f2/Minimum%20Hardware%20Requirements%20for%20Windows%2011.pdf

 

and the CPU spec here

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-22h2-supported-intel-processors

[hellgate24]

On one of the TPM 1.2 devices, once its installed, does it show as an unsupported device in the Windows Update section of the settings app?

[ITGuyNW]

If you are installing via MDT, it skips the proper TPM check.

[soapyfish]

- - - Updated - - -

 

On one of the TPM 1.2 devices, once its installed, does it show as an unsupported device in the Windows Update section of the settings app?

 

 

In device manager, the device is installed and working and is dispalyed as "Trusted Module Platform 1.2"

[soapyfish]

If you are installing via MDT, it skips the proper TPM check.

 

ITs been installed with an ISO downloaded from MS VLSC page last week.

[3s-gtech]

It's updates that appear to be the issue with older kit - they may not work (i.e. WSUS or Windows Updates), if the device is unsupported.

 

Most of our kit is BIOS rather than UEFI, so makes that rather easier - it's nowhere near compatible.

 

Bit sad about my HP Probook G3s though.

[soapyfish]

It's updates that appear to be the issue with older kit - they may not work (i.e. WSUS or Windows Updates), if the device is unsupported.

 

Most of our kit is BIOS rather than UEFI, so makes that rather easier - it's nowhere near compatible.

 

Bit sad about my HP Probook G3s though.

 

So really if Windows 11 it installs and works, its ok until there is an update from say from 23H2 to 24H2 (or what ever they call them) for example. at which point the unsupported hardware may just stop working or fail to install the update.

[3s-gtech]

So really if Windows 11 it installs and works, its ok until there is an update from say from 23H2 to 24H2 (or what ever they call them) for example. at which point the unsupported hardware may just stop working or fail to install the update.

Close, but no. It may not even install security updates. If it was just OS increments that'd be no issue - re-image and away.

[soapyfish]

ok so basically unless we have technically "supported hardware" any update could be a problem....

[LeMarchand]

So really if Windows 11 it installs and works, its ok until there is an update from say from 23H2 to 24H2 (or what ever they call them) for example. at which point the unsupported hardware may just stop working or fail to install the update.

 

In my experience (so far) yes, even on the machines that I've had to take the e-hammer to for installation. They have all continued getting updates, but upgrades have had to be done manually.However MS have not guaranteed this will always be the case. I suspect that when 11 has reached a certain level of penetration they'll start playing hardball.

[mjhardisty]

I think you can force install of Windows 11 onto any incompatible device from an ISO build. As @hellgate24 says, I would think you get an unsupported message in Windows Update. It may also mean that future updates may not apply and incompatibility with the new security features that Windows 11 delivers. Going forward it will be an issue for all schools who have to upgrade their estates to be compatible before Windows 10 EoL in 2025.

[ASGeek]

Dear All,

 

Please may I put a question to those of this thread - WHAT best practice are you fellow IT Techs or IT Managers doing for bulk checking if all school PCs are compatible for the upgrade to Win 11 - i would like to avoid the manually task of installing the "pc health checker" app advised directly from Microsoft as exampled in the attached image: and having to manually visit each PC . Thank you

[localzuk]

Config Manager or Intune can provide that info fairly easily.

[ASGeek]

Thank you for your reply much appreciated - May i ask if you can advise further or if you can direct me towards any KB links to review so i may test this out my end.. Currently SCCM is not fully set up- we are using WSUS / WDS. Thanks