Microsoft doesnt make it very clear what is and is not compatible. Basically you are supposed to buy a new computer with a more modern CPU. Due to “hardware bugs” support for anything earlier than 8th gen Intel CPUs was dropped.
Personally, since Microsoft dropped a ton of generations just recently I think it is more likely that Intel put pressure on MS again like they have in the past to only support the newest CPUs and so to force everyone with old PCs to buy new ones to generate some much needed revenue for Intel. But that is just my cynical view of the situation.
Unless you have specific software that needs windows (like some multiplayer games with anti-cheat or Adobe After Effects, etc), then I have found that ZorinOS is a great alternative to use instead of going with a forced Win 11 downgrade to your OS and all the baggage that comes with it.
A major stipulation, was the min. platform(s), back a few years ago
Minimums made by Microsoft, was Intel Core Gen8(+) and Ryzen Zen1+(+)
The intel processors being bigger reason, since 7< were VERY vulnerable to modern antics
To which M$FT wants nadda to do, with that kinda chicanery
The Ryzen processor Zen tier, was just chosen… being in same year of release
With that said, Win11 has been made capable to run, working off older hardware
It was involving [a lot of] ISO modifiers and likelihood of being only temp ['cause updates]
But I am sure, that Microsoft been trying to walking back reqs, with seeing the [noticeable] standoff
Intel Gen4 been out for several years
Can always build a old-new system, to try cutting back some costs
Intel LGA1200/1700 or AMD AM4, are all still accessible [DDR4 memory regardless]
The R9290 been EoL, for a good few years [regarding driver support]
I could only guess, some old legacy driver would be applied [best case scenario]
Plenty of GPU options available, that should have W11 friendliness and better efficiency
*UNLESS you need, that space heater quality, of the R9 [I kinda miss my dummspec 390]
I’ve had 0 inclination for W11 [my work laptop probably won’t be lucky]
Viewing this too much akin, to W7 → W8 disaster [but with MacOS knockoff veneer]
Anything that I have, connecting to the interwebs, runs off of linux
Regardless of being a laptop or a desktop build
Windows 11 is a downgrade from Win10. I will be the third person here to recommend Linux. Another person said ZorinOS, which isn’t a bad option for Linux. I prefer Garuda Linux and OpenMandriva.
What is your main use for this PC? Most use cases are comfortably done in Linux, but a few niche programs just aren’t compatible, although alternative software is likely available.
I can, unfortunately, confirm that this is so. Had to roll the “update” from 24H2 back and reinstall Win23H2 on mine. @retroeguy: I would avoid the 24H2 “update” unless you absolutely have to use it for whatever reason. Also, while IDK this for certain, MS seems to require TPM for Win 11 to be installed. If you have a copy of Win 10 Pro or can get your hand on one (license), I’d install that. Win 10 Pro is actually a good OS, 11 is more of a downgrade from 10 than anything else.
But, if you want to/get Win 11 installed, I recommend to check out Winaero Tweaker; it’s a free tool that let’s one get rid of a lot of the annoyances MS likes to bake into 11.
I’m actually not sure who’s pressuring whom here. MS has been decreasing performance of x86/x64 from both AMD and Intel, all while pushing “AI” and “CoPilot ready” requirements, and promoting “Windows-on-ARM” with Qualcomm. Since those Snapdragon notebooks were mostly disappointing (especially the graphics performance and x86 emulation), MS seems to have backed off a bit, and is again more x86 friendly, at least for now. Note how the performance of the Ryzen 9000 series improved by up to and over 10% after MS released updated versions of Windows.
Basically if you use rufus to create a bootable windows11 usb stick,
you can select a couple of options to make it possible to install on any hardware.
However the question will be for how long that will work without troubles down the line.
One of the very cool things about these other operating systems is you can try them without having to install over your current computer Windows operating system.
Just download the one you want to try, get a flash drive, and use Rufus to install the operating system on the flash drive. Plug it in, reboot and choose the flash drive from your boot menu, and select “live demo”.
This lets you try it out and see how it looks and feels. When you are done you can choose to install the new operating system or just shut your PC down and unplug the flash drive and everything is back to how it was.
Rufus: https://rufus.ie/en/
Flash drive if you need one: www.amazon.com/Samsung-BAR-Plus-128GB-MUF-128BE4/dp/B07BPG9YX9/
Windows alternatives to look at trying:
ZorinOS:
https://zorin.com/os/download/
Garuda Linux:
https://garudalinux.org/downloads
OpenMandriva:
https://www.openmandriva.org/release-picking
Mint Linux:
https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=319
OpenSUSE:
https://get.opensuse.org/leap/15.6/?type=desktop#download
Doing USB Stick installs, will allow you test drive these various Distros, or different GUIs within
Can also help out, in seeing if all your hardware gets identified [+ is usable]
It helped me out, in choosing a distro, for my laptop [2 of 3 distros, wouldn’t see mouse/keyboard]
They are known for there hunt and find games. been around for a couple of decades now and have 1 - 2 hundred games easy. They are also on steam as a developer / publisher!
I would bet their games could be run through one of the other launchers on Linux now days and run through Proton, or possibly just installed in Wine/Bottles directly.
If you make a USB Flash drive with one of the Linux OS’s to try, you can configure it with “persistent” space. This is storage that is kept between trying the OS out. So you should be able to try it and see about installing your games without actually overwriting anything on your current computer.
Your PC doesn’t have TPM 2.0 or maybe Secure Boot, so Windows 11 won’t install the normal way.
What You Can Do:
Bypass the requirements – There’s a simple trick to install Windows 11 anyway, but updates might be a problem down the line.
Upgrade your CPU and motherboard – A 10th Gen Intel or Ryzen 3000+ will fix this, and you can keep most of your other parts.
Stick with Windows 10 – It works fine until 2025, so no need to rush.