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If you are looking for a way to upgrade from Windows 11 23H2 to 24H2 on an unsupported PC, then this guide is for you.
Microsoft released the 24H2 version of Windows 11 earlier this month, and many users with unsupported Windows 11 hardware are looking for a way to install it. This is because, as with previous versions of Windows 11, they do not receive the update through Windows Update, and they cannot install it using the Windows 11 Installation Assistant due to the error “This PC does not meet the minimum system requirements to install Windows 11“.
In this tutorial you will find detailed instructions on how to update to Windows 11 v24H2 on a computer that does not meet the minimum system requirements to install Windows 11.
How to Upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2 on Unsupported Hardware.
If you’re running Windows 11 v23H2 and you want to update your system to version 24H2, follow one of the methods below:*
- Update Windows 11 23H2 to 24H2 using a PowerShell command.
- Upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 by modifying Registry.
* Important: Before attempting to upgrade your system to Windows 11 24H2, please do the following important actions:
1. Back up all your important files to an external USB storage device to ensure that you’ll not lost any files if something goes wrong.
2. Make sure you have at least 64GB of free storage space on your C: drive.
3. Install all available Windows & Optional Updates.
4. Navigate to your device manufacturer’s support site and check if any new drivers are available for your device’s hardware. If so, download and install them.
5. Run CPU-z and ensure that CPU supports SSE4.2 (Intel) or SSE4A (AMD) instructions, otherwise the system will not boot after the upgrade to Windows 11 24H2.
Method 1. Upgrade Windows 11 23H2 to version 24H2 using a PowerShell Command.
Step 1. Download Windows 11 v24H2 in a ISO File.*
* Note: Skip to step 2 if you have already downloaded Windows 11 24H2 in an ISO file.
1. Navigate to Windows 11 download site & download the “Media Creation Tool” (mediacreationtool.exe), by clicking Download Now under “Create Windows 11 Installation Media“.
2. Run the “mediacreationtool.exe“, accept the license terms and click Next at language and edition settings.
3. In “Choose which media to use” options, select ISO file and click Next.
4. Select to save the “Windows.iso” file in “Downloads” folder and click Save.
5. Then wait the media creation tool to download the Windows.iso file and when its done click Close and continue to next step.
Step 2. Upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2 using a PowerShell command.
1. Right-click on the Windows.iso file and select Mount. (or double-klick on the “Windows.iso” file to directly open it)
2. In the new windows that opens with the contents of the mounted ISO file, right-click at an empty space and click Open in Terminal (PowerShell).
4. In PowerShell window, paste the below command and press Enter:
- .setup.exe /product server
5. After a few seconds you see the “Install Windows Server” screen. Don’t panic because it says “Install Windows server” and click Next to continue.
6. Then accept the license terms and at the next screen, choose Keep files, settings, and aps and click Next.
7. Wait for the installer to check for updates and when it finishes click Install.
8. The Windows 11 24H2 upgrade will start, despite the fact that it says “Installing Windows Server”. Sit back and wait for the installation to complete without interrupting it. The computer will restart several times during the installation.
9. When the installation is complete, your system will enter Windows with all files and settings intact.*
10. Finally, go to Start -> Settings > Windows Update, check for available updates and install them and you’re done!
* Note: To verify that the Windows 11 version 24H2 is installed:
- Press the Win + R keys to open the ‘Run‘ command box.
- Type “winver” and hit Enter.
Method 2. Upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 by modifying Windows Registry.*
1. Download Windows 11 v24H2 in a ISO File, by following the instructions in step-1 of the above method.
2. Then, open Command Prompt as Administrator.
3. Now issue the following five (5) commands in order (press Enter after each command), to modify the Registry to enable the v24H2 upgrade on your unsupported Windows 11 hardware:
- reg.exe delete “HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionAppCompatFlagsCompatMarkers” /f 2>NUL
- reg.exe delete “HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionAppCompatFlagsShared” /f 2>NUL
- reg.exe delete “HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionAppCompatFlagsTargetVersionUpgradeExperienceIndicators” /f 2>NUL
- reg.exe add “HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionAppCompatFlagsHwReqChk” /f /v HwReqChkVars /t REG_MULTI_SZ /s , /d “SQ_SecureBootCapable=TRUE,SQ_SecureBootEnabled=TRUE,SQ_TpmVersion=2,SQ_RamMB=8192,”
- reg.exe add “HKLMSYSTEMSetupMoSetup” /f /v AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU /t REG_DWORD /d 1
4. Close command prompt and continue to next step.
5. Right-click on the Windows.iso file and select Mount. (or double-klick on the “Windows.iso” file to directly open it)
6. Then, explore the contents of the mounted ISO file and double click at “setup.exe” to start the installation of Windows 11.
7. Click Next to proceed with Windows 11 installation.
8. Wait for the installer to check for updates and when it finishes click Install to upgrade your system to Windows 11 24H2 without losing your files and settings.
That’s it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
