Creating a bootable USB drive for Windows 11 on unsupported PCs is easier than you think. Follow these steps to get started.
To begin, you'll need three things: a USB drive (8 GB or higher), a Windows 11 ISO file, and the Rufus application. Keep in mind that the USB drive will be formatted, so make sure to back up any important files beforehand.
Download and Install Rufus
Open your browser and search for Rufus. Head to the official website, scroll down to the Download section, and choose either the Standard or Portable version. The Portable type works just fine.
Setting Up the Bootable USB
Insert the USB drive into your computer and launch Rufus. Under the Device option, select your USB drive. Then, under Boot Selection, click Select and choose your Windows 11 ISO file.
Keep the remaining settings as default and hit Start to begin the process.
Customize Windows Installation
Before proceeding, Rufus allows you to modify Windows installation settings. Here are a few key options:
- Remove requirements for 4GB RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0 – Check this option to bypass Windows 11's restrictions and install on unsupported PCs.
- Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account – Choose to enable or disable this based on your preference.
- Create a local account – Set a username if you'd rather not use a Microsoft account.
- Set regional options & disable data collection – Adjust based on your needs.
- Disable BitLocker automatic device encryption – From Windows 11 Version 24H2 onwards, Microsoft enables BitLocker by default. If you want to prevent this, check the box.
Once everything is configured, click OK, and then OK again to confirm.
Final Steps
Wait for the process to complete, and you'll have a ready-to-use bootable USB drive for installing Windows 11 on unsupported PCs.
Now you're all set to install Windows 11 seamlessly. Good luck with your setup!