How to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware - Macbook Pro or PC (No TPM Required)
Are you trying to install Windows 11 on your older machine or Mac, but hit by messages saying your PC isn’t supported?
You’re not alone — many Mac users, especially those using Boot Camp, face this issue because their devices don’t have
the TPM 2.0 chip required by Windows 11.
But don’t worry. There’s a simple way to bypass these hardware checks and install Windows 11 — even on unsupported
machines like a MacBook Pro i9 running Windows 10 in Boot Camp. My current setup.
Here’s a step-by-step guide using a special command:
setup.exe /product serverImportant Notes Before You Start:
- This method bypasses Microsoft’s hardware requirements, so use it at your own risk.
- During installation, Windows might say “Installing Windows Server” — this is normal.
- You may need to repeat this method for future Windows 11 updates.
- This guide is for users already running Windows 10 via Boot Camp.
What You’ll Need:
- A working Windows 10 installation
- At least 20GB of free disk space
- Windows 11 ISO file
Step-by-Step Guide to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported Devices
1. Download the Windows 11 ISO:
- Visit: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
- Select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO) and download it
2. Mount the ISO File:
- Right-click the ISO file and choose “Mount”
- A new virtual DVD drive will appear (e.g. D:)
3. Run the Special Setup Command:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Type the following command (replace D: with your actual ISO drive letter):
D:\setup.exe /product server- Press Enter and follow the setup steps
Note: It might say “Installing Windows Server” — ignore this. Windows 11 Pro will still be installed.
4. Complete the Installation:
Let the setup run and your machine will reboot. After restarting, you’ll be running Windows 11,
even on unsupported hardware.
Upgrading to Future Windows 11 Versions
Windows 11 gets major feature updates typically once or twice a year. These updates often come with new features,
UI changes, or performance improvements — but they may also reintroduce hardware checks,
blocking unsupported devices (like Macs without TPM 2.0).
Examples of Major Windows 11 Versions:
- Windows 11 21H2 – the original release (October 2021)
- Windows 11 22H2 – first big update (September 2022)
- Windows 11 23H2 – current mainstream version (late 2023)
- Windows 11 24H2 – expected around late 2024 (next big upgrade)
How to Upgrade Manually on Unsupported Hardware:
1. Download the latest Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s official site
2. Right-click the ISO and select “Mount”
3. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
4. Run this command (replace D: with the actual ISO drive letter):
D:\setup.exe /product server
5. Follow the setup prompts — it will upgrade you to the latest version without wiping your data.
Final Thoughts
This is a straightforward and effective method to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware — perfect for Mac users
using Boot Camp or anyone with an older PC. No registry hacks, no third-party tools — just a single command that skips
all the hardware checks.
As always, make sure to back up your data first and understand this isn’t officially supported by Microsoft. So you use at your own risk and I accept any responsibility for any data loss or damage caused by following this guide.
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