Manually Upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 on Unsupported PCs Without Data Loss

Manually Upgrade to Windows 11 24H2: Windows 11 24H2 brings new features and performance enhancements, but upgrading on unsupported PCs can be tricky. If your PC doesn’t meet Microsoft’s hardware requirements, you can still upgrade manually using the Windows 11 24H2 disk image and Rufus without losing your data. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

Disclaimer

Before proceeding, ensure you back up your data. While this process is designed to retain your files, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

What You’ll Need

1. A USB drive with at least 8GB of storage (all data on it will be erased).
2. A PC running Windows 11 21H2, 22H2, or 23H2.
3. A stable internet connection.
4. Rufus (a free tool to create bootable USB drives).
5. Windows 11 24H2 disk image (ISO file), available from Microsoft or other trusted sources.

Step 1: Download the Necessary Tools

1. Download Rufus:
   • Visit the Rufus website and download the latest version.
2. Get the Windows 11 24H2 ISO:
   • If you don’t have the ISO, download it from Microsoft’s official site or another reliable source.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB with Rufus

1. Insert your USB drive into your PC.
2. Open Rufus and select your USB drive under Device.
3. Click Select and choose the Windows 11 24H2 ISO file.
4. Under Image Option, select Standard Windows Installation.
5. Under Partition Scheme, select MBR for PCs that does not support secure boot and has Legacy BIOS Mode
6. Leave other settings as default and click Start.
7. Next, on the pop-up windows, make sure the first two are checked for use on unsupported PCs as shown below.

Step 3: Prepare for the Upgrade

1. Make sure your PC is plugged into a power source.
2. Disconnect unnecessary peripherals to avoid compatibility issues.
3. Ensure you have enough free space on your primary drive (at least 20GB).

Step 4: Start the Upgrade

1. Open the bootable USB drive in File Explorer.
2. Double-click setup.exe to launch the Windows 11 installation wizard.
3. Follow the prompts:
   • Select Upgrade: Keep files and apps when asked about installation type.
   • If the wizard detects compatibility issues, proceed by ignoring warnings since Rufus has bypassed the requirements.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

1. The setup will begin copying files and upgrading your system. This process may take 30 minutes to several hours, depending on your hardware.
2. Your PC will restart multiple times during the process. Do not interrupt.

Step 6: Post-Installation Checks

1. Once the installation is complete, log in to your account.
2. Verify that all your files and apps are intact.
3. Open Settings > Windows Update to install any pending updates for Windows 11 24H2.
4. Use the “winver” command to check your current windows version

Troubleshooting Tips

• Installation Stuck? Restart your PC and try again.
• Missing Files? Check the Windows.old folder in your system drive.

Conclusion

Upgrading to Windows 11 24H2 on unsupported PCs is straightforward with Rufus and a bootable disk image. This method bypasses hardware restrictions while retaining your files and applications. Enjoy the latest Windows features without worrying about meeting Microsoft’s stringent requirements!

Let us know in the comments if you found this guide helpful or encountered any issues during the process!