Windows 11 enforces modern hardware requirements that block older or custom PCs. You can still deploy version 25H2 by preparing a special USB installer that bypasses checks. Two reliable options are Rufus and Ventoy, both of which create media that removes TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and memory requirements and can skip the mandatory Microsoft account during setup.

Starting with Windows 11 version 24H2, processors must support the POPCNT instruction to boot correctly. Intel chips also need SSE4.2 and AMD chips need SSE4A. Very old CPUs (primarily pre‑2007) typically lack these capabilities, and no tool can work around this limitation.

Before you start: hardware and downloads

Use a Windows PC to prepare the USB and have an empty flash drive with at least 8 GB of capacity. Download a Windows 11 ISO (25H2 when available) from the official Microsoft download page at microsoft.com/software-download/windows11. If 25H2 is not yet listed for the public, obtain it from the Windows Insider ISO page at aka.ms/wipISO.

For tooling, get Rufus from rufus.ie or Ventoy from github.com/ventoy/Ventoy/releases.

Download the Windows 11 25H2 ISO (official sources)

Use the Windows 11 download page to select the Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices, choose your language, and save the file. If you specifically need 25H2 and it is not on the main download page yet, use the Insider ISO link. Always save the ISO locally before creating the USB to avoid interruptions.

Create a Windows 11 25H2 USB for unsupported PCs with Rufus

Rufus creates a standard Windows installer and includes options to remove installation checks and the online account requirement. It can also create a local account automatically and prevent automatic Device Encryption/BitLocker enablement on first boot.

Step 1: Download and launch Rufus. Insert your USB flash drive, then select it from the Device list. This ensures Rufus targets the correct drive.

Step 2: Choose how to supply the ISO. Click the down‑arrow next to Select and pick Download to fetch Windows 11 directly, or click Select and browse to a ISO you already downloaded.

Step 3: Confirm default settings for partition scheme and target system unless you have a specific boot mode requirement. Rufus configures compatible defaults for a Windows installer USB.

Step 4: Click Start to open the customization dialog. Check the option to remove requirements for TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and 4 GB+ RAM so the setup runs on unsupported hardware.

Step 5: (Optional) Enable the option to remove the online Microsoft account requirement. This lets you complete setup with a local account instead of being forced online.

Step 6: (Optional) Use the field to create a local account name automatically. You can also choose to prevent Device Encryption/BitLocker from enabling during setup if the prompt appears.

Step 7: Confirm the warnings and proceed. Rufus will format the drive and write the installation files with your chosen bypass options.

Step 8: Boot the target PC from the USB. Open the firmware boot menu and select the USB device. Run Windows Setup and complete installation using the local or online account flow you prefer.

Tip: If you do not see the Download option in Rufus, open Rufus Settings and set its update check to Daily to expose it. This enables the built‑in ISO downloader in some configurations.

Create a Windows 11 25H2 USB for unsupported PCs with Ventoy

Ventoy turns a USB into a multi‑ISO boot device. You simply copy the ISO file(s) to the USB and boot them from Ventoy’s menu. Ventoy applies the necessary configuration to bypass Windows 11 hardware requirements by default.

Step 1: Extract the Ventoy ZIP download. Run Ventoy2Disk.exe to open the installer interface on Windows.

Step 2: Select your USB drive in Ventoy. Installing Ventoy will erase the USB, so back up anything important before proceeding.

Step 3: Click Install and confirm. Ventoy partitions and prepares the drive so it can boot ISO files directly without extraction.

Step 4: Download the Windows 11 ISO (25H2 when available) from the official download page. If needed, use the Insider ISO page to get 25H2 ahead of public release.

Step 5: Copy the ISO file to the Ventoy USB like a normal file. You can place multiple ISOs on the same drive and keep them organized in folders.

Step 6: Boot the target PC from the Ventoy USB. In the Ventoy menu, select the Windows 11 ISO to launch Setup and continue installing normally.

Note: When a newer ISO is released, you do not need to recreate the USB. Copy the newer ISO to the Ventoy drive and boot it from the menu.

Choose a tool: Rufus vs. Ventoy (quick reference)

Tool How it works Bypass options Good for
Rufus. Builds a standard Windows installer USB with custom setup options. Skips TPM, Secure Boot, and RAM checks; can skip online account, create a local account, and block automatic Device Encryption. One‑off clean installs with precise control over setup behavior.
Ventoy. Makes the USB boot ISO files directly via a menu (no extraction). Applies configuration to bypass Windows 11 requirements by default. Keeping multiple Windows or Linux ISOs on a single, reusable USB.

Limits, support status, and what to expect

Installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware leaves the device in an officially unsupported state. Updates may still arrive, but they are not guaranteed, and functionality can differ from a supported machine. Hardware instruction support requirements for 24H2 and newer (POPCNT plus SSE4.2 on Intel or SSE4A on AMD) remain mandatory; older CPUs typically cannot boot these builds.

With the ISO in hand, both Rufus and Ventoy streamline installs on older hardware—pick the one that fits your workflow and you’ll be up and running quickly.