Replace install.wim file.

Replace install.wim file.

Replace install.wim file

Create Windows 11 ISO image bypassing TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and UEFI restrictions.

Very short:

In Windows 11, replace the install.wim file with the install.wim file in Windows 10, then create an ISO file from it and write it to a USB drive with the Rufus program, after which you can install immediately. Before installation, disable the "SECURE BOOT" option in the BIOS.

More detail:

Requirements for Windows 11 have changed. Windows 10 can be installed on a computer with a 32-bit processor (x86), while Windows 11 can only be installed on a computer with a 64-bit processor (x64) and at least a dual-core processor. In addition, you need at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB for storage requirements. Strict requirements are sensitive on older computers or laptops, such as mandatory support for UEFI, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 components.

Here's the trick:

Unfortunately, due to limitations, the new system cannot be installed on older computers, so we have to resort to a little trick, which is to replace the Windows 11 install.wim file with the Windows 10 install.wim file. Ready.

It's so simple and you can install the new system right away. I prepared a Windows 11 on my older laptop using this method and it was installed without problems, without errors.

Quick Tip: I was not allowed to connect to the Internet during installation. I didn't want to download a file that could block the installation (I'm not sure). The connection can also be made after installation.

Just downloading Windows 10 / Windows 11 and creating the ISO file takes a long time, otherwise it can be finished quickly. If you have another computer that is faster, create the ISO image files on it and then write to flashdrive. If you use a pendrive, you should know that it has a much slower write speed.

What you will need:

In the first two steps, download both Windows systems (Windows 10 and Windows 11).

1.) First step: Windows 10 ISO file. If you don't have it, download it here...

Click the link above, and on the web page that appears select the settings as shown in the image below, and finally click the blue link on the right that downloads a script to your desktop. If you click on the script, it will automatically download Windows 10 and then you can create an ISO file from it. Finally (after about 1 hour) it completes ISO and asks you to press the Y (yes) button, or N (no), to finish. Finally, you can delete the downloaded files along with the folder, as you will only need the ISO file.

Quick Tip: By downloading the .cmd file (command file), a window will appear warning that this command file may be harmful to your computer. It is safe to download because it is considered malicious only because of the file extension.

2.) Second step: Windows 11 ISO file. If you don't have it, download it here...

As described above, on the same jpegage you can download and create an ISO image file, and select the settings on the jpegage as shown in the image below:

3.) Third step: You need two flashdrives (or flash drives) of at least 8 GB.

4.) Step Four: You need the Rufus.exe program. (28.11.2022 - Rufus 3.21 - 1.3 MB.) It can be downloaded here...

Quick Tip: During installation, you'll need the remaining product key from your old Windows 10 (or 7-8) system, which can be used to activate Windows 11. Otherwise, you'll need to purchase a valid license from the Microsoft Store, or from another distributor.

Create a bootable USB device:

Prepare the two USB flashdrive devices mentioned above. Write Windows 10 ISO on one of them with Rufus, then write Windows 11 ISO on the other USB flash drive separately.

A.) Preparing Windows 10 ISO:

1. Start the downloaded Rufus.exe program (can be used without installation).
2. Connect one of the flash drives to an empty USB port.

When the USB flashdrive is connected, it is automatically detected by the Rufus program and displayed under Device Properties. Click the SELECT button, and then in the browser window that appears, look for the Windows 10 ISO image file already created on your computer or laptop. In the file manager window, click the OPEN button in the lower right. Uploading the ISO file becomes visible in the Rufus program window. Instead of the FAT file system, select NTFS (faster and more secure), and then click START.

This little program usually works without error and finishes the task in 4-5 minutes, the end result is a Windows 10 system that can be started automatically (bootable), which is ready for installation (but we do not install now).

When you're done, the rufus program will remind you in a message window to disable the "SECURE BOOT" option in the BIOS before installation. Ignore it and click Close in the message window.

Caution: Do not disconnect the flash drive (or flash drive) from the computer's USB port, as you will need it.

B.) Preparing Windows 11 ISO:

Also connect the second USB flashdrive device to another empty USB port on your computer or laptop and write the Windows 11 ISO image file to your device, as described above.

Caution: Do not disconnect this completed flash drive from the computer's USB port either, as it will be necessary.

Replacing the install.wim file:

To install Windows 11, to avoid the limitations of TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and UEFI introduced by Microsoft on older computers, you will need to replace the Windows 11 install.wim file with the one in Windows 10.

1.) Open both USB flshdrives that you created and connected to your computer (click the This PC icon if you have one, and then click the USB drives one after the other in the Devices and Drives window).

2.) If possible, place the two open folders next to each other.

3.) In both flash drives, click the sources folder in the folder.

4.) Scroll down to the install.wim file. In the sources folder, simply delete this install.wim file from the flash drive that contains Windows 11 (right-click the file and select Delete from the mouse pop-up menu).

5.) Navigate back to the flash drive that contains Windows 10 and simply drag the install.wim file to the location of the deleted install.wim file in the Windows 11 folder. This replaces the file with an older one, which bypasses system limitations for installation on unsupported devices . Copying takes a few minutes because it is over 3 GB.

6.) After copying is complete, remove the USB device that contains Windows 10 because it is no longer needed.

7.) Restart your computer or laptop to install Windows 11.

Quick Tip: Warning: This is a reminder that the process deletes everything from the partition on the computer where you are installing the system. Tip: If you haven't saved your important data, do it now and only then start the installation.

Warning: The Rufus program has asked you to disable the Bios Secure boot option, which you can do in Bios. Because the steps for accessing the BIOS vary by manufacturer and even computer model, it is difficult to provide an accurate description of how to access this option. The image below shows an option available in the Assus Bios menu, but other Bios look similar, with minimal differences.

Immediately after turning on the computer, press and hold the F2 (or DEL) buttons on the keyboard to enter Bios.

For more information about the correct installation of Windows 11, visit the Installing Windows 11 from a USB Drive website ...

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