UPDATED 11/1/2023: It’s possible to create a USB bootable media to bypass the installation restrictions of Windows 11 23H2 (2023 Update), and in this guide, I’ll outline the steps to complete this task.
Although Windows 11 includes various installation requirements (such as for processor, memory, storage, network, and security), you can use workarounds and tools like Rufus to upgrade on unsupported hardware or install Windows 11 with a local account.
In this guide, I will teach you the steps to create a USB bootable media to install Windows 11 23H2 on unsupported hardware.
Create Windows 11 23H2 bootable USB to bypass requirements
To create a Windows 11 23H2 bootable USB to bypass requirements, use these steps:
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Click the link to download the latest version.
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Double-click the rufus.4.xx.exe file to launch the tool.
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Under the “Device” section, use the drop-down menu and select the flash drive to create the Windows 11 23H2 bootable USB media.
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Click the Select button.
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Select the Windows 11 23H2 ISO file.
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Click the Open button.
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Select the “Standard Windows Partition” option in the “Image option” setting.
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Select the GPT option in the “Partition scheme” setting.
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Select the UEFI (non CSM) option in the “Target system” setting.
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Under the “Volume label” section, specify a descriptive name for the Windows 11 23H2 bootable USB flash drive.
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Use the default settings for the File system and Cluster size options.
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Check the Quick format option.
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Check the “Create extended label and icon files” option.
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Click the Start button.
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Check the “Remove requirement for 4GB RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0” option to install Windows 11 23H2 on unsupported hardware.
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Check the “Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account” option to use a local account and bypass the internet requirements.
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(Optional) Check the “Create a local account with username” option and specify a name for the account.
Quick note: If you want to create a local account during the setup, you don’t need to check this option. -
Click the OK button.
Once you complete the steps, Rufus will create a bootable USB media that will bypass the requirements to upgrade or install a fresh copy of Windows 11 with the 2023 Update on unsupported hardware.
Update September 25, 2023: The update available on September 26, 2023, only enables some of the features for version 23H2 (including Copilot, Windows Backup, redesigned File Explorer, updated Settings, Dynamic Lighting, and others). However, the system will continue to show version 22H2 on the About settings page. Once Microsoft completes this rollout, at a later time, before the end of 2023, another update will become available to finish deploying the rest of the feature update and switch the system from version 22H2 to 23H2. After this point, the company is expected to update the Media Creation Tool, Installation Assistant, and ISO file. Also, devices with older releases of the operating system may be able to update directly to version 23H2 from Windows Update.
Update November 1, 2023: This guide has been revised to ensure accuracy and reflect new changes.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].