OK.... Spent the better part of today upgrading my older Intel NUC (Roon server) to Windows 11. The CPU wasn't supported so I had to edit the registry during the install to cheat the system a bit. There are a couple of things to note for those who were thinking about trying this:
1. You'll need a USB keyboard AND mouse to get through the install. I only had a keyboard and thought I could manage it with old school "Shift" "Ctrl" "Tab" and "Alt" type shortcuts, but there was one screen I couldn't navigate through without a mouse (you should have one anyway, you'll get through the install
much faster). Luckily Amazon India offers one hour free Prime delivery on most computer and electronic goods, so about an hour and 15 minutes later I was good to go.
2. I had to do a full/clean/new install with the directions I used. I tried to do an upgrade, but every time it restarted it kept booting back to Windows 10. I didn't have anything on there anyway, so in reality an upgrade vs. full install wouldn't have saved me any time. Clean installs are better anyway.
3. Make sure you know which Windows 10 version you have before starting any of this. I could have sworn I had 10 Pro and I installed 11 Pro during the set-up. Uggh..... had to buy an 11 Pro license to activate it when I was done ($199)
Is the upgrade necessary? That's up to you. My NUC was getting flaky after 5 years of Windows 10 and Roon updates. I was going to reinstall the OS again anyway, so after being rejected by Windows Update (CPU not supported) I found a guide that worked perfectly.
Here's the Windows 11 download screen. Click the second download "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" and install to a USB drive.
Download LinkAnd here's the guide to install Windows 11 without TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot
Install GuideMy NUC is humming along perfectly. No hiccups!
Cheers!
