How to install Windows 11 without restrictions: Eliminate hardware and Microsoft account requirements

2024-09-24 07:00:00

First of all, I wouldn’t recommend anyone to install Windows, Linux and KDE can be used most of the time for anything you do with Windows now, but hey… There are times when you have to install it, for any reason, so With the free Rufus utility, you can avoid the strict and annoying requirements imposed by Microsoft to upgrade your Windows 10 PC or install Windows 11 on a new computer, and doing it your way. Below, we explain step by step how to do this process without complications and with full control over the settings.

Why use Rufus to install Windows 11?

Microsoft has released Windows 11 with a set of restrictions that many users consider unnecessary. The company has imposed rather strict hardware requirements, such as TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module), a security chip that many older computers do not have. Likewise, Windows 11 requires computers to have Secure Boot activated and at least 4 GB of RAM.

If that’s not enough, Microsoft is also increasing the use of online accounts by making it difficult or almost impossible to create a local account while installing the operating system. This creates a problem for users who prefer not to link their device to a Microsoft account for privacy or privacy reasons.

If you want to install Windows 11 on an older computer that does not meet these requirements, or simply want to avoid the mandatory use of a Microsoft account, Rufus is the tool that will allow you to easily overcome these obstacles.

What is Rufus and how can it help you?

Rufus is a free, open source utility primarily designed to create bootable USB drives with operating systems. Although Rufus is known for its simplicity and efficiency when it comes to creating Windows or Linux installation media, the latest version includes additional options that allow users to bypass some of the restrictions Microsoft placed in Windows 11.

With Rufus, you can create a USB drive with the Windows 11 installer that will also let you:

• Bypass the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirement.
• Install Windows 11 on devices with less than 4 GB RAM.
• Configure the system to avoid using a Microsoft account, allowing a local account to be created from scratch.

What you’ll need before you start

Before you can use Rufus, there are a few things you need to gather to ensure the installation process goes smoothly:

1. Windows 11 ISO file: This file is necessary because it contains the operating system image to be installed. You can download it directly from the official Microsoft site.
2. USB drive: You will need a USB stick with a capacity of at least 8 GB to host the Windows 11 installation files.
3. Rufus: The latest version of Rufus, which you can download for free from the official site.

Step by step: How to install Windows 11 with Rufus

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO file

To get started, you need to get the Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft’s official website. The ISO file is an image of the operating system that contains all the data needed to install it.

1. Go to the Download Microsoft page.
2. Scroll down to the “Download Windows 11 Disc Image (ISO)” section.
3. Choose Windows 11 From the drop-down menu, select the product language and confirm.
4. Click download and save the ISO file on your computer. Rufus will use this file to create a USB installation drive.

Step 2: Download and run Rufus

Then, download the latest version of Rufus from your official site.

1. Once downloaded, run the EXE file. There is no need to install Rufus as it runs directly as a portable program.
2. Insert the USB stick into your computer. Please note that Rufus will format the drive, so any data on the USB stick will be deleted.

Step 3: Configure Rufus

Rufus’ interface is simple to use, but it has a set of advanced options that we’re interested in bypassing the Windows 11 requirements.

1. In the main Rufus window, select your USB drive in the “Device” field.
2. Click the button Choose and locate the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded.
3. Make sure the “Image Option” field is selected Standard Windows installation.
4. This is where Rufus becomes a powerful tool. In the section Image installationyou’ll see a box that says “Remove requirement for 4GB or more RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0.” Enable this option to ensure that installation is not blocked on computers that do not meet these requirements.

Step 4: Remove Microsoft account requirements

Another big advantage of Rufus is that it allows you to install Windows 11 without the need to connect your installation to a Microsoft account.

1. In the same window, select the option that says “Remove online Microsoft account requirements.”
2. If you prefer to use a local account, Rufus allows you to create one right away. Check the option “Create a local account with a username” and enter the name you want for your account.

Step 5: Create the USB drive and start installing

Once these options are configured, click Begin. Rufus will start formatting the USB drive and copying the Windows 11 installation files.

Once the process is complete, you’ll have a USB drive ready to install Windows 11 on, whether it’s on your current PC or a new machine.

Step 6: Install Windows 11

Now that you have your USB drive, insert it into the computer where you want to install Windows 11.

1. If you want to update your Windows 10 computer, open the USB drive in File Explorer and double-click the installation file.
2. If you are installing a new machine or want to do a clean install, boot from the USB drive. To do this, restart your computer and press the corresponding key to enter the start menu (usually F12 or Esc).

The Windows 11 installation process is the standard one, the difference now being that you won’t have to worry about hardware or Microsoft account requirements.

Step 7: Finish setup

After you finish installing Windows 11, if you chose a local account, follow the prompts to create a password and customize basic settings for your operating system.

Final considerations

It is important to note that Microsoft does not recommend installing Windows 11 on devices that do not meet the official hardware requirements, as they may not receive important updates. However, Rufus offers a practical and simple solution for those who wish to continue using their equipment without being forced to comply with these requirements.

Rufus is an essential tool for those who want to install Windows 11 without the restrictions imposed by Microsoft. From bypassing hardware requirements to avoiding the need for an online account, Rufus facilitates a more flexible and customized installation of the operating system.