F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Upgrade Windows 11 from an M.2 drive.

Upgrade Windows 11 from an M.2 drive.

Upgrade Windows 11 from an M.2 drive.

F
Fordtuff18
Member
141
09-27-2021, 02:47 PM
#1
Hello, I recently assembled two PCs and created a media setup for a Windows 11 installation drive. Using Rufus, I extracted the ISO from the Windows Media Creation Tool. During the download, I was prompted to check a box about bypassing secure boot and TPM, and another about removing certain requirements like 4GB RAM. On my first PC, the TPM and Secure Boot are already active, along with a licensed Windows 11 version. I simply moved the Windows 11 installation from my STA drive to a new M.2 slot. For the second PC, it’s brand new, hasn’t run Windows before, and has a weaker GPU, so I need to skip some system prerequisites.

Specs:
- PC 1: OS – Windows 11, CPU – i5 11600K, GPU – 3080MHz, RAM – 16GB, Storage – WD Green 1TB M.2
- PC 2: OS – None, CPU – i511600K, GPU – 1060, RAM – 6GB, Storage – WD Green 1TB M.2

Question 1: Should I prepare the M.2 drive before disconnecting the existing SATA drive and inserting the new one for PC 1? I’m okay with my data being intact.
Question 2: Should I first use Rufus to make a bootable USB on PC 1, without enabling any bypass options, then install Windows there? After that, should I create another bootable USB for PC 2 using the same method, including the bypass option?
Question 3: If I install Windows 11 on PC 2 with these adjustments, will my dad be able to log in using his own Windows Acc credentials and claim the Windows 11 version, or will he still need a license key? Thanks for clarifying this – it’s been quite confusing, and I don’t want to revert to Windows 10.
F
Fordtuff18
09-27-2021, 02:47 PM #1

Hello, I recently assembled two PCs and created a media setup for a Windows 11 installation drive. Using Rufus, I extracted the ISO from the Windows Media Creation Tool. During the download, I was prompted to check a box about bypassing secure boot and TPM, and another about removing certain requirements like 4GB RAM. On my first PC, the TPM and Secure Boot are already active, along with a licensed Windows 11 version. I simply moved the Windows 11 installation from my STA drive to a new M.2 slot. For the second PC, it’s brand new, hasn’t run Windows before, and has a weaker GPU, so I need to skip some system prerequisites.

Specs:
- PC 1: OS – Windows 11, CPU – i5 11600K, GPU – 3080MHz, RAM – 16GB, Storage – WD Green 1TB M.2
- PC 2: OS – None, CPU – i511600K, GPU – 1060, RAM – 6GB, Storage – WD Green 1TB M.2

Question 1: Should I prepare the M.2 drive before disconnecting the existing SATA drive and inserting the new one for PC 1? I’m okay with my data being intact.
Question 2: Should I first use Rufus to make a bootable USB on PC 1, without enabling any bypass options, then install Windows there? After that, should I create another bootable USB for PC 2 using the same method, including the bypass option?
Question 3: If I install Windows 11 on PC 2 with these adjustments, will my dad be able to log in using his own Windows Acc credentials and claim the Windows 11 version, or will he still need a license key? Thanks for clarifying this – it’s been quite confusing, and I don’t want to revert to Windows 10.

J
Jahck
Junior Member
2
09-28-2021, 08:26 PM
#2
Once you have an activated Windows copy on that device, the servers should identify it as a licensed machine and activate it again after reinstalling. It’s clear both systems can run Windows 11 without issues. A GTX 1060 works with DX12, so no special steps needed. If it uses a Microsoft account, you’ll see an option to transfer your license from another device.
J
Jahck
09-28-2021, 08:26 PM #2

Once you have an activated Windows copy on that device, the servers should identify it as a licensed machine and activate it again after reinstalling. It’s clear both systems can run Windows 11 without issues. A GTX 1060 works with DX12, so no special steps needed. If it uses a Microsoft account, you’ll see an option to transfer your license from another device.

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nightwolfcl
Junior Member
39
09-28-2021, 11:10 PM
#3
Thanks a lot! This has been really helpful. I hadn’t thought about using it on Windows 11 yet, just testing it temporarily for the GPU. Appreciate your reply!)
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nightwolfcl
09-28-2021, 11:10 PM #3

Thanks a lot! This has been really helpful. I hadn’t thought about using it on Windows 11 yet, just testing it temporarily for the GPU. Appreciate your reply!)

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bspickler12345
Junior Member
29
09-29-2021, 01:58 AM
#4
Certainly! The main condition for Windows 11 is supporting DX12 or newer graphics drivers. I’ve tested it on a less powerful GPU, and it worked perfectly.
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bspickler12345
09-29-2021, 01:58 AM #4

Certainly! The main condition for Windows 11 is supporting DX12 or newer graphics drivers. I’ve tested it on a less powerful GPU, and it worked perfectly.