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Circumvent Windows 11 hardware lock?

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Circumvent Windows 11 hardware lock?

For �IT professionals

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A technical/business perspective

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Bypassing the Windows 11 hardware lock?

Microsoft gives the bypass steps but with warnings.

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3rd Party tools to check

  • ByteJams.com   Windows 11 requirement check tool
  • GitHub:  WhyNotWin11

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More info than the Microsoft PC Health Check

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Better tools for checking PCs

  • ByteJams.com 's Windows 11 Requirements Check Tool
  • GitHub:  WhyNotWin11

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  • Both provide a more granular details on why a PC's hardware does not meet Win11's requirements

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Microsoft's warning 

  • No support
  • No entitlement to future updates  (Microsoft most likely will not enforce)
  • Potential risk of voiding warranty by manufactures 

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Who was Windows 11 designed for?

  • Business/Enterprise who need improved security
  • Using virtualization and TPM gives:
    • Improve security for LSA process (Local Security Authority)
    • Credential Guard
    • Application Guard for Office
    • Sandbox
    • Zero Trust principles: from the chip to the cloud, rooted in hardware

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Windows 11 cuts the cord on 32-bit

  • 64-bit OS only
  • Allows more virtualization security features
  • Allows more containerization security features
  • Smart App Control: prevents malicious apps from running
  • Config Lock: prevents users modifying the PC config
  • Block vulnerable drivers with HVCI: Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity

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Microsoft gives a bypass

  • Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup
  • Name: AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU
  • Type: REG_DWORD
  • Value: 1

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Warning using bypass

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PC will not be supported

Is not entitled to receive updates  (I seriously doubt)

Damages are not covered by manufacturers

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Should you?  �Personal computers

  • Savvy end users who enjoy newer operating systems:  fine
  • Basic users who have Windows 10, no real reason to move to Windows 11

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Should you bypass?   �Business

  • Caution, no support if a serious issues arises 
  • You cannot use Credential Guard if using an Enterprise licenses 

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Preventing an upgrade to Win 11

  • Manually edit the registry
  • [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
    •  “TargetReleaseVersion”=dword:00000001
    •  “ProductVersion”=”Windows 10”
  • GPO either locally or via domain
  • Third party tools

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GPO control for domains

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GRC.com 

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Windows 10:  solid business operating system

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Moving to Windows 11

All upgrade methods will check for minimum requirements

Clean install methods will check for minimum requirements

If you re-image using DISM or 3rd-party tools applying an existing Windows 11 image to the disk, it will not check for TPM or proper CPU.

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Change your mind? 10 days!

  • You have 10 days to move back to Windows 10 before the system deletes the files that make that possible
  • Select Start > Settings > System > Recovery > Go back

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19

How Microsoft is implementing TPM technology into Windows security features. Windows Hello for Business, BitLocker, Measured Boot, Virtual Smart Cards and Health Attestation are a few of the technologies that are dependent on TPM.

TECHSAVVYPRODUCTIONS.COM

TPM Trusted Platform Module and Windows 10

YouTube: https://youtu.be/PLef73R3OpY

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Setup and configuration of software and server firmware. Evaluate the hardware subsystems, determine how to overcome old hardware performance, configure disk arrays, test performance, and prepare the server for an operating system.

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How to download and properly set up firmware updates, drivers, and operating system services to run on vendors' hardware. How to set up and configure used servers to advance your skills set and enhance your experience on enterprise equipment. Consider third-party tools for your server. How to properly set up a home lap for training.

TECHSAVVYPRODUCTIONS.COM

Basic Server Setup: Installing critical Software and firmware.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/0CmVA-GV9uk

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21

Understanding the complex hierarchical database used by Windows for system, software, and user configurations. Learn about the kernel-based configuration manager responsible for the registry. How has Microsoft improved the registry’s stability with the Kernel Transaction Manager? Learn how to locate and edit all your registry hives. Tips on the backup of your registry.�

TECHSAVVYPRODUCTIONS.COM

Windows's Registry: Understand and Troubleshoot

YouTube: https://youtu.be/-bsLmDfvF1Y

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TechSavvyProductions.com

UEFI Explained

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Moving from BIOS to new the UEFI is a major technical transition for motherboards. Think of UEFI as a small operating system. We will explore how Windows 10 changes to incorporate UEFI into the operating system boot structure. Why GPT is critical to UEFI and how Microsoft provides the utility to upgrade your disks for UEFI.

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What is the difference between UEFI and UEFI and CSM enabled? We will look at partitions and how they change moving from CSM to UEFI native mode.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/G_qKrJPuAmg

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TechSavvyProductions.com

Understand Secure Boot

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How secure boot works in Windows 10. Secure boot allows protection from "root-kit" attacks on both clients and servers. Secure provide a trusted path to boot devices. An in-depth look at the technology that allows a validated boot process. Learn about ELAM. A quick look at how Hyper-V supports secure boot.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZF1xGdhyUyw

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