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The image shows a desk setup with two computer monitors, a keyboard, a mouse, a tablet, and various stationery items like pens and a notepad. The monitors display colorful abstract wallpaper designs. Overlaid on the image is text that reads 'How I Upgraded Two Computers to Windows 11 with Minimal Cost and Maximum Performance'. The text is in a large, bold font, making it the focal point of the image.

How I Upgraded Two Computers to Windows 11 with Minimal Cost and Maximum Performance

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by

LJAweb
in ,

Hey, it’s Lewis here. I’m a computer repair guy who loves to help people with their IT problems. I’ve been doing this for a while now, and I’ve seen all kinds of issues and solutions. But recently, I had a challenge that was quite interesting and rewarding.

I had to upgrade two computers to Windows 11, the latest operating system from Microsoft.

Now, you may have heard that Windows 11 has some pretty high system requirements, and many computers are not compatible with it. You need a certain processor, memory, storage, graphics, and security features to run it. If you don’t have them, you’re out of luck.

Or are you?

Well, I’m here to tell you that there are ways to upgrade any computer to Windows 11, even if it is not compatible. And not only that, but you can also improve the performance and storage capacity of your computer, without spending a fortune.

Sounds too good to be true, right?

Well, it’s not. I did it, and I’m going to show you how.

In this blog post, I’m going to share with you my tips and steps on how to upgrade any computer to Windows 11, and how to make it faster and more efficient. I’m going to tell you the story of how I upgraded two computers for two different customers, and what tools and tricks I used.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Bypass the compatibility check with Rufus
  • Upgrade the storage with SSD
  • Clone the drives with Acronis
  • Move the user data to the HDD

By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear idea of how to upgrade your own computer to Windows 11, or how to help someone else do it.

You’ll save money and time, and you’ll make your computer run like new. Trust me, it’s worth it. So, are you ready to learn how to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 with minimal cost and maximum performance?

Then let’s get started. 😊

Tip 1: Bypass the Compatibility Check with Rufus

The first thing you need to do to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 is to bypass the compatibility check. This is the process that Windows 11 uses to determine if your computer meets the minimum system Compatibility requirements. If it doesn’t, you won’t be able to install Windows 11 at all.

But don’t worry, there is a way to bypass this check and install Windows 11 anyway. And the tool you need for this is called Rufus.

Rufus is a free and open-source software that lets you create bootable USB drives with any operating system.

You can use Rufus to create a bootable USB drive with Windows 11, and then use it to install Windows 11 on your computer.

Here are the steps on how to use Rufus to bypass the compatibility check and install Windows 11 on any computer:

  • Download Rufus from [here] and run it on your computer.
  • Insert a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space into your computer.
  • Select your USB drive from the Device list in Rufus.
  • Download Windows 11 OS from [here].
  • In Rufus Click on the SELECT button and choose the Windows 11 ISO file that you have downloaded

  • Under the Image option, choose Standard Windows installation.
  • Under the Partition scheme, choose GPT.
  • Under the Target system, choose UEFI (non CSM).
  • Under the File system, choose NTFS.
  • Under the Cluster size, choose 4096 bytes.
  • Under the Volume label, enter a name for your USB drive, such as Windows 11.
  • Click on the Start button.
  • Now tick the boxes shown in the image.
  • Click OK and then again on the WARNING box and wait for Rufus to create your bootable USB drive with Windows 11.
  • When Rufus is done, close it and eject your USB drive from your computer.

Now you have a bootable USB drive with Windows 11 that can bypass the compatibility check.

You can now simply run setup.exe from the memory stick we just created and upgrade your current system as if it’s just a Windows update, so you keep all your programs and files.


Alternatively, you can install to install Windows 11 on your computer, follow these steps:

  • Plug your USB drive into the computer that you want to upgrade to Windows 11.
  • Turn on your computer and press the key that opens the boot menu, such as F12, F10, or Esc. This may vary depending on your computer model and manufacturer.
  • Choose your USB drive from the boot menu and press Enter.
  • Wait for the Windows 11 setup to load and follow the instructions on the screen.
  • Choose the partition where you want to install Windows 11.
  • Click on the Next button and continue with the installation process.

And that’s it.

You have successfully bypassed the compatibility check and installed Windows 11 on your computer.

Congratulations!

But before you celebrate, you should know that this method has some benefits and drawbacks.

Here are some of them:

  • Benefits:
    • You can save money and time by not having to buy a new computer or upgrade your hardware to meet the system requirements of Windows 11.
    • You can enjoy the new features and improvements of Windows 11, such as the redesigned Start menu, the new Taskbar, the Snap layouts, the Widgets, the Android apps, and more.
    • You can keep your files and settings from your previous Windows version, as long as you choose the option to keep them during the installation process.
  • Drawbacks:
    • You can reduce the security and stability of your system by bypassing the compatibility check and installing Windows 11 on an unsupported hardware. You may encounter errors, crashes, or performance issues.
    • You can void your warranty or violate your license agreement by installing Windows 11 on an incompatible computer. You may not receive updates or support from Microsoft or your computer manufacturer.
    • You can risk losing your data or damaging your computer by using an unofficial tool or script to bypass the compatibility check and install Windows 11. You should always backup your data and create a recovery disk before attempting this method.

So, you should weigh the pros and cons of this method before deciding to use it.

If you are not comfortable with the risks involved, you may want to buy a new computer that is compatible with it. But if you are feeling adventurous and want to try Windows 11 on your old computer, this method can help you do it.

In the next tip, I’m going to show you how to upgrade the storage of your computer with SSD, and how it can make your computer faster and more efficient. Stay tuned. 😊

Tip 2: Upgrade the Storage with SSD

The second thing you need to do to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 is to upgrade the storage with SSD.

SSD stands for solid state drive, and it is a type of storage device that uses flash memory instead of spinning disks.

SSDs are much faster, quieter, and more reliable than HDDs, which are the traditional hard disk drives that use magnetic platters.

Why do you need to upgrade the storage with SSD?

Well, because Windows 11 requires at least 64 GB of free space on your system drive to install and run smoothly. If you have an old or small HDD, you may not have enough space for Windows 11, or you may experience slow performance and long boot times.

By upgrading the storage with SSD, you can increase the storage capacity and speed of your computer, and make Windows 11 run like a dream.

How do you upgrade the storage with SSD?

Well, there are different ways to do it, depending on your computer model and configuration. But I’m going to show you how I did it for two computers: a laptop and a PC.

For the laptop, I had a 128 GB SSD that was almost full with important photos and files. The laptop owner wanted to upgrade to Windows 11 and have more space for her data. So, I decided to upgrade the laptop’s internal storage with a larger SSD, and use the old SSD as a boot drive for the PC as there was no space to install two drives into the laptop, leaving me with one spare.

Here are the steps that I followed:

  • I bought a new 256 GB SSD that was compatible with the laptop. I made sure it had the same form factor and interface as the old SSD which was 2.5″ SATA. You can check this by looking at the specifications of your laptop and SSD, or by opening the laptop and checking the SSD yourself. Be careful not to damage your laptop or SSD when doing this.
  • I shut down the laptop and removed the battery and the power cord. I opened the laptop case and located the SATA slot. I removed the old SSD from the slot and replaced it with the new SSD. I closed the laptop case and reconnected the battery and the power cord.
  • I turned on the laptop and checked if the new SSD was recognised by the BIOS and the operating system.
  • I cloned the old SSD to the new SSD using Acronis. I did this by first placing the new larger SSD into the laptop first, then connecting the old one back to the laptop using an external USB SATA caddy. I booted Acronis Image copy and cloned the old drive to the new one. Once completed, it all booted up perfectly.
  • I upgraded the laptop to Windows 11 using official methods as it was compatible. I made sure to choose the option to keep the files and settings from the previous Windows version during the installation process.

And that’s how I upgraded the laptop’s internal storage with a larger SSD.

The laptop owner was very happy with the result.

She had more space for her photos and files, and her laptop was faster and more responsive.

But what about the old SSD that I removed from the laptop?

Well, I didn’t want to waste it, so I decided to use it as a boot drive for the PC. The PC had a 1 TB HDD that was slow and noisy. The PC owner wanted to upgrade to Windows 11 and have a faster boot time. So, I decided to use the old SSD from the laptop as a boot drive for the PC, and use the HDD as a data drive.

Here are the steps that I followed:

  • I shut down the PC and unplugged the power cord. I opened the PC case and located the SATA slots. I removed the HDD from the slot and replaced it with the SSD. I connected the HDD to another slot using a SATA cable that came with the new SSD for the laptop. I closed the PC case and plugged in the power cord.
  • I turned on the PC and checked if the SSD and the HDD were recognised by the BIOS and the operating system.
  • I cloned the HDD to the SSD using Acronis. I did this by booting Acronis Image copy and cloning the old drive to the new one. Once completed, it all booted up perfectly.
  • The PC was already upgraded to Windows 11 using Rufus, as I explained in the previous tip. I made sure to choose the option to keep the files and settings from the previous Windows version during the installation process. However, it’s worthing noting that I would of normally upgraded the SSD first then Windows 11 update so the process would have been much shorter. I had to do it this way around as we upgraded to Windows 11 before we had a spare SSD to use.

And that’s how I used the old SSD from the laptop as a boot drive for the PC. The PC owner was very impressed with the result.

He had a faster boot time and a smoother performance.

But what about the HDD from the PC?

Well, we decided to use it as a data drive for the PC. I moved the user data to the HDD and freed up space on the SSD, as I will explain in the next tip. Stay tuned. 😊

As you can see, upgrading the storage with SSD can make a big difference in your computer’s performance and capacity. But it also has some benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of them:

  • Benefits:
    • You can increase the storage capacity and speed of your computer by using a larger and faster SSD.
    • You can improve the boot time and the responsiveness of your computer by using an SSD as a boot drive.
    • You can reuse your old SSD or HDD for another computer or purpose, and save money and resources.
  • Drawbacks:
    • You can spend some money and time by buying and installing a new SSD or HDD for your computer.
    • You can require some technical skills and tools by opening your computer and replacing the SSD or HDD yourself.
    • You can risk losing your data or damaging your computer by cloning the drives or moving the data incorrectly. You should always backup your data and create a recovery disk before attempting this method.

So, you should consider the pros and cons of this method before deciding to use it. If you are comfortable with the costs and risks involved, you may want to upgrade your storage with SSD and enjoy the benefits. But if you are not sure or confident, you may want to stick with your current storage or ask for professional help.

In the next tip, I’m going to show you how to clone the drives with Acronis, and how it can make the transition easier and faster. Don’t miss it. 😊

Tip 3: Clone the Drives with Acronis

The third thing you need to do to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 is to clone the drives with Acronis.

Acronis is a software that lets you create an exact copy of your drive and transfer it to another drive. You can use Acronis to clone your smaller SSD to your larger SSD, and your HDD to your SSD.

Why do you need to clone the drives with Acronis? Well, because it can make the transition easier and faster.

You don’t have to reinstall Windows or your applications, or copy your files manually. You can just clone your drive and have everything ready on your new drive. It’s like moving your house by teleporting it to a new location, instead of packing and unpacking everything.

How do you clone the drives with Acronis?

Well, there are different ways to do it, depending on your situation. But I’m going to show you how I did it for the laptop and the PC.

For the laptop, I had to clone the old SSD to the new SSD, as I explained in the previous tip. I did this by using Acronis Image copy, which is a tool that lets you create an image of your drive and restore it to another drive. You can use Acronis Image copy from a bootable USB drive, or from a CD or DVD.

Here are the steps that I followed:

  • I created a bootable USB drive with Acronis Image copy using Rufus, as I explained in the first tip. I downloaded Acronis Image copy from [here] and used Rufus to create the bootable USB drive.
  • I inserted the bootable USB drive into the laptop and turned it on. I pressed the key that opens the boot menu, such as F12, F10, or Esc, and chose the USB drive from the boot menu.
  • I waited for Acronis Image copy to load and chose the option to clone disk.
  • I chose the option to automatically resize the partitions to fit the new disk size.
  • I chose the source disk, which was the old SSD that I connected to the laptop using an external USB SATA caddy.
  • I chose the destination disk, which was the new SSD that I installed in the laptop.
  • I confirmed the operation and waited for Acronis Image copy to clone the old SSD to the new SSD.
  • I removed the bootable USB drive and the external USB SATA caddy from the laptop and turned it off.
  • I turned on the laptop and checked if everything was working fine on the new SSD.

And that’s how I cloned the old SSD to the new SSD for the laptop. The laptop owner didn’t have to worry about losing any data or settings, or reinstalling any software. Everything was exactly the same as before, but with more space and speed.

For the PC, I had to clone the HDD to the SSD, as I explained in the previous tip. I did this by using Acronis True Image, which is a tool that lets you backup and restore your drive to another drive. You can use Acronis True Image from within Windows, or from a bootable USB drive.

Here are the steps that I followed:

  • I downloaded Acronis True Image from [here] and created a bootable USB.
  • I opened Acronis True Image and chose the option to clone disk.
  • I chose the option to manually resize the partitions to fit the new disk size.
  • I chose the source disk, which was the HDD that I installed in the PC.
  • I chose the destination disk, which was the SSD that I installed in the PC.
  • I confirmed the operation and waited for Acronis True Image to clone the HDD to the SSD.
  • I restarted the PC and checked if everything was working fine on the SSD.

And that’s how I cloned the HDD to the SSD for the PC. The PC owner didn’t have to worry about losing any data or settings, or reinstalling any software. Everything was exactly the same as before, but with faster boot time and performance.

As you can see, cloning the drives with Acronis can make the transition easier and faster. But it also has some benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of them:

  • Benefits:
    • You can save time and hassle by not having to reinstall Windows or your applications, or copy your files manually. You can just clone your drive and have everything ready on your new drive.
    • You can preserve your data and settings from your previous Windows version, as long as you choose the option to keep them during the cloning process.
    • You can create a backup of your drive and restore it in case of any problem or disaster. You can also use Acronis to create incremental or differential backups, which only backup the changes since the last backup, and save space and time.
  • Drawbacks:
    • You can spend some money and time by buying and installing Acronis on your computer. You may also need a license key to activate it and use all its features.
    • You can require some extra tools and software by using Acronis to clone your drives. You may need a bootable USB drive, a CD or DVD, or an external USB SATA caddy to connect your drives.
    • You can risk losing your data or damaging your computer by cloning the drives incorrectly or incompletely. You should always backup your data and create a recovery disk before attempting this method.

So, you should consider the pros and cons of this method before deciding to use it. If you are comfortable with the costs and risks involved, you may want to clone your drives with Acronis and enjoy the benefits. But if you are not sure or confident, you may want to skip this method or ask for professional help.

In the next and final tip, I’m going to show you how to move the user data to the HDD, and how it can help you optimize the storage and performance of your computer. Don’t go away. 😊

Tip 4: Move the User Data to the HDD

The fourth and final thing you need to do to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 is to move the user data to the HDD. User data is the data that you create and store on your computer, such as your documents, pictures, videos, music, downloads, and more. You can move the user data to the HDD and free up space on the SSD, and make your computer more optimized and efficient.

Why do you need to move the user data to the HDD?

Well, because it can help you balance the storage and performance of your computer. You see, SSDs are great for running Windows and your applications, because they are fast and reliable. But they are also expensive and limited in capacity.

HDDs are good for storing your data, because they are cheap and large in capacity. But they are also slow and noisy. By moving the user data to the HDD, you can use the SSD for what it does best, and the HDD for what it does best. You can have the best of both worlds.

How do you move the user data to the HDD?

Well, there are different ways to do it, depending on your preferences and needs. But I’m going to show you how I did it for the PC.

For the PC, I had to move the user data to the HDD, as I explained in the previous tip. I did this by using storage management, which is a tool that lets you manage the storage and location of your data on your computer. You can use storage management to move the user data to the HDD, including the downloads folder.

Here are the steps that I followed:

  • I opened the Settings app on the PC and clicked on the System option.
  • I clicked on the Storage option and then on the Change where new content is saved link.
  • I changed the location of the new content to the
  • HDD, which was the D: drive. I did this for the documents, pictures, videos, music, and downloads folders. I clicked on the Apply button to save the changes.
  • I opened the File Explorer and navigated to the C: drive, which was the SSD. I located the user data folders, such as Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Downloads. I right-clicked on each folder and chose the Properties option.
  • I clicked on the Location tab and then on the Move button. I browsed to the D: drive and selected the corresponding folder. I clicked on the OK button and then on the Yes button to confirm the move. I repeated this for each user data folder.
  • I checked if the user data was successfully moved to the HDD, and if the SSD had more free space.

And that’s how I moved the user data to the HDD for the PC. The PC owner was very pleased with the result.

He had more free space on the SSD and made it run faster. He also had more storage space on the HDD and made it more organized.

But what about the laptop?

Well, I didn’t have to move the user data to the HDD for the laptop, because it didn’t have an HDD. It only had a larger SSD that I installed, as I explained in the previous tip.

So, I didn’t have to worry about the storage and performance of the laptop. It was already optimized and efficient.

As you can see, moving the user data to the HDD can help you optimize the storage and performance of your computer. But it also has some benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of them:

  • Benefits:
    • You can free up space on the SSD and make it run faster and smoother. You can avoid filling up the SSD and slowing down your computer.
    • You can have more storage space on the HDD and make it more organized and accessible. You can store more data and find it easily.
    • You can customize the location and name of your user data folders. You can choose where and how to store your data on your computer.
  • Drawbacks:
    • You can make the HDD slower and more prone to failure by moving the user data to it. You may experience longer loading times and more noise from the HDD.
    • You can complicate the backup and recovery of your data by moving the user data to the HDD. You may have to backup and restore two drives instead of one, or use a different software or method.
    • You can risk losing your data or damaging your computer by moving the user data incorrectly or incompletely. You should always backup your data and create a recovery disk before attempting this method.

So, you should consider the pros and cons of this method before deciding to use it. If you are comfortable with the risks and benefits involved, you may want to move your user data to the HDD and enjoy the advantages. But if you are not sure or confident, you may want to leave your user data on the SSD or ask for professional help.

Conclusion

And that’s it. You have learned how to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 with minimal cost and maximum performance. You have learned how to:

  1. Bypass the compatibility check with Rufus
  2. Upgrade the storage with SSD
  3. Clone the drives with Acronis
  4. Move the user data to the HDD

By following these tips and steps, you can upgrade any computer to Windows 11, even if it is not compatible. And you can also improve the performance and storage capacity of your computer, without spending a fortune.

You can save money and time, and make your computer run like new.

I hope you found this blog post helpful and informative.

If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below or contact me directly. I would love to hear from you.

Thank you for reading and using LJAweb.com. 😊

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