A new version of the popular Rufus utility once again bypasses Microsoft's strict hardware compatibility requirements for Windows 11 upgrades. But the way it's implemented might make some people nervous.

Windows 11 adoption has been way slower than Microsoft would like, no doubt, and part of the reason for that is that some PCs (particularly older models) can’t upgrade due to system requirements – and if you fall into that boat,

If you're currently using any version of Windows other than Windows 11, then your system is either already unsupported (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.1), or soon to become unsupported (Windows 10). And Microsoft's best advice for anyone in that situation is "move to Windows 11 by buying a new PC".

If your PC runs Windows 10, you can ignore those pesky compatibility checks and upgrade to Windows 11. Here's how nearly two dozen ZDNET readers got the job done and saved their laptops from the scrap pile.

This article was created by StackCommerce. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through our links on this page. Businesses that can stretch their budget without compromising quality and productivity may grow faster and last longer through a lean economy.