Windows 11

[ghuns]

With support ending for Windows 10 in October, our IT weenies sent us a list of 'things to do'. The big one is replacing 5 or 6 of our CAD/CAM workstations they say can't be updated because of TPM 2.0 support and/or pre gen 8 Intel processors. We buy our Workstations from @Xi Computers. They run between $4-6K each.

Some quick google-fu tells me there are workarounds for the hardware requirements, so I downloaded Rufus and a Windows 11 ISO file, the consensus pick for easiest workaround. Used Rufus to create a flash drive to use to install Windows 11 on our old PCs. This all went very easy.

My first victim is an old laptop from 2015 that we use as a spare. Yeah, that's old, but it's still runs like a champ, even on HUGE mold assembly files. I mean, the thing was $6K when it was new.

I started the install and was met with a message about needing to free up 15Gb of hard drive space. So I cleaned house a bit and it allowed me to proceed with the install. Had it running for awhile and it was chugging along and when I looked back over there was a little box saying, Windows 11 Install Failed.

I restarted the thing and tried the Windows 11 install again. Keeping a closer eye on it this time, currently at 89% complete.

Fingers crossed.

Anybody else fuck around with trying to get Windows 11 onto older workstations?

[JParis]

Anybody else fuck around with trying to get Windows 11 onto older workstations?

I "might" try it at home

Here in this business...nope, IT and security it just would not happen.

If I need four $5k laptops, I'll get four $5k laptops...

My newest guy is the only one with WIN11 so far and oi vey what a headache...seems he finally running but man what a headache getting it going

[gcode]

Anybody else fuck around with trying to get Windows 11 onto older workstations?

Our IT guy used Rufus to update 30 or 40 Win10 machines that were non compliant according to MS, including a several
Cad/Cam machines.

I have not heard of any trouble with any of them.
I used Rufus at home on one old MS Surface laptop and it updated OK and runs OK.


All of our Cad/Cam machines are running OK on Win11.
We're running Mastercam, Vericut Catia V5 R??, hyperMill, SolidWorks, SpaceClaim and CimcoEdit
It been nearly a year and we've had no OS related issues.

I do remember having trouble with my Surface laptop but I think I was not setting one of the options correctly.
 

[SuperHoneyBadger]

Some quick google-fu tells me there are workarounds for the hardware requirements

I believe the TPM 2.0 req has oficially been dropped, but the disclaimer from MS is 'we can let you install Win11, and you should, but we offer it with no warranty whatsoever on less-than-compatible machines'. Most of what I have heard about the pitfalls of using a machine with no/incompatible TPM is from the gaming side. There are 'kernel based anti-cheat mechanisms' that use TPM, and some of these will not run under Win11 without the correct version. So the only thing that might get in the way is licensing somehow, for Mastercam? Seems like the info from gcode, we should be ok. Otherwise, most hardware old enough to not run Win11 is out of warranty or service contracts anyways by now.

All my PCs except the wife's new laptop are still on Win10. I have everything working as I like it server-wise, and I don't do dumb stuff with my computers so I feel relatively safe online. Plus all I hear about is how Win11 is riddled with backdoors and privacy concerns. So in setting up the Win11 laptop for my wife I went through the process of a no account, offline install, then ran around and grabbed a bunch of apps that remove the bloatware and turn off the new 'features'. The list was long, so it's hard to even remember what they all did.

[ghuns]

Well, fuck...



Now running a series of command prompt commands that I googled up to see what the deal is.

[Newbeeee™]

I would be using Kubuntu and a virtual desktop.
My Mac pros' fly....

[mowens]

I got a new work computer for the W10 to W11 switch. It's an HP Z4 like the last one so I don't know what the difference is.

[SuperHoneyBadger]

My Mac pros' fly....

Eeew, I'm so sorry about your fruity computer.

[Newbeeee™]

Eeew, I'm so sorry about your fruity computer.

Blame @mkd for getting me into this!
I despise windows with a passion.
The macpros are a machining/finishing work of art and i loves a <5secs boot up and shut down.
And not being held to ransome with forced updates BS.
Edit- i also bought a Nuc and got it all configured with Kubuntu only a couple of weeks ago.
Now main home PC  running Thunderbird mail seemlesly connecting to MS own server, which replaced a windows 10 machine which used to run Mcam X9 very successfully BUTT it isn't "allowed" to run 11....so it has to get junked.
MS, being environmentally green and saving the planet by forcing more than adequate PCs to the landfill
Anyone, would think it's all about consumerism....

[SuperHoneyBadger]

I despise windows with a passion.
The macpros are a machining/finishing work of art and i loves a <5secs boot up and shut down.
And not being held to ransome with forced updates BS.

All fair points, they are beautiful. My ~2007 xw8400 workstation that I always harp on about was the basis for the original Mac Pro, you can even swap the heatsinks between them, so I know they last a long time.

I have been considering how to ditch windows practically, and the true end of windows 10 or a large security flaw after the deadline might push me in that direction. I have some Red Hat Linux experience from about 15 years ago, but it wasn't deep by any means. Maybe I'll run a live image for awhile and see how it goes.

It's just that have 30+ years of expounding fanboi hate towards Apple, and it will be hard to face my family if I got one. My dad especially, I can hear him now "I didn't pull apart IBM's for years and teach you everything I know just to watch you get one of-of... THOSE"

[gcode]

Well, fuck...



Now running a series of command prompt commands that I googled up to see what the deal is.

I would save and the data on the PC, do the full clean install, then reinstall your apps and migrate the data back

[mkd]

All fair points, they are beautiful. My ~2007 xw8400 workstation that I always harp on about was the basis for the original Mac Pro, you can even swap the heatsinks between them, so I know they last a long time.

I have been considering how to ditch windows practically, and the true end of windows 10 or a large security flaw after the deadline might push me in that direction. I have some Red Hat Linux experience from about 15 years ago, but it wasn't deep by any means. Maybe I'll run a live image for awhile and see how it goes.

It's just that have 30+ years of expounding fanboi hate towards Apple, and it will be hard to face my family if I got one. My dad especially, I can hear him now "I didn't pull apart IBM's for years and teach you everything I know just to watch you get one of-of... THOSE"

Us machinist types, my assumption would be, the design porn of the aluminum chassis of your average mid 2010s Mac air/pro laptops would be a top 3 feature for the purchase.
 I'm rocking a 2016ish MacBook Air with Linux Ubuntu that I got off eBay for $160. It does everything a home user needs for surfing, libre office (more powerful than MS office) and accounting with gnuCASH.
All without the bloated spyware that is modern windowz.
 An if you gotta run a window application there are a few ways to do that too, just might want to step up to the PRO model.
 Only works clean with Intel chips, not the modern Apple silicon

[ghuns]

I would save and the data on the PC, do the full clean install, then reinstall your apps and migrate the data back

Yeah, that's probably my next move.

Not much data on our PCs, everything lives on the network. It's just the reloading all the programs and personalized setting I dread.

[neurosis]

Any of you Windows 11 users use Windhawk to modify the crap Win 11 taskbar?

https://windhawk.net/

[Newbeeee™]

Wuh?
Win?
Wuh?
Dowze?
Eleventy?


How many more times....shout it loud and shout it proud LiiiiNuxxxx FTMFW!!!!

(am I helping   )