Windows 11 has TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which allows you to avoid using registry hacks and modified ISOs. Unfortunately, I still advise using Rufus. Here’s why.
Why Is Rufus the Tool for the Job?
Rufus version 3.2 and above include an option to make a modified Windows 11 bootable drive. When starting the process of booting the USB drive, you can disable 4GB RAM, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and Microsoft Account login.
In addition to these two changes, the Rufus plugin offers buttons to set up the following: track the installation, disable BitLocker encryption, and set language and region settings according to the current computer. Therefore, making a Windows 11 bootable drive to install the OS in less time and initialize the new system is better.
How to Create a Bootable USB Drive Which Bypasses Windows 11 Requirements Using Rufus
First, go to the Microsoft Store GitHub or the Rufus official website to get the latest version. However, I recommend downloading the portable version so you do not have to use it.
Moreover, get the updated version of the Windows 11 ISO image file of the Windows version from the Microsoft home page.
After downloading the portable version of Rufus, repeat the following steps:
1. Open the downloads folder, right-click on Rufus, and select Open to open the tool.
2. UAC will pop up. To proceed, click on the Yes button.
3. Plug in a USB drive on your Windows 11 computer. Make sure the USB drive you bring is 8 GB or larger. Each time Rufus is run, it will identify the USB drive without requiring users to select it.
4. In the Boot selection section, click the Select button. Search your computer for this ISO file and choose it.
5. After that, browse to the Partition scheme option. Choose MBR should you wish to use this USB with BIOS or UEFI. This means do not format the Target system or alter the Partition scheme when booting. This bootable USB drive will be used on a UEFI system.
6. Click on the green Start button Rufus has at the bottom of the window.
7. You will receive a Windows User Experience box. Here, you can apply all the desired customization on the newly created Windows 11 bootable USB drive. To select the Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0, click the checkbox in front of the line containing it.
8. use the Select checkboxes option to remove the requirement for an online Microsoft account and disable data collection (Skip privacy questions).
9. Click on the OK button. Rufus will also warn the user if the user decides to remove all data from the USB drive.
10. Finally, click the Ok button, let Rufus format the media, and make it bootable for Windows 11. Recall the drive after you get a “Ready” message in the other window.
How to Install the Modified Windows 11 on Your System
Repeat the following steps to install Windows 11 while bypassing its system requirements:
1. Repeat the F-key labeled in the second line—F10, F12, F2, or Esc—to enter the boot devices menu.
2. To boot from the USB drive, choose USB from the list with the arrow keys and hit Enter.
3. Enter the desired language and region and click the Next tab key. Then, click on Next again.
4. Click the checkbox below the Install Windows 11 option. Click Next.
5. If you don’t have the product key, click the “I don’t have the product key” option.
6. Click Next, then select the Windows 11 edition you want to install (Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education).
7. The EULA will now appear. Read it, and if you are okay with it, click on the next button to manually accept the EULA license terms. Then, select the Custom link.
8. Choose the drive you want to use as the location where Windows 11 should be installed. Next, format the drive by clicking on the FORMAT button.
9. Check your choices and click on the Install tab when ready.
10. The setup process will start and install Windows 11 by default. Without TPM and the Secure Boot bypass, you don’t even pass the Enter product key screen during the Windows installation process.
11. After that, your system will reboot multiple times, and finally, it will start the Windows 11 installation process. Yes, it can be done, but it requires making your system untraceable from the internet, and more often than not, it might be impossible.
12. Instead, it will try to ‘check for updates’ and ‘download updates’, which might take a fraction of a day.
13. Fill in your name and choose three security questions and their correct answers. Click on Next.
14. This will format your partitions and make preparations for Windows; it will then load to the desktop in some time.
Benefits of Using Rufus to Create a Custom Windows 11 Installation Media
Rufus does eliminate the very long route that Windows 11 setup makes you take during the installation. Privacy and tracking settings occupy a full page, and Microsoft 365 and Xbox GamePass pop up. It appears that to opt out of it, you have to consider turning off six to eight toggles.
However, all these things can be done using the multiple options available in Rufus. If you want to retain the same PC name and regional settings of your primary system on the target system, click on Set regional options to the same values as this user’s and create a local account with username checkboxes.
However, if you want the same username and region options as your main Windows computer, you must set up a new PIN. Otherwise, logging in to this site or applying will not be possible.
Unfortunately, Rufus remains one of the most effective tools for installing Windows 11, ignoring Microsoft’s security requirements. You’ll probably never look at Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool in the same way again once you’ve given this method a go.
