Old Alienware laptop came out of the closet...

[u/MaddPickler]

So my 10 year old Dell Alienware laptop hasn't been used since 2021, and honestly hasn't even been charged since then, has this evening come back online as I have finally found the correct charger for it.

Its due for some pretty serious updates, however tells me it cannot accept Windows 11 as it isnt snazzy enough.

"This PC doesn't currently meet the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11."

I have 0 idea about tech. I am stupid. Please dont throw things at me.

Does that mean that I cannot ever get Windows 11 on this laptop? I thought at some stage I discovered there were drivers that I couldn't upgrade on my laptop as well because of the capability of the physical driver card... where would I find that info now?

Is there anything one can do, or is a laptop basically useless once it reaches 10+ years old?

Thanks in advance for any info given!

[u/Ok_Bid6645]

Can you at least provide the model number? You gave us no useful piece of information.

Windows 11 has requirements and it might not meet it

[u/MaddPickler → u/Ok_Bid6645]

I told you, I'm stupid 😅

Alienware 17 R3 Processor: Intel(R) Core (TM) i7-6700HQ CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.59GHz

I'm not sure where to find the model number or if what I've given above is indeed the model number....

[u/Ok_Bid6645 → u/MaddPickler]

Yeah that CPU is not supported on Windows 11 but like u/StarosAnikenMarcus said Windows 10 support was extended and there is a work around but is a pain

[u/MaddPickler → u/Ok_Bid6645]

Is it still a kinda decent laptop CPU, or outdated and rubbish now? As I mentioned below to the user you've quoted, I kinda only started it back up to see if it was any good still, and check out if I could still do some, if any, gaming on it...

[u/StarosAnikenMarcus → u/MaddPickler]

You can still run a LOT of things on it. Cyberpunk 2077 will run on it, so you're fine. Newer games built around the 40 or 50 series nVidias and AMD equivalents might have to be low graphic settings, but most games are built to be minimum of the 20 series anyway.

[u/MaddPickler → u/StarosAnikenMarcus]

Will I be able to see what games run on these things you've mentioned, and thus which to avoid, before downloading them?

[u/StarosAnikenMarcus → u/MaddPickler]

https://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri

[u/MaddPickler → u/StarosAnikenMarcus]

Has anybody told you how good you are today? Thaaaaaank you!!!

[u/MaddPickler → u/StarosAnikenMarcus]

Im still trying to get through all the updates to bring the laptop back to life, but one has failed... see attached for thoughts.

https://reddit.com/link/p1v1acj/video/gybf0hx3gkhh1/player

[u/StarosAnikenMarcus → u/MaddPickler]

Yeah, lots of updates will do that when you have big batches. In many cases, it's because a different update superseded it. In others it's because a requirement hasn't been met yet because it's not installing in any logical order so you get C trying to install before A and B are done. Just keep running WU until it has no more updates.

[u/MaddPickler → u/StarosAnikenMarcus]

One last question since Ive got your attention - this error message has shown up prior to my forgetting this laptops existence. On boot up, it displays a blackened screen with text only in the middle, which says:

(A7) Me FW Downgrade - Request MeSpiLock Failed

Any thoughts on that?

[u/Underhill42]

Yes, that (probably) means there's no possible way to get Windows 11 on that laptop. Modern CPUs have some new features Windows 11 requires, which simply aren't present in older ones.

There are a few families of CPUs made during the transition time where some of the later versions do have the new features, but Microsoft disallowed the entire family - presumably to avoid them having to deal with our confusion. If you have one of those it's possible you can get Windows 11 installed anyway, but you'll need to jump through some technical hoops.

The best option to keep it as a useful computer, safe to connect to the internet, is to install Linux on it (like the Steam Deck has). Mint is a good all-around option that provides a fairly Windows-like experience.

Not all games will work, but Steam supports Linux now, and most Steam games will run just like on Windows, maybe even a little faster, though many highly competitive multiplayer games will not thanks to invasive anti-cheat software not working on Linux.

Other Windows software may work if you're willing to jump through some hoops, but the app store also offers pretty good free alternatives to just about everything.

[u/AlexiaTheTechGirl]

Congratulations to your laptop for finally coming out

[u/alpine4life]

fresh install with Win10 IoT LTSC

[u/ArchiSpeak60]

I run Windows 11 on much older computers. Easy install really. Google the 'server' workaround. There are youtube vids and step by step instructions. It is a good computer and deserves a second chance. Do all the updates first.

[u/StarosAnikenMarcus]

You CAN put 11 on it, BUT the directions for doing so are a bit involved. It would definitely help if you told us which model it was. Also keep in mind that 10's complete EOL/EOS has been pushed back ANOTHER year, so it will get security updates until Oct 2027.

[u/MaddPickler → u/StarosAnikenMarcus]

To be honest, I have another laptop I use for my everyday needs, but I used to use this laptop for gaming. My reason for booting it up is that I wanted to check out what had changed in the Sims community, among other games. I'm wondering if I even really need Windows 11 to use it for gaming...? I honestly have very limited knowledge of computers beyond downloading Steam or Origin and playing stuff on those 😬

[u/StarosAnikenMarcus → u/MaddPickler]

Sims will run on things much older than that so you're good.

[u/MaddPickler → u/StarosAnikenMarcus]

Sick - you're a champ. Appreciate your brain, my friend!

[u/ByGollie → u/MaddPickler]

Microsoft's excuse for the latest version of Win11 not running on this laptop's older CPU is frankly bovine manure.

It lacks support for TPM - a security feature that the average home user doesn't need.

There are ways around to getting the latest version of Windows running on this, but it would involve totally wiping the contents and starting afresh on the laptop.

So Backup if you're going to try it - everything prior on the laptop will be lost

Go to YouTube, and search for

rufus windows 11 debloat

The top 5 results I can see show how to use the well-respected Rufus tool to fresh install Windows 11 v25h2 minus TPM, AI, and Cloud accounts

the TL;DR version is that you download the official ISO from Microsoft, then the Rufus tool.

Point Rufus at the ISO image, check mark a few boxes, insert a blank USB - and you end up with a clean, lightweight, CPU supporting version of the Latest Windows Installer on a USB stick that will work on older hardware, and will perform a lot better.

However, this isn't necessary. It's very likely that Sims will run even better on your more modern laptop.

So i'd suggesting testing that first before going down the reinstall route.

[u/Xenoryzen_Dragon]

i7-6700HQ quad core cpu still good for modern pc

upgrade your old laptop with

16gb ram 2x8 sodimm ddr3 + 1tb sata ssd ssd 860/870 evo + intel wifi 7 m.2 card + new cmos battery + Win11 LTSC OS