Even though Microsoft claims it's incompatible, can I install Windows 11 on my PC? [Contact ZDNet]

Have a technical question? Ed Bott and the ZDNet team of editors and analysts are most likely to know the answer. This week, we'll look at how to get around Microsoft's compatibility constraints, learn about virtual private networks, and get into driver updates.

We're back with another edition of Ask ZDNet, where we answer your tech questions.

an I install Windows 11 on my not-so-old Surface PC despite Microsoft's insistence that it's incompatible? Why should I think about getting a VPN? And why can't I refuse Windows driver updates? If you have a question about any of the areas covered by ZDNet, one of our editors or writers is likely to have an answer. If they don't, we'll get the help of an independent expert who can point you on the correct path. PCs and Macs, mobile devices, security and privacy, social networking, home office equipment, consumer goods, business etiquette, financial guidance... the list goes on. Microprokey.com can answer your queries. We can't guarantee a personal response due to the number of entries, but we can promise to read every letter and react to the ones we believe our readers would be interested in.

Ask away.

How can I get Windows 11 installed on my "incompatible" PC?

I have an excellent Surface Pro 5 PC with an Intel Core i7-7660U processor and Windows 10 installed. It's just been a few years. When I go to Windows Update, it says it's not compatible with Windows 11. Will this computer support Windows 11 in the future? Is there any other option?

The Surface Pro 5 was formally introduced in June 2017 and was sold as a current model until its successor was announced in October 2018. That indicates your Surface Pro is probably around four years old and still has a lot of life left in it. Unfortunately, its 7th Generation Intel Core CPU isn't included among the Windows 11 compatible CPUs, which means Windows Update updates aren't supported and will likely never be.

However, as I explain in ZDNet's Windows 11 FAQ, there are two solutions.

If you want to install Windows 11 from scratch, boot from the installation disc and launch Windows Setup. This option bypasses the CPU compatibility check.

You must edit the registry to upgrade your system, as detailed in this Microsoft support paper. (When working with the register, the same cautions apply.) Before continuing, make a full backup.) Navigate to the following key in Registry Editor:

HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup

AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU is a new DWORD value that should be set to 1.

You may now upgrade from Windows 10 by downloading an ISO file, mounting it as a virtual disc, and executing Setup from there. You'll get a harsh warning about compatibility difficulties, but your upgrading should go smoothly when you click OK on that dialogue box.

Will using a VPN help me avoid being infected with malware or ransomware?

I keep hearing about how crucial it is to use a virtual private network (VPN). However, I've heard it won't protect me against malware or ransomware. What's the point of utilizing a VPN if that's the case? Although security and privacy are closely connected, they are not synonymous. Understanding the differences is crucial to comprehend what a VPN is and is not capable of.

A VPN's core premise is straightforward: Before reaching your PC's network adapter, software on your PC encrypts all network traffic, which is subsequently sent to a VPN service's distant server. The data is then sent to the public internet by the distant server. The virtual and private nature of the network is due to the encrypted "tunnel" between your device and the VPN server. Many business networks only allow remote access over a VPN. However, consumer-grade VPN software is available for connecting to untrusted networks like those found in airports and coffee shops. This form of the network has two advantages. It first protects your internet traffic from being spied on by anyone on your local network. This is especially true if you're utilizing a Wi-Fi network that you don't manage.

Second, it lets you hide your location, preventing some sorts of tracking and allowing you to circumvent regional limits on some services. You might be able to deceive the streaming service by connecting to a VPN in the United States if you're in Europe and want to view a movie that's only available in the United States.

VPNs are resource-intensive and might deplete your network capacity, so you should only use them when necessary.

When I'm in an airport or hotel, I prefer to tether my phone to my laptop (or carry a device with a built-in cellular connection) to avoid the dangers of using an untrustworthy network. When my cellphone coverage is weak or absent, and I have no alternative but to connect to public Wi-Fi, I utilize NameCheap's paid FastVPN service. ExpressVPN is used by my colleague Jason Perlow. "It's compatible with OpenVPN, an open-source VPN protocol," he explains, "so I can use it on all of my devices — iOS, Android, Windows, and even my network firewall."

Whatever choice you select, nothing in that virtual private network hunts for risks to your computer. You'll need security software that's mainly intended to sniff out malicious software and risky connections for that level of protection.

What is the point of downloading fresh drivers through Windows Update?

One of the things I found when checking for new updates on Windows Update was a new driver for my expensive gaming mouse. I used to believe that driver upgrades were optional, but this one does not. It must be installed together with other Windows updates. What's going on?

Although some driver updates are optional, if you're offered a driver through Windows Update without the ability to decline it, the driver's creator made the decision. When the developer submitted the driver to Microsoft, they ticked the Automatic option, indicating that they intended it to be distributed to all relevant platforms. Before being uploaded to Microsoft's update servers, the driver had to pass official "flighting tests" on Windows Insider Program PCs.

(For further information on Microsoft's restrictions for driver developers, read the Partner Center for Windows Hardware's article "Understanding Windows Update guidelines for driver distribution.")

Typically, drivers provided in this manner repair hardware faults that have been recognized as creating difficulties for a large number of customers (based on telemetry data). Using Windows Install to provide such solutions is a much more dependable approach to fixing issues than relying on users to manually download and update drivers.

In the unusual event that a driver supplied as an automated update creates issues, you can and should contact the hardware vendor.

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