How to install Windows 11 on Surface Pro 4?

For older hardwares, it takes some time

In fact, you can install Windows 11 on any Surface Pro even it is not supported by Windows 11, such as Surface Pro 5, Surface Pro 4 and the old models:

https://www.pctipdaily.com/install-windows-11-on-any-surface-pro

P.S. This trick helps you bypass Windows 11 system requirement check at the installation stage!

Here’s the scoop on trying to install Windows 11 on Surface Pro 4. So, technically, Microsoft says it’s a no-go because the Surface Pro 4 is not officially supported. They want you to use at least a Surface Pro 6 to get the Windows 11 experience. But I’ve seen people try workarounds to get it installed with mixed results. Here’s a breakdown based on what I’ve seen and experienced.

1. Run Windows Update: Now you’re gonna check for updates in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If all goes well, it should start the upgrade process. Fingers crossed!

2. Get Drivers: Once installed, hop onto the Microsoft website to download the latest drivers and firmware for your Surface Pro 4.

3. Check for App Updates: Open the Microsoft Store and check for any app updates to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Now, I’ve seen folks in online forums who’ve tried this and got Windows 11 up and running on older devices like the Surface Pro 4. Some had a semi-smooth experience, while others ran into random glitches or performance issues. 

For me personally, trying to run unsupported software on older hardware can sometimes feel like pushing my luck. Sure, you might install Windows 11 on Surface Pro 4, but you could also end up having issues, especially with drivers and features that just aren’t optimized for your device.

So you're thinking about installing Windows 11 on Surface Pro 4, huh? I get it! But before you dive in, there are a few things you should know.

1. Performance Issues: So, here's the deal: the Surface Pro 4 is a bit older, and while it can handle Windows 10 pretty well, throwing Windows 11 into the mix might lead to some sluggishness. You might notice it lagging a bit when multitasking or using demanding apps—y’know, like Photoshop or games.
2. Feature Limitations: Windows 11 has some snazzy features that require newer hardware to function properly. Things like Snap Layouts or DirectStorage might not perform as well on an older machine. So, you might find yourself missing out on some of the coolest new stuff.
3. System Requirements: Before installing Windows 11 on Surface Pro 4. You gotta remember that Windows 11 has some stricter system requirements. Things like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot can be real sticklers. If your Surface doesn’t meet these, you might be completely out of luck, forcing you to consider a whole upgrade or stick to Windows 10.
4. Familiarity: Last but not least, if you're used to the Windows 10 vibe, the change might be a bit jarring. Some folks find it hard to adapt to the changes - the taskbar, the layout, all of that. Different can be cool, but it can also be annoying if you just want to get things done without a hassle.

If you’re looking to install Windows 11 on Surface Pro 4, I’m here to walk you through it in a chill way. Just a heads up, though: Surface Pro 4 isn’t officially supported for Windows 11, so you might run into some hiccups.

Step 1: First off, you wanna make sure your Surface Pro 4 is up to snuff. Windows 11 has some specific requirements, and even though the Surface Pro 4 is a bit dated, it might still work. Here’s the main stuff you should check:

Step 2: Download Windows 11
Head over to the Microsoft website and grab the Windows 11 ISO file. Easy peasy! Make sure you get the right version, like the full installation, and not just an upgrade if that’s the option.

Step 3: Create a Bootable USB Drive
You’ll need a USB drive for this, ideally 8GB or more. Use a tool like Rufus or the Windows Media Creation Tool to turn that USB into a bootable drive with Windows 11 on it. Just follow the prompts in the software; it’s pretty straightforward.

Step 4: Boot from USB
Now comes the fun part! Plug the USB drive into your Surface Pro 4. Restart your device and hold down the Volume Up button while pressing the Power button. This should take you to the UEFI firmware settings. From there:

Navigate to Boot Configuration and select your USB drive to boot from it.

Step 5: install Windows 11 on Surface Pro 4
Once it boots from the USB, follow the prompts on the screen. You’ll need to select your language, time, and keyboard layout. When you get to the installation type, choose Custom if you want a clean install. Just be careful—this will wipe everything on your device.

Step 6: Follow the Setup Process
After you make your selections, it’ll start installing Windows 11. This can take a bit, so just chill and let it do its thing. Once it's done, you’ll go through the setup process where you’ll set up your account, choose your preferences, etc.

Step 7: Drivers and Updates
After installation, you may find that not all features work perfectly, or some drivers might be missing. Check for updates and make sure to download the necessary drivers from the Microsoft website or use Windows Update.

Is Surface Pro 4 supported by Windows 11? No. To run Windows 11 on a Surface Pro device, you need at least Surface Pro 6 or later version. Surface Pro 5/4/3/2/1 are not supported by Windows 11. You can use the the built-in feature to install Windows 11 on Surface Pro 4. You need to bypass the Windows 11 system requirements by changing the registry in Windows 10 before installation.

After running Windows 10 22H2 on your Surface Pro 5, backing up your files, connecting to power, Wi-Fi, and making sure you have 64GB of free space, open Settings >System>About to confirm your device information, and then check compatibility with the Microsoft PC Health Check tool.

Press Win+R to open Registry Editor and find HKEY_LOCALIZATION. Then press Win+R to open Registry Editor, find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/Setup/MoSetup, create a new DWORD (32-bit) value of AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU, and close it after changing the value from 0 to 1.

Check for updates and install Windows 11 Update via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. 

Next, check for updates and install Windows 11 via Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update and log in after installing.

Finally, update in Settings > Windows Update, new system, go to the Microsoft official website to download the latest drivers and firmware for Surface Pro 4, check for apps updates in the Microsoft Store, and adjust the privacy settings in Settings > Privacy and Security. Windows 10 will be upgraded to Windows 11 automatically and you can install Windows 11 on Surface Pro 4 now!

You can try the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft. It is a free tool that allows you to download Windows 11 ISO image files directly and also create bootable installation media for Surface Pro 4 users to prepare Windows 11 installation files.

Step 1: Go to Windows 11 download page and scroll down to the Windows 11 Installation Assistance section. 

Step 2: Check the progress in your browser's download manager to ensure that the download is not interrupted, and it is recommended to avoid running high bandwidth applications at the same time.

Step 3: After the download is complete, locate the ISO file in File Explorer, right-click and select Mount, check if the virtual drive appears and contains the installation files, if it cannot be mounted, download the ISO file again.

Step 4. Copy the ISO file to a safe location and follow the prompts to install Windows 11 on Surface Pro 4. 

###Frequently Asked Questions and Solutions: ###

1. The download process is interrupted or failed: Check the stability of the network connection, it is recommended that you use a wired connection or a stable Wi-Fi. pause and resume the download, or start again. If the problem persists, try changing browsers 

2. Browser prompts that the download is restricted or cannot be started: Ensure that download restrictions are not enabled in your browser (check browser settings > Downloads). Run your browser as administrator or disable your firewall/antivirus software.

3. Downloaded ISO file cannot be opened or is corrupted: Verify file integrity (right-click ISO > Properties and check that the size is approximately 5GB). If corrupted, re-download and ensure that the download process is not interrupted. Load the ISO using File Explorer to check the contents.

Rufus is a free and open source Windows utility that makes a bootable USB flash drive for Windows 11. It bypasses hardware limitation checks so you can install Windows 11 on any Surface Pro devices, has no paid features, is small and fast, and is perfect for Surface Pro 4 users.

1. Prepare a USB drive with more than 8GB. 

2. Use File Explorer to copy important Surface Pro 4 data to an external hard disk for backup.

3. Plug in the USB drive and format it to NTFS in File Explorer. Double-click the Rufus.exe file to open it. Select the USB drive in Devices, and click on Load Windows 11 ISO file. 

4. Choose Standard Windows Installation for Image Options, GPT for Partitioning Scheme, and UEFI (not CSM) for Target System. 

5. Tap Advanced Options, check Remove checks for TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot and Remove checks for 4GB+ RAM. 

6. Tap Start and wait 5 - 10 minutes for the USB flash drive to boot.

7. Turn off Surface Pro 4, press and hold the Volume Up button and then press the Power button to enter UEFI setup. 

8. Set the USB drive as the first boot item in the boot configuration.

9. Go to Security Options and make sure TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled, or disabled if you can't bypass the restrictions.

After this, you can install Windows 11 on Surface Pro 4, and other devices such as Surface Pro 5, Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 2 and Surface Pro 1.