Alienware Aurora-R6 upgrade to Windows-11

This is how I got Windows-11 Pro (64-bit) onto an "unsupported" Alienware Aurora-R6 (circa 2017). It’s fairly “loaded” and always ran Windows-10, programs, and games fine. This guide should also work for other similar vintage Dell computers.

It's now one of my "daily driver" Windows-11 computers. I have no problems getting new Windows and Microsoft Updates onto it. I currently use it for software development, audio & video file editing, accounting, gaming, etc.

Because of the 7th-Gen Intel processor, Microsoft will not allow an upgrade-install (ie. an in-place migration or overlay from Windows-10 to Windows-11). While still running Windows-10 ... Windows-11 was never offered in the Windows-Update section. When I ran the Windows-11 assessment program manually, everything (including the TPM-2.0) passed the test EXCEPT for the main-processor. Personally, I think this is mis-guided since the Intel i7-7700K does have the required v2.0-TPM use-capability and plenty of processing cores and power. While I’ve heard that Microsoft has recently back-tracked (and is now allowing some Intel 7th Gen processors to pass the prerequisite Windows-11 compatibility test) this Intel Kaby-Lake processor is still not included. My thoughts are that this processor is perfectly capable of running Windows-11 (as demonstrated by this procedure I have successfully performed).

In preparation (while machine is still running Windows-10) ... First things I recommend doing are:
- Run ePSA Diagnostics (F12 on Boot) and make sure machine’s hardware is working properly.
- Disconnect any extra peripherals and USB devices. It’s easier with just keyboard, mouse, and monitor connected (but I also had ethernet network cable connected).
- Bringing the machine up to the latest/final-published BIOS version. I like to do them ALL (one-at-a-time). In the Aurora-R6's case, this gets BIOS up to v1.0.23 from 2020.
- Backup your important files (to USB Flash-drive, external HDD, NAS, cloud, etc.). Remember, everything will be deleted from your computer’s local drives.
- Now would also be a good time to do the (required only one time ever) Firmware-upgrade of the AS-Media USB 3.1 Controller (on the motherboard)
- - If it hasn't been done yet. You can get that file from the Dell Support area.

I like to clean-install Windows-11 (64 bit) with a genuine copy from microsoft.com . You can create a perfect USB flash-drive with their Media-Creation Tool . It’s usually less error-prone if your intended C-Drive (hopefully a SSD, preferably a NVMe-SSD) is the only storage-drive currently connected during the initial install (and First Time Setup). You can re-connect any other storage drives later.

In the Aurora-R6 BIOS, I now set:
Should be in UEFI-Mode and the "Boot List Option" is UEFI.
Set "SATA Operation" to AHCI (not RAID).
- I will then never install Intel-RST, Intel Optane Memory and Storage Management
- - (or any other Intel VMD software) inside Windows.
SecureBoot is Enabled (and SecureBoot Mode is Standard).
UEFI Firmware Capsule Updates (like a BIOS directly from Windows-Update) is DISABLED.
Firmware TPM is Enabled.

F12 on boot to start Windows-11 Media Creation Tool Flash-Drive-Installer.

Yes, the embedded Windows-10 key (in the Aurora-R6's BIOS) does qualify and allow this Windows-11 install to proceed. I like to delete all the existing partitions (that might be left on the C-Drive from before) and then install the new Windows to the “Un-Partitioned Space”.

After you do the Windows-11 First-Time-Setup, you will find all the (Intel) chipset and driver files you need in Windows-Update (directly from Microsoft). It is, after all, a fairly standard Intel-chipset-based motherboard. You might have to look here to find them all ( Settings / Windows Update / Additional Options / Optional Updates / Drivers ). The Device-Manager should be looking pretty good at this point. You can use the machine a bit, maybe Shut-Down and reboot a couple of times.

You only need a couple of files from the Dell Support section. One is Alienware Command Center v4.8.23.0 . This will allow the fans and led-lights to work (yes, even in Windows-11). If you still have a single Unknown-Device (in your otherwise "clean" Device-Manager) it's likely our little-friend, the AS-Media USB 3.1 Controller. Microsoft's online Windows-Update database doesn't seem to have the driver on file, so the only other Dell file you might need is Chipset_Driver_P66PG_WN32_1.16.42.1_A02.EXE . This is the AS-Media Driver (not Firmware) and will still install properly (yes, even in Windows-11). I suggest NOT installing a bunch of these other old Dell drivers, files, and apps. There is just no good-reason (most are not even compatible with Windows-11 anyway). Only install these 1-2 files as above, and keep your install as lean (and hopefully trouble-free) as possible.

Once you get this far, the Device-Manager should be completely “clean” . So, free of any errors meaning that all hardware devices are properly detected (and drivers are properly loaded). The Alienware Aurora-R6 should be working fine on Windows-11 (and Activated). I like to setup and use the included free Windows Security (for Anti-Virus and Spy-Ware). Even with a hardware-based network-router, I leave the (software-based) Windows Firewall on. The Microsoft Edge internet-browser is Chromium-based now, so that should work fine for most people. You can move the Start-Menu to the left corner if you want to.

Here are my current system specifications:

Alienware Aurora (R6).
Intel i7-7700K 4.2ghz (Kaby Lake - 7th gen)
- Intel z270 Chipset and VRM Heatsink
- ASMedia USB-3.1 xHCI Controller
CPU Liquid Cooling (Alienware OEM - Asetek)
16gb DDR4 Kingston Hyper-X Fury 2667mhz Ram (2x8gb DIMMs in Dual-Channel)
Nvidia GTX-1070 (8gb) PCIe back-blower (MSI-OEM)
Drive-C (OS) Samsung PM-961 512gb NVMe-SSD (M.2/PCIe-Gen3x4)
Drive-D (Games) Samsung 970-EVO-Plus 2tb NVMe-SSD (M.2/PCIe-Gen3x4)
- Installed in a StarTech x4-PCIe-3.0 NVMe-SSD Adapter card (PEX4M2E1)
Drive-E (Storage) Samsung 860-EVO 1tb 2.5in. SATA3-SSD
Killer Networks e2400 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 (built-into MB)
Intel 3165 802.11ac Wi-Fi & Bluetooth v4.2 (mini-PCIe card on MB)
HL-DT-ST DVD Burner (thin-laptop style)
850w Power Supply (Delta-made N1WJD model)
- LG Blu-Ray Burner (in a OWC Mercury Pro 5.25in External USB-3.0 Enclosure)
- Sabrent 7-Port USB-3.0 Powered-Hub
- APC Back-UPS 1350 Battery Backup
- Dell 27" u2717D UltraSharp Infinity-Edge IPS 16:9 QHD (2560x1440) LCD Monitor
- Dell 24” u2410 UltraSharp IPS 16:10 (1920x1200) LCD Monitor