Flyoobe is a tool designed to bypass hardware restrictions like the need for TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, allowing users to install Windows 11 on PCs that don’t officially meet Microsoft’s requirements, and it also offers extensive customization of the initial “Out-Of-Box Experience” (OOBE), such as disabling Copilot and other AI features.
Flyoobe (which evolved from a previous tool called Flyby11) is designed to help users install Windows 11 on devices that do not meet Microsoft’s official hardware requirements, such as a lack of a TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot. The tool also provides users with more control over the “Out-of-Box Experience” (OOBE), allowing them to customize the installation by disabling features like Copilot and other bloatware.
Flyoobe is NOT a Microsoft product. It is a third-party, unofficial tool created by a developer known as “builtbybel” and is available on GitHub.
How Flyoobe Works
- Bypasses Restrictions:Flyoobe works by bypassing the hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which normally prevent Windows 11 installation on older or less powerful machines.
- Customizable Setup:The tool’s main feature is its customizable Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE). You can use Flyoobe to create a “vanilla” Windows 11 installation, removing unwanted AI features like Copilot and other bloatware from the very start.
- ISO Download/Mounting:You can either have Flyoobe download the Windows 11 ISO file directly from Microsoft or point to an existing ISO file that you’ve already downloaded.
I’ve read a lot about Flyoobe over the past week or two. My first thought was … can it be installed on machines that CAN support Windows 11. Why would that be important? Because in my opinion a lighter operating system is better than having one with features that I’ll probably never use. Pretty straightforward.
The big attraction seems to be the ability to use a local account option, but what esle does Flyoobe offer?
By using Flyoobe on a supported Windows 11 machine, you will not lose core operating system functionality but instead gain greater control over the initial setup process.
What is gained
- Removal of bloatware: During the setup process, Flyoobe allows you to easily remove pre-installed and unnecessary applications, such as ClipChamp.
- Disabled AI features: You can opt to install Windows 11 with certain AI features, including Copilot, disabled from the very start.
- Greater control over settings: The tool gives you more granular control over system settings, such as power modes, display scaling, and other preferences, right from the first boot.
- Local account option: Flyoobe enables you to create a local user account during setup, a choice that Microsoft makes difficult on modern Windows 11 installations.
- Customization and automation: It includes features for a personalized installation, and for advanced users, it offers PowerShell automation for scripting custom setup options.
- Custom app installation: The tool can automatically install popular third-party apps as part of the initial setup.
What is lost or at risk
Since the machine already supports Windows 11, you do not lose any features due to incompatibility. The primary risks of using Flyoobe on a supported machine are similar to using any third-party tool that modifies a core operating system installation:
- Security risks: The tool is not from Microsoft, and there is no guarantee of its security. As with any unofficial software, it could potentially introduce vulnerabilities. Windows Defender has been known to flag Flyoobe as a trojan, which the developers have publicly addressed.
- Support issues: If you encounter problems with your customized Windows 11 installation, it will be difficult to get official technical support from Microsoft. They will likely be unable to help with an OS installation that has been altered by a third-party tool.
- Future instability: While Flyoobe is designed to be stable, any unofficial modification of the OOBE has the potential to cause unforeseen issues with future Windows updates or core OS functionality.
For a supported Windows 11 machine, using Flyoobe doesn’t result in a loss of features. Instead, it gives you a clean and highly customizable installation. The natural trade-off is that it comes with the risk of potential security vulnerabilities and lack of official support.