I've actually been down this road myself and can share some insights based on my experience and what I've seen from the community. The i5-7300U is indeed not officially on Microsoft's list of supported processors for Windows 11, primarily due to the new security features and the processor generation cutoff they've set. However, there are methods available that allow you to bypass these restrictions and still install Windows 11.
I've seen users have success by altering the installation media, often by modifying the setup script to bypass the processor check or using third-party tools designed to facilitate the installation on unsupported hardware. One common method is to create a bootable USB with the Windows 11 ISO and then tweak it using a tool like Rufus, which has an option to create a configuration that skips some of these hardware checks.
Performance-wise, most users report that Windows 11 runs decently on unsupported CPUs like the i5-7300U, although it might not be as snappy as it would be on a fully supported system. Stability has generally been reasonable, but it’s crucial to consider that future updates might introduce compatibility issues, particularly with security and feature updates where hardware checks are enforced more strictly.
From a practical standpoint, if Windows 10 is meeting your needs, it might be wiser to stick with it for the time being. Windows 10 will be supported until October 2025, giving you a fair amount of breathing room. However, if you're keen on trying out Windows 11's new features and can handle some potential tinkering, it's certainly doable. Just make sure to back up all your data before proceeding, as unsupported modifications can sometimes lead to unexpected problems.
I would also advise keeping an eye on forums and tech communities for any changes regarding updates and support policy, as Microsoft occasionally revises their stance on hardware support.
If you're comfortable with trying this out and facing the challenges it might entail, it could be a fun project. But, consider your tolerance for troubleshooting and your need for a stable system day-to-day. How comfortable are you with digging into technical setups if something doesn't work right off the bat? That might help you decide whether to push forward with this.
Additionally, if you're interested in a step-by-step guide on one of these methods or if you need further assistance, feel free to ask!