J50C-4 Family - Windows 11 Discussion

Introduction
I hope this can be a discussion for J50C-4 owners about the future upgrade path to Windows 11. I've collated the information below (and source-linked it, where possible) so owners know what changes, if any, are needed to upgrade. I assume Minix uses volume licensing, which makes the "free upgrade" uncertain and would need confirmation from Minix.

Windows 11 Minimum Requirements (source)
Processor: 1 GHz with 2 cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC
RAM: 4 GB
Storage: 64 GB
System firmware: UEFI
System firmware: Secure Boot-capable
TPM:
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Graphics card: DirectX 12 with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display: 720p display greater than 9” diagonally & 8 bits per colour channel
Internet connection and Microsoft accounts: Home Edition Yes, Pro Edition Optional

Key
?= Windows 11 Compatible
?= Caution/Unknown
? = Not Windows 11 Compatible


? J50C-4 Max
Processor: ? - (source)
RAM: ? - (model features 8 GB of RAM)
Storage: ? - (model features 256 GB - 240GB usable - of M.2 SSD storage)
System firmware UEFI: ? - (UEFI is in use, but 0.15 changelog shows "removal of UEFI:shell". 0.17 does not mention UEFI)
System firmware Secure Boot-capable: ? - (Serious problem for upgrading to Windows 11. Maybe fixable with BIOS update?)
TPM v2.0: ? - (installed by default)
Graphics card DX12 with WDDM 2.0: ? - (requires Intel 20.x drivers)
Display 720p+ & 8-bit colour per channel: ? - (SoC output supports this)
Internet connection and Microsoft accounts: ? - (LAN/WLAN supports this / Home Edition: Required, Pro Edition: Technically Optional)

? J50C-4 Plus
Processor: ? - (source)
RAM: ?/? - (model features 4 GB of RAM. This is acceptable, but it would be recommended to upgrade to at least 8 GB)
Storage: ? - (model features 256 GB - 240GB usable - of M.2 SSD storage)
System firmware UEFI: ? - (UEFI is in use, but 0.15 changelog shows "removal of UEFI:shell". 0.17 does not mention UEFI)
System firmware Secure Boot-capable: ? - (Serious problem for upgrading to Windows 11. Maybe fixable with BIOS update?)
TPM v2.0: ? - (installed by default)
Graphics card DX12 with WDDM 2.0: ? - (requires Intel 20.x drivers)
Display 720p+ & 8-bit colour per channel: ? - (SoC output supports this)
Internet connection and Microsoft accounts: ? - (LAN/WLAN supports this / Home Edition: Required, Pro Edition: Technically Optional)

? J50C-4
Processor: ? - (source)
RAM: ?/? - (model features 4 GB of RAM. This is acceptable, but it would be recommended to upgrade to at least 8 GB)
Storage: ?/? - (model features 64 GB of eMMC storage. This is acceptable, but it would be recommended to upgrade to at least 128 GB M.2 SSD)
System firmware UEFI: ? - (UEFI is in use, but 0.15 changelog shows "removal of UEFI:shell". 0.17 does not mention UEFI)
System firmware Secure Boot-capable: ? - (Serious problem for upgrading to Windows 11. Maybe fixable with BIOS update?)
TPM v2.0: ? - (unsure if this comes with the base model)
Graphics card DX12 with WDDM 2.0: ? - (requires Intel 20.x drivers)
Display 720p+ & 8-bit colour per channel: ? - (SoC output supports this)
Internet connection and Microsoft accounts: ? - (LAN/WLAN supports this / Home Edition: Required, Pro Edition: Technically Optional)

Primary question to Minix: Will a new BIOS be released to address the issues, primarily making the BIOS Secure Boot-capable?
 
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Great work putting this together. I found this whilst trying to search for a bios update or some way to enable secure boot. This seems to be the only obstacle to Windows 11.
 
Great work putting this together. I found this whilst trying to search for a bios update or some way to enable secure boot. This seems to be the only obstacle to Windows 11.

Yep, I hope it's fixable with a BIOS (UEFI) update. Version 2.3.1 and higher should support Secure Boot.

PS: Which model do you have (want to know so can update the chart info above if it's the base model).
 
I've received confirmation from Nick at Minix support that the next BIOS release will include Secure Boot options. There is no ETA but it's great to hear that Minix is supporting users moving to Windows 11.
 
I can confirm that the base j50c-4 supports tpm 2.0 (Windows 10 recognize it and just double checked in bios), if you want to update the op.
 
If forum members (or visitors alike) are still returning to this thread for additional information now, then the older BIOS versions v0.15/v0.17 mentioned in earlier posts have since been superceded.

"v0.24" BIOS updates were released by MINIX on 9 Sept '21 for the J50C-4 "MAX" and J50C-4 "PLUS" variants. They're posted over in the "BIOS updates" section linked below. (Notes: Added support for Windows 11.)

https://theminixforum.com/index.php?threads/neo-j50c-4-max-bios-v0-24-20210827.4141/

https://theminixforum.com/index.php?threads/neo-j50c-4-plus-bios-v0-24-20210827.4140/

(These are both actually the same v0.24 BIOS update in separate links anyway, Martin simply posted the same update individually in each section to make it easier for individual end users to identify their devices respectively.)

The original base model J50C-4 may not be compatible & no BIOS update has been released specific to the base model. (MINIX have also specified that the above v0.24 BIOS update is NOT for use with the base model J50C-4, citing "unknown issues". Obviously, not a good idea to attempt upgrading the BIOS of a base J50C-4 without a separate respective BIOS update from MINIX, if that's even a possibility in the future (???).))

Additionally, the J50C-8 SE is already factory preloaded with the v0.24 BIOS, so users obviously won't need to source the v0.24 BIOS for this model :).

If doubts remain, & in the absence of a specific update or additional information for the base model J50C-4, probably a good idea to first check with @MINIX - Martin regarding the future upgrade possibilities of a base J50C-4 & Windows 11 before proceeding further. (Or risk these "unknown issues" MINIX were unsure of ;).)
 
The original base model J50C-4 may not be compatible & no BIOS update has been released specific to the base model. (MINIX have also specified that the above v0.24 BIOS update is NOT for use with the base model J50C-4, citing "unknown issues". Obviously, not a good idea to attempt upgrading the BIOS of a base J50C-4 without a separate respective BIOS update from MINIX, if that's even a possibility in the future (???).))
Just to clarify:
The base model is the very early 2018 release with only 32GB eMMC. Though adding an M.2 SSD is an option!
The J50C-4 above referred to by @tonemapped is the 64GB eMMC model, which as far as I am aware is OK for Windows 11.
 
Just to clarify:
The base model is the very early 2018 release with only 32GB eMMC. Though adding an M.2 SSD is an option!
The J50C-4 above referred to by @tonemapped is the 64GB eMMC model, which as far as I am aware is OK for Windows 11.

Yup indeedy, (the model/variant Martin previously mentioned in the THPA regarding the v0.24 BIOS tests, although obviously other members can't access that section). ;)

Obviously the links above also answer the OP's original question now too regarding an update to BIOS v0.15/0.17.

With Win 11 now being so close, threads containing information like this will probably see an increase in traffic & additional responses from users looking for advice on updating. The forum will quite probably experience a flood of questions in the coming weeks regarding Win 11 compatibility, procedures, etc., etc. Might help to get certain information up in advance for clarification in the hope that it may help someone avoid bricking a device etc. (If nobody needs it or reads it, no harm no foul lol :).)
 
Just to clarify:
The base model is the very early 2018 release with only 32GB eMMC. Though adding an M.2 SSD is an option!
The J50C-4 above referred to by @tonemapped is the 64GB eMMC model, which as far as I am aware is OK for Windows 11.

I have the J50C-4 with 64 Gb and I've just bricked it with that bios! ☹️ Any ideas how to fix please? It just boots to UEFI settings/BIOS and nothing more.
 
I've fixed it! I randomly enabled a bunch of stuff in the Bios. I'm pretty sure the bits that did the job were under Chipset and then South Cluster Configuration. I enabled SCC eMMC. Yay!
 
Yep, I hope it's fixable with a BIOS (UEFI) update. Version 2.3.1 and higher should support Secure Boot.

PS: Which model do you have (want to know so can update the chart info above if it's the base model).

Yes it's the J50C-4 with 64 Gb and 4 Gb RAM and it now says compatible with Windows 11 (I did get a warning on Bios flash too that said it was strongly not recommended, but I went ahead anyway, and you can see the result in my other posts!). Kudos to Minix for their update and thanks to you and all in this thread.
 
I've fixed it! I randomly enabled a bunch of stuff in the Bios. I'm pretty sure the bits that did the job were under Chipset and then South Cluster Configuration. I enabled SCC eMMC. Yay!

So, do or did you have an SSD installed that ceased to respond after the BIOS update & you could only successfully boot the device again by enabling the original copy of Windows on the eMMC?

Since booting the system from the eMMC & if you do have an SSD, have you been able to revert back to the SSD again?

Any other problems you've noticed too? And, if you wouldn't mind, it may help other forum users as well if you could also report back if your Win 11 installation goes well & without any significant problems. (One assumes you plan on installing Win 11, or why bother updating the BIOS just to support Win 11 ;)?)
 
So, do or did you have an SSD installed that ceased to respond after the BIOS update & you could only successfully boot the device again by enabling the original copy of Windows on the eMMC?

Since booting the system from the eMMC & if you do have an SSD, have you been able to revert back to the SSD again?

Any other problems you've noticed too? And, if you wouldn't mind, it may help other forum users as well if you could also report back if your Win 11 installation goes well & without any significant problems. (One assumes you plan on installing Win 11, or why bother updating the BIOS just to support Win 11 ;)?)

No, I don't have an SSD, just the 64 Gb that it came with. So far, I have signed up to the beta Windows Insider (Not the Dev, as I guess the beta is a bit safer for the moment, I have the Dev version on a 6th generation Intel and it has been fine though). It is downloading Windows 11 right now.
 
I have an J50C-4 Base Model (upgraded to 8GB Ram and 240GB SSD) and i like it very much. (y) i would really like to see the official bios update. fingers crossed! :)
 
J50C-4 series are compatible with Win11, Base Model J50C-4 with 4GB/32GB eMMC, precautions when upgrading to Win11.
1. Must be upgraded to 8GB RAM.
2. If possible, 128GB SSD
3. The BIOS version (Project Version) must be updated to v0.24. ***If the BIOS version is v0.10, it is not recommended to update to v0.24. because your device may become bricked.***

The BIOS version v0.24 of the J50C-4 series supporting Win11 is here:
https://theminixforum.com/index.php?threads/neo-j50c-4-plus-bios-v0-24-20210827.4140/
 
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Thanks Alex,

I upgraded today on J50C-4 Plus after a bios update, all is fine and smooth :)
SSD 256 GB and ram 16 Go.
 
J50C-4 series are compatible with Win11, Base Model J50C-4 with 4GB/32GB eMMC, precautions when upgrading to Win11.
1. Must be upgraded to 8GB RAM.
2. The BIOS version (Project Version) must be updated to v0.24. ***If the BIOS version is v0.10, it is not recommended to update to v0.24. because your device may become bricked.***

The BIOS version v0.24 of the J50C-4 series supporting Win11 is here:
https://theminixforum.com/index.php?threads/neo-j50c-4-plus-bios-v0-24-20210827.4140/

Just to be sure, because upgrading bios is not always a "safe" operation:
The base model with 0.15 or 0.17 bios version does not support secure boot (so no win11). Can we upgrade to 0.24 you linked on this answer even with the base model?
Already upgraded ram to 8gb and to 128 gb SSD.
I'm asking this because the thread refers to j50 plus. Thanks for your help
 
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