The GPD Win Max is a handheld gaming PC that looks like a little laptop with built-in game controllers. Released in 2020 with 10th-gen Intel Ice Lake processor and Iris Plus graphics, it shipped with Windows 10… and it probably would have stayed there for most users if GPD hadn’t just released a BIOS update that allows you to install Windows 11.

The new BIOS update utility enables TPM 2.0 security, which is one of the system requirements for Windows 11.

If you’d rather not upgrade to Windows 11, that’s okay too – Microsoft will continue providing support for Windows 10 through at least 2025. And while there are some things to like about Windows 11 (new Snap Layouts and the return of widgets), there are also some annoying features (you can’t reposition the taskbar, and the right-click context menu hides too many options).

But since the Win Max is designed for gaming, it’s worth noting that Windows 11 has some new features designed specifical for games, including:

  • Support for DirectStorage, for quicker loading of games from NVMe SSDs and better rendering of some content
  • Auto HDR when used with supported displays
  • Built-in Xbox app

Since I don’t believe the Win Max display supports HDR, that second feature will probably kick in when connected to an external display, but it automatically upgrades graphics for over 1,000 games to high dynamic range color.

The original Win Max has been largely replaced in GPD’s lineup by the newer GPD Win Max 2021, which has the same design, keyboard, touchpad, game controllers, and 8.9 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel IPS LCD touchscreen display, but which comes with a choice of Intel Core i7-1195G7 or AMD Ryzen 7 4800U processor options. But for folks that still have the older model, it’s nice to have the option of updating to Microsoft’s latest version of Windows.

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4 replies on “BIOS Update lets you install Windows 11 on the GPD Win Max (2020) handheld gaming PC”

  1. Hi man! I’m a fan of your content on youtube!

    I’d like to know if you updated yours, ’cause I have mine and after the bios update, my trackpad and wireless drivers aren’t working anymore on Win10(latest windows updates installed). Now I am just trying to update to Win11 to test if this solves the issue.

    1. Ouch. I’d reach out to GPD to see if they can provide you with the necessary driver packages. It’s disappointing they didn’t provide them along with the BIOS Update utility.

      Unfortunately the Win Max I reviewed last year was a loaner, so I no longer have it on hand.

      1. Hi there! Forget about it, just found the right path – just press the bios reset button (the one between the two usb-c) and everything will be ok. Using Win11 right now. Anyway, thanks!

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