Microsoft now allows Windows 11 installations on unsupported hardware, devices

[midian182]

What just happened? It's not even been a week since Microsoft reiterated that needing a TPM 2.0 chip to officially use Windows 11 was "non-negotiable." But in a surprising reversal, the Redmond giant has posted a page on installing the latest OS on devices that don't meet its minimum system requirements, though there are caveats.

Microsoft's support page for installing Windows 11 on unsupported devices is filled with disclaimers. It starts by warning users that the company doesn't recommend carrying out this action, and that they should be comfortable assuming the risk of running into compatibility issues.

Microsoft also warns that devices with ineligible hardware aren't guaranteed to receive updates, including but not limited to security updates, for Windows 11. The final part notes that damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren't covered under the manufacturer warranty.

The actual upgrading part isn't included in the document, but it will presumably be done through official methods such as Windows Update in Settings, the Installation Assistant, installation media, etc.

Microsoft adds that those who do install Windows 11 on an unsupported system will see a watermark on the desktop. There might also be a notification in the Settings advising that the requirements aren't met. These can be removed by altering the system registry, as shown here.

There are full step-by-step instructions in the document for rolling back a device from Windows 11 to Windows 10, which Microsoft recommends people do if they experience issues on their unsupported machines. It notes that the Go Back section in the Recovery options is only available for ten days after Windows 11 is installed.

Last week, Microsoft Senior Product Manager Steven Hosking talked about the importance of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 requirement for Windows 11. Able to securely generate and store encryption keys, perform cryptographic operations, shield passwords, and more, Hosking said the TPM 2.0 requirement was a non-negotiable standard.

Microsoft's softening its stance on Windows 11 requirements is a surprise, given its stubborn refusal to show leniency in the past. The change of direction could be due to Windows 10's global market share increasing its already substantial lead last month while Windows 11 fell slightly, according to Statcounter.

It's a better story for Microsoft in the Steam survey, where Windows 11 continues to gain users and cement its position as the most popular OS.

Windows 10's end-of-support arrives in October 2025, though Microsoft will allow businesses and consumers to pay for security updates.

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Microsoft now allows Windows 11 installations on unsupported hardware, devices

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Oh, I can't WAIT until the fart-huffing crowd that swore up and down that TPM 2 was "totes necessary and super useful guys! " read this and tie themselves into pretzels explaining how MS could decide to do this.

 

[VariableSpike]

So MS has been staring at the OS takeup charts vs Windows 10 with despair and clearly realising that marketing mumbo jumbo nonsense about "AI-Powered PC's" and all that is not convincing people, and neither is it convincing businesses, watch out for the magical "update that is actually windows 11" as the next piece of bs they will probably do

 

[The Talking Tech]

Microsoft only blocked older computers for their own benefit of hardware sales....back years ago Microsoft didn't care if you upgraded form Windows 7 to 10 but once their Surface systems became more popular that's when they realized they needed you to ditch the old computers one way or another.

 

[NumberNine]

This should surpise no one. We're just now getting to the fun part of this rollout.

 

[wpontius]

Microsoft has been offering work arounds for unsupported hardware even before the release of Windows 11, negating their fearmongering of running Windows 11 on old hardware. The only damage caused running Windows 11 on an unsupported PC can also happen on a support PC, viruses, malware, overclocking and credential theft. The hardware requirements for Windows 11 are strictly to drive hardware\system sales to benefit Microsoft's profits, the security benefits from new hardware is marginal at best and the old hardware an environmental disaster.

 

[Raiju92]

I am not a expert in this but rather than accepting all these caveats and using windows 11 people can just switch over to lighter Linux os like KDE Neon.

I have an older system with Ryzen 1200 and Gtx 750ti. Nobara and Bazzite didn't even work properly however KDE Neon did.

I am also able to play pre 2015 games at acceptable frame rates without any tinkering at all straight from steam.

Might not work for everyone but if you can google and spend some time FOSS is not hard to work with.

 

[Dimitrios]

What kind of sorcery is this?

 

[Shirley Dulcey]

I am not a expert in this but rather than accepting all these caveats and using windows 11 people can just switch over to lighter Linux os like KDE Neon.

I have an older system with Ryzen 1200 and Gtx 750ti. Nobara and Bazzite didn't even work properly however KDE Neon did.

I am also able to play pre 2015 games at acceptable frame rates without any tinkering at all straight from steam.

Might not work for everyone but if you can google and spend some time FOSS is not hard to work with.

Although switching to Linux is a great option for many users, it's not an option for everybody. I do IT support for a makerspace; a lot of our equipment comes with software that only runs on Windows, and there are no suitable Linux substitutes. Running the Windows software with WINE is a possibility, but software that controls external hardware is a class of program that frequently doesn't work.

 

[Ecurb]

I’m still running a couple of windows 8.1 media centers because nothing yet comes close to doing what they could do. No explosions. No meltdowns. No bank robberies. No bot gangs. It just works, primarily because Microsoft is no longer futzing with it monthly.

I run Linux mint as my daily productivity driver. I do have a win10pro vm for the few programs that don’t work (well) with Linux.

Windows has become, for me, specialty software for edge conditions. I may have to use win11 in the future but it’ll be again for those few laggards that have not evolved to Linux.

 

[BobHome]

I'm holding out for Windows 12.
You know: the-every-other-version-works.

 

[captaincranky]

I'm holding out for Windows 12.
You know: the-every-other-version-works.

Be careful what you wish for. M$' next OS might require a separate LAN card to connect directly to their data mining servers.

 

[Northy]

I'm holding out for Windows 12.
You know: the-every-other-version-works.

I've got great hopes too. I admin a mid sized fleet and there is a lot of unnecessarily introduced issues with 11. Changes that aren't completed or that are poorly implemented, or only work through one of their unnecessary GUI's but not through others, or cause conflicts, or have disappeared altogether. And the forced unnecessary admin/logic/gui changes, smh. I've never had to depend on powershell so much to do basic stuff as I do with 11. It's like 8 on steroids with forced AI and network noise making everything slightly more intolerable and difficult to manage.

It's just got to get better next iteration.

 

[yesnt]

Be careful what you wish for. M$' next OS might require a separate LAN card to connect directly to their data mining servers.

And how would they get a connection that's separate from my Internet connection?

 

[RudyBob]

OH !! To be allowed How unshackled I feel

 

[captaincranky]

And how would they get a connection that's separate from my Internet connection?

You only have about 40 posts here. In time, you will learn not to take me so seriously.

 

[ccccn]

Microsoft has made the mistake of thinking that there are actually people out there that really want to move to Windows 11 and the fact is the overwhelming majority DO NOT , they want no part of it because with each new version the end user loses more control in being able to customize things exactly the way they want . I love Linux and have zero interest in windows 11 , to be honest I despise Windows 10 , windows 7 was excellent however.

Does Microsoft really think a ton of people with older systems are going to be like " YES, this is exactly what I want , less control and no security updates but at least I can say I have windows 11 , thanks MS .

 

[ZedRM]

This is an interesting stance from Microsoft. Although, simply saying that it's "not supported" isn't saying much because really, how many people actually contact Microsoft themselves for support? I don't know anyone who has.

So I say Microsoft has done something right with this.

 

[ChipBoundary]

First, this happened years ago when 11 came out. This is not new. You have been able yo ignore hardware restrictions since pretty much the beginning, with zero workarounds necessary.

 

[ZedRM]

First, this happened years ago when 11 came out.

What is new is Microsoft saying, "OK we'll let you do it but we won't offer or give support for older systems." That's what's new.

You have been able yo ignore hardware restrictions since pretty much the beginning, with zero workarounds necessary.

Wrong. Workarounds have been required, as documented all over the internet.

 

[ChipBoundary]

Microsoft has been offering work arounds for unsupported hardware even before the release of Windows 11, negating their fearmongering of running Windows 11 on old hardware. The only damage caused running Windows 11 on an unsupported PC can also happen on a support PC, viruses, malware, overclocking and credential theft. The hardware requirements for Windows 11 are strictly to drive hardware\system sales to benefit Microsoft's profits, the security benefits from new hardware is marginal at best and the old hardware an environmental disaster.

Microsoft has been offering work arounds for unsupported hardware even before the release of Windows 11, negating their fearmongering of running Windows 11 on old hardware. The only damage caused running Windows 11 on an unsupported PC can also happen on a support PC, viruses, malware, overclocking and credential theft. The hardware requirements for Windows 11 are strictly to drive hardware\system sales to benefit Microsoft's profits, the security benefits from new hardware is marginal at best and the old hardware an environmental disaster.

Congratulations, you're one of the ignorant masses. Now, this is no endorsement of Windows, but keeping old hardware in circulation is extremely dangerous. Your claim that newer hardware is only marginally more secure is just factually untrue. Old hardware has baked in security flaws that can never be patched or mitigated. Period. Ever.

Newer hardware has baked in security flaws that can never be patched or mitigated as well. However, they take time to discover and work out. The longer hardware is in circulation, the more compromised it becomes. Once one machine is compromised, all machines are compromised, regardless of age.

Getting rid of older electronics is in no way an environmental disaster. Improperly getting rid of older electronics would be, but getting rid of them isn't by default. Refined recycling programs, with existing technology, can entirely mitigate environmental concerns.

 

[ChipBoundary]

What is new is Microsoft saying, "OK we'll let you do it but we won't offer or give support for older systems." That's what's new.


Wrong. Workarounds have been required, as documented all over the internet.

Funny, since I've literally installed it on hundreds of machines with zero workarounds. No Rufus, no CMD/Powershell/Terminal commands, no hacks. It pops up a warning about it not being.supported, but you can just ignore it.

Here, an article from 2021 that proves my point:

Microsoft Keeps Windows 11 Hardware Requirements, But Will Placate Enthusiasts

Microsoft said that it will not step back from its stringent Windows 11 hardware requirements, but it will make concessions to enthusiasts.

www.thurrott.com

 

[ChipBoundary]

I am not a expert in this but rather than accepting all these caveats and using windows 11 people can just switch over to lighter Linux os like KDE Neon.

I have an older system with Ryzen 1200 and Gtx 750ti. Nobara and Bazzite didn't even work properly however KDE Neon did.

I am also able to play pre 2015 games at acceptable frame rates without any tinkering at all straight from steam.

Might not work for everyone but if you can google and spend some time FOSS is not hard to work with.

Yeah, Linux will never be viable. And no, it isn't viable now. And no, Steam isn't a solution. Valve = evil trash company. I say all of this as somebody that us forced to use Linux daily and is extremely familiar with it. Anybody that days Linux is a viable solution for anything is delusional. Recently been dropping customers that refuse to move away from Linux. All it ever does is create issues.

 

[ZedRM]

Funny, since I've literally installed it on hundreds of machines with zero workarounds. No Rufus, no CMD/Powershell/Terminal commands, no hacks. It pops up a warning about it not being.supported, but you can just ignore it.

Here, an article from 2021 that proves my point:

Microsoft Keeps Windows 11 Hardware Requirements, But Will Placate Enthusiasts

Microsoft said that it will not step back from its stringent Windows 11 hardware requirements, but it will make concessions to enthusiasts.

www.thurrott.com

That's a lie. Your link doesn't make your case. There are no ways to install or update Windows 11 on unsupported hardware without some form of workaround. This is well documented all over the internet.

 

[JamesBlond]

If you are dumbb enough to install windows 11 at least use somebody elses brains and use a Debloat Script to get rid of all the fat in the horrible os