Microsoft has recently issued an updated warning about installing Windows 11 on PCs that don’t meet requirements.
This isn’t something new, of course, with Microsoft issuing similar warnings periodically since Windows 11’s initial release. However, the language in this latest warning is more forceful, and with Windows 10’s end-of-support date getting inexorably closer, it seems the company might finally be heading toward actually implementing its threats.
Firstly, Microsoft has advised that a watermark will be added warning users that they are running Windows 11 on an unsupported PC. However, a slight change in a disclaimer included in a blog post provides the biggest clue as to Microsoft’s intentions:
This PC doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements for running Windows 11 – these requirements help ensure a more reliable and higher quality experience. Installing Windows 11 on this PC is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won’t be entitled to receive updates. Damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren’t covered under the manufacturer warranty. By selecting Accept, you are acknowledging that you read and understand this statement ~ <source>
The disclaimer has been up for some time but Microsoft recently added in that last line, “By selecting Accept, you are acknowledging that you read and understand this statement.”
Windows 11’s uptake has not met Microsoft’s expectations and the company is becoming increasingly desperate to steer users away from their beloved Windows 10. In my opinion, this is an issue of Microsoft’s own doing. By introducing strict (some might say “ridiculous”) Windows 11 requirements, the company has effectively eliminated millions of PCs that are perfectly capable of running Windows 11 from the upgrade path.
Windows 11 24H2 And AI
Microsoft continues to provide evidence that it believes it can throw anything at Windows users and they will have no choice but to accept it. The latest Windows 11 version (24H2) is heavily slanted toward AI, with the majority of features exclusive to Copilot+ PCs and not much at all for traditional PCs.
- Please read: What’s New In Windows 11 24H2
Considering Copilot+ PCs are currently only available as laptops with Copilot+ Desktop PCs slated to make an appearance sometime in 2025, the emphasis on AI seems a tad premature to me.
I recently received a notice to upgrade one of my Windows 11 machines to 24H2 which I promptly declined. As I said in the aforementioned article, “I see no sense in going through a major update when my traditional PC cannot take advantage of significant new features.”
BOTTOM LINE:
It does seem that Microsoft is intent on alienating more and more Windows users. Firstly with its strict Windows 11 requirements, and now concentrating major updates on AI-driven features that are not supported by the vast majority of PCs.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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Hi Jim. Believe I read there is a 10 day grace period where after installing 11, one can revert back to 10, otherwise you are stuck with 11. Scare tactics aside, there are still 10 months of free support for Windows 10. The number 10 seems to have an important meaning (just kidding) and I see no need to panic.
My laptop came with 11 and I too will not install 24H2, Mindblower!
From my understanding if your using Windows 11 home they will just force you to update to 24H2 and with Windows 11 Pro you can delay it but eventually Microsoft will force that down our throats also.
Hey Robert,
I haven’t read that anywhere. I’m running Pro and, if push comes to shove, I’ll simply disable Windows Update services until I am ready to install the update.
Being a savvy user I am not overly concerned about not receiving security updates in the meantime. It’s been years since my last encounter with malware.
Thanks Jim
I am seeing many articles in the last couple of days where Microsoft have provided users with the actual registry keys to allow you to install Win 11 on unsupported hardware without meeting TPM specs.
So the official line is you can now apparently legally install Win 11 on unsupported hardware with Microsoft’s blessing. They say that at this stage you will continue to receive security and other updates but Microsoft do not guarantee you will continue to in future or that your system won’t suffer from stability issues.
I guess they are trying to wean recalcitrant Win 10 users onto Win 11 with the dangling carrot. Whether they will double cross those users later and make their systems inoperable with a snide “well we warned you” remains to be seen !
Cheers
Reg
Hey Reg,
I saw one of those same articles myself, which stated “Microsoft issues instructions on how to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware”, specifically relating to TPM.
However, when I clicked on the link included in the article to Microsoft’s instructions, it said no such thing. In fact, it stated quite the opposite, and the only instructions were on how to roll back to Windows 10.
This is, in my opinion, very much a “boy cried wolf” situation. MS has issued multiple similar warnings over the years and done nothing, so that has now become the expectation.
“Whether they will double cross those users later and make their systems inoperable with a snide “well we warned you” remains to be seen!”
Precisely!
Cheers mate… Jim