Using unsupported hardware on Windows 11 will only get worse

by
url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url url

Key findings

  • Microsoft blocks incompatible hardware for Windows 11.
  • Loopholes for circumventing system requirements are closed.
  • Migrating from Windows 10 to Windows 11 may require purchasing a new PC.



When Windows 11 first launched, there was a lot of confusion about the system requirements. People whose hardware was more than capable of running an operating system smoothly were told their computers didn't meet the hardware requirements. After a few weeks of confusion, Microsoft revealed why some older gaming PCs were being turned away from Windows 11: it was because the CPU didn't support TPM 2.0. If your CPU was too old to support it, it wasn't compatible with Windows 11: end of story.

However, some people didn't like this explanation. They felt that this was a way to force people to buy new computers, which seemed like a shabby move to them. Not only did people feel it was a rip-off, but there was also the case of all the PCs that were stuck without TPM 2.0. Were all these computers destined for the landfill?


Luckily for some users, there was a breakthrough; people discovered ways to install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware. This involved bypassing the TPM 2.0 check during the installation process and installing Windows 11 on an incompatible system. However, as Windows 10 support begins to expire, Microsoft is tightening its measures against people bypassing system requirements, and things are only going to get worse from here on out.


Microsoft is starting to attract people who use incompatible hardware

Close the loopholes

Shared screenshot of Windows 11 next to Windows 10


Over the course of this year, we've seen Microsoft try to prevent older hardware from being used on Windows 11. First off, Microsoft prevented processors without POPCNT from booting into Windows 11, but that didn't feel too restrictive since any CPU released after 2008 supported it.

Then we saw another move from Microsoft, this time a little closer to reality. People found that if you run the setup file with the argument “/product server” it will skip the TPM check and you can install it on any hardware. That loophole has now been closed.


Granted, people who still want to use Windows 11 on unsupported hardware can still use Rufus to get around this. But it really feels like Microsoft is slowly figuring out the methods people are using to get around the system requirements and gradually stopping them.

The end of support for Windows 10 is approaching

A major migration may be coming and Microsoft wants to stop it

Windows 10 runs on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

So what's the problem with preventing users from installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware? Microsoft should appreciate people adopting the new operating system instead of sticking with Windows 10, right?


The problem is that people may soon abandon Windows 10 in droves. Starting in October 2025, the operating system will no longer receive updates. The only way to continue receiving official updates is to pay Microsoft an annual fee that increases each year, for only three years in total.

In October 2025, people will be using an unsupported copy of Windows 10 with no security updates, and Microsoft will require them to pay for more. What's the easy way out? Upgrade to Windows 11. What's the easy way out that won't cost you anything? Install Windows 11 on your Windows 10 PC, no matter what the system requirements are.


I believe the reason Microsoft has developed an interest in blocking incompatible installations is because it sees this migration on the horizon and wants to prevent it as much as possible. Why? Well, the naive part of me wants to believe that Microsoft just wants to make sure people use compatible hardware to get the improved security it touts with TPM 2.0, but you and I both know the more likely answer.

Microsoft wants people to buy a new PC for Windows 11

In the end, it may just be about money

If Microsoft succeeds in phasing out unsupported hardware by 2025, it will force people who want to continue receiving official support to upgrade to Windows 11. This, in turn, would boost PC sales, which is pretty good for Microsoft.


But there's another layer at play here. Finally, you might have noticed that new PCs these days have a weird little Copilot button on the keyboard. Microsoft is fully committed to its AI strategy, developing what it calls “Copilot+ PCs” that have enhanced AI tools that leverage a system's NPU. There aren't too many Copilot+ PCs on the market right now, but in just over a year there should be a lot more.

Let's imagine the scenario: People migrating from Windows 10 are forced to buy a Copilot+ PC with Windows 11. They see all the cool AI tools and apps they can use, and they want to get more out of them. It turns out they can – they just need to subscribe to Copilot Pro. And now Microsoft has a steady monthly revenue stream.


Microsoft has the plan, but can it execute it?

Call me paranoid, but I get the feeling that Microsoft's crackdown on incompatible PCs is the company's attempt to push people onto new hardware, particularly Copilot+ PCs with the optional premium subscription for more features. Will it succeed? It's hard to say from here, especially given that third-party companies are rolling out support for Windows 10 instead of Microsoft. Whatever happens, there's a good chance that using Windows 11 on incompatible hardware will only get more awkward from here on out.

Leave a Comment