Windows 11 has needlessly stringent hardware requirements, especially its arbitrary list of compatible CPUs, which will render a lot of decent hardware obsolete
The latest announcements for Windows 11 have revealed that the next version of the Windows operating system will have very stringent hardware requirements.
The immediate backlash forced Microsoft to defend the minimums and say it would test Intel 7th-generation and AMD Zen 1 PCs, putting the precise boundary of eligibility under scrutiny.
First-order effects
Owners of PCs outside Windows 11’s approved CPU list or without the required TPM are denied the standard upgrade path despite otherwise capable hardware.
Microsoft must validate and explain its compatibility line for Intel 7th-generation and AMD Zen 1 systems after criticism of the initial cutoff.
Second-order effects
PC makers and chip vendors face a more fragmented installed base: some customers can move to Windows 11 while similarly recent machines remain on Windows 10.
Compatibility messaging becomes a support burden for Microsoft and its hardware partners, especially where TPM availability and CPU eligibility produce different outcomes.
Third-order effects
Windows upgrades are increasingly becoming hardware-policy decisions, with security requirements and supported-CPU lists determining when otherwise functional PCs leave the current release.
If Microsoft continues pairing new Windows releases with processor-era cutoffs, the PC replacement cycle will be shaped more directly by OS support rules than by visible performance needs.
The trend: Microsoft is tightening the link between Windows release eligibility and modern hardware security and processor support policies.
@bdsams @zacbowden @TheMartinScott Yep, these lists (Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm) are the currently supported CPUs. The lists will evolve over time, of course, but these are the supported CPUs. https://docs.microsoft.com/...
it's wild that macOS Monterey will support Mac Pro models from 2013 and Mac mini models from fall 2014, but Windows 11 is killing support for plenty of devices that were launched less than 4 years ago
Microsoft confirms Windows 11 will only support 8th Gen and up CPUs. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 will not install on earlier CPUs. This means Microsoft's own Surface Pro 4, Surface Pro (2017), and Surface Studio 2 ($3,499) will not be upgradeable to Windows 11 🤯 https://tw…
this surface studio 2 i spent $4500 on three years ago was expensive, but it was an investment in my future and should be supported for a long time now let me just take a big sip of coffee and use this little windows 11 upgrade checker tool Microsoft came out with this week
Microsoft has promised a blog post explaining all this, but it's obviously not coming until next week now. I find it hard to believe there won't be a way to get Windows 11 running on older CPUs, instead of it being limited to officially OEM supported ones
This is absolute insanity. I bought a Surface Go (2018) *last year* and it's not on the supported CPUs list, but the iPad Air 2 it replaced from 2014 is going to run iPadOS 15. I have a dual-core CPU >1GHz, with TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. There is literally no reason for this. http…
iOS 15 supports 6-year old phones. Plain and simple. But then trying to understand what computers support Windows 11 is kind of a job on its own. https://twitter.com/...
@TotalSecurily @ArtemR They edited their documents a few hours ago, there is no mention of “hard floor” and “soft floor” for upgrading anymore. So, the CPU requirements seems mendatory now.. until they change their wording again. This is a mess
My workstation is a 7900x (7th gen) and is not on Microsoft's Intel list for supported chips but the PC Health Check app says it will run Windows 11. https://twitter.com/...
Windows 11 will create heaps of needless trash // Let's just wait for Microsoft to better describe innovations in Intel's 8th generation and beyond hardware that make this a rational evolution. https://nbailey.ca/...
“The situation is even worse when you consider the severe global supply chain problems involving microprocessors. We should be extending the lives of existing machines as much as possible right now, encouraging people to purchase new computers right now is irresponsible.” https:/…
It's shocking how badly Microsoft is screwing this up. OBVIOUSLY people would rush to see if their system was compatible with Windows 11. How did they not have messaging at the ready? So much goodwill from the launch, squandered. https://www.techmeme.com/...
A MacBook Pro from 2015 is compatible for macOS Monterey this fall. The Microsoft Surface Pro 4, also from 2015, is not officially compatible with Windows 11. Talk about “planned obsolescence,” huh 🤔
The UEFI and TPM requirements are already total bullshit, but fine, I'll buy the TPM add-on for my motherboard (ASUS Maximus VIII Hero) and will reformat to start using UEFI, but the CPU list is a hard block.
This is a very bad start to the upgrade story for Windows 11. As the steward of a huge, varied, and complex ecosystem of hardware, it's incumbent on Microsoft to do MUCH BETTER at communicating with its users. https://www.theverge.com/...
macOS Monterey runs on a 2013 Mac Pro. Funny how Apple continues to prove that while slightly more expensive, their devices sold have significantly more longevity than their competitors on pretty much all counts. Except AirPods. https://twitter.com/...