Posted On 09 Sep 2021

To many users’ joy, Microsoft recently announced that it would not block users from installing the Microsoft 11 operating system on older PCs. While Microsoft has revealed its recommended hardware requirements for Windows 11, any restriction designed to prevent you from installing the upgrade will only kick in if you try to download the latest version via the Windows Update function. As such, any users with an older CPU that doesn’t technically meet the update requirements can still access the Windows 11 ISO file and upload it manually.

However, you would do so at your own risk. According to Microsoft, the Windows 11 update is only suitable for users with Intel 8th Gen and beyond. However, it has since advised that users can upgrade at their own risk provided they acknowledge that Microsoft can not assure that the driver will be compatible. Further, systems that are upgraded despite not meeting the requirements will not be automatically fed Windows updates, even security patches. Effectively, if you install Windows 11 manually, you will also need to manually install all later updates, which will undoubtedly be a huge inconvenience.

A further risk associated with installing Microsoft 11 manually is that devices that do not meet the minimum user requirements are prone to failure. According to data released by Microsoft, computers that are not equipped with the required technology typically exhibit 53% more kernel mode crashes. On the contrary, those that do meet or exceed the specs benefited from a 99.8% crash-free experience.
Microsoft intends to update its PC Health Check app to incorporate the Intel CPUs and offer users a greater level of clarity in terms of what PCs are, and are not, suitable for Windows 11. When introduced, the PC checker app will inform users whether they can simply enable the Secure Boot to upgrade.

Microsoft has also disclosed how it determined the minimum system requirements associated with Windows 11. Microsoft is consciously aiming to push Windows in the direction of contemporary DCH divers and modernity security, incorporating virtualization-based security (VBS) and Trusted Platform Module (TPM).
Although there is never a great time to attempt to modify hardware requirements, given the workaround that is available, it does soften the blow in terms of Microsoft’s efforts to improve the reliability, security, and compatibility of Windows 11.