Is this new or have I been asleep and missed it? Is MS enforcing it now or is it one of those "Maybe we'll enforce this rule" kind of things? I know we've suspected that it may happen at some point.
Per this MS article- Download Windows 11
It states WARNING: Installing Windows 11 media on a PC that does not meet the Windows 11 minimum system requirements is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11 on a PC that does not meet the requirements, that PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates.
Time will tell.
I am going to come out and say this. I hope they do. I would honestly like to see MS "enforce" this in the near future.
Users have been treating Windows and other software like they own it and not just using it under a user agreement for so long.
You may own the hardware but not Windows. You can run Linux on "your" hardware if you wish.
Why I asked is the wording on this particular MS site has changed a bit sinced I visited it last. I wondered if things might change with 22H2. Maybe a coincidence, maybe not.
Time will tell.
I am going to come out and say this. I hope they do. I would honestly like to see MS "enforce" this in the near future.
Users have been treating Windows and other software like they own it and not just using it under a user agreement for so long.
You may own the hardware but not Windows. You can run Linux on "your" hardware if you wish.
Actually, many OEMs state on their web sites state that they will not support any of their PCs not tested or not compatible with Windows 11. It could also void any warranties. From what I've seen from various sites, one may be able to do hacks to install Win 11 22H2 on unsupported systems. For people still running Windows 10, you still have about 3 years before mainstream support ends.
Intel Core i7 1065G7 @ 1.30GHz Ice Lake 10th Generation
Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0V996R
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Iris Plus Graphics with shared graphics memory
Monitor(s) Displays
Laptop Display 17"
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
512 GB M.2, NVMe SSD boot, 1 TB SATA SSD data drive .
Internet Speed
100 Mbs
Browser
Microsoft Edge / Firefox
Antivirus
F-Secure Security Suite
Other Info
Upgraded from Windows 10 to Win 11 on 10-21-21
Upgraded to Win 11 22H2 on 9-20-22 (Clean Install)
Upgraded to Win 11 23H2 on Halloween 2023
Replaced original optical drive with a 1 GB SATA SSD
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro 24H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell Inspiron 3910
CPU
12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700 processor (12-Core, 25M Cache, 2.1GHz to 4.8GHz)
Motherboard
Dell 0KHP4K
Memory
16 GB
Graphics card(s)
Intel(R) UHD Graphics 770 with shared graphics memory
Why I asked is the wording on this particular MS site has changed a bit sinced I visited it last. I wondered if things might change with 22H2. Maybe a coincidence, maybe not.
1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
Internet Speed
50 Mbps
Browser
Edge, Firefox
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, and 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2.
My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).
My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.
My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, Canary, and Release Preview builds as a native boot .vhdx.
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell Latitude E4310
CPU
Intel® Core™ i5-520M
Motherboard
0T6M8G
Memory
8GB
Graphics card(s)
(integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
Screen Resolution
1366x768
Hard Drives
500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
Browser
Firefox, Edge
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media. Also running Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).
My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.
My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, Canary, and Release Preview builds as a native boot .vhdx.
W11 will run as a VM until the "End of the Universe" so long as the VM software system on the Host can paravirtualise enough of the hardware.
I´ve got several W11 VM's running as a VM on an old HP Gen 8 microserver (which has to boot from an internal SD card) and 2X E3 CPU processors - 2 separate processors so an MP system (16 cores) , and is MBR only. Has 20TB of standard HDD storage (4 X 5 TB HDDS's in 2 RAID 0 arrays).
Only the boot needs to be on the SD card . I replaced the DVD with an SSD which is used for the Host and store VM's on the 1TB SSD. These VM's run perfectly OK -- the KVM/QEMU system enables UEFI, sec boot and TPM emulation. Still getting updates.
Server has 32GB storage and the VM's run probably better than W11 does in Native mode on a low end but supported laptop. This host just sits in a closet out of the way and runs 24/7 -- has been for several years -- Only needs rebooting if Linux kernel is updated and that only takes a few secs to do.
It's possible Ms will find ways to prevent Windows running on "Real" unsupported hardware - an easy way would be for Windows to issue a CPU command that doesn't exist on the unsupported hardware - and so cause BSOD on the offending hardware or deactivate Windows. It's almost impossible to do this on a proper VM system as the Virtual CPU emulation could emulate all these tricks.
This is a normal protection for Microsoft as used by most, if not all major developers, if something on a specific set of hardware does cause an issue then the developer has a built in "get out of jail free card". Microsoft still has the option to modify the base code to correct the potential issue but if they cannot or feel it is not practical then they are covered
Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release Preview] [Win11 PRO HighEnd MUP-00005 DD]
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Scan 3XS to my design
CPU
AMD RYZEN 9 7950X OEM
Motherboard
*3XS*ASUS TUF B650 PLUS WIFI
Memory
64GB [2x32GB Corsair Vengeance 560 AMD DDR5]
Graphics Card(s)
3XS* ASUS DUAL RTX 4060 OC 8G
Sound Card
On motherboard Feeding SPDiF 5.1 system [plus local sound to each monitor]
Monitor(s) Displays
32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
Screen Resolution
2 x 3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
3XS Samsung 980Pro 2TB M.2 PCIe4 4 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 8TB, 10TB NAS
PSU
3XS Corsair RM850x 850w Fully Modular
Case
FDesign Define 7 XL BK TGL Case - Black
Cooling
3XS iCUE H150i ELITE Liquid Cool, Quiet Case fans
Keyboard
Wireless Logitec MX Keys + K830 [Depending on where I'm Sat]
Mouse
Wireless Logitec - MX Master 3S +
Internet Speed
950 MB Down 55 MB Up
Browser
Latest Chrome
Antivirus
BitDefender Total Security [Latest]
Other Info
Also run...
Dell XPS 17 Laptop
HP Laptop 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64 HP 15.2"
Nexus 7 Android tablet [x2]
Samsung 10.2" tablet
Blackview 10.2 Tablet
Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
Samsung S9 Plus Smartphone
Wacom Pro Medium Pen Pad
Wacom Pro Small Pen Pad
Wacom ExpressKey Remote
Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest release]
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell XPS 17 9700
CPU
i7 10750H
Motherboard
Stock
Memory
32 GB
Graphics card(s)
Stock Intel + GTX 1650 Ti
Sound Card
Stock 4 speaker
Monitor(s) Displays
Stock 17" + 32" 4K 3840 x 2160 HDR-10
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2400 HDR touchscreen
Hard Drives
2TB M2 NVMe
PSU
Stock
Case
Stock Aluminium / Carbon Fibre
Cooling
Stock + 2 fan cooling pad
Mouse
Stock Trackpad +Logi Mx Master 3 or MX Ergo Trackball
Keyboard
Stock Illuminated + Logi - MX Keys
Internet Speed
950 MB Down 55 MB Up
Browser
Latest Chrome
Antivirus
BitDefender Total Security 2021
Other Info
Also use an Adjustable Support for Laptop and Adjustable stand for monitor
....a built in "get out of jail free card". Microsoft still has the option to modify the base code to correct the potential issue but if they cannot or feel it is not practical then they are covered
There is that, but it's not happened yet. The only real and current impact of the "that PC will no longer be supported..." part is that you can't call MS and ask for help with your unsupported device.
1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
Internet Speed
50 Mbps
Browser
Edge, Firefox
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, and 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2.
My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).
My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.
My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, Canary, and Release Preview builds as a native boot .vhdx.
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell Latitude E4310
CPU
Intel® Core™ i5-520M
Motherboard
0T6M8G
Memory
8GB
Graphics card(s)
(integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
Screen Resolution
1366x768
Hard Drives
500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
Browser
Firefox, Edge
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media. Also running Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).
My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.
My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, Canary, and Release Preview builds as a native boot .vhdx.
Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release Preview] [Win11 PRO HighEnd MUP-00005 DD]
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Scan 3XS to my design
CPU
AMD RYZEN 9 7950X OEM
Motherboard
*3XS*ASUS TUF B650 PLUS WIFI
Memory
64GB [2x32GB Corsair Vengeance 560 AMD DDR5]
Graphics Card(s)
3XS* ASUS DUAL RTX 4060 OC 8G
Sound Card
On motherboard Feeding SPDiF 5.1 system [plus local sound to each monitor]
Monitor(s) Displays
32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
Screen Resolution
2 x 3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
3XS Samsung 980Pro 2TB M.2 PCIe4 4 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 8TB, 10TB NAS
PSU
3XS Corsair RM850x 850w Fully Modular
Case
FDesign Define 7 XL BK TGL Case - Black
Cooling
3XS iCUE H150i ELITE Liquid Cool, Quiet Case fans
Keyboard
Wireless Logitec MX Keys + K830 [Depending on where I'm Sat]
Mouse
Wireless Logitec - MX Master 3S +
Internet Speed
950 MB Down 55 MB Up
Browser
Latest Chrome
Antivirus
BitDefender Total Security [Latest]
Other Info
Also run...
Dell XPS 17 Laptop
HP Laptop 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64 HP 15.2"
Nexus 7 Android tablet [x2]
Samsung 10.2" tablet
Blackview 10.2 Tablet
Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
Samsung S9 Plus Smartphone
Wacom Pro Medium Pen Pad
Wacom Pro Small Pen Pad
Wacom ExpressKey Remote
Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest release]
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell XPS 17 9700
CPU
i7 10750H
Motherboard
Stock
Memory
32 GB
Graphics card(s)
Stock Intel + GTX 1650 Ti
Sound Card
Stock 4 speaker
Monitor(s) Displays
Stock 17" + 32" 4K 3840 x 2160 HDR-10
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2400 HDR touchscreen
Hard Drives
2TB M2 NVMe
PSU
Stock
Case
Stock Aluminium / Carbon Fibre
Cooling
Stock + 2 fan cooling pad
Mouse
Stock Trackpad +Logi Mx Master 3 or MX Ergo Trackball
Keyboard
Stock Illuminated + Logi - MX Keys
Internet Speed
950 MB Down 55 MB Up
Browser
Latest Chrome
Antivirus
BitDefender Total Security 2021
Other Info
Also use an Adjustable Support for Laptop and Adjustable stand for monitor
It's being enforced rigorously.
MS are enforcing the policy that incompatible computers are not entitled to receive updates.
MS have provided updates so far but incompatible computers remain not entitled to receive updates. I don't recall their policy being expressed differently & none of my printouts of MS articles from 2021 say anything different.
Certainly, the wording was only about entitlement on 5th October 2021 because that was the date I saved a pdf of the article that I then quoted in the post #13 linked to by Bree above.
It's just like the situation in which Windows 7 users can still upgrade to Windows 10 even though they were only entitled to do so until July 2016.
If you proceed with installing Windows 11 on a PC that does not meet the requirements, that PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates.
That statement just says the PC will not be entitled to updates.
It is subtle wording, but that does not mean PC will not get them.
In another words, MS can let a PC get them or not as they might decide at a later date.
So if in future, if they decide to stop updates, anybody complaining has no grounds for such complaints.
If they were enforcing it, statement would say something like:
"If you proceed with installing Windows 11 on a PC that does not meet the requirements, that PC will no longer be supported and will not receive updates".
I think most of us who operate a computer that does not meet the requirements to be supported are prepared to deal with it when the time comes, if ever ! I have other machines like this one that meets all the requirements necessary. Until then i guess we do the old saying "keep on keeping on" !!
