THE Microsoft announced this Friday (27) that it will not prevent users from installing the Windows 11 on PCs with “old” processors. However, the update cannot be done in the most convenient and secure way, that is, via Windows Update. Interested parties should download the ISO file and install it manually.
On the occasion of the official presentation of Windows 11, Microsoft revealed the minimum requirements for a machine to support system installation. As for the processors, the company has limited compatibility to “old” chips.
Initially the restriction was for AMD and Intel processors released before 2017, as shown by the Techblog in a compiled.
Subsequently, Microsoft suggested that it could open support for the 7th generation Core i3, i5 and i7 chips, as well as AMD Zen 1. However, the limitation sparked controversy among users who were unwilling to change their hardware to use. the new system. .
The loophole allowed Windows 11 to be installed unofficially
Of course, shortly after the release of the Windows 11 preview for Insiders, alternative methods were found to install the system on incompatible PCs. The procedures, however, are at the user’s own risk.
One of them, the simplest, requires you to download a script to get your PC into the test program’s Dev channel. The other uses the registry editor, but requires a Microsoft account, which was risky, as you could end up being banned from the Dev channel on Windows Insider.
Today Microsoft confirmed that if you don’t have a PC with a compatible processor, but that meets the other minimum requirements, you can still update Windows to the new version. However, not everything is flower: the installation must be done manually, via the ISO, since it will not arrive via Windows Update, and is only recommended for companies, as a form of evaluation.
This is a way Microsoft has found to make it difficult to transition the system to computers that have chips it considers outdated, avoiding problems with driver compatibility, among other possible bugs.
According to a company report, “devices that did not meet the minimum system requirements had 52% more errors in kernel mode”, while “devices that met the minimum system requirements had a crash-free experience. anomalous by 99.8% “.
The company has decided, however, to increase the list of compatible processors, including support for Intel Core X and Xeon W series, as well as some models with Intel Core i7-7820HQ. The bad news is for users of the first generation of AMD Zen 1 processors, as no models have been added.
“After carefully examining the first generation of AMD Zen processors in collaboration with AMD, we concluded together that there are no additions to the list of supported processors,” the company says.
Checking the status of the updated PC
Microsoft also took the opportunity to announce that its tool that checks PC compatibility with Windows 11 has been updated and is available to Insiders first. According to the company, the new version brings “more complete and improved” messages and links to relevant support articles that can help solve problems. The software is expected to be released to everyone “in the next few weeks”.
Despite the release of the ISO installation for PCs with “old” chips, the tool will report that the computer does not meet all requirements if the processor used is not on Microsoft’s list of elect.
Therefore, although there is theoretically a hindrance to installation, it is possible that most users with little system knowledge end up being forced to switch computers or keep Windows 10.
“For those who use a PC that doesn’t upgrade and aren’t ready to transition to a new device, Windows 10 is the right choice. We will be supporting Windows 10 until October 14, 2025, and we recently announced that the next feature update for Windows 10 will arrive later this year. Whatever you decide, we are committed to supporting you and offering options on your IT journey. “
Microsoft, in an official blog post