Microsoft: Sorry, we'll see what we do with the processors

In a new post , Microsoft apologized for the confusion it caused with Windows 11's minimum system requirements last week and pledged to "adjust" them based on customer feedback. In the same post, the company attempted to explain the two most controversial elements of the list: the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 requirement and the CPU compatibility list that excludes most pre-2018 processors.

Microsoft also withdrew the PC Health Check application, acknowledging that "it is not as accurate as why a Windows 10 computer does not meet the upgrade requirements." The app will reappear before the scheduled release date of Windows 11 later this year (most likely in October).

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Windows 11 raises the security bar with hardware requirements that allow protections such as Windows Hello, Device Encryption, virtualization-based security (VBS), hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), and Secure Boot. The combination of these features has been shown to reduce malware by 60% on tested devices. To comply with this principle, all Windows 11-supported CPUs have a built-in TPM, support a secure boot, and specific VBS capabilities.

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Using the above principles, we are confident that devices running Intel 8th generation processors and AMD Zen 2 as well as Qualcomm 7 and 8 Series will meet the security and reliability requirements.

According to Microsoft, "OEM partners have 99,8% error-free experience" in trial versions of Windows 11. The company says the CPU requirement could be revised to include some older Intel and AMD models. Today's first version of Insider Preview is available, can be installed and run on unsupported hardware. The company says it will "try to identify devices that run on Intel 7th generation and AMD Zen 1 and that may meet our requirements."

Microsoft says the current requirements will allow upgrades to most computers sold in the last 18 to 24 months. That is, with 8th generation Intel processors and AMD's Zen 2 series. Intel products were released in September 2017, which means that only high quality PCs sold in 2018 are equipped with these CPUs. AMD's Zen 2 series (third generation Ryzen processors) was released in 2019.

90% of 2020 PC sales and about 60% of 2019 PC sales meet these minimum requirements, with most 2018 models (based on previous 7th generation CPUs and AMD Zen 1 models) failing to meet compatibility level of Windows 11. This means that the population of Windows PCs that can be upgraded to Windows 11 is probably 500 million, or about 38% of the one billion + active Windows 10 PCs listed by Microsoft.

The company's commitment to use trial versions of Windows Insider to identify older CPUs that can run Windows 11 smoothly is a good start, but we'll have to wait longer. If you have a system that runs on a very fast and high quality 7th generation Intel processor, can it be cut? The company should review immediately…

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George is still wondering what he is doing here….