In one new publication, Microsoft apologized for the confusion it caused with the minimum system requirements of Windows 11 last week and promised to "adjust" them based on customer feedback. With the same publication, the company tried to explain the two most controversial elements of the list: the requirement for Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 but also the CPU compatibility list that excludes most processors before 2018.
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).
“Windows 11 raises the security bar by requiring hardware that enables protections like Windows Hello, Device Encryption, virtualization-based security (VBS), hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI) and Secure Boot. The combination of these features has been proven to reduce malware by 60% on tested devices. To adhere to this principle, all supported Windows 11 CPUs have a built-in TPM, support a secure boot, and specific VBS capabilities.
[...]Using the above principles, we are convinced that devices running on 8th generation Intel processors and AMD Zen 2 καθώς και Qualcomm 7 και 8 Series θα πληρούν τις προϋποθέσεις για την better safety and reliability.
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 PC sales in 2020 and around 60% of PC sales in 2019 meet these minimum requirements, with most 2018 models (based on previous 7th Gen CPUs and AMD Zen 1 models) falling short of the compatibility level of Windows 11. This means that the population of Windows PCs that can be upgraded to Windows 11 is probably 500 millions, or about 38% of the one billion+ active Windows 10 PCs reported 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…
