Microsoft Stands Firm on Windows 11 Hardware Requirements

Prepare for Change as Windows 10 Support Is Ending Soon

With less than a year left before Windows 10 reaches its end of support, Microsoft is urging users to start planning for the transition. If your computer uses an Intel processor older than the 8th generation or an AMD Ryzen chip from before the 2000 series, you’ll need to make a choice: either pay for Extended Security Updates (ESUs) each year to keep your device secure or upgrade to hardware that meets Windows 11’s requirements.

A major requirement for Windows 11 is TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module 2.0). This is a built-in security feature found in modern processors and motherboards. TPM adds an extra layer of protection by handling encryption, secure storage of cryptographic keys, and other sensitive processes directly within the hardware. Microsoft has emphasized that TPM 2.0 is essential, as it supports critical security features like BitLocker encryption, Secure Boot, and Multi-Factor Authentication.

Processors that support TPM 2.0 include Intel’s 8th generation (Coffee Lake) and newer, as well as AMD’s Ryzen 2000 series (Zen+) and newer. Older processors may struggle to meet the requirements for Windows 11, as they lack the necessary features for full compatibility.

Currently, around 61% of Windows desktop users are still using Windows 10, but with its End of Life (EOL) approaching, the pressure to upgrade is increasing. While some older systems might run Windows 11 unofficially, they won’t receive updates or support from Microsoft, leaving them vulnerable to security risks.

If your PC is from 2019 or earlier, you might find that it doesn’t offer the best performance with Windows 11. Systems built before 2014 are even less likely to work well, as they often lack modern capabilities like AVX2 (Advanced Vector Extensions), which are crucial for newer software.

When Windows 10 support ends, you’ll have three main options: upgrade to a new Windows 11-compatible PC, replace outdated components, or explore alternative operating systems like Linux, which has become much more user-friendly in recent years.