Recently, a weird thing is happening to Windows users. Many Windows 10 PCs that don’t meet the minimum system requirements of Windows 11 are also getting the option to upgrade to Windows 11 from Microsoft. This is surprising because Microsoft had set very strict hardware requirements for Windows 11 which includes things like TPM 2.0 and modern processor.
What’s happening?
Users on various tech blogs and online platforms like Reddit have reported that their older Windows 10 systems are also getting the Windows 11 upgrade notification. These are devices that either have TPM 2.0 disabled or don’t meet other hardware requirements. Earlier such PCs were not allowed to install Windows 11.
Microsoft has not yet released any official statement on this. So it’s not clear if this is a new policy or a technical glitch. This has left users confused whether they should accept this upgrade offer or not.
Read Also: Desk Upgrade Alert: Anker's 12-Port USB-C Dock Monitor Stand Hits Lowest Price
Should you upgrade?
If you’re getting Windows 11 upgrade offer on your incompatible PC, be cautious. Microsoft itself warns that installing Windows 11 on incompatible PC may result to installation failure, unreliable performance or driver issues. More importantly, such device may not receive security updates or support from Microsoft in the future.
Risks and Precautions:
- Update problems: If this is a bug, the upgrade may fail.
- No security updates: Microsoft previously said that PCs running Windows 11 on incompatible hardware will not receive security updates in the future. But some users are still getting monthly servicing updates but not major feature updates.
- Performance issues: Your PC may not be powerful enough to run Windows 11 smoothly and will be slow and unstable.
- No support: If you encounter issues after the upgrade, it will be hard to get support from Microsoft.
What to do?
If your PC doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 and you’re getting the upgrade offer, the safest option is to decline it. Windows 10 will be supported until October 2025 so you still have time to think about your options.
If you still want to upgrade to Windows 11, back up your important files and double check the hardware requirements. Some advanced users have found ways to install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware using registry edits or custom ISO files but these are not supported by Microsoft and has its own risks.So for now, the Windows 11 upgrade offer on incompatible PCs is a puzzle.