As promised in June 2021, Microsoft kicks older computers of the Windows 11 Insider Program. In June 2021, when Microsoft introduced the first build of Windows 11, the company also announced minimum hardware requirements. Back then, Microsoft said it is willing to give unsupported computers a chance to run Windows 11 to evaluate data and, if needed, make changes in hardware requirements. After months of testing and several builds, Microsoft slightly tweaked those requirements, adding Core-X and Xeon-W CPU families and a sole Intel Core i7-7820HQ to the list of supported CPUs. Now, things has changed.
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Windows Insiders who run Windows 11 preview builds on unsupported hardware noticed that Windows Update no longer allows changing the Windows Insider Program settings. It greets users with the following sad message:
"Your PC does not meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11. Your device is not eligible to join the Windows Insider Program on Windows 11. Please install Windows 10 to participate in the Windows Insider Program in the Release Preview Channel."
Again, that move should not surprise anybody as it goes in hand with what Microsoft initially said about running Windows 11 preview builds on unsupported hardware. Most likely, older computers will not receive future updates for Windows 11 in the Windows Insider Program. The best thing to do right now is going back to Windows 10 to wait for Microsoft to release Windows 11 on October 5 with the official ISOs for a clean install.
As a reminder, Microsoft will allow users to install Windows 11 on unsupported computers using the Media Creation Tool and official ISOs. The system will run well if the target device meets Windows 10 minimum hardware requirements. What remains unclear is whether Windows 11 will be getting regular security patches and bug fixes. Microsoft says those machines might not get monthly updates, so the company is yet to provide the final verdict.
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Keep the info coming. I find it useful.
How many active computers won’t qualify for Win 11 under the current plan? One billion?