Here’s some big news for Windows users. Microsoft has officially confirmed on The Verge that it won’t stop people from installing Windows 11 on older PCs. This announcement means Microsoft will not block installations on unsupported hardware, including those lacking TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.
While the company recommends newer hardware for the best experience, it will allow manual installations of Windows 11 on systems that don’t meet official requirements. This is a relief for users who still rely on older machines.
So, if you are using Windows 10 on an older PC, you can still upgrade to Windows 11 without changing your hardware. Even if your CPU doesn’t pass the upgrade test, you can download the ISO file and install the OS manually.
According to Microsoft, the minimum CPU requirement for Windows 11 is an 8th-generation processor or newer. However, users can still perform a manual upgrade at their own risk. Microsoft warns that it cannot guarantee driver compatibility or full system reliability on unsupported PCs. As a result, this method will not be officially recommended or advertised.
This decision brings hope to millions of users who otherwise might be left behind. While many won’t go through the manual upgrade process, tech-savvy users can still benefit. As long as your system includes a 64-bit 1GHz processor with at least two cores, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage, you can proceed with the installation.
Microsoft has also expanded the list of supported processors. Intel’s Core X-series, Xeon W-series, and the Core i7-7820HQ (used in Surface Studio 2) are now officially supported for Windows 11 upgrades.
Additionally, the company plans to improve its PC Health Check tool. The updated version will include more Intel CPUs and give clearer explanations. It will also guide users on whether they need to enable Secure Boot or TPM 2.0 for eligibility. This will be a major improvement over the vague messaging that frustrated users in June 2021.
Microsoft’s goal is to promote Windows 11 using modern technologies like DCH drivers, Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and virtualization-based security (VBS). However, due to strong user feedback, the company is offering more flexibility. This shift shows Microsoft is listening to its users and balancing security with accessibility.