The conflict over Windows 11's requirements has entered a new phase. After the chaotic original presentation, the virtual radio silence, and a stream that further infuriated users, the Redmond giant published a brief update confirming that there will be no major changes to the list of supported hardware. However, the news is that Microsoft will not block attempts to install Windows 11 on unsupported machines as long as the process is completely manual, with an ISO image and outside of Windows Update...
How to install Windows 11: The legend continues
At this rate, “Windows 11 Installation” will become a college major. There are only a few weeks left until its (hypothetical) official debut, and users remain as confused as on day one. Microsoft's communication has been lamentable, a clear example of what no company should do. An incomplete diagnostic app, false negatives, soft floor, hard floor, contradictory official documents edited in the background... a disaster.
Redmond took two months to set things straight. Recently, the Windows Team published a new entry on its blog that serves as an update on the requirements situation, and the news is... limited. The most important adjustments to the supported processor list are limited to the addition of the Intel Core X series, the Intel Xeon W series, and, very conveniently, the Intel Core i7-7820HQ used by the Surface Studio 2. Sixth and seventh generation Intel? First-generation Ryzen? Nothing. Zero. Microsoft analyzed the state of Ryzen chips “in association with AMD,” and said that there will be no Zen 1 chips on the list.
VBS, HVCI, Secured Core, and other toppings
Reasons? First, the company shared some percentages: Devices that didn't meet the minimum requirements suffered 52 percent more kernel-mode crashes (in other words, “blue screen”), while supported systems experienced an error-free experience 99.8 percent of the time. In other words... a difference of “2 out of 1000” to “3 out of 1000.”
And second, its article mentions security technologies like VBS (virtualization-based security) and HVCI (hypervisor-protected code integrity). This points to the idea of a root of trust, where all elements participating in boot and execution have “verifiable integrity,” and to the concept of Secured Core, a Microsoft standard (if we can call it that) that combines hardware, firmware, and software to protect the system. It is believed that both VBS and HVCI will be enabled by default on new Windows 11 devices, although VBS will not be required to access the update.
But... (and it's a big but)
The folks at The Verge shared a very interesting fact: Microsoft will not block the installation of Windows 11 on unsupported computers. The main condition is that the installation must be carried out manually/traditionally, with a USB drive and an ISO image. If you want to receive the Windows 10 to Windows 11 update via Windows Update, you will have to meet its technical conditions.
That sounds exactly like the exception we were waiting for. After all, a “nuke and pave” hasn't killed us before, and it won't now. Installing Windows 11 from an ISO image is not crazy, however... the story doesn't end there. On one hand, Microsoft will not promote or recommend this type of installation. And on the other, something worrying: it is possible that systems updated to Windows 11 this way will not receive hotfixes via Windows Update, not even security ones. As Microsoft's blog post notes, this manual path could mean no online updates.
Obviously, half the Web has asked Microsoft for clarification on that restriction, but I'm afraid a precedent already exists: In 2017, the company blocked access to hotfixes for Windows 7 on modern computers, and it could only be restored with a hack.
So what do we do?
From a certain point of view, Microsoft got its way, and the changes in Windows 11's technical requirements are minimal, but it knows well that questions, doubts, and criticisms will multiply. On the other side, users will have the possibility to install Windows 11 and access the benefits of that version, including security... but if the price to pay is not receiving hotfixes, what's the point?
All editions of Windows 10 except LTSB and LTSC will receive support until October 14, 2025. Microsoft expects that those users without the possibility or desire to move to Windows 11 will continue with the current version. The problem is that Redmond has never treated its operating systems well during retirement. Windows XP was crying out for a Service Pack 4, and never received it. The same happened with Windows 7 and its non-existent Service Pack 2. Windows 8.1 still has more than a year of support, and it feels virtually abandoned. I can already imagine the pop-ups in January 2024 saying that Windows 10 is unsafe...
We just ask for more power for the user. We hope that installing Windows 11 on PCs that don't meet the requirements doesn't become a trap, and that Microsoft clarifies the hotfix situation. To be continued...
Sources: Ars Technica, The Verge
