Microsoft Stands Firm on Windows 11 Hardware Requirements
Microsoft has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strict hardware requirements for Windows 11, dismissing any hopes for reduced specifications. With the end of support for Windows 10 approaching in October 2025, the company emphasizes that the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 requirement is “non-negotiable.”
Introduced as a surprise when Windows 11 was announced in 2021, TPM 2.0 is now a standard feature in most modern PCs. This hardware-level chip enhances data security by encrypting and decrypting information, confirming digital signatures, and facilitating various cryptographic operations. Steven Hosking, a senior product manager at Microsoft, stated, “TPM 2.0 plays a crucial role in enhancing identity and data protection on Windows devices, as well as maintaining the integrity of your system.” He noted that TPM 2.0 also future-proofs Windows 11, particularly as AI capabilities evolve.
TPM integrates with several new security features in Windows 11, including Credential Guard, Windows Hello for Business, and BitLocker disk encryption. It also supports Secure Boot, securing the boot process against unauthorized modifications. Hosking asserted that Microsoft views TPM 2.0 as a vital standard for Windows’ future, making it clear that there will be no compromise on hardware requirements. Additionally, Windows 11 requires devices to support virtualization-based security and hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), restricting support to CPUs released from 2018 onward.
While there have been workarounds to run Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, Microsoft has gradually tightened upgrade and setup processes, particularly with the recent 24H2 update. This update has enhanced compatibility checks, prompting some tools to find alternative methods to bypass these requirements. Businesses can also opt for Microsoft’s official Windows 11 LTSC 2024 release, which makes TPM optional while still enforcing a list of compatible CPUs.
To encourage Windows 10 users to transition to new PCs, Microsoft has implemented full-screen prompts highlighting the impending end of support for Windows 10. This follows similar strategies used in the past to promote upgrades from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. If you need help with your upgrade or have questions, contact the team at 2W Tech today.
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