Napier Lopez is an American writer. He is interested in tech, science and photography and he likes to yo yo (show all). Napier Lopez is a New York City-based writer. He is interested in all things tech-related, including science and photography, and enjoys yo-yoing in his spare time. Follow him on Twitter
The confusing upgrade policy was a major problem in the Windows 11 announcement. Although it would be a free upgrade to Windows 10, not all PCs would be capable of running it. We are not talking about old, beige PCs. There are also some older PCs that can run the Surface Studio 2. Worse, Microsoft did not make clear which PCs were compatible with the OS. Only specs and age seemed to be enough to determine the truth.
It was, in short, a disaster.
Microsoft has now clarified the situation and made it official. It appears that Windows 11 can be installed on any PC capable of running Windows 10. This might be difficult for you.
Anyone with an official compatible PC can install Windows 11 through a simple update. However, users who want to upgrade their PC on non-supported hardware will need to use the Windows 11 ISO file.
This is a throwback and involves installing the ISO on an external drive. For nostalgia, you can even burn Windows 11 onto a CD.
This may not seem like a major problem for PC enthusiasts who have been around for a while, but it is extremely annoying for anyone else.
Nevertheless, you still have the option.
It's better than nothing and likely a relief to those who bought or built specced-out PCs in the past few years. Many older desktops can run faster than modern laptops and they should be able to access Microsoft's latest and greatest.
It's not all good news. Microsoft clarified later that it may withhold updates for devices using older hardware, including new drivers.
It would surprise me if this threat came true. As The Verge points out, it would create a mess for all those who install Windows 11 on old hardware. This is more likely a risk thing. However, if you choose to do a manual installation, it's important to be aware of the potential danger.
Microsoft has updated its guidance regarding official compatibility. It added a few CPU models previously incompatible (such the ones in Surface Studio 2). Microsoft is updating the PC Health Check app to give more information on why your device is not supported. The new app will be available in the coming weeks.
It is worth noting that Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 users until October 14, 2025.
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