Microsoft added some i7 CPUs to Windows 11 compatibly list

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[Alex5723]

Update on Windows 11 minimum system requirements and the PC Health Check app

Following the results of our testing, we are making a small number of additions to the compatible processor list (explained further below), but otherwise will maintain the minimum system requirements as originally set…

We did identify a set of PC models that meet the principles while running on Intel 7th Gen processors that we did not originally include in our minimum system requirements. Based on those findings, we have expanded the list of compatible 64-bit processors to include the following:

Intel® Core™ X-series, Xeon® W-series
Intel® Core™ 7820HQ (only select devices that shipped with modern drivers based on Declarative, Componentized, Hardware Support Apps (DCH) design principles, including Surface Studio 2)
After carefully analyzing the first generation of AMD Zen processors in partnership with AMD, together we concluded that there are no additions to the supported CPU list. ..

• This topic was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by Alex5723.

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No numbers how many more devices will thus become ‘eligible’.

Anyone else suspect this is on the cards to be an even bigger flop than Windows ME, Vista or Windows 8 (not 8.1) with only 2 months before release?

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A flop in what respect? Fewer people to upgrade to it? The vast majority, by far, of Windows users get a new version of Windows when they get a new machine. That won’t change.

I’m confident that some industrious user will figure out a way around limits for older CPUs. At some point, drivers will not be produced that supports older hardware on Windows 11.

What would you propose as a cutoff?

--Joe

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joep517 wrote:

The vast majority, by far, of Windows users get a new version of Windows when they get a new machine.

New machines will obviously come with the newest version of Windows for the general public (although many business purchasers used the option of Windows 7 over Windows 8 which many companies just skipped). Microsoft licensing for the major manufacturers (Dell, HP, etc.) makes it difficult otherwise.

However, how likely is it the general public will buy new just to get the latest? It’s not. They usually buy because they have to, not because they want to. We already know from posts here and on other forums the interest in how to update older machines to Windows 10.

The link you posted from Neowin shows a path for enthusiasts to upgrade – those with both technical chops and willingness to use an unsupported version of Windows… much like the Windows 7 diehards who now have to jump through hoops to keep going.

I don’t propose any cutoff. I was merely expressing an opinion about a new version of Windows that appears to offer little benefit so far but, at a stroke, appears it will prevent the majority of Windows users from actually upgrading to it. It will be interesting to read the regular surveys that watch usage by platform.

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I would have to agree.  I have a Dell Precision M3800 with the same CPU.  First, for credibility, I’ve been in IT for 40 years, in the trenches working on PCs, Servers, networks, minis and mainframes., so yes, I’m qualified to have an opinion. I’m still supporting clients that have a large number of computers which are fully serviceable but don’t meet the Gen 8  requirements.  I believe that Microsoft is making another “swing generation” flop.  So much for the “Windows 10 will be the last generation of Windows”, they started excluding functionality by release, which is even dumber when the releases are auto-pushed. If you can’t release an OS that will run on recent generations of machines (although possibly excluding some features), you’re useless.  As with most Microsoft OS upgrades, the potential benefits are mostly accruing to MS sales and marketing.  My belief is that the exclusion of recent model machines being supported, the constant irritation of change for the sake of change (and marketing), and last but far from least, the spiking of inflation verging on depression and market stagnation is going to force both individual and corporate austerity measures that will not be conducive to generating the required numbers for feasibility.  I expect a long Windows 10 drag-on together with concession bridges between the two OS’s or a sudden “New” OS release that will be more inclusive.

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Windows 10 is definitely going to have a long “drag-on” with me.  I have a desktop and a notebook.  The desktop has the i7-7700k (not supported), the notebook has an 8th gen processor and it IS supported. Soooooo, I will upgrade neither machine to Windows 11, I’ll simply stick with Win-10 on both.

Companies like Google and Microsoft (and others) should be punished for these decisions that attempt to send perfectly usable electronics to the landfill.

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See Microsoft leaves a loophole for enthusiasts to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware – Neowin for information on installing on unsupported hardware.

--Joe

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Rick Corbett wrote:

how likely is it the general public will buy new just to get the latest?

Given the rate people purchase new things to replace older but still perfectly good things – phones and cars come to mind – I’d say it’s very likely.

cheers, Paul

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Paul T wrote:

Given the rate people purchase new things to replace older but still perfectly good things – phones and cars come to mind – I’d say it’s very likely.

So far it just looks like a UI change with nothing innovative like moving from 4G to 5G or to hybrid/electric propulsion. Will people really be that easily fooled?

I’m wondering how it’s going to be advertised.

Now more restrictive than ever before!

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Whilst I decided to opt out of any further testing of Windows 11, I’m still a lurker about Windows 11 posts.

For a so-called ‘major’ OS revision, the flurry of ‘not working’ posts just 2 months short of global rollout makes we wonder how ‘gold’ the RTM version is going to be.

Good luck, early adopters.

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Now that I have finally become comfortable and confident using Windows 10 Home version 21H1 (latest updates) on my three and a half year old HP-Omen Intel Core i7 -7700HQ laptop and feel that I can finally trust Microsoft not to change any of my settings and parameters without my permission, I am sort of glad that my device is not on their list of “qualifying” devices. I’ll just continue with what I have and the upgrades and updates provided by Microsoft for the next five years, if the laptop lasts that long, given the workout Microsoft gives its processor by running so many system applications simultaneously right after boot-up, even when a cumulative update is also being installed at the same time. I plan on purchasing two new desktop computers sometime in the next two to three years to replace my two eight year old Windows 7 x64 SP1 4th Generation Haswell chipset machines and will look at Windows 11 when I get them.

 

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Paul Boyd, wavy

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Your laptop CPU is very close to my desktop Intel Core i7-7700K. Our CPUs are next to each other in Microsoft’s list of supported CPUs. Yet when I run the PC Health Check, it says my CPU is not ready. Seems odd to me. Oh well, I don’t plan on upgrading until about a year after the Win11 rollout; maybe never since they will support Win10 for four more years.

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Microsoft let now Windows 11 installation on unsupported hardware using ISO with no security updates.

Microsoft Keeps Windows 11 Hardware Requirements, But Will Placate Enthusiasts

..Behind the scenes, Microsoft will allow enthusiasts who wish to upgrade non-compliant older PCs to Windows 11 to do so. These upgrades will not be officially supported, but those who wish to manually upgrade a PC to Windows 11, either by keeping it in the Windows Insider Program or by manually creating Windows 11 install media with the Media Creation Tool, will be allowed to do so. (This might be seen as similar to the quiet but ongoing ability to use a Windows 7 or newer product key to clean install and activate Windows 10.)..

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Alex5723 wrote:

with no security updates.

Paul Thurrott: My guess is that all future updates will be installable normally

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b wrote:

Alex5723 wrote:

with no security updates.

Paul Thurrott: My guess is that all future updates will be installable normally

Report: Windows 11 on unsupported PCs means no security updates either

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When you finally get to the article Microsoft is threatening to withhold Windows 11 updates if your CPU is old – The Verge that is kinda wishy washy to me and still sounds speculative.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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wavy

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If they allow upgrades to Win11, and don’t allow security updates for Win11, they are inviting major security problems (maybe worldwide) IMHO.

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wavy

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hmm..yep by editing esd/wim files and substituting registry edits doesn’t  bode well..historical OS de-ja-vu, all over again, only ends in a nuke of the edited OS when things go pete tong..

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

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Don’t see the point of W11 when the GUI of W10 can be manipulated to suite and both W10/11 will both be 21H2 anyway with slight differences. Might as well edit the GUI of W10 and be done with it, then use your sub-par (perfectly adequate) W11 hardware to continue the status quo. Alternatively, go purchase another device, wintel anyone?

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

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PKCano wrote:

If they allow upgrades to Win11, and don’t allow security updates for Win11, they are inviting major security problems (maybe worldwide) IMHO.

By your logic Microsoft should shutdown, remotely (they can) every Windows XP, Vista, 7 (with no ESU) due to major security problems.

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That is not what PK said (or implied) at all.

cheers, Paul

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PKCano

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Does anyone know when Windows 11 will be available for Microsoft Surface Studio 2? Microsoft has said it is a supported platform, but the only way available (so far) to install it is via the “un-supported platform” method.

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From Which Surface devices can be upgraded to Windows 11? (microsoft.com)

“That means new eligible Surface devices will be offered the upgrade. The upgrade to Windows 11 will then continue to roll out over time to other existing Surface devices based on hardware eligibility, reliability metrics, the age of your Surface, and other factors that impact the upgrade experience. If you have a Windows 10 PC that’s eligible for the upgrade to Windows 11, Windows Update will let you know when it’s available. You can also check on your own by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.”

In other words, when Microsoft deems it ready.

 

--Joe

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Well I don’t know precisely where I stand on this, I’m not mad keen to upgrade to Win 11 right now but I’d like to think I’d be able to.

So I have a desktop which I assembled myself less than 2 years ago, it has an i9-9900K CPU which is on the official Win 11 support list, and yet when I run the PC Health check it specifically identifies the CPU as being the reason my machine cannot run Windows 11. What gives, Microsoft?

cheers
T

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Test Windows 11 compatibility with portable app WhyNotWin11.

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aquatarkus

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Thanks, this test green-zones the CPU but says TPM  is not enabled on the motherboard.

My motherboard is a ROG STRIX Z390-F, and it looks like there’s a BIOS setting to enable TPM (although I can also see quite a few users reporting boot errors after enabling it, so I’m not going to change it right now).

But I’m glad to see my hardware isn’t obsolete already.

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