Microsoft is once again changing its online support articles about Windows 11. The company recently updated its operating system installation page, removing every official method that let users install Windows 11 on unsupported devices.
Microsoft Drops Instructions for Installing Windows 11 on Unsupported PCs
When Windows 11 launched in 2021, Microsoft offered an official way to install it on devices that did not meet its strict hardware requirements. Four years later, though, Microsoft and its OEM partners increasingly want users to upgrade to new PCs rather than keep running older ones.
Microsoft recently updated its Windows 11 installation article and removed all of the workarounds for bypassing the hardware check. Even so, anyone interested can still find the Registry editing method in archived copies of the page on the Wayback Machine from the Internet Archive.
Windows 11 24H2 Causes Problems - Microsoft Tightens Hardware Checks
The change came right after Microsoft released the Windows 11 24H2 update, which ran into many problems on both older and newer devices. The company continues to insist that the Windows 11 system requirements will not change, stressing the important role of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and newer-generation CPUs in strengthening operating system security.
Despite Microsoft's tougher stance, many users still rely on third-party tools such as Rufus and Ventoy to skip the hardware check, which makes installing Windows 11 easier, even on modern systems. Businesses are also reported to be using these methods to deploy the operating system across a wide range of devices.
Windows 10 Nears End of Support, and Microsoft Pushes Users Toward Windows 11
Microsoft recommends buying a new computer for anyone who wants the full set of Windows 11 features and improvements. Windows 10 will officially reach end of support on October 14, 2025, but businesses can keep receiving security updates through the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) edition - though it is fairly expensive.
Even with Microsoft's push for Windows 11, most users are still sticking with Windows 10. That suggests the move to the new operating system is slower than the company expected. Analysts predict that as Windows 10 gradually reaches the end of its support life, the PC market will see a major wave of upgrades, giving Microsoft a chance to raise the share of Windows 11 users.
