Solved CPU not compatible with Windows 11

mecanicogolf · Nov 12, 2021

Hello to all,

I am currently running Windows 11 on my early 2017 HP ENVY with Intel i5 Core 7200U@2.50 GHz Kaby Lake. According to Microsoft, I"m doing a no-no because even though I qualify for everything else on their check-off list, my CPU does not. I installed it way back when it first came out and it's running better than Win 10 did on my PC.
It updates just fine, even with the Windows Insider builds (Release Preview only). CPU and RAM are doing just the same as when I was on Win 10 and, of course, I do no gaming. Never did, never will.
I have been searching the web for answers to one question: What could happen, if anything, in the long run to my PC that Microsoft has shut out from their list of CPU's? Is it only a security issue? Is it non-compatible with any programs? Are there any I can't use because of my CPU?
In other words: Why has this particular CPU left out from the list and what is it that it doesn't have that the rest do?
I personnaly see no difference to speed and managing of the system, on the contrary, as I stated before, it's running like a champ.

djg145 · Nov 12, 2021

Hello,

I have also been told my CPU/Processor isnt upto it!

It is telling me, after the latest update for Windows 10, that my computer is not able to take Windows 11.
It says my Processor/ CPU is not supported.
So I looked into this further
The MInimum requirements for Windows 11 are:
1 Ghz or faster - mine is 3 GHz (does the 'H' or 'h' mean something)
Number of cores 2 or more - mine is 4
RAM 4GB - mine is 8GB
Storage 64 GB - mine is 1000 GB
What exactly am I NOT above the minimum requirements???
Or do Microsoft just want people to buy new computers?
That will be good for the planet!!!

Bree · Nov 12, 2021

mecanicogolf said:
Why has this particular CPU left out from the list and what is it that it doesn't have that the rest do?

djg145 said:
What exactly am I NOT above the minimum requirements???

The minimum processor requirements for Windows 11 are there to ensure the processor supports the latest security functions. These functions are only available in 8th generation or newer Intel processors, and there's a similar age restriction for AMD processors.

Windows processor requirements Windows 11 supported Intel processors

This specification details the Intel processors that can be used with Windows 11 customer systems that include Windows products, including custom images.

docs.microsoft.com

Windows processor requirements Windows 11 supported AMD processors

This specification details the AMD processors that can be used with Windows 11 customer systems that include Windows products, including custom images.

docs.microsoft.com

At present, W11 doesn't use any of those functions and will run happily on almost any processor, but that may change in the future. If/when it does then W11 may at worst stop working on unsupported devices, or at best no longer get any updates.

Microsoft said:
The following disclaimer applies if you install Windows 11 on a device that doesn't meet the minimum system requirements:

This PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements for running Windows 11 - these requirements help ensure a more reliable and higher quality experience. Installing Windows 11 on this PC is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates. Damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren't covered under the manufacturer warranty.

Installing Windows 11 on devices that don't meet minimum system requirements - Microsoft Support

Learn what to do when you see a warning message that your device does not meet Windows 11 minimum system requirements to upgrade.

support.microsoft.com

clam1952 · Nov 12, 2021

For the moment unsupported CPUs work, although it's at your own risk, they may not once applications and the Operating system starts to make use of the new features, security or otherwise in the supported CPUs which may be soon or it may be a few years away, it may never happen, nobody knows other than probably Microsoft.

mecanicogolf · Nov 12, 2021

Until that date arrives, I'll keep Win 11 and then when I see it stop getting updates, I'll roll back to Win 10.
As you stated, It's running very happily on this version and I like the feel of 11.

win 10

mecanicogolf · Nov 12, 2021

clam1952 said:
For the moment unsupported CPUs work, although it's at your own risk, they may not once applications and the Operating system starts to make use of the new features, security or otherwise in the supported CPUs which may be soon or it may be a few years away, it may never happen, nobody knows other than probably Microsoft.

So it looks like a future thing more than a present. I know a lot of people in my position that are running just fine with 11. Only the future will tell then.

tinmar49 · Nov 12, 2021

My laptop is also one of many unsupported, everything is ok but the i3 is only 6th gen. I will be leaving it on W10 as I have already got 2 desktops which qualify, one already on W11. Fortunately there are 4 years before W10 gets the heave-ho.

mecanicogolf · Nov 12, 2021

I;ll cross that bridge when it's time.

tomdsr · Nov 13, 2021

Bree said:
Installing Windows 11 on devices that don't meet minimum system requirements - Microsoft Support

Learn what to do when you see a warning message that your device does not meet Windows 11 minimum system requirements to upgrade.

support.microsoft.com

Scare tactics is what that is. 99.9% scare tactics.

If you proceed with installing Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates.

Damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren't covered under the manufacturer warranty.

The yellow is the little push to scare you and the red is the big push to scare you. Why scare you? To get you to buy new hardware. Microsoft doesnt make much for hardware (besides consoles, keyboards, mice, and webcams), but they do get kickbacks (cut of license sales) from OEM's and system builders.

You said:

At present, W11 doesn't use any of those functions and will run happily on almost any processor, but that may change in the future. If/when it does then W11 may at worst stop working on unsupported devices, or at best no longer get any updates.

Microsoft will not:
Brick your system
Leave people completely vulnerable ass hanging in the wind (big security holes). Even 7 gets them still occasionaly.

Why wont they? Microsoft is a business, and if even a few thousand pc's stopped working cause they brick unsupported software configs, or leave people vulnerable, they know that would be corporate suicide. Simple as that. They can make updates and code that knows what this or that hardware can do and use.

All of us on 11 legit will be secure and more stable most likely, but i dont see them biting the hand that feeds them.

Bree · Nov 13, 2021

tomdsr said:
Scare tactics is what that is. 99.9% scare tactics.
..
Microsoft will not:
Brick your system
Leave people completely vulnerable ass hanging in the wind (big security holes). Even 7 gets them still occasionaly.

No, Windows 7 has had no updates for the OS since January 2020, not unless you paid an annual fee for the Extended Security Updates (ESU). What updates it does still get are NOT for Windows 7 itself, they are for the Malicious Software Removal Tool and MSE/Defender virus definitions. I know that to be a fact, I have 3 machines still running 7.

Should MS decide they need to use code in W11 that requires CPU functions not available in an unsupported processor then, by issuing their disclaimer, they have reserved the right to stop providing cumulative update to such machines. That is the risk you need to be aware of when running 11 on an unsupported machine.

ThrashZone · Nov 13, 2021

mecanicogolf said:
Until that date arrives, I'll keep Win 11 and then when I see it stop getting updates, I'll roll back to Win 10.
As you stated, It's running very happily on this version and I like the feel of 11.

win 10

Hi,
Yep all four of my 11 installs are hopping over all new requirements
Only two have supported cpu's but I hopped over the checks anyway.

ThrashZone · Nov 13, 2021

Hi,
Yeah that's funny ms talks about manufacture warranties being void on old hardware
Warranties are only 2-3 years so any old systems warranty would of passed long before win-11 appeared lol

clam1952 · Nov 13, 2021

There are still sites companies and such selling old hardware as new or refurbished with warrenties, where this might well be relevant.

SlicEnDicE · Nov 13, 2021

ThrashZone said:
Hi,
Yeah that's funny ms talks about manufacture warranties being void on old hardware
Warranties are only 2-3 years so any old systems warranty would of passed long before win-11 appeared lol

I still have 3 years of warranty on my laptop, and it is not supported by Windows 11...

ThrashZone · Nov 13, 2021

clam1952 said:
There are still sites companies and such selling old hardware as new or refurbished with warrenties, where this might well be relevant.

Hi,
Os's don't break hardware unless it's overheating which is a defective cooling system any os would do this so not 11 exclusive

Last I checked borked os is not a warranty claim seeing they usually have system restore/ reset back to which ever os it came with.

Only exception would be bitlocker crappy out a hdd or ssd.

barman58 · Nov 13, 2021

Also there are companies with stocks of PCs sold as New which actually contain older processors not on the compatible list. I purchased for business for a long time and it was normal to purchase a device that is sufficient for the task at hand, not the latest hardware for the sake of it,

These older design devices are also sold on the consumer market, especially as budget or special offer - and let's be realistic, these are companies that will reduce their support budget to an absolute minimum as standard, so not supporting a device changed form how it was sold, including the OS gives then an easy legal out :wink:

ThrashZone · Nov 13, 2021

Hi,
This ms stuff is just security risk disclaimer from ransomware/... so another legal out as barman describes

mecanicogolf · Nov 13, 2021

Well, I hope if MS does start to act on these security measures, they will alert us so as we can revert back to Win 10.

Porthos · Nov 13, 2021

mecanicogolf said:
Well, I hope if MS does start to act on these security measures, they will alert us so as we can revert back to Win 10.

Of course they probably will not say a thing. The system will stop updating or bluescreen and not boot. Then users who usually do not keep frequent backups will be scrambling to recover their files and whining on help forums for assistance.
Part of me is just hoping that is the case so some of us can say we told you so. You ignored MS's warning so here you are.
And then it may not happen for a few years and the hardware that it is on might of failed by then and has already been replaced with compatible hardware anyway.

djg145 · Nov 13, 2021

So Microsoft are doing their bit to 'save the planet' by forcing people - if they want Windows 11 - to throw their almost new computers on the tip.
Great job Microsoft great job.