Why does Windows 11 need secure boot

Edwin · Jan 1, 2022

barman58 said:
Create a shortcut to this forums main page and add it to the default desktop on all of their systems, make sure you name it "FREE Windows help" That should work

jaree1961 · Jan 1, 2022

Yes, everyone has their own ideas of why Microsoft stated Windows 11 would need its new minimum requirements (Secure boot capable, TPM, etc etc).
Yes, we all know that it can be installed on incompatible systems, even Microsoft have acknowledged that.
Is Windows 11 better for this new criteria???? IMO - yes it is.

When asked, I like to compare it to household electrical wiring.
In very basic terms (depending where you live), house wiring uses an active, neutral and earth wiring setup with circuit breakers and earth leakage device to make it safe as possible.
Can it work without circuit breakers, earth leakage and an earth wire, yes it can, but is it safe - hell NO.
Just because things can work without the recommended criteria, does not mean it is just as secure or safe :)

barman58 · Jan 1, 2022

Edwin said:
View attachment 17413

11 Forum without the S

tinmar49 · Jan 1, 2022

Secure boot is not needed if you never connect your pc to the internet.

Edwin · Jan 1, 2022

barman58 said:
11 Forum without the S

I didn't create the favicon! Blame John or Google! :wink:

Dru2 · Jan 1, 2022

It's the mindset - asking some stranger online to help with your computer. Especially for a novice. And the answers can be daunting.

BunnyJ · Jan 1, 2022

spapakons said:
The point is as we could install Windows Vista back then to computers without a supported graphics card, we can install Windows 11 today on computers without UEFI, TPM or Secure Boot.

Why would you install a totally unsupported OS for?

Winuser · Jan 1, 2022

Dru2 said:
It's the mindset - asking some stranger online to help with your computer. Especially for a novice. And the answers can be daunting.

I think you are correct. @Wynona is someone they know and trust. We are strangers and they might feel embarrassed to ask a stranger for help.

BunnyJ · Jan 1, 2022

Dru2 said:
Never had that issue. Then as I said I built a Vista PC with new hardware (and software).

My issue was with the audio card..

Winuser · Jan 1, 2022

BunnyJ said:
Why would you install a totally unsupported OS for?

I would only recommend it someone who wanted to test Win 11 and knows enough about computers that they aren't going to panic if they run into any problems.

BunnyJ · Jan 1, 2022

Winuser said:
I would only recommend it someone who wanted to test Win 11 and knows enough about computers that they aren't going to panic if they run into any problems.

I was talking about any pre Win10 os.. why??

Winuser · Jan 1, 2022

BunnyJ said:
I was talking about any pre Win10 os.. why??

And I agree. Unless someone knows what they are doing and for test purposes there is no reason to install an unsupported OS.

cereberus · Jan 1, 2022

Wynona said:
My students all know this forum exists, but so far, I've failed to convince any of them to join up. They prefer to ask me, rather than look things up for themselves.

I'm trying to figure out ways to "nicely" tell them to "look it up for yourself".

I was mentoring some young engineers, helping them to solve an issue. One of my principal engineers asked if I could help him. I said sure and went to his pc and typed "www.google.co.uk" and said "there you go". The rest of my team fell about laughing.

spapakons · Jan 1, 2022

BunnyJ said:
Why would you install a totally unsupported OS for?

Don't exaggerate. Windows 11 is not totally unsupported for older systems. This would mean it cannot be installed at all, that there would be no workaround. Our old computers work perfectly with Windows 11, exactly the same, if not better with Windows 10. Unsupported here means Microsoft has the right to deny assistance. Not that it doesn't run at all. As for why, for the same reason one installs Windows 11 on an officially supported system. We want the latest and newest operating system, plus we like the new look. It is nicer than the flat lame interface of Windows 10.

Edwin · Jan 1, 2022

BunnyJ said:
I was referring to OS's like Xp,,7 that aren't supported. The question is why would anyone want to install them??

For the same reason buddy takes his '57 Chevy for a spin when he's got a brand new Mercedes sittin in the driveway! :wink:

BunnyJ · Jan 1, 2022

Edwin said:
For the same reason buddy takes his '57 Chevy for a spin when he's got a brand new Mercedes sittin in the driveway!

Well.. the '57 Chevy is a legend.. more so than Win Xp or 7..

Zardoc · Jan 1, 2022

Why Win 11? I call it the need for speed :woozy:

Like a 57 chevy with an LS 7 High performance chassis, killer suspension t56 6speed. Same body but way better cruising.

Sorry, thought I was in the car forum.

Wynona · Jan 1, 2022

barman58 said:
Create a shortcut to this forums main page and add it to the default desktop on all of their systems, make sure you name it "FREE Windows help" That should work

Sounds good, Nigel! I think I'll do that.

Wynona · Jan 1, 2022

spapakons said:
Don't exaggerate. Windows 11 is not totally unsupported for older systems. This would mean it cannot be installed at all, that there would be no workaround. Our old computers work perfectly with Windows 11, exactly the same, if not better with Windows 10. Unsupported here means Microsoft has the right to deny assistance. Not that it doesn't run at all. As for why, for the same reason one installs Windows 11 on an officially supported system. We want the latest and newest operating system, plus we like the new look. It is nicer than the flat lame interface of Windows 10.

I have taken your post and numbered the various comments for clarity.

1. Windows 11 is not totally unsupported for older systems.

As far as Microsoft is concerned, Windows 11 is totally unsupported for older systems that do not pass the PC Health Check for Windows 11. Run into trouble with Windows 11 on a system that doesn't pass the PC Health Check, ask Microsoft for help and see what they tell you.

2. This would mean it cannot be installed at all, that there would be no workaround.

Not true. There are legacy OSes that can still be installed which are totally unsupported by Microsoft. And yeah, Windows 11 can be installed on a computer that doesn't pass the PC Health Check; however, it is totally unsupported by Microsoft. (refer to #1 above).

3. Our old computers work perfectly with Windows 11, exactly the same, if not better with Windows 10.

This is a matter of opinion. Whether Windows 11 will run on a computer that doesn't pass the PC Health Check is a tossup. It may or may not install. It may or may not work properly. Read through the threads here and you will find numerous occasions where the OP cannot install or control Windows 11 on his/her legacy hardware.

4. Unsupported here means Microsoft has the right to deny assistance. Not that it doesn't run at all.

Not true. Unsupported here means Microsoft will deny assistance without the security requirements listed in the PC Health Check.

5. As for why, for the same reason one installs Windows 11 on an officially supported system.

Could be, but not necessarily. I have a laptop that isn't up to par for Windows 11, so it will never see that OS. If none of my computers would support Windows 11, I would stay with Windows 10 and save my pennies for a system that would.

6. We want the latest and newest operating system, plus we like the new look. It is nicer than the flat lame interface of Windows 10.

Yep, I want the latest and greatest, but that's not to say I will like it when I get it. I and a few gazillion others absolutely hated Windows 8 and didn't actually much care for Windows 8.1 when Microsoft finally started to listen to us.

Not everyone likes the new look of Windows 11 (I am one of those). I like the Windows 10 interface much better than Windows 11. The user interface of Windows 11 is a minor distraction, though, when compared to the latest security measures Microsoft has included. I am testing Windows 11 because of the enhanced security.

Please don't put me and others into the category of "everyone loves it because you say so". Especially since you advocate so adamantly that we should defy common sense and install Windows 11 on a system that doesn't pass Microsoft's PC Health Check.

Lastly, no one should encourage anyone less savvy to put Windows 11 onto a system that doesn't pass the PC Health Check. Even if asked, this is not something any reputable Computer Repair Service would do. If he/she installs Windows 11 on inadequate and less secure hardware, It speaks volumes to me.

spapakons · Jan 2, 2022

Microsoft want us to believe that installing Windows 11 on our unsupported machines will make them full of viruses, crash every single second or even explode on our faces. Common sense says this is not the case. Nothing bad will happen to our computers and we won't get any viruses if we keep our antivirus updated and use our brains when online. Also a professional should assure potential customers that it's possible to install Windows 11 on their unsupported machines with some security compromises. He also must stress that these security compromises won't be a big deal if they use their brains when online. Common sense. If the professional does the mistake to scare them away from Windows 11, someone else will surely help them and he will soon lose most of his customers.
VERY stupid if you ask me. About official Microsoft support, most of us don't give a damn as they rarely help us solve our issues. Forums like this are much faster and much helpful. Who cares about Microsoft? Me not.