Microsoft causes more issues: Windows 11 won't work on devices with older Intel or Ryzen processors.
Microsoft causes more issues: Windows 11 won't work on devices with older Intel or Ryzen processors.
Yesterday Microsoft removed the soft floors from their support notes and stated that TPM 2.0 is now mandatory instead of 1.2. They also took out the mention of "CPU Generation" from the soft floors section. This change was seen as clarifying that while 8th generation or Ryzen 2000 chips would be needed for a recommended setup, older processors like 6th or 7th generation could still run Windows 11. A Microsoft VP explained that the soft floor requirement has been completely dropped; only 8th generation or newer chips will be supported at launch. Running 7th generation or lower is no longer possible because certain chipset features are missing in those models. The soft floor was originally intended for insider testing during Windows 11 development, but users would have to revert to Windows 10 later. Even if you manage to bypass the TPM 2.0 and 8th Gen/Ryzen 2000 demands now, the final release will not allow it. My take: If you’re using a 7th generation or older device or purchased a Surface Studio before the $3,499 price drop, you’re in trouble.
Yes, the Athlon 3000G handles Windows better than the Ryzen 7 1700X. Reference: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows...processors
Expected updates will likely grow. Windows 11 remains unavailable for general use.
This situation is quite significant, especially given his role as Vice President. It seems he’s pointing out that the upcoming CPUs are being added to the list rather than older models. He clarified that hardware requirements didn’t exist in the 7th generation and before. He also noted Microsoft didn’t mention this during the presentation. It looks like there might be a clever twist here—remembering the "Intel Bridge" that let Android run on Windows? Probably, the missing piece is some virtualization or emulation acceleration built into the chipsets. Microsoft likely received the Intel Bridge in exchange for Android support, and Intel made it easier for everyone to upgrade. What are your thoughts?
It's understandable considering the recent changes they've made; it wouldn't be surprising if things shifted again. I'm skeptical about any hidden agenda pushing users toward upgrades, as my critical perspective would suggest otherwise. My explanation points to hardware protections against exploits such as Spectre and Meltdown, which are now built into newer processors. Since Microsoft has emphasized stronger security in 11, this makes sense. Of course, it would be ideal if Microsoft communicated this more clearly, but issues like Mercedes and Austrian grid penalties remind us that sometimes things feel more about tradition than transparency.
It mainly improved efficiency through a die shrink from 14nm to 12nm, with little change in CPU architecture or performance metrics. The design remains essentially unchanged, so no major adjustments were made that would warrant ending support.
It seems the tweet was probably just a test of Windows 11. The list likely contains results from that trial.
Yeah, we’ve checked the CPU list we shared, but we’re still evaluating additional processors.
Windows 10 remains compatible until 2025. If you purchased a Kaby Lake model in 2017, it would be around eight years old when support ends. You’ll have updated before then. There’s no pressure to upgrade, making these concerns unfounded.