Should I switch to Windows 11 because my CPU isn't compatible? (CPU: Intel i7-6700k 6th gen)
Should I switch to Windows 11 because my CPU isn't compatible? (CPU: Intel i7-6700k 6th gen)
Hello! Like I said on the title , my cpu Intel i7-6700k (6th gen) is not supported for windows 11 and normally I wouldn't mind staying to windows 10.. but I read that after
October 14 2025
, Microsoft will no longer release security updates for windows 10. I was thinking to format my PC anyway so I thought maybe I should try windows 11 with Rufus ( By pass the requirements of windows 11 with Rufus ) . So I did some research and the most common answer was that even with an unsupportive cpu, it's fine to upgrade to windows 11 and in most cases you won't even see the difference but just in case I should back up my files. So... Is it "safe" to update to windows 11 with a cpu that is not supported ? and what's the worst that can happen if I update? By the way this is my full PC Build:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/p9FPMV
Certain future updates for Windows 11 might render unsupported CPUs inoperable with the operating system. These components have been marked as unsupported, and if this occurs, there would be no recourse. It is advisable to remain on Windows 10 and ensure your antivirus software is current. If you plan to switch to Windows 11, obtain compatible hardware.
I've looked into it and noticed some users use Rufus to skip certain Windows 11 requirements. It's pretty straightforward. (check the image) Right now, I'm considering upgrading to Windows 11, hoping Microsoft won't block these shortcuts and updates stop coming. If that doesn't happen, I might need to upgrade my PC. What do you think could go wrong if I switch?
Certain future updates for Windows 11 might render unsupported CPUs non-functional with the operating system. These components have been marked as unsupported, and if this occurs, there would be no recourse. It is advisable to remain on Windows 10 and ensure your antivirus remains current. If you plan to switch to Windows 11, obtain compatible hardware.
Yeah... I almost missed it. I was wondering about that. Exactly what makes something unusable here? Will I be stuck with no CPU at all? Or will I lose Windows 11 and have to switch back to Windows 10?
Probably this - full reinstall back to windows 10.
If you have enough space on your drives, you could install windows 11 on a different partition.
When/if some future update breaks compatibility, you could easy return back to using windows 10.
Keep some cash handy, repurpose your DDR4 setup, and switch to a Ryzen 5000 or 12th gen Intel platform. This will bring a substantial improvement, ensuring smooth Windows compatibility. Even a modest i3 12100 offers notable gains compared to your existing processor.