Windows 11 release date is just around the corner but it seems like your PC won’t make a cut. Here’s why.
If you are excited about the Windows 11 release date which is just around the corner, then there is news that is going to shower on your parade. While you are ready and prepared for Windows 11 download, your PC might not be. Or at least Microsoft says so. Windows 11 installation will require certain hardware requirements for security that your PC might not support. Let’s dive into the details.
Leaving Millions of PCs Behind
It has taken Microsoft more than 6 years to introduce a new version of Windows but the technology giant has confused and even annoyed millions of users around the world by not clearly outlining the requirements. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 will be compatible with Intel 8th generation and AMD’s Zen 2 CPUs and up, which will leave tens of millions of PCs and laptops behind that are currently running Windows 10.
It comes as a surprise because most of the machines are perfectly capable of running Windows 11. However, according to the operating system distributor, Windows 11 will require TPM 2.0 which is basically a Trusted Platform Module, a minimum of 64 GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM. In the past, Microsoft’s requirements have been quite modest as Windows 10 only required a 1 GHz processor, 16 GB of storage, and just 1 GB of RAM.
That’s why individuals, as well as commercial users, have now become accustomed to migrating to the latest version of the operating system regardless of the hardware they are running. Unfortunately, it appears that’s about to change with Windows 11.
What Seems to Be the Problem?
After a series of announcements in June, Microsoft once again tried to issue a clarification about its hardware requirements. So far, it seems that Microsoft is attempting to enforce hardware-enabled security through TPM 2.0. Apart from the hardware requirements, Microsoft wants to switch to a more secure and feature-rich BIOS (UEFI) that offers support for TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.
Combining TPM 2.0 with some of the virtualization innovations that Microsoft has implemented in its latest operating system, there is an obvious security advantage. According to the tech giant, through the deployment of a multi-pronged security process that includes Device Encryption, Windows Hello, hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), virtualization, and Secure Boot, malware attacks can be reduced by 60%.
However, you will require the latest hardware to ensure all of the aforementioned protections are enabled. Microsoft has enforced the TPM requirement since the release of Windows 10 for those OEMs who want to acquire Windows certification. But Microsoft has never had a history of forcing commercial and individual users to enable the technology.
The decision to enforce Secure Boot and TPM comes at a time when Windows is at a crossroads. Microsoft’s operating system has always been on the receiving end of malware and ransomware attacks but in the last couple of years, especially during the pandemic, things have gotten worse for the software giant. That’s why Microsoft is now taking drastic steps to ensure a high level of security.
What Does This Mean for the Users?
Let’s face it, the balance of freedom and security offered by Windows is what makes it a viable option for millions of consumers and businesses. Although Microsoft has removed these Windows 11 requirement conditions for the preview of the operating system, we still don’t know which devices will make a cut during the final Windows 11 update. Microsoft attempted to bring more clarity to the subject but they were still short on details. According to a blog post published by the Windows team,
“As we release to Windows Insiders and partner with our OEMs, we will test to identify devices running on Intel 7th generation and AMD Zen 1 that may meet our principles. We also know that devices running on Intel 6th generation and AMD pre-Zen will not meet Microsoft’s minimum system requirements,”
While it’s promising that Microsoft is making way for the 7th generation processors, it is still not clear why they have chosen to skip the sixth generation line of Intel processors. Many industry analysts believe that it has something to do with Meltdown and Spectre, two of the most glaring processor security vulnerabilities that have an impact on all the devices made during the last 2 decades.
Many critics have noted that if Microsoft mandates the hardware changes, this will lead to unnecessary e-waste as most consumers and businesses will have no option but to upgrade their machines to run Windows 11. The complicated nature of UEFI and TPM 2.0 is also being discussed by IT professionals as most of the devices are not ready to use these technologies.
Difference Between Apple And Microsoft
This move from Microsoft is particularly relevant as Apple also announced its security-oriented macOS Monterey. The update will be compatible with Mac Minis from late 2014 and Mac Pros from late 2013 and beyond.
While Apple doesn’t need to ensure support for virtually countless hardware configurations, it’s still enabling compatibility for the systems that are almost 8 years old. On the other hand, Microsoft’s requirements will force consumers to replace their PCs that are as new as 3 years old or stick with Windows 10.
If your PC doesn’t meet the requirements, one option you do have is to run Windows 11 on a virtual machine. The document highlighting Microsoft Windows 11’s minimum requirements says that,
“Windows 11 does not apply the hardware-compliance check for virtualized instances either during setup or upgrade.”
It goes without saying that this won’t be a viable option for an overwhelming majority of the operating system users. Not to mention, this will also require more hardware resources to deliver a smoother and seamless experience.
Final Word
Microsoft will still be testing Windows 11 for the next few months and the company has been known to take feedback into account. Will the current backlash compel Microsoft to revisit its decisions about the Windows 11 requirements? That’s yet to be seen.