Microsoft is considering reducing processor requirements for computers running Windows 11

Minnews ^ | October 16, 2021 | Lets Go Brandon

[fireman15]

Microsoft recently announced Windows 11 and revealed the system requirements necessary to formally install the new operating system using Windows Update, media creation tools, and update assistants. According to Microsoft's supporting documents and the spokesperson's statement, the device must have a newer processor, TPM 2.0 encryption chip, and SecureBoot enabled to fully run the operating system.

Microsoft is considering reducing processor requirements for computers running Windows 11

　　TPM 2.0 has been included in many devices shipped in the past few years, but it is disabled by default. Users can enable TPM 2.0 in the BIOS, or bypass this restriction by modifying the registry or installation media.

　　Simply put, if you have a device that was shipped before 2017, your device is most likely not eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade. Microsoft has confirmed that users can only upgrade if they have Intel's eighth-generation Core chips or newer models. For AMDPC, at least Ryzen 2000 is required.

　　However, if you have a seventh-generation chip, even if it can still run Windows 10 and applications/games smoothly, Windows 11 will not be supported on your device.

　　According to Microsoft, the reason for blocking the old CPU is that the functions of Windows 11 are most suitable for new hardware. Although manual modification of the installation media can allow the new system to be installed on the old chip, the official does not recommend this because the performance or experience may be lower. standard.

　　The chipset requirements are based on the "heap factor". Due to factors such as performance, capacity, quality, and reliability, Microsoft has apparently abandoned support for seventh-generation and older processors. This is to "ensure that everyone has a good experience," wrote Microsoft's project manager Steve Dissensa.

Microsoft is considering reducing processor requirements forcomputers running Windows 11

[fireman15]

I was a little surprised to find that Microsoft was not allowing an update to my computer to Windows 11 through Microsoft Update because it's processor was not on the list. It is 2 years old with a lot of RAM and a fast SSD and the processor is an AMD Ryzen 5, 2500U . Because of its excellent built in GPU the Ryzen handily outperforms its Intel counterpart, an 8th Generation Core i5-8250U in most applications and games where it might matter. But the i5-8250U made the list and my Ryzen did not.

It turned out that despite being a 2nd generation Ryzen Processor with a TPM 2.0 encryption chip, and SecureBoot already enabled, some but not all Ryzen CPUs with Zen 1 cores did not make the list. It is “much ado over nothing” since all that needed to be done to install Windows 11 on my laptop was go to:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Then download the appropriate Windows 11 ISO file available there and install it without using Microsoft Update. In my case no settings needed to be changed or “hacks” had to be installed. And yes, the updates keep coming after installing Windows 11 on a machine with the processor that didn't make the cut when you install it this way... Microsoft just does not put their official blessing on them.

And is it worth it right now... NO, not really. Windows 11 actually disables some features of Windows 10 that some of us like to use. For “security” I suppose. They will probably have most of these issues worked out in a few months. It is typically a headache to be a Microsoft first adopter.

[fireman15]

There are of course in depth discussions on this over at Reddit. Here is a good one:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows11/comments/q5oy76/microsoft_explains_the_new_system_requirements/

[Noumenon]

Wait for the first service pack.

[fireman15]

I forgot to mention that the reason that the Ryzen 2500u probably did not make the cut was because many of them had 15 watt TDP ratings and were installed in tiny thin laptops with poor cooling capacity. Mine is has a 25 watt TDP and has good cooling. It makes a big difference especially when the GPU is running at full capacity.

[fireman15]

Wait for the first service pack.

Now that is always good advice! In my case curiosity often gets the best of me.

[Pollard]

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) technology is designed to provide hardware-based, security-related functions. A TPM chip is a secure crypto-processor that helps you with actions such as generating, storing, and limiting the use of cryptographic keys. Many TPMs include multiple physical security mechanisms to make it tamper resistant, and malicious software is unable to tamper with the security functions of the TPM.

Traditionally, TPMs have been discrete chips soldered to a computer’s motherboard. Such implementations allow you as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to evaluate and certify the TPM separate from the rest of the system. Some newer TPM implementations integrate TPM functionality into the same chipset as other platform components while still providing logical separation similar to discrete TPM chips.

TPMs are passive: they receive commands and return responses. To realize the full benefit of a TPM, you must carefully integrate system hardware and firmware with the TPM to send it commands and react to its responses. TPMs provide security and privacy benefits for system hardware, platform owners, and users.

Before it can be used for advanced scenarios, however, a TPM must be provisioned. Starting with Windows 10, the operating system automatically initializes and takes ownership of the TPM. That means that IT professionals should not have to configure or monitor the system.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-tpm

[Gay State Conservative]

I just got a warning on my desktop that it wasn't fully suited for 11.But that's OK...by the time support for 10 stops I'll be in the nursing home.

[Oystir]

So do you think that the problem with 11 will be that it will make older machines overheat, possibly easily, and shutting down the computer or are they adding some level of “security” that an older computer can’t handle? Thanks.

[fireman15]

I just got a warning on my desktop that it wasn't fully suited for 11.

That is what my computer said as well. That is why it had to be installed using an ISO file instead of using Windows update. On my computer the processor was flagged for reasons not completely understood, since all of the published processor requirements were actually met. And Windows 11 was known to work fine by beta testers using the version with the 25 watt rating.

[fireman15]

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) technology is designed to provide hardware-based, security-related functions.

Yes my laptop already had TPM included and enabled. This was not the issue with my processor or computer, although it could be with other laptops with the same processor.

[BiglyCommentary]

I want/need the ability to to a bare metal restore to another PC. Most of the better backup sw packages provide this capability. Any experience on that if the FROM system was TPM20 with info in HW? Reminds me of iPhone sceens where encr in the home button is linked to the main board. If you replace the sreen with a different home button, the fingerprint functionality goes bye, bye.

[McGruff]

It told me my “device” wasn’t good enough. Screw that.

[fireman15]

So do you think that the problem with 11 will be that it will make older machines overheat.

With older processors and/or chipsets without TPM built into hardware a software emulator will have to be used in Windows 11 which would/will increase processor load considerably and generate more heat. So I am sure this was a consideration.

There are many people here that are more qualified than I am to comment. In general computer operating systems demand more and more power in subsequent generations.

[Revel]

Where are the environmentalist’s? Trashing perfectly good computers at Microsoft’s whim does not make a lot of sense.

[ExTexasRedhead]

I got the same message with a red X. Seeing that message relieved me because I didn’t want Microsoft dumping WIN11 into my computer until all their bugs were fixed which will take months. Perhaps, they expect us to run out and buy new computers? I don’t use even half of the capabilities of my HP desktop that I had built for me.

Lately, all their updates screw something up. Perhaps Microsoft can blame their bugs on Covid or are their techs home with Covid and chimpanzees are working on WIN11?

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

The TPM requirement is behind this. It will allow MS to be like Apple and decide what can run on your system. At first they won’t but that is their plan.

[fireman15]

It told me my “device” wasn't good enough. Screw that.

That is actually a blessing in disguise. And if your processor and/or chipset does not have TPM built in it would make your computer run slow and hot. Fortunately my computer told me the same thing. So instead of allowing Windows Update do the install I had to install from an ISO file. This allowed me to do a clean install to a newly created partition and set up a dual boot. It works OK, but at this time it is not worth the trouble and the space that it takes up on what little I have left on my current SSD.

[Robert DeLong]

Yeah, too early for 11 at least for me. 🙃

[fireman15]

The TPM requirement is behind this.

Yes and no. My computer already has TPM 2.0 included, installed and running in Windows 10. Anyone can check this by typing “tpm.msc” without the quote marks in their Windows 10 search box. It will show the version being used currently.

[McGruff]

I set my Dell PC up with Windows 7 and Windows 10 as dual boot. Windows 7 still works fine for me.