Windows 11 is being offered to unsupported PCs that don’t meet minimum requirements (Update)
An update to Windows 11 will be offered but won’t install on unsupported PCs.
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Update: February 25, 2023 at 1:40 PM
Microsoft confirmed that some devices running Windows 10 were offered an update to Windows 11 despite not being supported. The company hasalready resolved the issuebut the solution can take up to 48 hours to make its way to all affected devices.
What you need to know
Windows 11 has a strict set of minimum requirements that preclude many older PCs, and some newer ones, from installing the OS. But a recent issue causes the operating system to be offered to unsupported PCs. The bug was flagged up by Twitter user@PhantomOfEarthand has also beendiscussed on Reddit.
Based on people’s experiences that have been shared online, the prompts appear on PCs that fail to meet the minimum requirements of Windows 11 but following those prompts fails to install the upgrade.
“If you attempt to upgrade, you will still be met with an error that your PC does not meet the requirements,” said Froggypwns, one of the moderators of the Windows 11 subreddit. That subreddit created a megathread for Windows 11 being offered to unsupported PCs because of how many reports had appeared.
A user known asmotionbotsaid that their school computer was offered the update despite having 2GB of RAM, a 1.12 GHz CPU, DDR3, and “barely [being] able to run Windows 10.”
This issue appears to be unintentional, rather than a push to get Windows 11 on older systems. Microsoft outlined the minimum requirements of Windows 11 when it announced the operating system. Despite pushback and criticism,Microsoft maintained the requirements, including TPM 2.0.
It is possible toupgrade an unsupported computer to Windows 11, though doing so could lead to compatibility issues.
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We’ve reached out to Microsoft for comment on why unsupported PCs are being prompted to install Windows 11. We’ll upgrade this article as more information becomes available.
Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
