Windows 11 support Archives

Winsage

February 16, 2025

Intel 8th, 9th and 10th Gen processors absent from Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 CPU support list

Microsoft has released the processor support lists for Windows 11 version 24H2, adding support for Intel's Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200 series processors. Support for Intel's 8th, 9th, and 10th Generation processors has been discontinued, following Intel's shift of its 7th to 10th Gen integrated graphics processing units (iGPUs) to a legacy support model. The official CPU support lists were published after several months of Windows 11 version 24H2 being available. The removal of support for the 10th Gen Comet Lake processors, such as the Core i9-10900K, has raised concerns, especially when compared to older models that remain supported. On the AMD side, Ryzen 8000 chips have been added to the support list, but there are discrepancies, including the mislabeling of the Ryzen 7 Pro 8945HS. The non-Pro variant is absent from the list, and Ryzen 9000 and Ryzen AI mobile chips, like the Ryzen AI 9 370 HX, are not explicitly supported. Microsoft has stated that new processors based on existing architectures will still be considered supported, even if not listed. Systems with CPUs outside the official support lists can still receive Windows updates, indicating a flexible support strategy.

Winsage

February 4, 2025

Microsoft removes guide for installing Windows 11 on unsupported PCs – but this hack still works

Microsoft is pushing users to transition to Windows 11, which requires devices to have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0. The company has removed instructions for a Registry hack that allowed users to bypass this requirement from its support page. The current installation guidelines include legitimate methods such as Windows Update and the Installation Assistant, while warnings against installing on unsupported devices remain. Despite the Registry hack still functioning, Microsoft prefers users not to publicize it, and alternative third-party tools exist for navigating hardware restrictions. The end of support for Windows 10 is approaching in October, increasing the urgency to upgrade, although many older PCs do not meet the upgrade criteria. Microsoft has reiterated the risks of installing Windows 11 on incompatible hardware, including potential compatibility issues and loss of support.

Winsage

December 13, 2024

Vertical taskbars are back in Windows 11, but not from Microsoft

Stardock has released a beta version of Start11 that allows users to add a vertical taskbar to Windows 11, enabling placement on the left or right side of the screen and offering customization options for the Start menu. There has been significant interest in vertical taskbars, with over 55,000 views on a related Microsoft community post, but Microsoft has not officially supported this feature in Windows 11. Tali Roth, Microsoft's Head of Product, mentioned the complexities of repositioning the taskbar and indicated that the company prioritizes features that address broader user needs over catering to those who prefer vertical taskbars. Despite the technical feasibility, Microsoft has decided not to invest in this feature due to limited demand. Users are turning to third-party solutions like Start11 for vertical taskbar functionality.

Winsage

November 26, 2024

Microsoft Tests Windows 11 Support for Third-Party Passkeys

Microsoft is refining its WebAuthn API to integrate third-party passkey providers into Windows 11's passwordless authentication framework, using biometric methods for enhanced security. Since early October, Microsoft has collaborated with credential providers like 1Password and Bitwarden to develop a new plugin authentication model for passkeys. Users will soon be able to choose from various third-party passkey providers alongside the native Windows option, allowing authentication through Windows Hello with passkeys created on mobile devices.

Winsage

October 25, 2024

What I learned from 3 years of running Windows 11 on “unsupported” PCs

Midrange and high-end laptops have seen enhancements such as high-resolution displays, taller screen aspect ratios (16:10 and 3:2), USB-C charging, and backlit keyboards. The ThinkPad X230 features a booklight next to the webcam for keyboard illumination but lacks a backlit keyboard. Recent laptops offer upgrades that improve productivity and user satisfaction, particularly for Windows 11 support. Windows 11 requires security features like TPM 2.0, hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), and mode-based execution control (MBEC), which enhance data protection but may affect performance on older systems. Older PCs face vulnerabilities due to the lack of support for the latest security updates and BIOS fixes, increasing their risk.

Winsage

June 18, 2024

Microsoft is still struggling to get users to switch to Windows 11, years after release

- Microsoft is seeing low rates of people upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, despite the free upgrade offer. - Windows 11 has a market share of 27.67%, while Windows 10 still dominates with 68.34%. - One major reason for the low upgrade rate is the system requirements for Windows 11, which some PCs do not meet. - Windows 11 has had performance and compatibility issues, leading to reluctance from users to upgrade. - Windows 10 support will end after October 2025, potentially leading to an increase in Windows 11 market share, but many users may still stick with Windows 10. - Windows 11's market share is currently only a quarter of the world's total, indicating slow adoption compared to previous Windows versions.

BetaBeacon

May 27, 2024

Microsoft releases Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 with lower system requirements and optional TPM

- Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 has relaxed security features, making Secure Boot and TPM optional. - Minimum system requirements for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 have been revised downward to allow devices with as little as 2GB of RAM to support the installation. - Microsoft's update aims to make Windows 11 more accessible and versatile for the Internet of Things ecosystem.