Microsoft has recently unveiled its list of CPUs that are compatible with Windows 11 24H2, sending a clear message to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) regarding the use of pre-11th-generation Intel processors. This announcement serves as a reminder that those hoping to utilize older stock will find themselves at an impasse.
Clarification for OEMs
It is important to note that this update is directed solely at OEMs, rather than end users or corporate entities. Windows 11 24H2 has been accessible to consumers for several months, yet Microsoft felt it necessary to reiterate, in its February update, that builders must utilize Intel’s 11th-generation or later processors when constructing new PCs intended to run the latest iteration of its operating system.
According to Microsoft, “These processors meet the design principles around security, reliability, and the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.”
Intel’s 11th-generation chips, which made their debut in 2020, were phased out last year. It would be unexpected, if not unprecedented, for OEMs to manufacture machines using unsupported chips. Notably, Intel has already transitioned many pre-11th-generation processors to a “legacy software support model,” making Microsoft’s decision to exclude these chips from the OEM list quite reasonable.
Implications for Users
Nevertheless, this development raises concerns for some users who may be examining the overall hardware compatibility specifications for Windows 11. They might wonder if this latest information indicates that even slightly newer hardware within their organizations could soon fall short of meeting the requirements for Microsoft’s flagship operating system.
This is a valid inquiry, and the current answer suggests that those “older” CPUs remain suitable for use. Microsoft has maintained a list of hardware compatibility requirements that customers can refer to, and these criteria have not significantly changed since the initial backlash following their publication.
Back in 2021, many users expressed dissatisfaction when Microsoft clarified that upgrading from Windows 10 would not be feasible for millions of otherwise functional computers. However, processors from the eighth, ninth, and tenth generations of Intel should still be acceptable, provided that other requirements—such as TPM 2.0—are satisfied, as stated at that time.
Despite repeated inquiries to Microsoft for further clarification on this matter, the company has only addressed some questions while leaving the issue of whether this announcement signals a potential future reduction in CPU support unanswered. Historically, Microsoft has adjusted hardware requirements in the past, leaving users hopeful that no further changes will occur.
