Microsoft silently erases tip for installing Windows 11 on older PCs

As the end of support for Windows 10 draws ever closer, Microsoft is taking subtle steps to convince users to buy new hardware. For example, one entry about bypassing the Windows 11 TPM 2.0 hardware lock was quietly removed from a support page (spotted by Neowin).

Microsoft once explained a popular workaround that allowed older PCs that didn’t meet Windows 11 requirements to install it anyway by tweaking the registry. The method helped get around the strict TPM 2.0 and CPU requirements.




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The company expressly warned against using this trick to upgrade incompatible PCs because “serious problems can occur” if the method wasn’t employed properly. They’ve been saying this for a long time, and they reiterated it again at the end of last year.

The registry method still works, though, even if Microsoft no longer provides official tips on how to do it.

New PCs required for Windows 11

With this step, Microsoft is once again making it clear they’re aware of how easy it is to use Windows 11 on older hardware. However, the aim is still to persuade users to buy new PCs that meet the requirements.

If you’re still on Windows 10, you’ll have to weigh your options. You can take the free upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 that Microsoft is offering, but only if your PC is hardware-eligible. If yours isn’t eligible, you can pay for extended Windows 10 support or move on and buy a new Windows 11 PC. Or you can switch to another operating system, like one of these Windows-like Linux OSes.

Further reading: Don’t wait ’til end of support, expert warns