Microsoft has taken a step to discourage users from installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. The company removed an entry from a support article that described a method to bypass the TPM 2.0 lock, which is a requirement for Windows 11. This method, discovered by Neowin, involved changing the registry to allow installation of Windows 11 on PCs that do not meet the system requirements.
Previously, Microsoft had explained this workaround, which could also bypass the CPU requirements. However, the company warned against using this method, stating that it could cause “serious problems” if not applied correctly. Microsoft also advised against installing Windows 11 on non-supported systems, even though the possibility of doing so was acknowledged.
Although Microsoft no longer provides official guidance on this method, it still works. This is in contrast to another method of bypassing the hardware lock, which was blocked in an insider version. The fact that Microsoft is no longer providing information on this workaround suggests that the company is trying to encourage users to purchase new hardware that meets the Windows 11 requirements.
By taking this step, Microsoft is reaffirming its goal of convincing users to buy new PCs that meet the requirements for Windows 11. For many users, this means incurring the cost of acquiring more modern hardware. Alternatively, they could consider switching to a different operating system, such as Linux or MacOS. It is essential for users to be aware of the potential risks of using Windows 10 PCs after the official end of support.