Microsoft Windows 11 Update Includes Older Intel CPUs in Compatibility List

 Introduction

Microsoft had announced in June 2021 the unveiling of Windows 11 beta. It further added that it exercised the OEM options through insider testing to include additional older Windows 11-compatible Intel CPUs. In the recent update, the global software giant has clarified it has revised the minimum system requirements to include these Intel CPUs. Microsoft is bringing many changes, including a total visual overhaul of the Windows platform in this exercise.

Minimum Requirements

Microsoft had made several disclosures regarding the minimum requirements to host Windows 11 on a machine at the time of the launch of Windows 11. These include 4GB RAM, UEFI secure boot, compatible 64-bit processor, 64GB storage space, TPM2.0, and a few graphic prerequisites. 

This announcement had triggered a small stir amongst the loyal users of Microsoft systems as the new operating system would not be compatible with the CPUs older than 2017. As a result, they would have to upgrade their fully working CPUs. Answering their concerns, Microsoft has started revisiting the specifications and included a few more Intel CPUs to expand the list of prerequisites, keeping at the same time other minimum requirements intact. The software giant has added a few more Windows 11-compatible CPUs after testing with OEMs and Windows Insiders to address the concerns of its loyal users.

New Additions

Microsoft has recently disclosed that it has included the CPUs of Xeon W-series and Intel Core X-series in the compatible list. In addition, the global software giant has also included a few devices using Intel Core 7820HQ CPUs that have modern drivers installed according to DCH design principles like Surface Studio 2 in the compatible list. DCH stands for Declarative, Componentized, and Hardware Support. This driver framework confines the OEM to one installing location in the driver repository directory. This feature of Universal Windows App API is a security feature.

The takeaway for the Mac Users

Due to the addition of the TPM2.0 requirement to the list of the prerequisites, the MacBook users will not be able to upgrade the Windows operating system to Windows 11. Since the manufacturer of MacBooks has not given support for the TPM 2.0 Intel Macs, the processors have become incompatible with the Windows 11 operating system. Therefore, Microsoft’s PC Health application will shoot up the message that the device work on the Windows 11 operating system.