A Warning About PCs Running Windows 10

If you have been delaying updating your Windows 10 PC or laptop, the time is now. And if you have hardware that is outdated and unable to install Windows 11, you are going to have bigger issues. 

Microsoft has started cracking down on methods to bypass some of the hardware requirements for its Windows 11 operating system (OS). 

Microsoft has issued a warning that those who have installed Windows 11 on unsupported PCs should roll back their updates immediately. The steps come a few months before Microsoft will stop providing new features and security updates for Windows 10, which is still its most-used OS.

This is slated to happen on October 14, 2025. This will lead to compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities. Basically what this means is that users need to move over to Windows 11. If you cannot upgrade due to old hardware, you will be forced to buy a new PC or laptop. 

In the simplest terms, what does this mean for those who can't upgrade to Windows 11?  

Your computer will still work, but it will be much less secure and more vulnerable to cyberattacks. It will also start experiencing performance issues as updates that affect how your device operates with new programs will no longer happen. 

So what should you do?

The easiest way to see if a device meets the requirements for Windows 11 after making hardware changes to the device is with the PC Health Check app: 

For more on these steps, Microsoft has an article with detailed steps: Read here.

Microsoft's Warning to Users

 Microsoft has warned users running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware to roll back their machines to Windows 10 “immediately.” 

It has not provided new details on the potential consequences of running the new OS on older hardware but has repeated its previous warnings regarding compatibility problems. 

“If Windows 11 is installed on ineligible hardware, your device won’t receive support from Microsoft, and you should be comfortable assuming the risk of running into compatibility issues,” the company said. 

“Devices that don’t meet these system requirements might malfunction due to compatibility or other issues. Additionally, these devices aren’t guaranteed to receive updates, including but not limited to security updates.” 

In addition to removing its guidelines for altering the registry key, Microsoft started blocking another method to bypass Additionally, there may be an ever-present notification in the Settings app advising that system requirements are not met. 

Limited Extended Support Available — For a Price 

Those users who are unable to upgrade to a computer meeting the required specifications or must keep running Windows 10 for a particular reason can join the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.

Microsoft is charging personal Windows 10 users around $30 for the first year of ESU support. The price will double for the second year to $60 and then double again to $120 for the third and final year of the Windows 10 ESU program. 

For business users, the prices will be $61 in the first year, $122 in the second year, and $244 in the third year. 

The ESU program excludes new features, customer-requested non-security updates, design change requests, and general support. 

So, if you don't want to pay for very limited support, your best option will be to upgrade your hardware to a system that is compatible with Windows 11, or accept the issues that you might be faced with in the near future.  

If you want more information on upgrading to Windows 11 or just have more questions, get in touch with us. We are happy to help.