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Windows 7 and Windows 10 had very similar minimum hardware requirements, and few if any artificial restrictions on what hardware is supported. Same with Windows XP when moving to Windows 7. Technology was also much faster moving and new significant features that benefited from hardware improvements were being introduced all the time.

Now the focus is on efficiency and power consumption. As a result, any computer made in the last 10-12 years will be perfectly suitable for what 90% of people use their computers for. The 8th generation Intel cutoff for Windows 11 is ridiculous and is causing this problem.

Yes, Windows 11 works fine on older hardware if you force it to install but most people will not go this route. They’ll continue to use their insecure PC on the internet because it runs very well and does everything they need it to do, and we’ll have a nightmare on our hands.

The landscape is totally different from XP to 7 and from 7 to 10. Microsoft knows that and these pointless hardware reqs are a transparent attempt to force people to upgrade for no reason. The desktop and laptop market has fully stalled, and there is no compelling reason to upgrade your computer if you aren’t using it for gaming or processor/GPU intensive work. This is their attempt to boost sales without innovating, and it’s going to be devastating.




>The 8th generation Intel cutoff for Windows 11 is ridiculous and is causing this problem.

Not true: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34678812




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