Microsoft Releases Windows 11 Insider Preview And Vows To Review Requirements
June 28, 2021Microsoft today released the preview build of Windows 11 to users, developers, OEM partners and others who are part of the Windows Insider programme. The company wants to use this platform to assess the readiness of Windows 11 on a multitude of different hardware configuration before the official release to the public..
As such, Windows 11 insider edition will be allowed to run on 7th generation Intel processors. These chips were excluded from Microsoft official list of supported hardware for the official release of Windows 11. The company explains that the stringent hardware policy that effectively bars older computers from accessing the new OS is necessary in its recent blog post.
However, it may learn and adjust to demands based on feedback it receives from the insider programme. The logic behind its “Gestapo-like” policy is because it wants users to experience the operating system in the best way possible for “better security, reliability, compatibility, video conferencing, multitasking, playing, creating, building, learning and more.”
This is the company’s explanation for the minimum hardware requirements:
“We need a minimum system requirement that enables us to adapt software and hardware to keep pace with people’s expectations, needs and harness the true value and power of the PC to deliver the best experiences, now and in the future.”
Windows 11 focuses on three core principles namely, security, reliability and compatibility. Your hardware needs to be good enough to remain secure for Windows Hello, Device Encryption, virtualization-based security (VBS), hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI) and Secure Boot. Microsoft says that aforementioned security tools reduce malware by 60%.
That is why Windows 11 requires supported CPUs to have an embedded TPM, support secure boot and support VBS and specific VBS capabilities. From a reliability standpoint, Microsoft doesn’t want to be associated with driver conflicts and system crashes that have long plagued Windows computers. Competitors like Apple have taken digs at Windows for this problem.
This is the reason why the CPU requirements were so harsh. Microsoft wants chips that adopt the new Windows Driver model and are supported by OEM and chipmakers that are aching a 99.8% crash-free experience. This is a tall order for Windows, considering that previous releases including Windows 10 are laden with compatibility problems.
“Using the principles above, we are confident that devices running on Intel 8th generation processors and AMD Zen 2 as well as Qualcomm 7 and 8 Series will meet our principles around security and reliability and minimum system requirements for Windows 11.”
Microsoft says that it will assess the performance of devices with Intel 7th gen or AMD Zen 1
Chips to gauge their readiness for Windows 11. If the data proves favorable, the company might have a change of heart for said older hardware, however there are no guarantees at this point.
In the meantime, the PC Health Check app that has sowed chaos and dissatisfaction among Windows users, has been pulled from the Microsoft website. The company acknowledges that this software didn’t properly convey the required message it was trying to get across.
“Based on the feedback so far, we acknowledge that it was not fully prepared to share the level of detail or accuracy you expected from us on why a Windows 10 PC doesn’t meet upgrade requirements. We are temporarily removing the app so that our teams can address the feedback. We will get it back online in preparation for general availability this fall.”
