Microsoft has accidentally turned off its controversial hardware compatibility check, offering Windows 11 to non-listed computers.
Windows 11 is not installed on computers that do not have a recent CPU equipped with TPM, although there are exceptions (especially for some of Microsoft’s own hardware, which did not get the cut in the original list). It is possible to circumvent this limitation, although there is no guarantee that a future version of Windows 11 will not close the door permanently.
However, users noted overnight that computers in the preview ring of the Windows Insider version without a qualified CPU were offered the update without the usual rejection message.
. @ windowsinsider offers my 7th generation W10 machine launch preview channel without Windows 11 rating. pic.twitter.com/lSC74OJpbP
– Barb Bowman 🌷💙💛 (@barbbowman) June 8, 2022
Could Microsoft have softened its position? Maybe the less-than-stellar adoption of Windows 11 has led to a rethink in Redmond? As of May 2022, according to Statcounter, it still has to overcome the obsolete Windows 7, let alone reach Windows 10.
Unfortunately not. The Windows Insider team quickly responded that it was as usual in the Windows world. That is, something went wrong and had to be fixed.
It’s a mistake and the right team is investigating. Thanks for letting me know.
– Windows Insider Program (@windowsinsider) June 8, 2022
It will not help the Windows computer in its efforts to justify the Windows 11 hardware compatibility list. Especially when Microsoft will gladly release a compilation with some of the removed controls.
Nor can we notice the difference between Microsoft’s response to recent zero-day vulnerabilities and the speed at which it moved so that its flagship operating system would not be littered with incompatible hardware.
Users who have successfully upgraded can reverse it.
While it would be nice to pretend that the incident could have indicated a silent change in policy, it may be more of a sign of Windows’ legendary quality control (or lack thereof). ®