Microsoft steps up efforts to enforce Windows 11 hardware requirements with annoying desktop messages.
Microsoft is reportedly intensifying its efforts to discourage people from running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware by adding a watermark to users’ desktops. The message admonishes users for not meeting Windows 11 requirements, which has been a significant roadblock for Windows 11 adoption since the operating system is only supported on newer PCs.
The biggest obstacle is the requirement of a Trusted Platform Module 2.0, which is only available on CPUs manufactured in the past few years. Additionally, it must be enabled in the BIOS, so a newer motherboard is needed. However, there have always been workarounds for older PCs running Windows 11. Now, Microsoft is increasing the pressure by attempting to annoy users of these machines through desktop messages. Users can turn off the message by editing the Windows Registry if they feel comfortable doing so.
Recently, Microsoft started pushing this message to users who are using TPM bypass or another workaround. A user on Twitter reported it recently as appearing unexpectedly. The blunt message states, “System requirements not met. Go to Settings to learn more.” According to HotHardware, there is not much to learn in Settings. Instead, it advises users to “consider purchasing a new PC.”
If a user is seeing this message and has decided not to buy a new PC, they can get rid of the message by editing the registry. However, the user should proceed with caution as the registry is the underbelly of the operating system, and editing it can cause problems. It is recommended to create a System Restore Point before making any changes.
The official requirements for Windows 11 are an 8th Gen Intel CPU or second-gen AMD Ryzen CPU, at least 4GB of memory, 64GB of storage, and a motherboard that supports UEFI and Secure Boot. The graphics card must support DirectX 12, and the display must be at least 9 inches and support 720p resolution.
It’s worth noting that Microsoft has been clear about the hardware requirements for Windows 11 from the beginning, and the company has stated that it will not provide official support for devices that do not meet these requirements. The reason for this is that Microsoft wants to ensure that devices running Windows 11 are secure, reliable, and perform well.
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 is a hardware-based security feature that provides additional protection against various types of attacks, including firmware-level attacks, which can be difficult to detect and mitigate. By requiring TPM 2.0, Microsoft is trying to ensure that devices running Windows 11 are better protected against these types of attacks.
In addition to the hardware requirements, Microsoft has also made changes to the user interface and some of the features in Windows 11. For example, the Start menu has been redesigned, and the taskbar is now centered by default. Windows 11 also includes new features such as Snap Layouts and Snap Groups, which make it easier to organize windows on the screen.
Overall, while the hardware requirements for Windows 11 may be frustrating for some users, Microsoft is making a conscious effort to ensure that devices running the new operating system are secure and reliable. Users who are unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations may need to consider upgrading their hardware or sticking with Windows 10 for the time being.
To remove the “System requirements not met” message in Windows 11, you can follow these steps:
- Click on the Start menu and type “Registry Editor” to open it.
- Expand the “HKEY_CURRENT_USER” folder.
- Navigate to and expand the “Control Panel” folder.
- Click on the “UnsupportedHardwareNotificationCache” folder.
- In the window pane, right-click on the “SV2” entry and select “Modify”.
- Change the value to “0” and click “OK”.
- Reboot your PC to apply the changes.