Microsoft has issued a warning to 400 million Windows 10 users with incompatible hardware about upgrading to Windows 11. Users who proceed with the upgrade risk losing support and updates, as Windows 10 support ends in October 2025. Microsoft offers a $30 one-year support extension for Windows 10, but users may need to upgrade their hardware to continue receiving updates. The transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 has been slow, with many users hesitant to upgrade due to compatibility issues.
Microsoft is using fullscreen prompts to encourage Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 or purchase new PCs, as support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025. These prompts suggest benefits of new Windows 11 PCs but do not mention that users can pay for Extended Security Updates to continue using Windows 10 securely. This strategy mirrors past efforts to push upgrades from older Windows versions, and comes as Windows 11 adoption lags behind Windows 10.
Microsoft is intensifying its efforts to encourage Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 by sending full-screen reminders about the impending end of Windows 10 support in October 2025. These reminders vary, with some highlighting Windows 11's gaming features or the ease of transitioning to new PCs, and others suggesting upgrades to Copilot+ PCs, which offer additional AI features. The messages seem targeted at users with older PCs that may not support Windows 11, rather than directly promoting the upgrade to Windows 11 itself.
Microsoft has imposed strict hardware compatibility requirements for upgrading to Windows 11, blocking older PCs from upgrading. However, the Rufus utility offers a workaround by bypassing these checks, allowing many older PCs to upgrade. The latest version of Rufus, 4.6, introduces new methods to bypass restrictions, although some very old CPUs remain incompatible. Rufus's approach aligns with Microsoft's own bypasses, ensuring security and functionality. Despite Microsoft's security rationale, the necessity of these hardware restrictions remains questioned by users.
