Windows 11 desktop watermarks start appearing on unsupported systems

Facepalm: Customers have been circumventing Home windows 11’s controversial system necessities for the reason that OS first launched, and Microsoft has held an executioner’s sword over the “unsupported” PCs’ heads ever since. A latest replace suggests Redmond could lastly convey it down quickly.

Microsoft could lastly be introducing a dreaded characteristic it first teased final yr. Because the January 2023 Home windows replace, some Home windows 11 customers have reported seeing a watermark on their desktops warning them about unmet system necessities.

In accordance with comments on Microsoft’s web site and Home windows blogs, a brand new watermark has appeared within the decrease proper nook saying “System necessities not met” and directing them to the settings menu. Some customers report that Microsoft suggests reverting to Home windows 10.

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Home windows 11’s strict system necessities have confronted criticism for not formally supporting CPUs older than Intel eighth Gen Espresso Lake, AMD Zen+, or Zen 2. The primary cause is that Microsoft needs to make sure each Home windows 11 system possesses TPM 2.0 safety.

Nevertheless, the corporate to this point hasn’t prevented customers from putting in its newest working system on processors as outdated as Intel sixth gen. Final spring, reviews confirmed {that a} watermark would seem to warn these utilizing Home windows 11 on methods under its official specs, and it appears to have lastly arrived for some.

Stories are scattered, however Redmond might be working one other A/B take a look at like those it carried out final yr. Nevertheless, the watermark has additionally appeared on methods that technically meet the necessities. If yours is considered one of them, it is potential the latest replace modified a BIOS setting which might have disengaged TPM.

Home windows 11’s uncommon system necessities might be one cause it hasn’t gained consumer market share as rapidly as Home windows 10. A number of analyses, together with Statcounter and the Steam survey, reveal it’s slowly gaining, however Home windows 10 remains to be the dominant OS. Likewise, though AdDuplex hasn’t up to date its numbers since final yr, it exhibits a stark distinction between Home windows 11 and Home windows 10 adoption speeds.

It isn’t like Microsoft hasn’t tried to make Home windows 11 extra interesting. Lately, the corporate refreshed its job supervisor, notepad app, file explorer, snipping instruments, and different options. Regardless of the enhancements and the still-available free Home windows 11 upgrades, many customers possible cannot or will not improve from older CPUs.

Picture credit score: Windowslatest.com