August 18th, 2024

Microsoft begins cracking down on people dodging Windows 11 system requirements

Microsoft is enforcing Windows 11's system requirements by patching the "/product server" exploit, limiting installations on unsupported hardware. User reactions are mixed, with some frustrated and others supportive.

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Microsoft begins cracking down on people dodging Windows 11 system requirements

Microsoft is intensifying its enforcement of Windows 11's system requirements by addressing methods that allowed users to bypass these restrictions. A specific exploit, known as the "/product server" command, which enabled installation on unsupported PCs, has been patched in the latest update on the Canary branch. This command had been a workaround for users whose hardware did not meet the necessary specifications, such as the requirement for TPM 2.0. Although the patch is currently limited to the Canary version, it is expected to be rolled out to regular versions soon. The tightening of these loopholes indicates Microsoft's commitment to ensuring that only compatible hardware runs Windows 11, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from users. Some users have expressed frustration over being locked out of the operating system despite having capable hardware, while others see this as a necessary step to maintain system integrity and performance. As Microsoft continues to address these workarounds, users may need to explore alternative methods or consider hardware upgrades to comply with the new requirements.

- Microsoft is cracking down on installations of Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.

- The "/product server" exploit has been patched in the latest Canary update.

- The patch aims to enforce compliance with Windows 11's system requirements.

- Users have expressed mixed feelings about the restrictions, citing frustration over hardware compatibility.

- The fix is expected to be implemented in regular versions of Windows 11 soon.

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Link Icon 16 comments
By @almatabata - 5 months
I have trouble understanding the point of this move from Microsoft's perspective. You actively stop people from re-using older hardware to run windows 11. Those users have 3 options. Continue running windows 10, install alternative OS or buy new hardware.

I cannot see how they would want option 1 or 2, then I have to deduct that they want people to buy new hardware to run the latest OS version. Do they want to force the increase in TPM 2.0 share in the PC market quicker? Do they want to increase hardware sales because they get more money from those than from older licenses?

By @debo_ - 5 months
I currently use various Ubuntus, Mac OS, Windows 10 and Windows 11 more or less evenly. Windows 11 is by far the most hostile and frustrating of these.

I quite like Windows 10. It's unassuming and everything more or less works. I was somewhat shocked at how much worse Windows 11 is, despite not looking that different at first glance.

By @analog31 - 5 months
I've been assuming that Windows 11 incompatibility was a gift from above, since my system has stopped bothering me about updating.
By @t1c - 5 months
And why aren't more people switching to an OS that respects them (like Linux)?
By @beardyw - 5 months
Perhaps they could stop everyone using Windows 11 and make the world a better place.
By @Paianni - 5 months
They still provide directions on downgrading the TPM check from 2.0 to 1.2: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/ways-to-install-...
By @wslh - 5 months
I discovered that in a weird limbo: I updated to Windows 11 on an "old" XPS 13, and never used that device again in Windows. Several years later tried to use Windows 11 there for a specific purpose and it says that I don't have the required hardware.

It is interesting that around this time (COVID age) I started using the MB Air M1 and couldn't connect many external monitors while my "old" XPS 13 could be plugged to any Thunderbolt dock and works incredible well, even without configuring anything special in Linux.

I don't think this is a benefit for a Microsoft strategy but that many people there should be layoff. It is completely contrary with their current developer strategy. Also, privacy-wise you cannot now for sure if they are sending your keystrokes via telemetry... as a negligence.

By @edflsafoiewq - 5 months
I don't think the title is accurate. The article says that the trick of adding "/product server" no longer works in the Canary branch, but its pure speculation that this is a "crack down".
By @Gud - 5 months
I am one of those people. I keep a Windows partition around only for gaming. Looks like I’ll have to replace it with a Linux partition.

Essentially all I need is Steam and discord. Let me know what Linux distributions is most suitable?

FreeBSD is my daily driver but I’m well familiar with the entire OS jungle by now :-)

By @big-green-man - 5 months
How do you "enforce" system requirements? Either the machine will run the software or it won't. Is Microsoft actively blacklisting hardware specifications to force people to buy new hardware even if they don't need it?

Why in the world would anyone continue to rely on this company?

By @rwaksmunski - 5 months
Windows 10 LTSC for my testing machine, MacOS for me and ChromeOS Flex for the friends and family Thinkpads. This pretty much solves our personal computing needs. Throw in a few vintage Brother laser printers where needed.
By @mihaic - 5 months
At this point, Windows 11 is the Vista of this generation. I wonder how longer I can stay on 10 until they either fix it with Windows 12 or I'll get used to native Ubuntu with KDE.
By @ChrisArchitect - 5 months
By @lousken - 5 months
the more people trying out alternatives OSes, the better thanks, msft
By @Synaesthesia - 5 months
So now what? Have to install Windows 10?

Edit: this is for the installer of the latest (canary) branch. Not sure if it will be an issue for updates on existing installs.

By @fifticon - 5 months
that site xda-developers has one of the worst GDPR interfaces I have ever seen?! You scroll through 1974! (2000..) list items to uncheck them all.. after 25%, I gave up and left