With Windows 10 support ending in less than a year, it might be time to move to Windows 11 – but on Microsoft's terms. A new Windows 11 support document has revealed that running the operating system on a PC that doesn't meet the minimum hardware requirements will result in a watermark appearing on your desktop.
Windows 11 Watermark Will Remind You of Misbehavior
You might think Microsoft doesn't know about you updating an incompatible PC to Windows 11, but according to a recently updated Microsoft support document, the company says it knows about your actions. Microsoft can't stop you from doing it, but it can put a watermark on your desktop, as well as a warning in Settings.
The content in the new support document is as follows:
"When Windows 11 is installed on a device that does not meet the minimum system requirements, a watermark will be added to the Windows 11 desktop. A notification may also be displayed in Settings to indicate that the requirements are not met."
In case the watermark doesn't scare you off, Microsoft continues to discourage users from installing the updated OS on unsupported hardware by adding a disclaimer. The disclaimer notes that any damage to the PC "due to lack of compatibility is not covered by the manufacturer's warranty . "
What are the minimum requirements for Windows 11?
Windows 11 requires specific hardware standards, such as two security features called Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. Microsoft recommends running the PC Health Check app to assess your PC's "eligibility" for Windows 11.
Still, there are workarounds and third-party tools that allow you to install Windows 11 on an unsupported device , even if Microsoft doesn't approve them.
Is it possible to go back to Windows 10?
Microsoft’s support documentation also states that you can restore your Windows 10 installation if you perform a Windows 11 update and encounter problems. In fact, some people “downgrade” from Windows 11 to Windows 10 because they prefer the older operating system. In either case, you can find this restore option under Settings > System > Recovery . You’ll then see a Go back button .
Warning : This option is only available for 10 days after upgrading to Windows 11.
While many people have mixed feelings about Windows 11, this is inevitable considering that after October 2025, you won't be able to get support for Windows 10. Unfortunately, Microsoft limits users' options by requiring upgrades not only to the software, but also to the hardware (in many cases).
In case you want to keep your old PC running smoothly for a few more years, you may want to beef up Windows 10 with subsequent security updates so that it can survive even after Microsoft officially stops supporting it.
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