Running Windows 11 on an Unsupported PC Now Comes With a Scolding From Microsoft

With support for Windows 10 ending in less than a year, it might be time to transition to Windows 11—but it will have to be on Microsoft's terms. A new Windows 11 support document has revealed that running the OS on a PC that doesn't meet the minimum hardware requirements will result in a brazen watermark on your desktop.

A Windows 11 Watermark Hopes to Remind You of Wrongdoing

Credit: Ham patipak/Shutterstock

You might think you can pull a fast one on Microsoft by updating an incompatible PC to Windows 11, but according to a recently updated Microsoft support document, the company will make it known that it's aware of your discretion. Microsoft may not be able to stop you from doing it, but it can place a watermark on the desktop, as well as a warning in your Settings.

The language from the new support document reads as follows:

"When Windows 11 is installed on a device that doesn't meet the minimum system requirements, a watermark is added to the Windows 11 desktop. Notification might also be displayed in Settings to advise that the requirements aren't met."

In case watermarks don't scare you, Microsoft is further dissuading users from installing the updated OS on unsupported hardware by adding a disclaimer. The disclaimer notes that any PC damage "due to lack of compatibility aren't covered under the manufacturer warranty."

So: What Are the Minimum Requirements for Windows 11?

The Windows 11 OS requires specific hardware qualifications, such as two security features known as Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. Microsoft recommends running its PC Health Check app to assess your PC's "eligibility" for Windows 11.

That being said, there are workarounds and third-party tools that let you install Windows 11 on an unsupported device, even if Microsoft does not approve of these solutions.

Can You Go Back to Windows 10?

Microsoft's support document also states that you can recover your Windows 10 setup if you carry out a Windows 11 update and experience issues. In fact, some people "downgrade" from Windows 11 to Windows 10 because they prefer the older OS. In either case, you can find this recovery option in Settings > System > Recovery. You'll then see a button to Go back.

While many have mixed feelings about Windows 11, it may be an inevitability considering that after October 2025, you won't be able to receive support for Windows 10. Unfortunately, Microsoft limits your options by requiring an upgrade not just in software, but also for the hardware (in many cases).

In case you want to get a few more years out of an old PC that's still running smoothly, you may want to bolster Windows 10 with further security updates so it can survive even after Microsoft officially discontinues support.