Even if your device doesn’t meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11, you can still force-install the new operating system on your device. Moreover, Microsoft officially provides registry modification items that allow users to bypass TPM and CPU review in the installation assistant, so as to upgrade and install Windows 11 systems on devices capable of running Windows 10.
In the same document, Microsoft warned that while these devices can be forced to upgrade to Windows 11, they are not guaranteed to receive subsequent updates. Microsoft officials also stated that it is not recommended for users to forcibly install Windows 11 systems, because these system requirements can ensure better performance and create a safer user environment.
If your device isn’t eligible for the upgrade but has been upgraded to Windows 11, you’ll soon notice a new watermark on the desktop. This watermark appears above the taskbar clock, similar to a “Windows is not activated” reminder, but it doesn’t affect applications, windows, or web browsers.
The watermark on the desktop just says “system requirements not met,” which might irritate some users, but it shouldn’t be too surprising, as Microsoft has previously warned users of the possible “damage.” As you can see in the screenshot below, the warning will also appear within the Settings app, and it will alert users that their device is not officially supported.
Currently, you’ll find these warnings in two places — the desktop and the Settings app. As of now, these notifications can be safely ignored, they don’t affect the entire user experience, as the watermark is limited to the desktop or settings page. There’s no indication that Microsoft is planning to display an “unsupported device” alert on open apps.
Microsoft also implemented a pop-up when installing the operating system to inform users of the drawbacks of installing Windows 11 on a PC that doesn’t meet the minimum specs. The pop-up makes it clear that compatibility issues, “potential damage” and other issues may arise if you continue to install Windows 11 on an unsupported PC.
