Installing Windows 11 could damage your computer

With performance problems, confusing system requirements, high memory usage, and other issues, the launch of Windows 11 has not been as smooth as many people would have hoped. In the build-up to the rollout of the operating system, Microsoft made much of the need for systems to have TPM 2.0 in order to qualify for an upgrade -- but then the company moved the goalposts.

Having previously said that installation on computers without TPM 2.0 would not be possible, Microsoft has since revealed an official workaround that makes it possible to install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware. This is a risk, however, and there is a stark warning that you could cause damage to your PC.

See also:

• How to install Windows 11 on any computer, even those without TPM 2.0
• Here are all of the known issues with Windows 11
• This registry hack lets you bypass the TPM 2.0 requirement and install Windows 11

Anyone who attempts to install Windows 11 on a computer that does not meet the minimum requirements will not be prevented from doing so. Microsoft advises users that: "Installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet Windows 11 minimum system requirements is not recommended. If you choose to install Windows 11 on ineligible hardware, you should be comfortable assuming the risk of running into compatibility issues". 

The company is also displaying a serious warning to anyone going down this route, and requiring them to accept a disclaimer before the installation can proceed.

The warning reads:

This PC doesn't meet the minimum system requirements for running Windows 11 -- these requirements help ensure a more reliable and higher quality experience. Installing Windows 11 on this PC is not recommended and may result in compatibility issues. If you proceed with installing Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won't be entitled to receive updates. Damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren't covered under the manufacturer warranty. By selecting Accept, you are acknowledging that you read and understand this statement.

This is not the first time we've seen this message. It was first spotted a few weeks back with the beta build of Windows 11, and it remains present in the final release version. It's not quite clear what the damage is that Microsoft refers to, and whether it means physical harm or just a mangled configuration. The fact of the matter is that anyone who has decided to install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware is extremely unlikely to be dissuaded from doing so, so the warning is really for nought.