Microsoft pulls ‘confusing’ Windows 11 compatibility tool

Microsoft has admitted that its tool for checking whether your computer can run Windows 11 caused confusion because it didn’t provide enough information.

The company launched its PC Health Check tool in late June, when it unveiled Windows 11, and advised users to download it so they could check whether their computer’s specifications would be advanced enough to cope with Windows 11.

But the tool was strongly criticised by frustrated users for not providing details about why their computer wouldn’t be able to run the new operating system.

Instead it showed a message with the heading ‘This PC can’t run Windows 11’ (pictured). It continued: ‘While this PC doesn’t meet the system requirements to run Windows 11, you’ll keep getting Windows 10 updates’.

Microsoft has since removed the tool, saying it will return in the autumn.

Commenting on the tool in a blog post ( www.snipca. com/38838), the company said: “Based on the feedback so far, we acknowledge that it was not fully prepared to share the level of detail or accuracy you expected from us on why a Windows 10 PC doesn’t meet upgrade requirements.”

The message was especially confusing for users who felt their PC met the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, as outlined by Microsoft at www.snipca. com/38839. The main reason many new PCS failed the PC Health Check seems to be that the Trusted Platform Module or TPM 2.0 chip hadn’t been activated – we explain how to do this on page 53.

System requirement ‘principles’

Microsoft also addressed criticisms that Windows 11’s system requirements are too high, potentially forcing users to stick with Windows 10 or buy a new computer with more powerful hardware.

It said: “We need a minimum system requirement that enables us to adapt software and hardware to keep pace with people’s expectations, needs and harness the true value and power of the PC to deliver the best experiences, now and in the future.”

Security, reliability and compatibility are the three principles that determine the system requirements, it added.

Microsoft wants all Windows 11 computers to work with Windows Hello, which signs you in using face recognition or your fingerprint. This requires support for TPM.

It also wants PCS to have the latest processors in order to achieve a “99.8 per cent crash-free experience”, and for programs such as Office and Teams to work effectively.

If you want to try Windows 11’s new tools and see whether you can run it,