WINDOWS 11 REJECTS PCS THAT AREN’T READY

Will yours be able to run it?

Microsoft is beginning to kick users out of the Windows 11 Insider Programme if their computers aren’t considered powerful enough to run the new operating system.

It comes as the company puts the finishing touches to Windows 11 ahead of its release on 5 October.

Windows Insiders have reported seeing the message “Your PC does not meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11” (see screenshot) and therefore “is not eligible to join the Windows Insider Program on Windows 11”. It goes on to say that users should re-install Windows 10 instead and continue with the Insider Programme for that system.

The warning will raise concerns that many computers won’t have sufficiently advanced hardware to run Windows 11. Microsoft previously said that Insiders wouldn’t be pushed back to Windows 10 until Windows 11 was widely available.

‘Phased and measured’ release

Many users remain confused about whether their computers will be able to run Windows 11. Microsoft is hoping to minimise any disruption by releasing the system in a “phased and measured approach”.

This means it will be first offered to new computers that have been built especially for the system, followed by existing Windows 10 machines that it thinks will cope with the upgrade.

Windows marketing manager Aaron Woodman wrote ( www.snipca. com/39418) that Microsoft will evaluate factors such as a computer’s age, reliability, and hardware eligibility.

Woodman added that all eligible devices should be offered the free upgrade to Windows 11 by the middle of 2022, and that you’ll receive a message from Windows Update saying when it’s ready. You can also check by opening Settings, then clicking Windows Update, followed by ‘Check for updates’.

No Android apps at launch

Microsoft’s blog post confirmed some of Windows 11’s most significant new features, including desktop widgets, and Snap Layouts and Snap Groups, which make it easier to move and use multiple programs.

It also said that Windows 11’s new design and sounds are “modern, fresh, clean and beautiful, bringing you a sense of calm and ease”.

But it won’t yet be able to run Android apps, one of its most eagerly awaited features. This is now expected to be added in 2022.