We are talking these days about the end of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 and how the upgrade towards Windows 11 or at least towards Windows 10are the only way out for those who are still using versions that are going to become obsolete very quickly, because the abandonment of their support by third-party software is becoming relevant.
Of course, it is not only urgent to make the leap to a version supported by the Microsoft system because you run out of updated applications to use: if not updating an application is already a bad security practice that can lead to problems, not updating the system, especially one with Windows history, is the worst of bad practices.
The point is that although practically all Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users have a most suitable replacement in Windows 10, it will not last much longer either: in 2025 it will still say goodbye and, again, the only way out will be to update to Windows 11 or, if the forecasts come true, Windows 12. Both mount, because the underlying problem will still be there.
And that problem is none other than the damn Windows 11 requirements and the drama they bring. And it is not normal that millions of computers throughout the world in which Windows 10 works perfectly, cannot even aspire to update or install Windows 11… unless they skip the measures that Microsoft has imposed in this regard with tools like Ventoy, Rufus or others.
It would be logical that those users with, for example, components -processors, mainly- not “supported” by Windows 11, or who do not have the happy TPM 2.0 chip, could not execute any specific system feature. But preventing the use of the system on this type of equipment does not make any sense, no matter how many excuses are made in favor of security or whatever.
That’s how we’ve gotten to a point where There are only a couple of versions of Windows with maintenance anymore and not by much, because one’s days are already numbered. A point at which the requirements of Windows 11 are a problem even for its employees and that does not seem to be solved anytime soon.
For the record, Microsoft has already relaxed its claims and is gradually expanding the range of support for Windows 11 in relation to the supported processors, although it washes its hands of the consequences that not doing everything as recommended may have. The strength of the matter is that none of this is really necessary for Windows 11 to work properly.
In other words, all the sticks in the wheels of users who would like to upgrade to Windows 11 but cannot because the requirements of their machines prevent them from doing so, not in practice. Those who have done it on their own using tools like the ones mentioned above know this, because they have seen it firsthand. Even though Microsoft says that it is not responsible for potential problems that may arise (as if it were going to take care of complying with the requirements…).
However, not all users are willing to make the jump manually. It’s like installing Linux, a plentiful alternative for many use cases: you have to do it yourself. And that costs; you have to bother with it. Much better to recommend buying a new PC, something that many people cannot do. And they stay so wide. We will see what happens from 2025.
