- Windows 10 end of life means that only newer hardware can remain fully supported
- Older Intel and AMD chips will lose security and compatibility updates
- Check processor generation before buying new or used computers
Windows 10 has finally reached the end of its life and users looking to buy a new or used computer should be careful.
Any PC without Windows 11 support will no longer receive updates, leaving it exposed to security risks and compatibility issues. Assuming you’re running a good antivirus and anti-malware program, it won’t be too much of a problem in the short term, but it will be down time.
Windows 11 introduced stricter hardware requirements than any previous version of Microsoft’s operating system. This includes the need for TPM 2.0 support, Secure Boot compatibility, and built-in security restrictions.
Check your processor
Because of these limitations, many older CPUs simply cannot run Windows 11.
That includes many systems running Intel’s 7th generation Core processors and older, as well as early AMD Ryzen chips.
These limitations mean that older processors lack the underlying design features to meet Microsoft’s new security and reliability goals.
For Intel, Windows 11 compatibility begins with the 8th generation Core series and above, so it includes all i3, i5, i7 and i9 chips from 2017 onwards, as well as modern Xeon and Core Ultra processors.
Anything older, such as 6th or 7th generation Core models, is not officially supported (the exception being the Core i7-7820HQ, which is found in a few laptops that shipped with newer driver frameworks).
The same goes for older AMD chips. Only Ryzen 2000 series processors and later meet the Windows 11 baseline.
First generation Ryzen 1000 processors as well as older FX and A series chips do not, and neither do some early Ryzen Mobile.
If you’re considering a used PC, check what processor it has. Desktops or laptops built before 2018 probably won’t qualify for official Windows 11 updates, no matter how fast they feel.
Windows 11 can be installed manually on some unsupported systems (there are workarounds), but of course Microsoft frowns on the idea.
If you’re not sure if the PC you’re considering buying has the right hardware, check the list of supported Intel chips here, and the AMD equivalent here.
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