This article was updated in light of Microsoft's updated guidance on the need for TPM 2.0 in minimum hardware requirements and the subsequent possibility that Insider builds of Windows 11 may run on older AMD and Intel hardware.

Microsoft's Windows 11 does not explicitly support first generation AMD Ryzen CPUs. However, it also does not support Intel processors manufactured prior to the Coffee Lake generation. Therefore, the Ryzen 1000 series and the 7th generation Kaby Lake series are not listed as Windows 11 winners.

Initially we had recommended putting away the pitchforks, as there are some caveats to this seeming CPU monopoly. However, after an update from Microsoft, it may actually be time to pick up the burning torches, pull out the farm tools, and start the long trek to Frankenstein Castle Microsoft.

But Microsoft has once again issued a correction based on the release of the first build of Windows 11 Insider Preview and the possibility of supporting 1st generation Ryzen and 7th generation Intel CPUs. This reveals absolutely nothing...

The list of Intel and AMD processors supported by Windows 11 is long but not exhaustive. Originally, it appeared to be the difference between what Microsoft called a "hard floor" and a "soft floor" in the Windows 11 Compatibility Cookbook.

This is the difference between not being able to install Windows 11 or not being encouraged to install it.

However, late Saturday, Microsoft updated the page "to correct guidance on Windows 11 TPM requirements" and removed all talk of hard and soft floors. Instead, it simply states:

"In order to run Windows 11, devices must meet hardware specifications. Devices that do not meet the hardware requirements cannot be upgraded to Windows 11.

In its defense, this page does show one definitive set of minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11, but the fact that it doubles down on Microsoft's claim that the TPM 2.0 specification is absolutely necessary if you want to get the sweet action of the next generation OS is a bit sad It becomes.

The Windows 11 announcement has been received with both interest and consternation. On the one hand, the excruciatingly serious "What's Next for Windows" live stream showed a vision of Windows 11 being an open, presentable update to Windows 10, and more than just for gaming. And it's practically free.

On the other end of the spectrum was the Windows 11 Health Check app, which seemed to tell PC gamers in a very powerful rig that their machines were not up to the task of running Microsoft's next-generation operating system.

In other words, having a long list of supported CPUs seems to miss silicon that is no more than four years old when it was born, and is like a knife to the heart.

We offered some help to those struggling with health check apps. Just because you have a yet-to-be-listed 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 7 1800X or quad-core, 8-thread Core i7 7700K doesn't mean Windows 11 won't work on your rig. [because if you limit gaming features to Windows 11 and refuse to add them to future Windows 10 updates, many gamers will miss that opportunity.