Since the announcement of Windows 11, the fans are furious about the lack of support for popular processors like first-generation AMD Ryzen processors.
AMD’s first-gen processors are not officially supported yet though they were released in early 2017. This means Microsoft will not support PCs with these processors during the shift from Windows 10 to Windows 11. However, Microsoft confirmed yesterday that fans can overcome this issue by performing a clean Windows 11 install with an ISO.
During the confirmation, Microsoft didn’t clarify that while this workaround will allow you to install Windows 11, you will be deprived of the updates. Recently, Microsoft told Verge that these technically “unsupported” systems won’t access Windows Update and may potentially be barred from downloading security and driver updates.
Microsoft proudly says that they have maintained the Windows 10 “ecosystem health.” So, in essence, with this move, Microsoft says:
“For those who are using a PC that won’t upgrade, and who aren’t ready to transition to a new device, Windows 10 is the right choice. We will support Windows 10 through October 14, 2025 and we recently announced that the next feature update to Windows 10 is coming later this year. Whatever you decide, we are committed to supporting you and offering choice in your computing journey.”
The clarification suggests that customers should analyze their needs and then make the decision to upgrade.
All of this is creating a confusing situation; let’s hope that Microsoft will add some more clarity.