In context: Microsoft has been routinely changing its online support articles about Windows 11. The "ways to install" the operating system have recently been revised, and there are now no "official" workarounds for installing the latest Windows release to unsupported, older machines. When Windows 11 launched in 2021, Microsoft provided an official method for installing the operating system on devices that didn't meet its stringent hardware requirements. However, four years after its debut, Microsoft and its OEM partners would very much like for customers to purchase newer PCs instead of recycling their older machines.Microsoft recently updated the official support article that details the installation methods for Windows 11. The revised page no longer includes any workarounds for bypassing hardware checks and installing the OS on unsupported PCs. However, interested users can still browse and learn about the Registry-based "trick" by looking at the page's snapshot saved by Wayback Machine on Internet Archive's servers.Microsoft appears to have made this change shortly after releasing Windows 11 24H2, an update that proved problematic for many users both on newer and older hardware. The company has since reaffirmed that Windows 11's system requirements are here to stay, emphasizing the role of Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and newer CPUs in ensuring future Windows security.Bypassing hardware checks during Windows 11 installation has become a common practice. Third-party utilities such as Rufus, Ventoy, and countless others can speed up OS deployment, even on modern systems where hardware requirements shouldn't pose an issue. Additionally, enterprise organizations are likely using these methods extensively across diverse hardware fleets.Microsoft is now recommending customers to purchase a new PC if they want to access the latest "innovations" in Windows 11. After a decade on the market, Windows 10 is set to reach the end of official support on October 14, 2025. Organizations, however, can extend support by opting for the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) edition of the OS at a hefty cost. // Related StoriesAnalysts and tech pundits are expecting a significant market push coming from the Windows 10 upgrade cycle. Despite Microsoft's push for Windows 11 adoption, Windows 10 still powers the majority of active Windows PCs, indicating that the transition to the newer OS has been slower than the company likely hoped.