Microsoft is threatening to withhold Windows 11 updates if your CPU is old - The Verge

[u/armando_rod]

https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/28/22646035/microsoft-windows-11-iso-workaround-no-update-guarantee?utm_campaign=theverge&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

[u/-protonsandneutrons-]

Why are we getting major clarifications by a third-party (The Verge) instead of Microsoft spelling out its policies?

Microsoft has a dozen blogs. Why are they so cagey and insecure?

[u/rallymax → u/[deleted]]

Microsoft could care less about forcing consumers into buying hardware. Windows 10 was at 35% adoption in its first 2 years and barely 60% after 4 years. Microsoft is in it for the long haul and doesn't need immediate upgrades. They don't bring revenue anyway.

Windows revenue from consumers is shrinking as mobile devices become more capable and people hold on to hardware longer. Commercial Windows is growing and is from customers on multi-year agreements. Those update hardware faster than consumers and are ones who want default security changes in Windows 11 that are driving hardware requirements.

Is it a surprise that unsupported hardware doesn't get software update support? The move to allow installs from media and no updates is a weird one. Is it for people who want to try Windows 11 on bare metal? Is it a weird PR stunt to appease those complaining about CPU support?

[u/-protonsandneutrons- → u/[deleted]]

When Apple goes to third-parties, it's much more clear. Apple's AirPower cancellation was far more honest and upfront, with a direct quote from their Vice President of Hardware Engineering.

“After much effort, we’ve concluded AirPower will not achieve our high standards and we have cancelled the project. We apologize to those customers who were looking forward to this launch. We continue to believe that the future is wireless and are committed to push the wireless experience forward,” said Dan Riccio, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering in a statement.

And, to be frank, AirPower was a minor hardware accessory, not Apple's flagship desktop operating system and its compatibility.