Why the Intel Core i5-7300HQ isn't a supported processor while it has enough power to run Windows 11?

Question

Why the Intel Core i5-7300HQ isn't a supported processor while it has enough power to run Windows 11?

NukeThief 61

Microsoft minimal processor requierments are 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).
The Intel Core i5-7300HQ's specifications are: 2,50 GHz, 4 Cores 64-bits and SoC support.
So then why it isn't a supported processor?

Chris Frazier 26 Reputation points

2021-12-19T00:03:53.933+00:00

I'm in the same boat. Processor is only 3 years old, what the heck Microsoft?? Guess I'll be switching to a Macbook in the near future...
Docs 15,761 Reputation points

2021-12-19T00:20:13.117+00:00

These links have some information about the changes in performance, security, and reliability:

Also Windows 11 can be installed in most computers in either a supported or unsupported fashion.

These include very old desktops, laptops, and tablets.

https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2021/08/27/update-on-windows-11-minimum-system-requirements-and-the-pc-health-check-app/

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ways-to-install-windows-11-e0edbbfb-cfc5-4011-868b-2ce77ac7c70e
NukeThief 61 Reputation points

2021-12-20T12:38:24.017+00:00

I don’t need help anymore, i bought a new laptop that supports it.
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Jack F 1 Reputation point

2022-03-10T14:52:18.717+00:00

"i bought a new laptop that supports it.".....
And that is exactly the point of limiting win11 to newer CPUs.

5 answers

Your answer

Chris Frazier 26 Reputation points

2021-12-19T00:03:53.933+00:00

I'm in the same boat. Processor is only 3 years old, what the heck Microsoft?? Guess I'll be switching to a Macbook in the near future...
Docs 15,761 Reputation points

2021-12-19T00:20:13.117+00:00

These links have some information about the changes in performance, security, and reliability:

Also Windows 11 can be installed in most computers in either a supported or unsupported fashion.

These include very old desktops, laptops, and tablets.

https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2021/08/27/update-on-windows-11-minimum-system-requirements-and-the-pc-health-check-app/

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ways-to-install-windows-11-e0edbbfb-cfc5-4011-868b-2ce77ac7c70e
NukeThief 61 Reputation points

2021-12-20T12:38:24.017+00:00

I don’t need help anymore, i bought a new laptop that supports it.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Jack F 1 Reputation point

2022-03-10T14:52:18.717+00:00

"i bought a new laptop that supports it.".....
And that is exactly the point of limiting win11 to newer CPUs.

Answer 1

Limitless Technology 39,926

Hello @NukeThief

It is not only about performance, but also because the security architecture of the processors. In this case most of pre-Gen8 Intel have been classified as "Not Recommended" or not supported, because of lack of Secure Boot or TPM compatibility.

You can see other ways to install Windows 11, including the bypass of TPM check during the installation process: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ways-to-install-windows-11-e0edbbfb-cfc5-4011-868b-2ce77ac7c70e

And also general information about Microsoft statement on installing on not recommended devices:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/installing-windows-11-on-devices-that-don-t-meet-minimum-system-requirements-0b2dc4a2-5933-4ad4-9c09-ef0a331518f1

Hope this helps with your query,

--If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

NukeThief 61 Reputation points

2021-10-12T08:13:22.42+00:00

But, my laptop with a 7300-HQ has TPM 2.0 and i know that beacuse that requirement has a check sign on the pc health check app. Secure boot also works too i have uefi with secure boot and it works perfectly fine.
Andreas Privat 11 Reputation points

2021-10-19T19:18:46.83+00:00

Same problem; ASUS AIO PC with i57300 HQ, Health Check passed, only "processor insufficient"..... bought new 2019; quite disappointing...
Aaron Lewis 0 Reputation points

2023-08-14T00:32:25.0866667+00:00

Ok I understand but what about the users who do have secure boot and tpm 2.0 my dell latitude 7480 does reach that category so what's up with that
Widisen 0 Reputation points

2024-07-23T09:59:59.7066667+00:00

I know this is an old thread, but I have TPM and Secure Bott, so that is not the issue with this processor... Will try to install anyway.

Answer 2

Jay 10

From what i've heard from those i know who have used Win 11, it's currently not even worth updating right now anyway.

That kind of goes hand in hand with the philosophy i've had since Win 98, wait for a year until most if not all issues have been resolved.

Answer 3

Kapil Arya 8,461 MVP Volunteer Moderator

The Intel Core i5-7300HQ's specifications are: 2,50 GHz, 4 Cores 64-bits and SoC support. So then why it isn't a supported processor?

According to Microsoft:

Devices that do not meet the minimum system requirements had 52% more kernel mode crashes. Devices that do meet the minimum system requirements had a 99.8% crash free experience.

Read more here: https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2021/08/27/update-on-windows-11-minimum-system-requirements-and-the-pc-health-check-app/

You can also drop a feedback using Feedback hub app.

Anders Lindberg 6 Reputation points

2021-11-15T09:17:02.41+00:00

So, if systems that met the minimum requirements were 99.8% crash free, and those that do not had 52% more kernel mode crashes, the devices that didn't meet minimum requirements should have been 99.7% crash free. That doesn't sound to severe.

Answer 4

crispin crimbo 1

most of pre-Gen8 Intel are pre i3 - i7 so thats an old and a wide benchmark to say 57% , i5-7300HQ is just 1 gen behind

I have i acer nitro 5 an515-51 with i5-7300HQ , NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 16gb ram 1tb rocket q ssd
i feel this is enough for windows 11 yet just 1 cpu gen behind it wont upgrade

i been told you can make a setup usb and bypass the check and install so going to try it on a spare 256gb ssd i got

Crispin crimbo 1 Reputation point

2022-06-02T10:18:23.903+00:00

it worked on usb setup as it has tpm ,seems to work fine no problems , not too keen on win 11 so going back too win 10 , maybe win 11 be better ?

Answer 5

Victor Jacob H. Villena 1

I have a laptop with i5 7300hq processor. I installed windows 11 by bypassing the TPM check. I thought my laptop wouldn't get updates but surprisingly I can receive and install updates.

Jack F 1 Reputation point

2022-05-31T16:20:54.457+00:00

I did the same, and its running great. I also get updates. It is looking more like Microsoft wanted to give a gift to the hardware makers by forcing users onto newer laptops to get upgraded. I'm sure most corporations would toss their "unsupported" laptops as well, which drives up HW sales. Perhaps someone needed to make bonus this quarter...
Jack F 1 Reputation point

2022-05-31T19:53:30.067+00:00

Note that Microsoft does not make $ when I upgrade to Win11 on my already-purchased computer, but they DO make $ when I go out and buy a new one because there's a new license fee embedded in the computer that goes to Microsoft. Now - do you think I'm suggesting that Microsoft would do something to drive up sales of new computers, thus driving up their own sales?

HMMMMMM....... Let's read the narrative in the quarterly to see if they say anything about it! LOL!!!!
radlizard 0 Reputation points

2025-01-08T19:50:30.6066667+00:00

Do you still recommend upgrading from W10 to W11 with that processor? I got the message today that in October W10 will no longer be supported, but the check app says my i5-7300HQ is not supported, even though it is SoC compatible and TPM 2.0 being enabled on the computer.

Do you recommend upgrading?

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Why the Intel Core i5-7300HQ isn't a supported processor while it has enough power to run Windows 11?

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