windows 11 compatible with Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700K CPU @ 4.00GHz, 4008 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)

Why? Total 'theory' here:

In 2018 CPUs were affected by design flaws that enabled the Spectre and Meltdown side-channel attacks. Microsoft had to release patches for Windows that actually slowed down PCs with older CPUs. This let Windows work around the security problems in these CPUs.

Intel (and other CPU manufacturers, to some degree) would have to re-architect their older CPU designs to truly patch these security weaknesses. (they won't)

Intel stated that Spectre and Meltdown were addressed with hardware level changes starting with Intel 8th-generation CPUs.

Isn’t it interesting that Windows 11 requires 8th-generation CPUs or newer? I imagine this is totally related.

Of course, Microsoft isn’t screaming from the rooftops that PCs with older CPUs are fundamentally insecure at a hardware level compared to new devices. That wouldn’t be good for business. But it seems like Microsoft wants to quietly move everyone to new hardware so Microsoft knows it only has to support Windows 11 on CPUs with these security fixes.

Just a guess... but I bet I'm 'real' close...

Hi David,

I am Dave, I will help you with this.

Microsoft were testing and adding some more processors, and did add some to the list, they indicate they have now completed testing, and no more processors will be added to the official list.

It is possible to install Windows 11 on an unsupported processor using the Windows 11 ISO, I have Windows 11 installed on an unsupported Core i7 7700QH processor and Windows 11 runs very smoothly, however Microsoft advise you do not do that, they will not be liable for any problems caused by doing that and also you would not receive Windows 11 updates, however, everyone that has installed Windows 11 on an unsupported processor is still receiving updates.

Another option would be to contact your PC manufacturer to see if that processor can be upgraded.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ins...