Just read with interest that the minimum requirement for Windows 11 is an 8th gen Intel CPU. My XPS 15 9575 has an 8th gen 8705G processor and according to Microsoft, my CPU is not compatible with Windows 11. Does Dell have an official statement on device compatibility with Windows 11? I notice a Dell support document stating that the 9575 is in the list for Windows 11 upgrade testing, yet Microsoft flat-out say the device does not meet the CPU requirement. Who is supplying the correct information?
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Right now the Windows 11 PC Check simply states that a system is not supported if it is not in the list. All the CPUs mentioned are 8th Generation and higher. As your CPU is also 8th generation it is likely your CPU will be added to a revised version of this list particularly if Microsoft are going to encourage Dell are to support this specific model.
Just a quick update, Microsoft have responded to my Widnows Instalaltion Feedback regarding supported processors.
Support 6th Generation (Skylake) and 7th generation (Kabylake) Processors for Windows 11
The Windows 11 PC Check reports the OptiPlex 7040 (6th Generation Intel Processor) and OptiPlex 7050 (7th Generation Intel Processor) systems to be incompatible. The system requirements are a bit more elevated than I would have expected. I personally would expect Windows 11 to work on 6th (Skylake) and 7th (Kabylake) Generation Intel Processors which are from around 2016-2017. Moreover i5-6xxx, i7-6xxx, i5-7xxx and i7-7xxx have a marginal difference in system performance and technologies available compared to i3-8xxx and are superior to the supported Atom and Celeron products. These processors also meet all of Windows 11 other system requirements and Dell have stated that all Skylake Systems have regarding a Trusted Platform Module (TPM Version 2.0) c.f. Dell Article Number: 000103639 and a UEFI BIOS with Secure Boot patched to address the GRUB2 Security Exploit c.f Dell Article Number: 000177589.
Microsoft Response:
Steve Dispensa @dispensa [VP of PM, Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Windows Commercial] https://twitter.com/dispensa/status/1408577130946994176?s=20 "The chipset requirement is based on a bunch of factors, including supportability, capabilities, quality, and reliability so we can ensure everyone has a great experience. We're working on a blog post with more info, coming soon."
The list of supported CPUs on the Microsoft website does not include the 8th gen Intel 8705G. Running Microsoft's own Health Check reveals that, indeed, the CPU is not supported and therefore my machine is not Windows 11 compatible.
Digging further, I can see via the WhyNot11 tool that everything else checks out (TPM2.0, secure boot etc is all fine) and it is literally only the CPU which fails the compatibility test.
So.
How can Dell say that the 9575 is even in their list for "testing" when Microsoft have stated that it will not work
I'm really confused (and annoyed with both Dell and Microsoft in equal measure)
Microsoft have released the first Dev Insider Preview Build of Windows 11. It looks like they have a traffic light system with:
Green: Meeting Windows 11 Hardware Requirements
Amber: Not Meeting Windows 11 Hardware Requirements but Meeting Minimum Requirements for the Windows Insider Program
Red: Not Meeting Requirements for the Windows Insider Program
With the amber category, installation is allowed but there is a warning about a possible degraded experience and some features not working properly. It seems to install without issue on a 6th Generation and 7th Generation unsupported processor which otherwise have all the other required features.
This is great, however, Microsoft have stated that anyone testing insider builds on unsupported hardware will have to go back to Windows 10 at the end of the testing period. So, may I ask, what is the point of that? My system would remain unsupported and yet I get to experience Windows 11 only to have to downgrade back to Windows 10.
So, I'll reiterate; why are Dell saying this system is compatible and yet Microsoft say it is not.
DELL-Chris M
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Posted July 27th, 2021 07:00
This uses the new version of PC Health Checkup released by Microsoft which has corrected information of system compatibility.
How to Run PC Health Check for Microsoft Windows 11 Upgrades
Reminder, Dell support agents cannot assist with Windows 11 insider builds, related questions, or troubleshooting.
DELL-Chris M (old account)
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