New warning for Windows users as Microsoft’s controversial decision hits.
In just the last two weeks, Microsoft Windows users have received numerous serious malware warnings following a significant Patch Tuesday and subsequent alerts from multiple U.S. government entities. In this tense atmosphere, discontinuing continuous security support seems unthinkable, yet it might soon become a stark reality for hundreds of millions of users.
The looming concern refers to Windows 10’s end of life set for next October. The issue intensifies with numerous Windows users hesitant to upgrade to Windows 11, deterred either by personal choice or by their machines failing to meet Microsoft’s stringent security requirements needed for the upgrade.
Many users are pondering if Microsoft will ease these security prerequisites as the deadline nears to encourage more upgrades, or perhaps offer a free extension to give users additional time before implementing costly paid alternatives.
Unfortunately, for any Windows 10 users hoping for such changes last month brought more bad news over and above Patch Tuesday. Microsoft dashed hopes by shutting down the well-publicized “/product server” workaround that tricked the Windows setup process into completely ignoring its usual hardware tests.
At the time, I commented on Forbes that “Microsoft’s new workaround decision seems to be a confirmation of its intent, maintaining its firm stance where Windows 11 hardware is confirmed… which is bad news for the 70% of all Windows users staring down the barrel of October 2025.”
XDA Developers has now suggested that “using unsupported hardware on Windows 11 is only going to get more miserable,” and their reasoning—if right—should be another warning for Windows 10 holdouts that Microsoft is unlikely to relent.
There is the obvious benefit for Microsoft, the site says, in “forcing people who want to continue to get official support to hop to Windows 11 [which] would drive PC sales,” but “there’s another layer that’s in play here.”
This “other play” refers to AI—specifically, Microsoft’s comprehensive AI strategy which introduces ‘Copilot+ PCs’ equipped with advanced AI capabilities leveraging a system’s NPU. While the current market presence of Copilot+ PCs is sparse, predictions suggest a significant increase in their numbers within a little over a year.
The anticipated surge in PC upgrades could lead to a substantial rise in the use of Copilot+ PCs. The logic behind this is straightforward, particularly when considering the potential regular income from AI subscriptions that could follow.
It might not be planned, but the coincidence of a generational need for new PC hardware alongside another shift towards ongoing AI revenue feels almost too convenient, resembling connecting flights that coincidentally depart from adjoining gates.
Last week, two additional stories provided further insights. Firstly, the Recall feature is making a comeback. This tool captures continuous screenshots of activities—both good and bad—enabling an AI system to recall any piece of information via simple commands. Initially criticized as a privacy risk, it now returns with increased security measures, more options for user opt-out, and potentially even an uninstall option. it’s coming back—at least for more advanced users to test.
The second interpretation regarding enhancements is the upcoming upgrade for Windows 11, which might soon allow users to index all video and audio files stored on a PC to facilitate advanced search capabilities. This indicates a shift towards transforming your PC into a primary storage of universal memories, all managed by Microsoft’s AI. This isn’t the best era for those clinging to outdated, unsupported operating systems.
It appears the next 13 months will be quite significant for the Windows ecosystem as we observe the adoption of new AI features like Recall and see how well Windows 11 upgrades can reduce the substantial existing disparities.
“Whatever happens,” XDA Developers cautions the 70% of Windows users who haven’t switched yet, “using Windows 11 on incompatible hardware is likely to become increasingly difficult.”
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