New warning for Windows users as Microsoft’s controversial decision hits.

In just the last two weeks, Microsoft Windows users have faced a slew of serious malware warnings following a significant Patch Tuesday and subsequent multiple U.S. government alerts. This is certainly not the period to consider discontinuing ongoing security support, yet it seems that hundreds of millions of users will soon have no other option.

Indeed, we are discussing the end of life for Windows 10, set for next October, and the grim situation facing hundreds of millions of Windows users who are reluctant to upgrade to Windows 11, whether due to personal preference or hardware that fails to meet Microsoft’s stringent security requirements for the upgrade.

Many users are wondering if these stringent security measures might be eased as the deadline approaches to facilitate the transition for millions more. There is also curiosity about whether there might be any sort of free extension to provide users more time, besides the potentially costly paid options that Microsoft might also offer.

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” is AI—what else. “Microsoft is going all-in on its AI strategy, developing ‘Copilot+ PCs’ equipped with advanced AI tools that leverage the system’s NPU. Currently, the availability of Copilot+ PCs is limited, but within just over a year, their presence is expected to significantly increase.”

An influx of a few hundred million PC upgrades is projected to drastically boost the number of Copilot + PCs available, as per the prevailing theory, and the rationale behind this is compelling, especially with the prospect of steady, monthly income from AI subscriptions coming into play.

Though likely unintended, there’s a notably convenient alignment between a generational shift in PC hardware needs and another in AI subscription revenues—akin to having connecting flights conveniently depart from adjacent gates.

In the past week, two additional stories have emerged that add context. First, is the revival of Recall. This feature, which continuously captures screenshots of all activity on your PC, aims to allow an AI engine to retrieve any information with a simple prompt. Initially criticized as a privacy disaster, it is now being reintroduced with enhanced security measures, more opt-out features, and potentially even an uninstall option. it’s coming back—at least for more advanced users to test.

The updated feature in Windows 11 now potentially allows users to index all video and audio files stored on a PC to facilitate advanced searching capabilities. It’s clear that the future direction is transforming your PC into a comprehensive memory hub, governed by Microsoft’s AI. This isn’t the best time for those clinging to outdated operating systems to resist upgrading.

This next year and a month could indeed bring fascinating developments to the Windows ecosystem, with increased adoption of new AI functionalities like Recall and the challenges of expanding Windows 11 updates to close the large gap that currently exists.

“Whatever happens,” urges XDA Developers to the 70% of Windows users who haven’t updated yet, “there’s a good chance that using Windows 11 on incompatible hardware is only going to become increasingly difficult.”

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.

Our community focuses on fostering connections through open and thoughtful dialogues. We encourage our readers to express their opinions, share ideas, and discuss facts in a respectful environment.

To maintain this standard, we ask that you adhere to the guidelines outlined in our Terms of Service. Below, we have highlighted key points from these guidelines. In essence, we urge you to remain respectful.

Your contribution may be disallowed if it appears to include:

If we determine or suspect that individuals are participating in prohibited behaviors, their accounts will be blocked.

So, how can you be a power user?

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site’s Terms of Service.

Welcome to DediRock, your trusted partner in high-performance hosting solutions. At DediRock, we specialize in providing dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and cloud services tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses and individuals alike. Our mission is to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure hosting solutions that empower our clients to achieve their digital goals. With a commitment to exceptional customer support, cutting-edge technology, and robust infrastructure, DediRock stands out as a leader in the hosting industry. Join us and experience the difference that dedicated service and unwavering reliability can make for your online presence. Launch our website.