Windows 11's Upgrade Block: A Lesson in Tech Deprecation

Change is constant in the fast-moving world of technology, but it’s not always kind to your existing hardware. With Microsoft’s Windows 11 upgrade requirements, millions of PCs are being left behind, ineligible to leap from Windows 10. We’ve been talking about deprecation on social media, and this is a perfect example of it in action. Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can stay ahead.

What Is Deprecation, and Why Windows 11?

Deprecation in tech is when older systems, software, or hardware are phased out, marked as obsolete to make way for the new. Windows 11’s strict hardware rules are a textbook case. To upgrade, your PC needs a TPM 2.0 chip, Secure Boot, and a modern processor—think Intel 8th-generation (2017) or AMD Ryzen 2000 (2018) or newer. If your device doesn’t check these boxes, it’s effectively deprecated by Microsoft, even if it runs Windows 10 like a champ.

Studies estimate that hundreds of millions of PCs could be affected. A 2022 Lansweeper survey of 30 million devices found 42.74% of workstations couldn’t upgrade, with 19% lacking TPM 2.0 and 23% having it disabled. With Windows 10 holding ~70% of the Windows market—roughly 1 billion devices—estimates suggest 350-500 million PCs may be ineligible, especially those pre-2018. This cutoff isn’t just technical; it’s deprecation in action, rendering capable hardware obsolete by policy. That’s a lot of hardware suddenly deemed “too old” for Microsoft’s vision of a secure, modern OS.

The Clock Is Ticking: Windows 10’s End-of-Support

The stakes rise with Windows 10’s end-of-support on October 14, 2025. After this, security updates cease, leaving non-upgradable PCs vulnerable to cyber risks and incompatible with new apps. Imagine a perfectly functional laptop or office workstation becoming a security liability overnight. That’s deprecation’s real-world impact. For businesses, this could mean replacing entire fleets—a costly echo of past deprecation events. For consumers, it’s the frustration of a 2016 PC with a 7th-gen Intel CPU being sidelined despite solid performance.

A Look Back: Hardware Deprecation in History

This isn’t the first time hardware has been deprecated by software demands. A notable example is Windows XP’s launch in 2001, which required a 233 MHz processor, 64 MB RAM, and 1.5 GB storage—modest now but a leap from Windows 98’s 66 MHz and 16 MB minimums. Many late-1990s PCs, like those with Pentium II CPUs, couldn’t handle XP’s demands, pushing users to upgrade hardware. By XP’s end-of-support in 2014, ~30% of PCs (roughly 500 million globally) still ran it, and many lacked the power for Windows 7 or 8, forcing replacements or security risks.

The largest instance, however, was the 32-bit to 64-bit transition. Starting with Windows 7 in 2009 and accelerating with Windows 10, Microsoft phased out 32-bit CPU support. By 2019, Windows 10’s 64-bit versions dominated, and Windows 11 is 64-bit only. This shift affected billions of devices—estimates suggest over 1 billion 32-bit PCs were in use globally by 2010, many in enterprises and emerging markets. Those without 64-bit-capable CPUs (e.g., Intel Core 2 Duo or older) were deprecated, unable to run modern OSes or software, dwarfing Windows 11’s impact.

Why This Matters for You

For businesses, deprecated hardware means tough choices: replace entire fleets of PCs or risk running an unsupported OS. For individuals, it’s the frustration of a budget PC or custom build from 2016 being sidelined. Plus, there’s an environmental angle—millions of obsolete PCs could pile up as e-waste if not repurposed or recycled.

Stay Proactive, Not Reactive

From XP to 32-bit PCs to Windows 11, deprecation shapes tech’s evolution. The Windows 11 cutoff, affecting up to 500 million devices, is significant but not the largest shift we’ve seen. By preparing now—checking hardware, enabling TPM, or exploring upgrades—you can avoid being caught off guard.