A surprising number of PCs can’t upgrade to Windows 11. Here’s why

Simply over 40% of all enterprise workstations will not make the improve to Home windows 11 attributable to Microsoft’s minimal {hardware} necessities, in accordance with new analysis from IT asset administration agency Lansweeper. 

Microsoft launched Home windows 11 in October 2021 and launched Home windows 11 22H2 on September 20, however many organisations have not bought round to upgrading but, and {hardware} that does not make the grade goes to be one of many elements holding them again.

The principle obstacles to upgrading gadgets to Home windows 11 are the CPU and the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which was both not current or not enabled within the analysis. Home windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 and authorised CPUs. Lansweeper discovered that 42.76% of CPUs failed to fulfill the minimal, whereas 14.66% did not meet Microsoft’s TPM 2.0 requirement. 

“Lansweeper knowledge primarily based on an estimated 30 million Home windows gadgets from 60,000 organizations reveals that on common, solely 57.26% of the workstations are eligible to obtain the automated improve, whereas the remaining could be ineligible,” Lansweeper’s Esben Dochy notes in a blogpost.  

Additionally: Home windows 11 22H2: The best way to get Microsoft’s newest OS replace and what’s coming subsequent

The share of enterprise workstations that may replace to Home windows 11 has improved over the previous yr, although: final October, Lansweeper discovered 55% of workstations did not meet the Home windows 11 minimal system necessities. 

Dochy notes that the proportion of gadgets that meet the CPU and TPU necessities have elevated by 12%, whereas these assembly RAM necessities rose by 1.8% (the overwhelming majority of PCs already meet the 4GB RAM minimal). 

Final October, Microsoft officers have been extraordinarily assured that no buyer will likely be left behind on unsupported Home windows 10. 

“If this development continues, theoretically all gadgets needs to be Home windows 11 appropriate by 2026. Though this does fall in need of the Home windows 10 end-of-life on October 14, 2025,” notes Dochy.

PC shipments are slowing dramatically. IDC reported this week that cooling demand plus provide chain issues brought on PC shipments to say no 15% yr on yr within the third quarter (Q3) of 2022, totaling 74.2 million items. Shipments by Lenovo, HP, Dell and Asus have been all down for the quarter between 15% and 28%. Apple bucked the trade pattern with a 40% rise in shipments. 

Regardless that extra {hardware} meets Home windows 11 necessities, Lansweeper’s analysis discovered Home windows 11 adoption stays restricted. It claimed solely 2.61% of customers throughout enterprise and shopper have upgraded to Home windows 11, whereas 81.87% stay on Home windows 10. It says its knowledge relies on analysis from over 27 million Home windows gadgets. Home windows 11 adoption amongst shoppers was barely increased at simply over 3%, whereas enterprise adoption was slightly below 2.5%.  

Lansweeper’s estimate for Home windows 11 adoption is way decrease than estimates from Steam, the Valve-owned gaming platform. Steam customers probably do make investments extra in {hardware} than basic shoppers. Nonetheless, it reported Home windows 11 adoption was at 25% in September 2022, up from 20% in Might, whereas 71% have been on Home windows 10, and a couple of.4% have been on Home windows 7. 

GlobalStats places Home windows 11 adoption at 13.6%, behind Home windows 10 adoption of 72%. However the US authorities’s web site analytics portal hasn’t been up to date to trace Home windows 11. Microsoft chief Satya Nadella has mentioned enterprises are adopting Home windows 11 “at a quicker tempo than earlier releases.”