In a recent development, Microsoft has revised its roster of processors that are compatible with Windows 11. Notably, the company has delisted 44 Intel CPU models from the previously published list. These specific processors, predominantly employed in server configurations rather than everyday personal computers, have been removed.
Windows 11 is meticulously crafted to optimize performance on machines powered by Intel CPUs from the 8th generation onwards, or Ryzen 2000 series CPUs and beyond. The affected CPUs belong to Intel’s 8th generation, introduced in 2018. The detection was made by Neowin, which provides the full list below. Given that these CPUs predominantly cater to server setups, typical computer users are unlikely to experience any impact. However, it raises curiosity that Microsoft undertook this removal without furnishing any explanation. We have sought clarifications from Microsoft and intend to incorporate their response into this report.
Here is the list of Intel Processors No Longer Supported by Windows 11:
- Intel Xeon E-2104G
- Intel Xeon E-2124
- Intel Xeon E-2124G
- Intel Xeon E-2126G
- Intel Xeon E-2134
- Intel Xeon E-2136
- Intel Xeon E-2144G
- Intel Xeon E-2146G
- Intel Xeon E-2174G
- Intel Xeon E-2176G
- Intel Xeon E-2176M
- Intel Xeon E-2186G
- Intel Xeon E-2186M
- Intel Xeon E-2224
- Intel Xeon E-2224G
- Intel Xeon E-2226G
- Intel Xeon E-2226GE
- Intel Xeon E-2234
- Intel Xeon E-2236
- Intel Xeon E-2244G
- Intel Xeon E-2246G
- Intel Xeon E-2254ME
- Intel Xeon E-2254ML
- Intel Xeon E-2274G
- Intel Xeon E-2276G
- Intel Xeon E-2276M
- Intel Xeon E-2276ME
- Intel Xeon E-2276ML
- Intel Xeon E-2278G
- Intel Xeon E-2278GE
- Intel Xeon E-2278GEL
- Intel Xeon E-2286G
- Intel Xeon E-2286M
- Intel Xeon E-2288G
- Intel Xeon E-2314
- Intel Xeon E-2324G
- Intel Xeon E-2334
- Intel Xeon E-2336
- Intel Xeon E-2356G
- Intel Xeon E-2374G
- Intel Xeon E-2378
- Intel Xeon E-2378G
- Intel Xeon E-2386G
- Intel Xeon E-2388G
Although it remains plausible that the exclusion of these Intel Xeon components could be an inadvertent oversight, the sheer number of processors removed casts doubt on this theory. The hope is for Microsoft to elucidate the circumstances surrounding this incident, especially considering the historical disagreements that such actions have provoked in the past. Moreover, it is disconcerting that the company possesses the prerogative to withdraw support for CPUs without substantial elucidation. As recollection serves, the initial release of Windows 11 encountered issues due to its stringent system requirements, causing discontent among users whose capable hardware failed to meet Microsoft’s CPU benchmarks.
