Some may prefer continue running Windows, even though unsupported. The only viable option after October 2025, is to make the switch to Linux. Devices that can't be upgraded to Windows 11 can remain on Windows 10, or be upgraded to Windows 10. Microsoft plans to support Windows 10 until October 2025. Buyers need to use Microsoft's processor compatibility listing and system requirements document to find out if a PC is compatible with Windows 11, unless the vendor highlights the fact explicitly. Some PCs that can be bought online and in retail locations are not compatible with Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system. The PC Health Check app does not help buyers. Initial upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11 are free, but it is unclear if Microsoft plans to stop these at one point in time, or keep upgrades free indefinitely but only unofficially like it has done for Windows 7 and 8.1 upgrades to Windows 10. While the company did admit that installations are possible, it suggested that incompatible PCs running Windows 11 might not get updates and may be limited feature-wise. PCs that can't be upgraded may still install Windows 11 under certain circumstances, but Microsoft is deliberately vague in this regard.

Some vendors offer upgrade packages, which include a new motherboard, processor and RAM, in a single package, for easier upgrading. A user could upgrade the processor if it is not compatible, sometimes even without replacing the motherboard or other components in the process.

a laptop or the Surface Go device, it is not necessarily true for PCs without fixed components. While that is true for devices with fixed hardware components, e.g. One could argue that it does not really matter which device component is not compatible, as it leads to the same not being able to upgrade to Windows 11 result.

Windows 11 compatibility checker