If you aren’t going to be able to download Windows 11 on your device, and don’t want to buy a new Windows 11 PC, Microsoft will still support Windows 10 through October 2025. And the tool that allows many people to download Windows 10 for free still works. 

The reasons for the strict Windows 11 minimum system requirements are performance- and security-based, according to Microsoft. The company’s testing found that devices that did not meet minimum requirements experienced 52% more kernel mode crashes, aka the blue screen of death. These requirements are also in line with those for core applications people use for video conferencing, working and gaming, the post said.