Windows 11 Is Becoming a Mandatory Update for New Hardware

In this episode of The Windows Podcast, Lucas and Luna explore the quiet shift in Microsoft's hardware compatibility requirements for Windows 11. As of early 2026, major PC manufacturers are shipping new models that only support Windows 11 — with no official Windows 10 driver support. Lucas breaks down the numbers: roughly 300 million Windows 10 systems still in active use face an uncertain upgrade path. Luna asks what this means for enterprise IT departments managing mixed fleets, especially those with specialized peripherals and legacy software. The hosts discuss the specific hardware hurdles: the TPM 2.0 mandate, the 8th-gen Intel CPU floor, and the new Pluton security chip appearing in commercial laptops. They also examine the quiet deprecation of Windows 10 LTSC for newer hardware and what the end of Windows 10 support in October 2025 means for organizations that haven't started testing. If you're planning a hardware refresh or just trying to keep your existing machines secure, this episode gives you the concrete timeline and decisions you need to track. #Windows11 #Windows10 #Microsoft #EnterpriseIT #HardwareCompatibility #TPM2 #Pluton #PCRefresh #EndOfSupport #Intune #WindowsLTSC #Business #Technology #ITStrategy #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #TheWindowsPodcast #LucasAndLuna Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo