Your computer might finally be eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11 if you belong to a specific group of users with a particular type of CPU. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean that Microsoft has changed its rules about the minimum requirements for Windows 11. Instead, they’ve fixed a bug that was causing compatibility issues, which led to a temporary hold being placed on certain systems.
In 2021, just after the release of Windows 11, Microsoft and Intel discovered that Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) had compatibility problems with 11th Gen Core processors running Windows 11. This led Microsoft to put a hold on systems affected by this issue, preventing them from upgrading to Windows 11. Now, more than two years later, Microsoft has finally resolved this problem, allowing these computers to be eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade.
Microsoft has explained the process for upgrading to Windows 11 after updating the Intel Smart Sound Technology drivers. Once these drivers are updated to a compatible version, users should be able to upgrade to Windows 11. However, it might take up to 48 hours for the upgrade option to appear after updating the drivers.
After October 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive support from Microsoft. Although Microsoft encourages users to switch to Windows 11, not all computers meet the strict minimum requirements for the new operating system. Additionally, Microsoft has revealed the costs for commercial customers who wish to continue receiving security updates for Windows 10 after the support cutoff. The prices start at $61 per device for the first year and increase significantly in the following years. The costs for individual users should be announced soon and are expected to be substantial.