Microsoft tightens Windows 11 requirements: Popular command blocked

Microsoft plans to block a popular command that bypasses the hardware requirements verification process during the installation of Windows 11. Users will need to upgrade their computers or continue using an older version of Windows.

The Windows 11 operating system is attracting significant interest from users worldwide, but its hardware requirements can be challenging for owners of older computers.

The system must function correctly with an eighth-generation Intel or second-generation Zen+ AMD processor, TPM version 2.0, UEFI mode, and 4GB of RAM. Therefore, Windows 11 can only run on computers manufactured no earlier than 2018.

Although users can currently enter the command "/product server" during installation to bypass hardware requirements verification, this may soon change. This command is useful for users with powerful enough computers but do not meet all the requirements, such as those lacking TPM 2.0. This trick still works in the latest official version of Windows 11 24H2.

However, Bob Pony discovered that Microsoft had blocked the "/product server" command in the test version Insider Build 27686 (Dilithium). The trick no longer bypasses the TPM 2.0 module verification process. It's likely only a matter of time before this block is introduced in the official version of Windows 11.

Once this happens, there will no longer be a way to bypass these security checks. Users will have to upgrade their hardware (in some configurations, an external TPM 2.0 module can be purchased) or stick to an older version of Windows 10. The installation block may also contribute to an increase in electronic waste. According to analysts, as many as 240 million computers may end up in landfills in the coming years.

This is yet another restriction for installing Windows 11. It is worth noting that the manufacturer previously blocked a popular method of bypassing the login requirement for a Microsoft account.