This week, millions of users faced various problems as new events only worsened the situation. In a recent update, Microsoft released a Patch Tuesday package that uncovered five zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited by attackers. These serious vulnerabilities were quickly added to the list of known vulnerabilities, highlighting the severity of the issue.
Before users could install these updates, researchers from Check Point Research discovered a new variant of the malicious Phemedrone Stealer. This virus targets computers with unsupported versions of Windows, stealing cryptocurrency from unsuspecting users.
Amidst these concerning developments, Microsoft decided to halt persistent notifications prompting users to upgrade to Windows 11. Many Windows 10 users saw this as a positive step, especially considering that support for Windows 10 is set to end next year in October. However, this relief was short-lived.
The company closed off a popular workaround that allowed users to install Windows 11 on devices that did not meet the requirements. This method, used for over 10 months, enabled users to bypass equipment compatibility checks, facilitating the transition to the new OS without the need for new hardware purchases.
This move by Microsoft suggests a commitment to maintaining strict hardware requirements despite user dissatisfaction and low adoption rates of Windows 11. With less than a third of devices running Windows already updated to Windows 11, millions of users who are still on Windows 10 may face challenges in transitioning without purchasing new computers.
Many users are reluctant to replace perfectly functioning equipment solely for a new OS upgrade. Moreover, the end of support for Windows 10 could lead to a surge in electronic waste as outdated devices become obsolete.
Therefore, while one workaround for installing Windows 11 has been closed off, the looming end of Windows 10 support remains a significant challenge. Failure to update or reluctance to do so could pose a serious threat to millions of computers worldwide.