Microsoft tightened its already strict hardware compatibility requirements for Windows 11 upgrades again. The updated Rufus utility can bypass those restrictions for most PCs, but it's the end of the line for an unlucky few.

Windows 10 users – and those running an out-of-date version of Windows 11 – are getting an update stealthily pushed to their PCs that will allow Microsoft to force a future update to the OS (to keep it in support), and also to nag users about support running out, too.

In confirming the deployment of patch KB5001716 to Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, Microsoft warns that “when this update is installed, Windows may attempt to download and install feature updates to your device if it is approaching or has reached the end of support for your currently installed Windows version.

Microsoft decides to change tack with its nag banner in Windows 10, which now pushes an upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2 - bugs and all.

Microsoft mistakenly delivered the upgrade to machines running Windows Server 2022, leaving admins scrambling.