Windows 11 Supported Intel Processors List 7th Gen Unsupported 2021 Here

Microsoft officially supports Intel Core processors, plus select 7th Gen mobile and embedded chips (but not mainstream desktop/laptop 7th Gen).

While the security argument is valid for enterprise environments, it is overkill for the home user checking email on a 5-year-old laptop. The hardware is physically capable of running the OS efficiently, making the cutoff feel arbitrary. Microsoft officially supports Intel Core processors

(Select models from the 7th Gen era used in high-end workstations) Microsoft officially supports Intel Core processors