The most recent version of the Windows 11 Release Preview builds (22000.588) now applies a watermark to the desktop if you use a workaround to run the OS on unsupported hardware. If you can manage to run Windows 11 on an unsupported device, you will see a “system requirements not met” notice that asks you to visit settings to learn more. Although there are no feature limitations, it seems like Microsoft knew people were going to be doing this.

Microsoft did start testing this watermark in Windows 11 builds that were, at least in February, and this inclusion in the release preview indicates that Microsoft is now bringing the alert to a completed software update shortly, and that is for sure. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 requires either an 8th-generation Intel Core CPU or an AMD chip based on a Zen+ or Zen 2 architecture. The thing is that the supported hardware thing that Microsoft implies is more like a cosmetic thing than a real issue. It’s just that Microsoft keeps reminding you that if the software has any issues, Microsoft won’t help you with fixing it.

But the thing is, if you did manage to play around and make Windows 11 run on an unsupported machine, this new update will be a hassle as no one likes seeing that tag on the bottom of the screen every damn time.