Windows 11 upgrade video gets labeled 'tone deaf'

Windows 11's upgrade video might need an upgrade of its own.

What you need to know

• There has been a lot of discussion, and confusion, around Windows 11 upgrade requirements and policies.
• Microsoft released a video attempting to clarify matters.
• The video has not been well received by a portion of viewers.

Given that Windows 11 kicked off with widespread confusion over its TPM and hard floor hardware requirements, it was only a matter of time before Microsoft attempted to clarify its stance in response to consumers' queries and complaints about what was, and wasn't, required for Windows 11 upgrading eligibility. However, in attempting to answer consumers frankly, Microsoft seems to have angered a section of them even more.

In its ask-me-anything-themed video entitled "Windows 11 upgrade paths and deployment tools", almost an hour's worth of questions and topics were addressed. However, some viewers felt the answers provided by Microsoft didn't read the room or handle contentious points in a satisfactory manner. The video, as of this post, sits at 3 likes, 63 dislikes, and has a comment section that is (currently) entirely negative and unhappy.

In the video, Microsoft employee Aria states that it "sucks" that some people aren't equipped with eligible devices, but points out how great Windows 11's requirements will be for those who are eligible, when it comes to what those requirements mean for security, productivity, and the overall experience.

"A lot of these answers come off as super tone deaf," the video's top comment reads. "It's looking like Windows 11 will be another Windows 8."

Others in the comments argued that Windows 11's requirements are a thinly veiled ploy to warrant fresh license purchases alongside new machines since free upgrades to existing computers won't earn Microsoft revenue.

Whatever Microsoft's stance is regarding how Windows 11 policies benefit consumers, it seemingly has not been clearly communicated to a sizeable portion of the company's primary audience, such as those who would watch Microsoft Tech Community YouTube videos.