NO MICROSOFT IS NOT DOING THAT
That PC World headline is a LIE.
Microsoft actually says (and requires that you agree to this):
"If you proceed with installing Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won’t be entitled to receive updates. Damages to your PC due to lack of compatibility aren’t covered under the manufacturer warranty."This is what is known as a "FYBYOYO" (fib-yo-yo) statement. It stands for:
"F*ck You Buddy, You're On Your Own"
Microsoft is simply underscoring their lost-standing position -- you install Win11 on an older, incompatible computer, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN, NO SUPPORT.
The implication that Microsoft has changed its position is FALSE. "Allowing" implies that Microsoft has any control over what you install -- of course they do not, the hardware is in your hands. But they have control over whether you can use it safely. And without Windows security updates, you are vulnerable to all manner of attacks.
"FYBYOYO" -- Microsoft
Case 1: You like Windows 10 but after next October, you don't get any more Windows security updates. Or you pay MS $30 and you get updates for another year, then that's the end. Does Win10 stop working? No. But you become highly vulnerable to every future malware attack.
Case 2: You want to upgrade to Windows 11, but you have old/incompatible hardware. So you accept Microsoft's FYBYOYO terms and force an upgrade from 10 to 11. You don't get any Windows security updates. Does Win11 stop working? No. But you become highly vulnerable to every future malware attack.
If you want security for a while longer, stick with Win10 until it runs out. If you want to get to Win11 sooner than later, you drop security sooner and make the leap.
In neither case do you have a secure computer. The LIE in the PC World headline is the implication that you have a normal, supported Win11 computer. As it explains further down in the article, that's no truer now than it was a week or a month ago. Microsoft has not changed their position.
As Admiral Ackbar said, "It's a trap!"