YouTube’s automatic moderation is at the center of a heated debate regarding its limitations.
Due to the platform’s algorithms, numerous videos demonstrating how to install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs or without a Microsoft account have been removed altogether . The authors of this content, as well as other users, disagree with YouTube’s artificial intelligence’s decision to classify these instructions as “dangerous.”
Tech blogger Rich White, who goes by the handle CyberCPU Tech, was the first to report the issue.
On October 26, he noticed that his video on installing Windows 11 25H2 with a local account had disappeared shortly after it was posted. A YouTube warning stated that the video “could cause serious injury or death.” White admitted that he initially thought it was a technical issue: it’s hard to believe that creating a local user in Windows could pose a security risk.
He appealed, but received a response almost immediately, within 10 to 20 minutes. The timing and nature of the response made it clear that no one had manually reviewed his appeal. The following day, the same thing happened: a new video he’d posted demonstrating how to install Windows 11 25H2 on unsupported hardware was removed, and his complaint was dismissed within a minute. “It’s impossible to watch a 17-minute video in 60 seconds,” White noted. “This means the decision is made by an algorithm, not a human.”
Other creators, Britec09 and Hrutkay Mods , have encountered similar difficulties. They claim that YouTube removes technical videos on Windows without explaining exactly what is being hacked.
It’s impossible to contact a moderator in real time: all replies are sent automatically. Furthermore, these videos contain no legal violations or actual threats to the user . The worst that can happen is the system not booting, but nothing fatal.
Speculation has emerged in the community that the bans may be related to Microsoft’s policies. The coincidence seems particularly suspicious: the company recently closed a flaw that allowed users to install Windows 11 without an account . In February, Microsoft removed instructions for bypassing the TPM 2.0 requirement from its website (the removed videos also covered the same topic). However, White later admitted that the theory of Microsoft’s interference was more of an emotional strategy : there is no evidence to support this theory, and the cause most likely lies in the hosting moderation system itself.
Bloggers believe the root of the problem lies in the algorithms. AI-based moderation operates without human intervention, and the company simply doesn’t have the resources to manually review complaints.
This, according to the authors, is causing a “crippling effect”: content creators are starting to avoid technical topics , fearing that any mention of workarounds or unconventional Windows installation methods could result in a ban. White noted that some of his colleagues have already switched to “safer” topics, and their opinions have plummeted.
“We just want to understand what’s going on,” he said . “If there’s a mistake, have YouTube reinstate the video. If there’s a new rule, explain where the line is. It’s impossible to act blindly.”
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