Minimum Hardware Requirements for Windows 11

As PC gamers know, there`s a big difference between the minimum system requirements to run software and the recommended specifications you need to run things smoothly. But here`s what you absolutely need to run Windows 11. Microsoft will maintain its minimum system requirements for Windows 11, including TPM 2.0, despite user complaints. However, there is a workaround. We have many more computers that offer Windows 11 compatibility, and we`re adding more to the compatibility list every day. Our best advice for understanding your full list of options is to contact our technical sales team. They can work with you to ensure that the solution you choose meets your needs. After completing the steps, the computer must pass the hardware verification process to proceed with the in-place upgrade or reinstallation of Windows 11. Once you`ve completed the steps and the hardware is compatible, you`ll receive a message confirming that you can upgrade to Windows 11. If the hardware fails verification, you will receive a message asking why the device can run Windows 11. Check if the device you already own is on the list? You can find important information about your system under Settings > System > Information.

However, it can still be difficult to determine if your PC meets all the hardware requirements. On the one hand, Microsoft says that the computer must run a specific processor and: We have identified a number of PC models that meet the principles while running on 7th century Intel processors. , which we did not originally include in our minimum system requirements. Based on these results, we`ve expanded the list of compatible 64-bit processors to include: It`s important that you have enough free disk space to install updates, and you may need to check if your hardware is still supported by your OEM. Windows 11 Setup includes a utility that checks for compatibility with hardware requirements and blocks upgrade installations on devices that do not include a supported processor or TPM 2.0. However, you can bypass this compatibility checker by downloading an ISO file and performing a clean installation. To update a system running Windows 10 but not meeting the hardware requirements, a Microsoft support document indicates the following registry key change that you must first make: Learn more about the disk space required to keep Windows 11 up to date. Despite user opposition, Microsoft said in a blog post published in August that it would maintain these requirements. However, a few more processors have been added to the compatibility list. Microsoft`s list of compatible processors now includes the Intel Core X and Xeon W series, as well as some devices running the Intel Core 7820HQ, including the Surface Studio 2. Below are more details about our principles that guided us in defining the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. Here is some information from the data we have collected over the past few months that has confirmed our decision.

This PC doesn`t meet the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11 – these requirements help ensure a more reliable, high-quality experience. Installing Windows 11 on this PC is not recommended and may cause compatibility issues. If you continue to install Windows 11, your PC will no longer be supported and won`t be eligible for updates. Damage to your PC due to incompatibility is not covered by the manufacturer`s warranty. I assume that older PCs updated with this workaround will continue to receive security updates with supported hardware indefinitely, but that`s not guaranteed. Future feature updates may restore the Compatibility Checker without allowing a workaround. If you would like to learn more about our minimum system requirements and how these principles guided our decision-making, please read this blog which provides a more detailed explanation of our approach. * Over time, there may be additional requirements for updates and activation of certain features in the operating system. For more info, see Windows 11 specifications.

If the device has a TPM, the hardware information and status are displayed. Otherwise, if «Unable to find compatible TPM» appears, the chip is disabled on UEFI or the device does not have the TPM. The possibilities of organizing windows on large external screens are significantly expanded compared to Windows 10. The familiar «snap» shortcuts still work to position windows side by side, but hovering over the icon in the upper-right corner of a window will bring up additional options for organizing three or four windows, as shown here. These arrangements are also available from the taskbar, allowing you to restore a specific arrangement with a single click. Based on our test results, we add a small number to the list of compatible processors (explained below), but keep the minimum system requirements as originally defined. We have concluded that the selected compatible 64-bit processors, 4 GB of memory, 64 GB of memory, UEFI Secure Boot, graphics requirements and TPM 2.0 are the correct minimum requirements to meet the principles we have established to serve you better. Here are the minimum system requirements your PC must meet to deliver a great computing experience: The published system requirements for Windows 11 are as follows: Are you planning to install Windows 11? This is the new minimum hardware and processor requirements. So, if your computer doesn`t have the right hardware, you`re going to be stuck with the old Windows 10 for the foreseeable future.

If you`re wondering if your machine has what it takes, you can check it out. System firmware: UEFI (for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, a modern version of the PC BIOS) and Secure Bootable. If your device doesn`t meet the minimum system requirements because it`s not suitable for Secure Boot, you should read this article to see if you can follow the steps to activate it. Secure Boot can only be enabled with UEFI, and this article will help you understand the possible options for changing settings to achieve this. You can use the Microsoft PC Integrity Checker application to verify that your computer meets the minimum system requirements. If the system configuration is not compatible, the app will also show you details about components that are not compatible. You can use this information to determine the steps you need to take to fix the problem or determine if it`s time to update your device. The TPM is designed to provide security-related hardware functionality. Basically, this makes the computer more resistant to malicious manipulation.

This piece of hardware requirements for Windows 11 caused the most confusion when deploying Win11, but at the end of the day, it`s a good thing for cybersecurity. (Optional) Click the Device Specifications button to better understand the system requirements. Some Windows 11 features have higher requirements than those listed in the Minimum System Requirements section above. Here are some additional details about the system requirements for key features: This guide will show you the new system requirements for installing Windows 11 and the steps to verify that your computer is running the operating system. In addition to the minimum system requirements, Microsoft has also released a list of specific hardware requirements to support certain Windows 11 features. UPDATE 10/27/2022: Windows 11 has significantly increased the system requirements compared to previous versions of Windows. This means that the new version is available as a free upgrade, unless your Windows 10 computer meets the minimum hardware requirements (64-bit dual-core processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, TPM (Trusted Platform Module) version 2.0, and Secure Boot), you can`t upgrade Windows 11 or perform a clean installation. The host processor of the virtual machine must also meet the Windows 11 processor requirements. To check compatibility with Windows 11, download and run the PC Health Check app to identify specific compatibility issues that prevent an upgrade. Older hardware is less likely to pass the strict compatibility checks of Windows 11. For example, most 7th Gen Intel Core processors are not on the list of compatible processors, nor are PCs built with AMD Zen 1 processors. PCs purchased in 2016 or earlier are almost certainly not supported.

Typically, hardware requirements do not change significantly from version to version. However, Windows 11 represents the most significant update to Windows in the last decade and requires a more powerful hardware configuration to support the new standard security features to protect devices and data. For starters, there`s a new user experience with updated colors and icons, major changes to the Start menu and taskbar, a major redesign of the Settings app, a widget section that provides small-sized messages and reminders, and a vastly improved way to move windows into position. The reasons for the strict minimum system requirements for Windows 11 are based on performance and security, according to Microsoft. The company`s tests revealed that devices that didn`t meet minimum requirements experienced 52% more kernel mode crashes, also known as the Blue Screen of Death. These requirements are also consistent with those of the basic apps people use for video conferencing, work and gaming, the position says. Some motherboards, especially those shipped separately, may have a TPM that is not enabled.