Windows 11 is officially here, however Microsoft added some strict new {hardware} necessities for its next-gen working system. Microsoft is working with PC makers to develop Windows 11-ready PCs, and also you might be able to improve to Windows 11 totally free along with your present PC—offered that it meets the brand new standards.
Windows 11’s {hardware} necessities, actually, have rapidly turn into the most controversial aspect of Microsoft’s new operating system. We’ve listed the CPU necessities under, in addition to the obtainable Windows 11 improve choices in case your PC’s parts don’t conform to them. Microsoft has additionally printed a multipage doc itemizing the detailed hardware requirements of Windows 11 (PDF), together with new webcam and touchpad necessities which were added.
Fortunately, in case your PC doesn’t meet the {hardware} necessities, you’ll have a number of years to exchange it, as Windows 10 might be supported till 2025.
Check out our Windows 11 superguide for comprehensive news, reviews, tips and more about Microsoft’s new working system.
Windows 10 vs. Windows 11 system necessities
For Windows 10, the PC {hardware} necessities essential to run it are comparatively tame: a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM (2GB for a 64-bit model of the OS), 16GB of storage, and a show able to 800×600.
For Windows 11, you’ll want a extra subtle PC. According to Microsoft’s list of PC hardware requirements for Windows 11, that is the primary time that you just’ll want a multicore processor to run Windows, although it gained’t should be that highly effective: only a 1GHz, 64-bit processor with 2 or extra cores. (Don’t fear about whether or not your PC features a 64-bit chip, as nearly all PCs have included 64-bit processors for the reason that 2000s.) There’s additionally a TPM requirement, which we’ll focus on under.
Windows 11 would require an Eighth-gen Core CPU and above, according to the Windows 11 hardware requirements for Intel CPUs. An identical listing of supported AMD processors on Windows 11 point out that the Ryzen 2000 collection and above is supported. Our performance testing of Windows 11’s Virtualization-Based Security feature reveals a possible purpose why these are the cutoffs. On the Arm facet of issues, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 850 and up are additionally supported by Windows 11.
We’ve printed a list of CPUs that support Windows 11, here. As of August 27, that listing now contains the Intel Core X-series, the Xeon W-series, and the Intel Core 7820HQ, which options within the Microsoft Surface Studio 2. Microsoft has dominated out first-generation AMD Zen processors, nevertheless.
Eliminating older Seventh-generation Core processors will definitely minimize out a considerable portion of the PC market from a Windows 11 improve, although what number of isn’t precisely clear. We’re already seeing Microsoft itself declare a considerable chunk of its Surface lineup ineligible for Windows 11 upgrades.
You may also want extra reminiscence. Microsoft is growing the minimal quantity of RAM to 4GB, and requiring a far bigger quantity of storage—64GB—then earlier than. That’s as a result of the quantity of storage required is, in accordance with Microsoft, “highly variable.” The storage controller should meet the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) 2.3.1 or larger.
Windows’ storage demand is determined by what variations of Windows have been beforehand put in; the quantity of storage already claimed by Windows; the scale of your web page file (also referred to as the swap file), which acts like a reduction valve to your essential system reminiscence; and extra. You’ll additionally want a DirectX 12-capable GPU, and at the least a 720p show.
Finally, Microsoft publicized a few new necessities in its help doc. New Windows 11 PCs (excluding desktops) shipped after January 2023 might be required to incorporate a webcam, which Microsoft defines as “HD”—not 1080p, sadly, however simply the identical 720p webcams which ship with many PCs in the present day. Microsoft is also insisting that each one new Windows 11 PCs embrace a Precision touchpad.
Windows 11’s controversial TPM requirement
Microsoft can also be including new, stricter safety necessities for Windows 11. You will now want a PC that features a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, a safety coprocessor that’s not current on all PCs. (What’s a TPM?) A TPM features a hardware-based random quantity generator, and might problem cryptographic keys to guard your knowledge. TPMs additionally authenticate {hardware} units. (Microsoft and AMD announced a complementary technology called Pluton in late 2020, initially developed for the Xbox, although Windows 11 PCs don’t seem to require it.) Your PC should additionally help UEFI and be Secure Boot-capable.
Microsoft initially instituted each a ”hard” and a “soft” floor of specifications to run Windows 11, designed across the TPM module specification. In June, Microsoft eradicated the “soft floor” and made TPM 2.0 a minimal requirement. If your PC doesn’t embrace this TPM functionality (or if it contains simply the older TPM 1.2 specification), it is not going to be eligible for Windows 11 and might be thought of unsupported. Fortunately, there are instruments that may inform you whether or not or not your Windows PC is eligible for Windows 11.
How to inform in case your PC can run Windows 11
There are two methods to find out whether or not your PC can run Windows 11.
First, to determine whether or not your PC incorporates a TPM, you may simply ask it. If you kind tpm.msc into your Windows 10 PC’s search bar, your PC will open the Trusted Platform Module Management app. You’ll then be to scroll all the way down to the TPM Manufacturer info and see whether or not a TPM is put in, and whether or not it’s TPM-certified.
Second, Microsoft is offering a free app to find out whether or not your PC is able to working Windows 11: the PC Health Check app. (Warning: That hyperlink begins a obtain of the device.)
PC Health Check is already stay on Microsoft’s website, and it’s value downloading. It’s a small Win32 app that gives a abstract of what’s in your PC. It additionally gives a one-click examine of your PC’s capabilities on the high of the window, to see whether or not you may run Windows 11. Microsoft stated on June 26 that it up to date the PC Health Check app to supply extra details about what would make a PC ineligible for Windows 11.
The PC Health Check app solutions the query: can my PC run Windows 11?
There’s additionally a third-party, unsupported device referred to as WhyNotWin11, which is offered on GitHub. WhyNotWin11 is not supported by Microsoft, and Windows SmartScreen will possible flag it for those who run it. (Use at your personal danger.) WhyNotWin11 was designed to supply much more granular details about your PC, and why it may not be eligible for Windows 11.
How to run Windows 11 on an older PC
Originally, Microsoft drew a line within the sand and insisted that each one PCs meet these {hardware} necessities. But the corporate is now quietly saying that older PCs will be capable to run Windows 11, too, however just for a really quick time.
“Unsupported” PCs should nonetheless meet some minimal specs, which seem to incorporate a supported 64-bit CPU, 4GB of reminiscence, 64GB of storage, UEFI safe boot, graphics necessities and TPM 1.2, to run Windows 11.
Microsoft initially stated {that a} PC that met these minimal necessities can be in a position to download a Windows 11 ISO file and run it, allowing unsupported PCs to run Windows 11 till the official launch. But then Microsoft modified its tune: Yes, older PCs will be able to download Windows 11 ISOs, however won’t be able to receive Windows updates—an infinite safety danger. Then, Microsoft additionally blocked unsupported PCs from even participating in Windows 11 Insider testing. Here’s the underside line: you may nonetheless obtain Windows 11 through an ISO on an unsupported PC that doesn’t meet Microsoft’s {hardware} necessities, however your safety dangers will develop as Microsoft releases patches for the OS that your PC is not going to obtain.
The different choice: Windows 10
If you may’t run Windows 11, you’ve got a couple of choices. You can keep on with Windows 10, which Microsoft will help till it’s “retired” in 2025. Or you should purchase a “Ready for Windows 11” PC, which PC distributors will start releasing later this 12 months. If all this dialogue over the Windows 11 {hardware} necessities looks as if an excessive amount of hassle, shopping for a brand new Windows 11 PC will be the solution to go.
This story was up to date on October 5 to say Windows 11’s basic availability.
As PCWorld’s senior editor, Mark focuses on Microsoft information and chip expertise, amongst different beats. He has previously written for PCMag, BYTE, Slashdot, eWEEK, and ReadWrite.