Although assist for Windows 10 won’t finish in October 2025 in any case, the extra grace interval is just one 12 months. This implies that many customers will quickly not solely need to say goodbye to their working system, but in addition to their laptop.
Even if its parts are highly effective sufficient for Windows 11, it might grow to be digital waste: This is as a result of Microsoft has strict necessities for the {hardware} on which the brand new working system can run — particularly with regards to the processor.
Most PCs and laptops which might be greater than eight years previous are subsequently excluded from the improve — although they work with none issues below Windows 10 and would definitely do the identical below Windows 11.
However, you may make your laptop formally match for Windows 11 with small {hardware} upgrades: Whether that is worthwhile, whether or not it’s even doable, and the way a lot it prices depends upon the precise PC or laptop computer.
What your laptop wants for Windows 11
The necessities that Microsoft locations on a pc for Windows 11 look low at first look:
- Processor with 64-bit assist, two cores and a clock velocity of 1GHz
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB storage for the set up
Many previous computer systems fulfill these necessities, which aren’t dissimilar from the necessities for graphics {hardware} with Direct X 12: Even PCs which might be over 10 years previous have appropriate parts.
To make a PC with an Intel processor appropriate for Windows 11, it isn’t sufficient to easily change the processor. The new CPU additionally wants a brand new motherboard as a result of it has a unique socket format.
IDG
The identical is true of Microsoft’s demand for a motherboard that has UEFI firmware with the Secure Boot perform: This was already necessary for computer systems with Windows 8, so full methods ought to have been geared up with it since 2013.
The requirement for TPM 2.0 is extra problematic: Windows shops safety keys within the Trusted Platform Module, which additionally displays the PC boot course of to make sure that no malware is energetic earlier than Windows masses.
TPM 2.0 was necessary for full methods with Windows 10, which means that computer systems offered for the reason that finish of 2016 ought to be geared up accordingly. Prior to this, PCs and laptops had been normally geared up with TPM 1.2 — which Microsoft believes makes them too insecure for Windows 11.
However, most computer systems will fail to beat one hurdle when switching to Windows 11: According to Microsoft, they completely want a processor that’s on the official compatibility record, which is obtainable for Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm models.
This guidelines out all computer systems supposed for personal customers which might be geared up with an Intel processor earlier than the eighth Core era (“Coffee Lake,” “Kaby Lake R,” “Kaby Lake G,” “Amber Lake Y”) or an AMD CPU whose cores aren’t primarily based a minimum of on the Zen structure.
Complete methods with a supported CPU had been obtainable from spring 2018 — so in case your laptop is greater than seven years previous, Windows 11 can’t be put in with out detours.
Even with very previous PCs, RAM, SSD, the processor clock price or the variety of cores are virtually by no means the rationale why Windows 11 can’t be put in. However, they lack safety capabilities akin to Secure Boot.
WhyNotWin11
However, the Microsoft record just isn’t constant: Older processors such because the Intel Core i7-7820HQ from early 2017 or newer ones such because the AMD Athlon 3000G from the tip of 2019, which relies on the Zen structure, are additionally listed as appropriate for Windows 11, though different processors with this structure are excluded.
Microsoft printed new lists for the person processor producers for the Windows 24H2 update in February: They primarily comprise more moderen CPU fashions.
However, some CPUs that had been beforehand listed as supported have additionally been eliminated — together with particular person fashions from generations which might be really thought-about appropriate with Windows 11.
Whether this was unintentional or intentional is unclear. These lists are literally aimed toward PC producers (OEMs), not non-public customers.
With older processors specifically, they don’t provide you with any definitive certainty as as to if a selected CPU is supported by Windows 11 — and even whether it is now, whether or not this can even apply to future updates of the working system.
How to verify whether or not your PC is prepared for Windows 11
If your laptop is appropriate for Windows 11 in its present configuration, you may be prompted at common intervals to modify to the brand new system.
Windows 10 additionally signifies this with a big window within the settings below “Windows Update”.
Foundry
If this isn’t the case for you, you need to use instruments to verify how Windows 11-ready your PC is. Microsoft gives the PC Health Check for this goal. Start the verify by clicking the blue “Check now” button.
If the pc fulfills the necessities for Windows 11, the general consequence and the outcomes for the person parts are highlighted in inexperienced.
A yellow mark implies that the device couldn’t carry out the check for a particular requirement as a result of the parts or perform was not acknowledged or has not but been activated — for instance, as a result of Secure Boot is switched off.
A cross in a crimson circle signifies that this part is stopping the improve to Windows 11 — usually the processor.
Incidentally, you shouldn’t belief the age info displayed on the left-hand aspect of the device’s begin display screen — it merely guesses primarily based on sure system info, which has nothing to do with the precise age of the {hardware} or the Windows set up.
The freeware WhyNotWin11 additionally checks the Windows 11 compatibility of the person parts and capabilities: Green means handed, crimson means failed.
If the verify device stories that Secure Boot couldn’t be detected, it might be as a result of you haven’t activated this perform. First begin the Windows system info by working
msinfo32 in the primary window: “UEFI” should be within the “BIOS Mode” line. If “Off” is displayed for “Secure Boot State,” the UEFI helps Secure Boot, however it isn’t activated.
To swap on Secure Boot, name up the UEFI settings: The most dependable means to do that is to click on on “Restart now” within the Windows settings below “Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced Boot.”
After a short while, the blue Windows pre-boot setting will seem: Select “Troubleshooting > Advanced options > UEFI firmware settings > Restart.”
The laptop now calls up the UEFI setup: Depending on the producer, one can find the choices for Secure Boot within the “Boot” or “Security” part. There, set Secure Boot to “Enabled,” “Switched on,” “UEFI,” or “Windows UEFI Mode.”
After the restart, the “Secure boot state” within the system info ought to be set to “On.”
If you open the TPM administration below Windows with the command tpm.msc, the system will present you whether or not a corresponding safety module is current and switched on. If Windows doesn’t discover a TPM within the system, you might first need to activate it within the UEFI setup settings.
Foundry
Proceed in an analogous strategy to verify for TPM: Enter tpm.msc within the Windows search window. If the knowledge for a TPM and “Specification version 2.0” seem, every thing is OK, model “1.2” just isn’t adequate for Windows 11 — you want a brand new processor right here.
If you see “No compatible TPM found,” the TPM could also be appropriate however not energetic. Now it is advisable name up the UEFI once more and search for an choice akin to “Security Device,” “TPM State,” or, on a pc with an Intel CPU, “Intel PTT” or “Intel Platform Trust Technology.”
The corresponding choices for an AMD laptop are known as “AMD fTPM Switch” or “AMD PSP fTPM.” Set them to “On,” “Enabled,” or “Activated.”
You want to switch this {hardware} for Windows 11
For an older PC, the path to Windows 11 normally includes altering the processor: Older CPUs additionally fulfill a few of Microsoft’s necessities — they normally include TPM 2.0 and their motherboard gives UEFI firmware with Secure Boot.
However, the fashions on the compatibility record have extra capabilities that their predecessors don’t have and that can not be added later through an replace: In most instances, these are safety precautions towards malware assaults on the working system.
The quickest and most cost-effective strategy to make an older PC match for Windows 11 is to equip it with a processor that Microsoft permits. To do that, you could first make clear whether or not the CPU in your laptop is soldered to the motherboard or sits in a socket — solely then can or not it’s changed in any respect.
Find out the mannequin designation of the CPU — for instance through the Windows Device Manager below “Processors,” within the Windows settings below “System > Info,” or with a {hardware} evaluation device akin to HWinfo 64 or Speccy.
Then analysis the technical knowledge for this mannequin on the processor producer’s web site — for instance ark.intel.com. The {hardware} instruments are additionally useful — in HWinfo 64, search for “Main processor -> CPU platform.”
If phrases akin to “Socket,” “PGA,” or “LGA” seem there, it’s a socketed processor that may usually be expanded. If, alternatively, you see the abbreviation “BGA,” additionally within the type “FC-BGA,” the processor is soldered onto the board — you can’t change it.
A whole PC with a desktop or tower housing normally has a socketed processor, whereas in lots of laptops the CPU is soldered.
However, there are exceptions: All-in-one PCs or small mini PCs usually use soldered laptop computer CPUs, whereas massive laptops — for instance, gaming and high-end laptops — usually have a socketed processor.
Intel: How to decide on an acceptable processor
If the processor might be modified, the subsequent step is to make clear whether or not a Windows 11-compatible mannequin can be utilized as a substitute. The new processor should match into the present slot on the motherboard put in within the PC.
For older computer systems with Intel processors, your likelihood is slim: The socketed fashions from the CPU generations which might be appropriate for Windows 11 — from Coffee Lake onwards — use a unique slot than their predecessors.
This can also be known as LGA1151 — however model 1 differs from model 2 for Coffee Lake when it comes to {the electrical} connections: You can subsequently use a more moderen processor, but it surely won’t work.
When switching to Windows 11, you’ll subsequently want a brand new processor and a brand new motherboard for the Intel platform.
Only if the processor sits on the board in a socket can or not it’s changed with a brand new one. You can use verify instruments akin to HWinfo64 to search out out whether or not that is the case together with your laptop.
IDG
Depending on how highly effective you need your laptop to be after the improve, the improve will price you between round $200 and $500.
In addition, you’ll be able to skip a number of CPU generations from Intel when shopping for a brand new processor and motherboard, as newer fashions are hardly dearer than older ones: This not solely makes the up to date laptop match for Windows 11, but in addition provides it a beneficiant improve in velocity.
If your previous PC makes use of DDR4 RAM, you’ll be able to even use the RAM on a board for the 14th core era “Raptor Lake-R” from final 12 months: An acceptable motherboard such because the Asus Prime H610M prices round $100, and you may get a strong mid-range processor such because the Core i5-14400 as a boxed model with cooler for round $140.
It will probably be considerably dearer if you wish to equip your previous PC with the newest CPU era Arrow Lake: Inexpensive processors akin to a Core Ultra 5 225 price round $250, with an acceptable motherboard costing simply over $100.
You can even want DDR5 RAM, which is round $40 for 16GB capability. If you solely have a good improve finances, you’ll be able to go for a board with an LGA1200 slot for an Intel PC:
CPUs as much as the 11th-generation Rocket Lake can be utilized there, akin to a Core i5-11400F, which prices round $115 with a fan. In addition, an LGA1200 board such because the Gigabyte H510M v2 prices round $100.
There are not any prices for a brand new drive in any case: All boards for the improve choices proven have M.2 and SATA connections so that you could proceed to make use of an current SSD — until you want a flash reminiscence with a bigger capability.
The most cost-effective M.2 and SATA SSDs with 512GB are round $30 — an SSD with PCI Express 3.0 is adequate for M.2 as a result of the advisable boards don’t assist the next PCIe model for the drive.
In many instances, you’ll be able to proceed to make use of your current energy provide unit: Its connections ought to be appropriate for the brand new board and the brand new parts, until you’re utilizing a robust graphics card. However, it’s usually advisable to switch the facility provide unit on a pc that’s six years previous or older.
Hardware improve for an AMD laptop
The improve path to Windows 11 is extra favorable when you’ve got a pc with an AMD processor: The producer continued to make use of the AM4 socket for the older processors till 2022.
This means, for instance, {that a} Ryzen 7 1700 that doesn’t work with Windows 11 might be changed with a processor from the Ryzen 5000 collection, such because the Ryzen 7 5700 or the Ryzen 7 5800XT.
These fashions are nonetheless available and value between $120 and round $180 with cooler.
Many previous PCs with AMD CPUs solely should be changed to make them appropriate with Windows 11. Check beforehand whether or not there’s a UEFI Bios replace for the put in board that helps the brand new processor.
IDG
Before you purchase the brand new processor, verify whether or not your current motherboard helps it: The producer should present an acceptable UEFI replace, which might be discovered on the assist pages for the related board.
You can proceed to make use of the built-in RAM and an current SSD.
As with Intel, newer AMD processors assist increased clock charges for DDR4: In on a regular basis PC use, nonetheless, it’s normally hardly noticeable that the present DDR4 reminiscence within the previous laptop runs somewhat slower.
This article initially appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.