|
List of all minimum system requirements for Windows 11
|
These are the minimum system requirements for installing Windows 11 on a PC. If your device does not meet these requirements, you may not be able to install Windows 11 on your device and might want to consider purchasing a new PC. If you are unsure whether your PC meets these requirements, you can check with your PC Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or, if your device is already running Windows 10, you can use the PC Health Check app to assess compatibility. Note that this app does not check for graphics card or display, as most compatible devices will meet those requirements listed below. Your device must be running Windows 10, version 2004 or later, to upgrade. Free updates are available through Windows Update in Settings > Update and Security. |
|
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC). |
| RAM | 4 gigabytes (GB) |
| Storage | 64 GB or larger storage device. See More information on storage space to keep Windows 11 up-to-date for more details. |
| System firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable. Check here for information on how your PC might be able to meet this requirement. |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Check here for instructions on how your PC might be enabled to meet this requirement. |
| Graphics card | Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver. |
| Display | High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel. |
| Minimum system requirements for Copilot+ PCs | Copilot+ PCs are a new class of Windows 11 AI PCs that are powered by a turbocharged neural processing unit (NPU)—a specialized computer chip for AI-intensive processes like real-time translations and image generation— that can perform more than 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS).
To run unique Copilot+ PC experiences, customers will need to acquire new hardware. In addition to the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, Copilot+ PCs must include the following:
Specific features, plus apps and hardware that you add to your Copilot+ PC may have additional hardware, software, or other requirements, and these requirements may change over time. |
| Internet connection and Microsoft account | Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during initial device setup.
Switching a device out of Windows 11 Home in S mode also requires internet connectivity. Learn more about S mode here. For all Windows 11 editions, internet access is required to perform updates and to download and take advantage of some features. On Copilot+ PCs, many unique features, once downloaded, will run without internet access. A Microsoft account is required for some features, including on Copilot+ PCs. |
Certain features require specific hardware. System requirements to run some apps will exceed the Windows 11 minimum device specifications. Check device compatibility information specific to the apps you want to install. Available storage on your device will vary based on installed apps and updates. Performance will scale with higher end, more capable PCs. Additional requirements may apply over time and for updates.
|
List of all feature-specific requirements for Windows 11
Feature-specific requirements for Windows 11We will continue to introduce new AI features that light up more natural and conversational engagement with your devices, including experiences you can only get with Copilot+ PCs. Windows Insiders with Copilot+ PCs will be the first to experience these new features, leveraging the valuable expertise of this community, before they become broadly available to customers through a phased rollout to select devices and markets. Feature availability will vary by device, region, and over time. Learn more about the timing of feature availability at Copilot+ PCs: A New Era of Windows AI PCs and Laptops and Copilot+ PCs and Features for Businesses. We will share more information on the status of new features as they become available, including by region and device silicon technology. Please continue to check back regularly for the latest updates as information and requirements may change over time. |
|
|---|---|
| Copilot+ PCs | The following are unique experiences for Copilot+ PCs:
Wave 1:
Wave 2:
1 Automatic super resolution works with a curated set of games and is only available on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon® X Series processors. Cocreator in Paint, Restyle Image, and Image Creator are optimized for English text prompts and require a Microsoft account and internet connection to access cloud services that help ensure the responsible use of AI. Live captions currently supports translation for video and audio subtitles into English from 40+ languages; translation from 27 languages into Chinese (Simplified) will begin rolling out in mid-2025. Windows Studio Effects require a built-in camera. Available effects vary by device: background blur, voice focus, eye contact: standard, and automatic framing run on all Copilot+ PCs as well as other select Windows 11 PCs with <40 TOPS NPUs, while devices powered by Snapdragon® X Series processors come pre-installed with those effects as well as eye contact: teleprompter, portrait light, and creative filters. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs for more information about feature availability and functionality. 2 Recall (preview) is rolling out to the European Economic Area later in 2025. Optimized for select languages [English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish]. Content-based and storage limitations apply. Requires Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security. Enterprise license required for some policy-enabled management controls. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs for more information about feature availability and functionality. 3 Click to Do (preview) will be available in the European Economic Area later than in other markets. Functionality will vary by market; text actions available across markets in select character sets. Generative fill is only available on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon® X Series processors. Improved Windows search works with specific text, image, and document formats only; optimized for select languages [English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish]. Super resolution in Microsoft Photos is available on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon® X Series processors; rolling out to other devices in mid-2025. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs for more information about feature availability and functionality. The Copilot+ PC features are more than just apps. They are advanced AI capabilities that require a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with 40+ trillion operations per second (TOPS) to work as intended. To enjoy the best experience with the Copilot+ PC features, make sure that the apps you want to install are compatible with your device. Features may vary by region and device. The amount of storage space on your device will depend on your storage configuration and the apps and updates you have installed. The performance of the features will vary depending on the power and capability of your Copilot+ PC. Keep in mind that the features may require additional hardware or software over time. |
| 5G support | requires 5G capable modem where available. |
| Auto HDR | requires an HDR monitor. |
| BitLocker to Go | requires a USB flash drive (available in Windows Pro and above editions). |
| Client Hyper-V | requires a processor with second level address translation (SLAT) capabilities (available in Windows Pro and above editions). |
| DirectStorage | requires an NVMe SSD to store and run games that use the Standard NVM Express Controller driver and a DirectX12 GPU with Shader Model 6.0 support. |
| DirectX 12 Ultimate | is available with supported games and graphics chips. |
| Presence | requires an on-device sensor that can detect human distance from device or intent to interact with device. |
| Intelligent Video Conferencing | requires video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output). |
| Multiple Voice Assistant (MVA) | requires a microphone and speaker. |
| Snap | three-column layouts requires a screen that is 1920 effective pixels or greater in width. |
| Mute/Unmute from Taskbar | requires video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output). App must be compatible with feature to enable global mute/unmute. |
| Spatial Sound | requires supporting hardware and software. |
| Microsoft Teams | requires video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output). |
| Touch | requires a screen or monitor that supports multi-touch. |
| Two-factor Authentication | requires use of PIN, biometric (fingerprint reader or illuminated infrared camera), or a phone with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities. |
| Voice Typing | requires a PC with a microphone. |
| Wake on Voice | requires Modern Standby power model and microphone. |
| Wi-Fi 6E | requires new WLAN IHV hardware and driver and a Wi-Fi 6E capable AP/router. |
| Windows Hello | requires an on-device camera configured for near infrared (IR) imaging or fingerprint reader for biometric authentication. Devices without biometric sensors can use Windows Hello with a PIN or portable Microsoft compatible security key. |
| Windows Projection | requires a display adapter which supports Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.0 and a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct. |
| Windows Studio Effects | the automatic framing, background blur (standard and portrait), eye contact: standard, and voice focus features in Windows Studio Effects will run on a Windows 11 device that includes a processor or SoC that incorporates Neural Processing Units (NPUs) with 10+ trillion operations per second (TOPS). Additional Windows Studio Effects—creative filters, portrait light, and eye contact: teleprompter—are only available on Snapdragon® X Series-powered Copilot+ PCs. Windows Studio Effects require a device with a built-in camera. Learn more about Windows Studio Effects. |
| Xbox (app) | requires an Xbox Live account, which is not available in all regions. See Xbox Live Countries and Regions for the most up-to-date information on availability. Some features in the Xbox app will require an active Xbox Game Pass subscription (sold separately). Learn more about the pass. |
|
List of all key feature deprecations and removals when upgrading to Windows 11
Feature deprecations and removalsWhen upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 or when installing an update to Windows 11, some features may be deprecated or removed. Please see below for information regarding some of the key features impacted: |
|
|---|---|
| Cortana | Cortana in Windows as a standalone app is removed. |
| Desktop wallpaper | cannot be roamed to or from device when signed in with a Microsoft account. |
| Internet Explorer | Microsoft Edge with IE mode replaces the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application in Windows 11. For more information, see Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ. |
| Mail, Calendar, and People | Support for Windows Mail, Calendar, and People ended on December 31, 2024. Any local emails, calendar events, and contacts stored in Mail, Calendar, and People will remain exportable following the steps in Export emails and contacts from Windows Mail or People and import to new Outlook. |
| Management capabilities | for organizations to deliver customized Start and Taskbar experiences are limited:
|
| Math Input Panel | is removed. Math Recognizer will install on demand and includes the math input control and recognizer. Math inking in apps like OneNote are not impacted by this change. |
| News & Interests | has evolved. New functionality has been added which can be found by clicking the Widgets icon on the Taskbar. |
| Paint 3D | is removed. Existing installations of Paint 3D will continue to work, but the app is no longer available for download from the Microsoft Store. |
| Quick Status | from the Lockscreen and associated settings are removed. |
| S Mode | is only available now for Windows 11 Home edition. |
| Search Results from the Internet | Windows 11 does not support disabling the return of internet Search results via Registry Key. The related Group Policy setting is not impacted by this change. |
| Snipping Tool and Snip and Sketch | have been merged into a single experience keeping the familiar Snipping Tool name. |
| Start | is significantly changed in Windows 11 including the following key deprecations and removals:
|
| Tablet Mode | is removed and new functionality and capability is included for keyboard attach and detach postures. |
| Taskbar | is changed including:
|
| Timeline | is removed. Some similar functionality is available in Microsoft Edge. |
| Touch Keyboard | will no longer dock and undock keyboard layouts on screen sizes 18 inches and larger. |
| Universal Windows Platform (UWP) Applications for 32-bit Arm | This change is applicable only to devices with an Arm processor, for example Snapdragon processors from Qualcomm. If you have a PC built with a processor from Intel or AMD, this content is not applicable. If you are not sure which type of processor you have, check Settings > System > About. |
| Wallet | is removed. |
| Windows Deployment Services | is being partially deprecated. Please see this article for detailed information. |
| Windows Mixed Reality | was removed in Windows 11, version 24H2. This includes the Mixed Reality Portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, and Steam VR Beta. Existing Windows Mixed Reality devices will continue to work with Steam through November 2026, if users remain on their current released version of Windows 11, version 23H2. After November 2026, Windows Mixed Reality will no longer receive security updates, nonsecurity updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates. This deprecation doesn’t affect HoloLens. |
| Windows Store for Business and Windows Store for Education | no longer include the Private Store tab. Please see this blog post for information on app deployment options. |
| Word Pad | will be removed from all editions of Windows starting in Windows 11, version 24H2. We recommend Microsoft Word for rich text documents like .doc and .rtf and Windows Notepad for plain text documents like .txt. |
The following apps will not be removed on upgrade but will no longer be installed on new devices or when clean-installing Windows 11. They are available for download from the Store:
- 3D Viewer
- OneNote for Windows 10
- Skype
|
Keeping Windows 11 up-to-dateAs part of the effort to continually improve the Windows experience, software updates and fixes are created and released. These updates are delivered to your device during the device’s supported lifecycle. |
|
|---|---|
|
Ensuring that your device is kept up to date is important for your device security and functionality. With an internet connection, Windows 11 will periodically check for updates so you don’t have to (ISP fees might apply). You can check to see if there are any pending or optional updates available for your device by going to Settings | Update & Security | Windows Update. It is important to ensure you have enough free storage space to install updates and you may need to check to see if your hardware is still supported by your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Visit the Lifecycle FAQ for Windows products More information on storage space requirements to keep Windows 11 up-to-date The size of the Windows operating system that comes with your device and the amount of free storage space needed to download and install Windows updates are highly variable as they depend on a variety of factors. Visit here to learn why. The factors that impact the amount of free space needed to take an update include: the versions of Windows previously installed on the machine; the amount of free storage space available from Windows files to reuse, such as the virtual memory pagefile or hibernation file; which applications are installed on your device; and how those applications store data. When updating, Windows will attempt to free up enough space automatically and to guide you through freeing up even more if the automatic cleanup is not sufficient. You can also take steps on your own to free up space. |
|
Language versionsWindows 11 full localization languages include: |
||
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Looking for Windows 10 specifications and requirements?
Check for compatibility
Use the PC Health Check app to see if your PC can run Windows 11.
Минимальные системные требования ОС Windows 11
- Процессор: 64-разрядный двухъядерный CPU с тактовой частотой не менее 1 ГГц
- ОЗУ: 4 ГБ
- Свободное место на диске: 64 ГБ
- Системная прошивка: UEFI, функция безопасной загрузки Secure Boot и криптографический процессор TPM версии 2.0
- Видеоадаптер: совместимый с DirectX12 или более поздней версии и графический драйвер WDDM 2.0
- Дисплей: 9-дюймовый экран с разрешением 1366×768 точек
- Интернет-соединение и аккаунт Microsoft:
— версия ОС Windows 11 Home Edition требует подключения к интернету и учетную запись Microsoft для завершения настройки устройства при первом использовании;
— для переключения из ОС Windows 11 Home в режим S Mode также нужно подключение к интернету;
— для всех выпусков ОС Windows 11 требуется доступ в Интернет для выполнения обновлений, а также для загрузки и использования некоторых функций;
— для использования некоторых функций требуется учетная запись Microsoft.
Список процессоров с поддержкой ОС Windows 11
- Intel — CPU семейства Coffee Lake, дебютировавшего в конце 2017 года, и новее. Всего поддерживается 537 процессоров против 883 моделей для актуальной версии ОС Windows 10. Полный список процессоров Intel с поддержкой ОС Windows 11 собран на отдельной странице сайта Microsoft.
- AMD — CPU с архитектурой Zen+, дебютировавшей весной 2018 года, и новее. Для Windows 11 всего заявлена поддержка 167 процессорах, тогда как ОС Windows 10 работает на 369 моделях чипов AMD. Полный список процессоров AMD с поддержкой ОС Windows 11 собран на отдельной странице сайта Microsoft.
- Qualcomm — модели 2018 года и новее. Всего в списке числится семь чипов, включая кастомные Microsoft SQ1 и Microsoft SQ2.
Не исключено, что это не окончательные версии и в итоге списки будут расширены, но пока они такие. Кроме того, ОС Windows 10 зачастую можно «подружить» с процессорами, которые официально не поддерживаются. Но как в итоге ситуация будет обстоять с ОС Windows 11, пока можно только гадать.
Readers help support Windows Report. We may get a commission if you buy through our links.
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial team. Read more
Windows 11 is confirmed and Microsoft has a lot of plans with it. It seems that the new OS is heavily focused on performance and gaming, and that’s great news for everyone, not just avid players.
While a build of Windows 11 was leaked a few weeks before its debut, there wasn’t a clear hint at the performance.
The benchmarks that followed gave us a general idea about how the new OS will perform, but now we can know that for sure.
On its official support page, Microsoft released the specs, features, and computer requirements of Windows 11.
Windows 11 System Requirements
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores
- System memory: 4 GB minimum
- Storage: 64 GB minimum
- System firmware: UEFI
- Security: TPM 2.0 required, UEFI Secure Boot
- Display: 9-inch minimum in diagonal, High definition (720p), 8 bits per color channel
- Graphics: DirectX 12 API, WDDM 2.0
- Connectivity: Bluetooth (excluding desktop PC), Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection
- Digitizer: Precision Touchpad (if touchpad is present)
- Hardware buttons: Power button and volume up and down buttons required
- Ports: USB ports (at least one), video output required
Keep in mind that these are the basic system requirements to install Windows 11 on a PC. If you’d like to see if your current PC meets the minimum requirements, download and run the PC Health Check app.
When it comes to feature-specific requirements for Windows 11, it seems that Microsoft has added a lot of new technologies and improvements over Windows 10. Let’s name a few important ones:
- 5G support requires a 5G capable modem.
- Auto HDR requires an HDR monitor.
- Bit Locker to Go requires a USB flash drive (available in Windows Pro and above editions).
- Client Hyper-V requires a processor with second-level address translation (SLAT) capabilities (available in Windows Pro and above editions).
- Cortana requires a microphone and speaker and is currently available on Windows 11 for Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States.
- DirectStorage requires 1 TB or greater NVMe SSD to store and run games that use the Standard NVM Express Controller driver and a DirectX 12 Ultimate GPU.
- DirectX 12 Ultimate is available with supported games and graphics chips.
- Presence requires sensor that can detect human distance from device or intent to interact with device.
- Intelligent Video Conferencing requires video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output).
- Multiple Voice Assistant (MVA) requires a microphone and speaker.
- Snap three-column layouts require a screen that is 1920 effective pixels or greater in width.
- Mute/Unmute from Taskbar requires video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output). The app must be compatible with feature to enable global mute/unmute.
- Spatial Sound requires supporting hardware and software.
- Teams requires video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output).
- Touch requires a screen or monitor that supports multi-touch.
- Two-factor Authentication requires use of PIN, biometric (fingerprint reader or illuminated infrared camera), or a phone with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities.
- Voice Typing requires a PC with a microphone.
- Wake on Voice requires Modern Standby power model and microphone.
- Wi-Fi 6E requires new WLAN IHV hardware and driver and a Wi-Fi 6E capable AP/router.
- Windows Hello requires a camera configured for near-infrared (IR) imaging or a fingerprint reader for biometric authentication. Devices without biometric sensors can use Windows Hello with a PIN or a portable Microsoft compatible security key.
- Windows Projection requires a display adapter that supports Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.0 and a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct.
- Xbox (app) requires an Xbox Live account, which is not available in all regions. See Xbox Live Countries and Regions for the most up-to-date information on availability. Some features in the Xbox app will require an active Xbox Game Pass subscription. Learn more about the pass.
Devices supported by Windows 11
As you will see below, Microsoft also issued a device compatibility list with the type of machine that will have Windows 11 support.
All in one
- Fixed all-in-one PC. Integrates a display with other hardware components in a single chassis
- Portable all-in-one PC. Integrates a display and a battery with other hardware components in a single chassis for home or office portability
Convertible – Devices that combine a display, battery, and point device into a single chassis with an adjustable display.
Desktop PC – Although it probably doesn’t need further explanations, it’s a device mounted in a tower case and it doesn’t include an integrated display and inputs
Detachable – Devices that combine a display, rechargeable power source, and pointing device into a single chassis together with a detachable keyboard.
Mini PC – It’s a type of desktop PC that has the volume of less than a liter and doesn’t include an integrated display and optical drive
Notebook – Another type that doesn’t need an introduction. A clamshell computer that doesn’t have a detachable keyboard.
Tablet – A device that comes with a display, a rechargeable power source, and other components into a single chassis that can be operated by touch. It doesn’t include a keyboard.
Windows 11 CPU compatibility list
Microsoft has released a full list of processors that will be able to run Windows 11 without issues, so we created a handy table for you to be able to search for your device and find out ahead of time if the installation will be possible.
Intel processors
The list below will show you all the processor models that will work seamlessly with Windows 11:
| Intel Processor | Model | |
|---|---|---|
| Atom |
|
|
|
Celeron |
|
|
|
Core |
|
|
|
Pentium |
|
|
|
Xeon |
|
AMD processors
The table below presents you with all the AMD processors that will be able to run Windows 11 without problems:
| AMD Processor | Model |
|---|---|
| AMD |
|
| Athlon |
|
| EPYC |
|
| Ryzen |
|
Qualcomm processors
Here are the Qualcomm processors which will be capable of running Windows 11:
| Qualcomm | Model |
|---|---|
| Snapdragon |
|
New Windows 11 features
And that’s not all. Yes, a lot of new features were added to Windows 11, but some of the ones included in Windows 10 will be removed or toned down a lot. Here are some apps that may be deprecated or removed when upgrading to Windows 11:
- Cortana will no longer be included in the first boot experience or pinned to the Taskbar.
- Desktop wallpaper cannot be roamed to or from device when signed in with a Microsoft account.
- Internet Explorer is disabled. Microsoft Edge is the recommended replacement and includes IE Mode which may be useful in certain scenarios.
- Math Input Panel is removed. Math Recognizer will install on demand and includes the math input control and recognizer. Math inking in apps like OneNote is not impacted by this change.
- News & Interests has evolved. New functionality has been added which can be found by clicking the Widgets icon on the Taskbar.
- Quick Status from the Lockscreen and associated settings are removed.
- S Mode is only available now for Windows 11 Home edition.
- Snipping Tool continues to be available but the old design and functionality in the Windows 10 version has been replaced with those of the app previously known as Snip & Sketch.
- Start is significantly changed in Windows 11 including the following key deprecations and removals:
- Named groups and folders of apps are no longer supported and the layout is not currently resizable.
- Pinned apps and sites will not migrate when upgrading from Windows 10.
- Live Tiles are no longer available. For glanceable, dynamic content, see the new Widgets feature.
- Tablet Mode is removed and new functionality is included for keyboard attach and detach postures.
- Taskbar functionality is changed including:
- People is no longer present on the Taskbar.
- Some icons may no longer appear in the System Tray (systray) for upgraded devices including previous customizations.
- Alignment to the bottom of the screen is the only location allowed.
- Apps can no longer customize areas of the Taskbar.
- Timeline is removed. Some similar functionality is available in Microsoft Edge.
- Touch Keyboard will no longer dock and undock keyboard layouts on screen sizes 18 inches and larger.
- Wallet is removed.
Furthermore, 3D Viewer, OneNote for Windows 10, Paint 3D, and Skype will no longer be installed on new devices. That also applies to clean-installs of Windows. You will still be able to get them but only from the Store.
Auto-HDR, Snap, and Teams integration promise to be great features that will certainly increase productivity, connectivity, and the overall experience, but the loss of Cortana from the Taskbar or the lack of Internet Explorer might be a problem for some.
What do you think about Windows 11’s requirements and features? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below.
Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Passionate about technology, Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!
-
Home
-
News
- Windows 11 Specifications, System Requirements, Features
By Alisa |
Last Updated
This post includes an overview of Windows 11 specifications. Check Windows 11 system requirements, versions, available languages, feature-specific requirements, etc. For more computer tips and tricks, you can visit our official website: https://www.minitool.com/.
Microsoft released its latest Windows OS – Windows 11 – on June 24, 2021 (Related: Windows 11 release date). The new operating system comes with many new features. If you want to install Windows 11 on your computer, you can check below for the basic Windows 11 specifications requirements first.
Windows 11 System Requirements
To get Windows 11, you can either upgrade from Windows 10 or download Windows 11 OS insider preview build. Both are free. But if your computer doesn’t meet the Windows 11 requirements below, you may be failed to install the new OS.
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).
- RAM: 4GB.
- Storage: 64GB or larger.
- System Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
- TPM: TPM version 2.0.
- Graphics Card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
- Display: HD 720p display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel.
How to Check Your Computer Specs
To check if your computer meets the requirements above, you can follow the steps below to check PC full specifications on Windows.
- Press Windows + R, type msinfo32 in Run dialog, and press Enter to open System Information.
- In System Summary, you can find your computer OS name, version, model, type, computer processor, RAM, secure boot state, etc.
- You can also click Components to check the specifications of other computer components.
Alternatively, if your PC is already running Windows 10, you can also use the PC Health Check app that will be available when Windows 11 becomes generally available for the public.
If your current PC meets the requirements to run Windows 11, then you can get a free upgrade when Windows 11 rolls out. However, if your computer doesn’t meet the Windows 11 specs requirements, then you may consider buying a new PC if you want to run Windows 11.
How to Keep Windows 11 Up-to-date
Microsoft continuously improves the usage experience of Windows OS and some software updates and fixes are regularly released. You should make sure your device is up-to-date to get the best performance and security.
Windows 11 will automatically check for updates periodically. But you can also go to Settings -> Windows Update to check if there are any pending or optional updates available. You can also click Check for updates button to manually update Windows 11 to newer versions.
How to Check Your Windows 11 Computer Specifications
Press Windows + I to open Windows 11 Settings. In System tab, find and click About in the right panel. Under Windows specifications section, you can check your Windows 11 specs like Windows 11 version, build number, etc.
Additional Requirements for Some Windows 11 Features
Some features in Windows 11 have additional requirements. Some are listed below.
- Auto HDR: needs an HDR monitor.
- 5G support: needs a 5G capable modem.
- DirectX 12 Ultimate: available with supported games and graphics.
- Microsoft Teams: requires a video camera, microphone, and speakers.
- Voice Typing: needs a microphone.
- DirectStorage: requires an NVMe SSD to store and run games that use the “Standard NVM Express Controller” driver and a DirectX 12 GPU with Shader Model 6.0 support.
Still, some features are removed or changed in Windows 11. For instance, Skype will no longer be installed on new Windows 11 computers or in the Windows 11 clean install. You can download Skype from Microsoft Store if you want.
Windows 11 supports 110 languages. For more details about Windows 11 specs, system requirements, and features, you can visit this page from Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Alisa is a professional English editor with 4-year experience. She loves writing and focuses on sharing detailed solutions and thoughts for computer problems, data recovery & backup, digital gadgets, tech news, etc. Through her articles, users can always easily get related problems solved and find what they want. In spare time, she likes basketball, badminton, tennis, cycling, running, and singing. She is very funny and energetic in life, and always brings friends lots of laughs.
Windows 11 introduced much stricter hardware requirements than its predecessor, Windows 10, and those have also increased slightly with recent updates. As of the Windows 11 version 24H2 release (the “2024 Update”), Microsoft adjusted the minimum specs required to run this operating system. In this article, I will show you the Windows 11 minimum requirements (including the changes introduced by version 24H2), detail the Windows 11 CPU requirements and supported processors, and provide new installation requirements. Read on to learn the answers to common questions such as “Is my PC OK to run Windows 11?”, “What specs does a laptop need for Windows 11?”, or whether Windows 11 can run on an older Intel Core i5 4th Gen or 7th Gen CPU. By the end, you should also know if your PC meets the Windows 11 system requirements or what you might need to upgrade:
What are Windows 11’s system requirements?
Microsoft’s official Windows 11 minimum requirements are the baseline foundation for the hardware needed to install or upgrade to Windows 11. These apply equally to desktops and laptops, so if you’re asking “What specs does a laptop need for Windows 11?”, the answer is the same as for any PC. In summary, your device must meet all the following minimum specs:
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC). However, only certain CPUs are considered compatible. For details, check the CPU compatibility and Windows 11 processor requirements chapter in the How to manually check if your PC meets the Windows 11 system requirements section below.
- RAM: 4 gigabytes (GB) or more.
- Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device for the operating system at installation. Additional space is needed later for updates.
- System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable. Legacy BIOS systems don’t meet this requirement.
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 support. Most PCs from 2016 and newer should have TPM 2.0, either as a discrete chip or firmware TPM.
- Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
- Display: 9-inch or larger screen, with at least 720p HD resolution (1280×720) and 8 bits per color channel.
- Internet: An internet connection and Microsoft account are required to complete the initial setup for Windows 11 Home and for Windows 11 Pro (when used for personal/home use). This means on a new installation, you must be online and sign in with a Microsoft account.
The specs above are just the minimum to run Windows 11; meeting them will allow the operating system to function, but for a smoother experience, you’ll want more powerful hardware. For example, while Windows 11’s RAM requirement is 4 GB, I’d recommend 8 GB or more for a comfortable experience, especially when it comes to multitasking. Likewise, a faster SSD and a more powerful processor with additional cores will improve performance. Some advanced apps or features may even demand more than the minimum specs.
A Copilot+ PC notebook
For example, 5G mobile connectivity support requires your device to have a 5G modem, splitting your screen into three column layouts requires a screen with a width of at least 1920 pixels, Teams needs a camera, microphone, and speaker, Windows Hello demands a camera with near-infrared imaging or a fingerprint reader for biometric authentication, and the list goes on. Not to mention the most demanding of all: Copilot+ PC experiences. Features that require artificial intelligence (AI), like real-time translations and image generation, can only be run on specific hardware that includes a neural processing unit (NPU) with a capability of performing more than 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). In addition to the baseline requirements I mentioned earlier, Copilot+ PCs must have an AMD Ryzen AI 300 series, Intel Core Ultra 200V series, or a Snapdragon X/Plus/Elite processor, as well as a minimum of 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 256GB SSD.
If you want to see each and every Windows 11 system requirement, check out Microsoft’s official Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements.
Having said all that, let’s see how you find out if your system is eligible to run Windows 11. Read the next section if you already have Windows 10 on your computer, or skip to the one after it if you want to install Windows 11 from scratch (on a PC without any operating system or with a different one than Windows 10).
Check if your Windows 10 PC meets the Windows 11 system requirements using the PC Health Check app
The fastest and easiest method to get an answer to the question on everyone’s lips — “Is my PC compatible with Windows 11?” — is to use Microsoft’s Windows 11 system requirements tool. The company calls it PC Health Check. It’s an app that looks under the hood of your computer or device and, in a second or two, tells you whether you can install Windows 11 on your PC or upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Start by downloading the PC Health Check app and installing it on your Windows 10 PC. Once you do that, launch it, and you should see something like the screenshot below:
Windows 11 system requirements tool: PC Health app
In the PC Health Check window, under the Introducing Windows 11 section, click or tap the Check now button.
Check now if your PC meets Windows 11’s system requirements
If your computer or device has the required hardware (and firmware) for Windows 11, the PC Health Check app lets you know that “This PC meets Windows 11 requirements.”
This PC meets Windows 11 requirements
If you want to see all the details, clicking or tapping See all results gives you the list of the Windows 11 system requirements that your PC meets.
Details about the Windows 11 system requirements met by a PC
Pressing the other button, More about Windows 11, opens your default web browser and takes you to the Meet Windows 11: Features, Look, Benefits & More | Microsoft webpage, where you find out if your PC meets the Windows 11 requirements.
This PC will run Windows 11
TIP: If your Windows 10 computer is compatible with Windows 11, here’s how to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free.
In case your computer or device doesn’t currently meet Windows 11’s system requirements, the PC Health Check app notifies you and gives you a list of things you can do or change.
This PC doesn’t currently meet the Windows 11 system requirements
In this case, too, clicking or tapping the See all results button lists all the requirements and details about each of them.
Details about the Windows 11 system requirements that aren’t met by a PC
TIP: Even if your Windows 10 laptop or PC isn’t compatible with Windows 11, you can install it with a few hacks, but it may not work great. If you want to do that, read my guide on how to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.
How to manually check if your PC meets the Windows 11 system requirements
In the previous section of this tutorial, you’ve seen how to automatically check if a computer or device meets the system requirements for Windows 11. However, you can also do that manually by checking every system requirement on your own. If you want to know where to look, read on:
CPU compatibility and Windows 11 processor requirements
First of all, check what processor you have. To do that, launch the Task Manager in Windows 10. If it opens in its compact mode, click or tap More details. Then, switch to the Performance tab and select CPU on the left sidebar. You will see the make and model of your processor on the top right.
Windows 11 system requirements: Processor
One of the most significant (and controversial) Windows 11 requirements is the processor. Beyond the basic spec of “1 GHz, 2-core, 64-bit”, the processor must be from a supported generation. Microsoft has drawn a line in the sand at roughly late 2017 for Intel and 2018 for AMD CPUs. In other words, Windows 11 officially supports Intel 8th-generation Core processors and newer, as well as AMD Zen+ or Zen 2 Ryzen processors and newer:
- Supported Intel CPUs: 8th Gen and up. This includes Intel Core chips from the 8th Gen “Coffee Lake” family (and later 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th Gen, 14th Gen, etc.) for mainstream PCs. Intel Core 7th Gen or earlier chips are not on the supported list (with a few rare exceptions noted below). In practical terms, if you have an Intel Core i3, i5, i7, or i9 CPU from 2018 onwards, you likely meet the Windows 11 CPU requirements. But an older CPU, even one that was high-end in its day, may be unsupported. For example, an Intel Core i5 4th Gen (from 2014) does not meet the Windows 11 CPU requirement. Even a Core i5 7th Gen (from 2017) is not officially supported. Microsoft’s compatibility list explicitly excludes most 7th Gen and older Intel processors. The only supported 7th-gen Intel CPUs are a few specific models that Microsoft added by exception: notably, the Intel Core i7-7820HQ (a 7th-Gen mobile chip used in devices like the Surface Studio 2) and certain Intel Core X-series and Xeon W-series chips from that era. But if you have a typical 7th-Gen Core i5 or i7 consumer CPU, it’s unsupported for Windows 11.
- Supported AMD CPUs: “Zen+” and up. Windows 11 requires an AMD processor from the late-2018 era or newer. This translates to AMD Ryzen 2000 series or later, as well as newer Athlon and EPYC CPUs. First-generation AMD Ryzen 1000 series (2017) are not supported, nor are older AMD FX or A-series processors. In short, if your AMD CPU is from the Ryzen 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 7000, 9000 series (or newer), you’re fine, but an original Ryzen 7 1700 or an old AMD Phenom II, for instance, would not be. AMD APUs like the Athlon 3000G and newer Athlon Gold/Silver chips are supported as they are from the same Zen2/Ryzen 3000 era.
- Supported Qualcomm/ARM CPUs: Windows 11 on ARM supports Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c, 8c, 8cx, and Microsoft SQ-series SoCs used in ARM-based Windows devices. If you have a Windows on ARM laptop or tablet, ensure it has an ARM v8.1-based SoC or newer (ARM v8.0 is no longer supported in 24H2).
AMD vs Intel
In summary, the official CPU compatibility lists for Windows 11 encompass relatively recent processor models: roughly the past 5-6 years of mainstream CPUs. Microsoft provides full lists of supported processors on their site (there are separate lists for Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm models, all available here: Windows Processor Requirements). If your CPU is on the supported list, that satisfies the CPU requirement. If it’s not on the list (e.g., a 4th-Gen or 7th-Gen Intel Core, or a 1st-gen Ryzen), the Windows 11 setup will generally tell you it’s unsupported, even if the chip technically meets the 1 GHz/2-core baseline. Many users specifically ask, “Can Windows 11 run on an i5 4th Gen?” or “…on an i5 7th Gen?” The official answer is no, those CPUs are not supported by Windows 11. Only chips roughly equivalent to Intel 8th-Gen/Core i3-8100, Core i5-8400, Core i7-8700 or newer (and AMD Ryzen 2000-series or newer) are officially OK for Windows 11.
Windows 11 24H2: New CPU requirements and changes
With the release of Windows 11 version 24H2 (the 2024 update), Microsoft made a few adjustments to the requirements, though the base hardware specs remain the same. If your PC already runs Windows 11, it likely can run 24H2 just fine, as the core requirements (CPU family, TPM 2.0, RAM, etc.) are unchanged for standard editions. For example, an 8th-gen Intel or Ryzen 3000 system that was Windows 11-compatible from the start is still compatible with 24H2. Despite some news suggesting 24H2 might raise the CPU requirement to 11th-gen Intel, Microsoft clarified that 8th, 9th, and 10th-gen Intel Core processors remain supported in 24H2. In other words, PCs that met Windows 11’s initial CPU cut-off are not being dropped in this update.
Microsoft clarification regarding the Intel processors supported by Windows 11
However, Windows 11 24H2 did introduce some behind-the-scenes changes: notably, it now requires certain modern CPU instructions (support for SSE4.2 and POPCNT) for the OS to boot in specific scenarios. Practically, this affects only very old CPUs that lack those instructions and only if you’re bypassing the TPM 2.0 requirement. All officially supported CPUs already have SSE4.2/POPCNT, so regular Windows 11 users won’t notice this change. But it means that if someone tried to force-install Windows 11 24H2 on an extremely old 64-bit processor (one from the late 2000s that doesn’t support SSE4.2), the 24H2 kernel would refuse to boot. Earlier Windows 11 versions might have run (unsupported) on such a chip, but 24H2 enforces a stricter requirement in this regard. The above change is not an issue for most users: if your system meets the normal Windows 11 requirements, it supports those instructions, too.
To make things as clear as possible, Microsoft also published and regularly updates lists of Windows 11 compatible processors. Depending on who made your processor, you can check whether your CPU is OK for Windows 11 here:
- Windows 11 version 24H2 supported AMD processors
- Windows 11 version 24H2 supported Intel processors
- Windows 11 version 24H2 supported Qualcomm processors
How to check if your PC meets Windows 11’s RAM requirements
Secondly, we’ve encountered people asking questions like “Can Windows 11 run on 2GB RAM?”. The answer is no; you need to have four or more gigabytes of RAM. And that’s easy to check in Windows 10 using Task Manager. In its Performance tab, select Memory on the left sidebar. Then, look at the top-right corner of the window. There, you can see how much RAM your PC has.
Windows 11 system requirements: RAM
Does your PC meet Windows 11’s minimum storage requirements?
Windows 11 needs at least 64 GB of storage space, which shouldn’t be a problem for most computers these days. However, to make sure you do have it, open File Explorer, select This PC, and check what it tells you about your C: drive (where Windows 10 is usually installed). If it has a total capacity of at least 64 GB, it meets Windows 11’s system requirements. If it doesn’t, you might want to try repartitioning your hard disk or solid-state drive to increase C’s size.
Windows 11 system requirements: Storage
What about Windows 11’s graphics card requirements?
One other Windows 11 system requirement is that your graphics card is compatible with DirectX 12 and has a WDDM 2.0 driver (or newer). Fortunately, verifying whether your GPU is enough for Windows 11 is quite easy:
Open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool and check the DirectX Version entry at the bottom of the System tab. If it displays DirectX 12, you’ve met one of the GPU requirements.
Windows 11 system requirements: GPU that supports DirectX 12
Then, switch to the Display tab from the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. In the Drivers section on the right side of the window, look for the Driver Model. If it displays WDDM 2.0 or higher, your GPU also meets the second Windows 11 system requirement.
Windows 11 system requirements: GPU with a WDDM driver 2.0 or higher
How to see if your PC uses UEFI
You can’t upgrade to Windows 11 if your PC uses an old, legacy BIOS. It has to have UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). To check that in Windows 10, open the System Information tool. Then, look through the System Summary to find the BIOS Mode information. If it displays UEFI, then your PC meets Windows 11’s UEFI system requirement.
Windows 11 system requirements: UEFI (not BIOS)
How do I check if my PC has a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) version 2.0 chip?
As you already know, Windows 11 also requires a TPM version 2.0 chip to be able to run. The easiest way to check whether you have one and that it’s enabled is to see if it’s shown in Device Manager. Open Device Manager, look for Security devices, and expand it. If it lists a Trusted Platform Module 2.0, then your PC covers this Windows 11 system requirement.
Windows 11 system requirements: TPM 2.0
However, there are many computers and devices out there that do have TPM 2.0, but it’s not enabled by default in their UEFI. So, even if Device Manager doesn’t show it, it doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have TPM 2.0. To make sure, you should access your PC’s UEFI and browse through its pages to see if you can find a setting called TPM, Trusted Platform Module, PTT (Intel Platform Trust Technology), or fTPM (Firmware TPM).
Enabling AMD Firmware TPM on an ASUS motherboard
If you do, make sure you enable it, save your new settings, and restart your PC. Then, once Windows 10 is up and running, check again for what Device Manager has to say about TPM, as you might be in luck.
Can your PC run Windows 11?
Most PCs sold in the last few years meet the Windows 11 system requirements, but it’s always best to check beforehand. Use the compatibility checker or the list above to see if your CPU, RAM, storage, and security features are up to par for Windows 11. If your device meets these Windows 11 requirements, then the answer to the question “Is my PC OK to run Windows 11?” is yes, and you can enjoy Microsoft’s latest operating system (including the newest features in version 24H2) with full support. If not, you’ll need to either upgrade your hardware or stick with a supported OS for a bit longer (or accept the risks of an unsupported installation). Having said that, you should now know what Windows 11 expects from your PC and whether it’s time for an upgrade or you’re ready to install and enjoy Windows 11.