While Microsoft’s announcement of Windows 11 excited everyone, it also feared few due to specified system requirements for running the latest OS.
The company has listed these in a blog post after the event, where it’s seen scalping support for a few old CPUs, demanding basic graphics and bumping memory and storage requirements. Here’s all in detail;
Windows 11 System Requirements
Usually, an upgraded software with more futuristic features demands upgraded hardware, forcing interested users to upgrade anyway to have the best and expected experience.
It’s the same in the case of Windows 11, where Microsoft announced the latest OS yesterday and talked about all the features and changes it got. Also, in the end, it detailed all the basic system requirements for installing and running the latest Windows 11.
Microsoft recommends users upgrade their systems with specified hardware for the best experience. Even though we may try workarounds for old PCs to run Windows 11, it’s not cool.
So, here’s something you should have at least to run Windows 11 smoothly;
| 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 gigabyte (GB) |
| Storage: | 64 GB or larger storage device
Note: See below under “More information on storage space to keep Windows 11 up-to-date” for more details. |
| System firmware: | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| TPM: | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Internet connection and Microsoft accounts: | Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.
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 download and take advantage of some features. In addition, a Microsoft account is required for some features. |
Bumping the memory requirement to 4GB at least and storage to 64GB leaves few systems out, even though they’re running on Windows 10. Also, the new OS demands the CPU to be of 64-bit architecture and support TPM 2.0, DirectX 12, a Precision touchpad, etc.
It seems the eligibility criteria ditching Intel’s 6th-gen and 7th-gen CPUs and AMD’s A-series, FX-series, 1000- and 2000-series CPUs. Unfortunately, this leaves a few Microsoft’s own devices like Surface Studio 2 out of Windows 11 ecosystem.
If you’re unsure whether your PC supports Windows 11 or not, check the OEMs guide/specifications. And if you’re running on Windows 10, Microsoft has a dedicated PC Health Check App for checking Windows 11 compatibility.
