Windows 10 21H1 (May 2021 Update) will have the same hardware requirements (processor, memory, and storage) as versions 20H2 and 2004. According to a post at the Tech Community blog, Microsoft has revealed that the next eleventh feature update for the desktop version of its operating system won’t change the current Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) and will continue to use the guidelines as version 20H2.
Usually, there are no changes in hardware requirements when upgrading to a new version of Windows 10. However, it is not uncommon for the operating system to have additional requirements. For instance, with the release of version 1903, the minimum storage requirement was bumped to 32G for new installations. But the company has already confirmed that there won’t any changes in this area.
Furthermore, Microsoft also revealed that there wouldn’t be driver changes either and made it clear that “drivers that meet all the applicable Windows 10, version 2004 requirements will be digitally signed with the same signature attributes” for version 21H1.
Windows 10 21H1 system requirements
- Processor: 1GHz or faster CPU or System on a Chip (SoC).
- RAM: 1GB requirement for 32-bit or 2GB for 64-bit.
- Hard drive: 32GB clean install or new PC (16 GB for 32-bit or 20 GB for 64-bit existing installation).
- Graphics: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
- Display resolution: 800×600 minimum requirement.
- Networking: Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.
Windows 10 21H1 hardware support
These are the minimum hardware features and supported processors from Intel and AMD when installing the May 2021 Update:
Processor features
- Compatible with the x86 or x64 instruction set.
- Support for PAE, NX, and SSE2.
- Support for CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, and PrefetchW for 64-bit OS installation.
Intel processor support
- Up to 10th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9-10xxx).
- Intel Xeon W-12xx/W-108xx.
- Intel Xeon SP 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, and 82xx.
- Intel Atom (J4xxx/J5xxx and N4xxx/N5xxx).
- Celeron.
- Pentium.
AMD processor support
- Up to AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx).
- AMD Athlon 2xx processors.
- AMD Ryzen 3/5/7/9 4xxx.
- AMD Opteron.
- AMD EPYC 7xxx.
Qualcomm processor support
- Snapdragon 850.
- Snapdragon 8CX.
Storage support
- Storage controllers must support booting using the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) and implement device paths as defined in EDD-3.
- Storage host controllers and adapters must meet the requirements for the device protocol used and any requirements related to the device storage bus type.
- Bus-attached controllers must implement the correct class/subclass code as specified in the PCI Codes and Assignments v1.6 specification.
Display support
- Depth of 32 bits on each output simultaneously.
- Minimum diagonal display size for the primary display of 7-inches or larger.
If you upgrade from an older version of Windows 10, the new feature update should install in the same hardware configuration whether you use the Windows Update, Media Creation Tool, Update Assistant, or ISO file, since the requirements haven’t changed. However, remember that Microsoft will be rolling out the Windows 10 May 2021 Update gradually and placing a temporary block on devices that are not yet compatible, which means that you may not see it right away upon release.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.