Windows 11 system requirements

UPDATED 10/27/2022: Windows 11 has significantly increased the system requirements compared to previous versions of Windows. This means that the new version is available as a free upgrade unless your Windows 10 computer meets the minimum hardware requirements (64-bit dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 and Secure Boot), you won’t be able to upgrade or perform a clean installation of Windows 11.

Typically, hardware requirements are not significantly changed from version to version. However, Windows 11 represents the most significant update of Windows in the past decade, and it requires a more powerful hardware configuration to support the new default security features to keep devices and data safe and secure.

This guide will teach you the new system requirements to install Windows 11 and the steps to check whether your computer will run the OS.

• Windows 11 system requirements
• Windows 11 supported processors
• Windows 11 features requirements
• Windows 11 compatibility check
• Windows 11 enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot

Windows 11 system requirements

These are the new system requirements to upgrade to Windows 11:

• Processor: 1GHz or faster CPU or System on a Chip (SoC) with two or more cores.
• RAM: 4GB.
• Hard drive: 64GB or larger.
• System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
• Graphics: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
• Display resolution: High definition (720p) display greater than 9″ diagonally, 8 bits per color channel.
• Networking: Microsoft account and internet connectivity are required for setup for Windows 11 Home.

If you plan to install Windows 11 Home, you will need a Microsoft account and internet connection to complete the setup. Otherwise, you won’t be able to complete the out-of-box experience, which means that the Home edition doesn’t support local accounts, at least not during the initial setup.

Windows 11 supported processors 

Windows 11 will only be compatible with some processors. For example, it will support Intel Core 8th Gen and higher processors, in addition to some Pentium, Atom, Celeron, and Xeon CPUs. If you are going AMD, the new OS will only support the second-generation Ryzen (including Threadripper) and newer processors, alongside some EPYC and Athlon CPUs. As for ARM support, the latest version of Windows will support Qualcomm Snapdragon 850, 7c, 8c, and 8cx first and second generations, and the Microsoft SQ1 and SQ2.

Microsoft has revised the processor compatibility list to support the 7th Gen Intel processors, but only the 7820HQ chip. Also, Intel’s Core X and Xeon W processors will be supported, but only if the device comes with Declarative, Componentized, Hardware Support Apps (DCH) drivers.

Here’s the list of the supported processors from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm.

Intel supported processors

• 8th Gen (Coffee Lake).
• 9th Gen (Coffee Lake Refresh).
• 10th Gen (Comet Lake and Ice Lake).
• 11th Gen (Rocket Lake and Tiger Lake).
• 12th Gen (Alder Lake).
• 13th Gen (Raptor Lake).
• Xeon – Skylake-SP, Cascade Lake-SP, Cooper Lake-SP, Ice Lake-SP
• Supported Intel processors.

AMD supported processors

• Ryzen 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000.
• Ryzen Threadripper Pro 59xxWX.
• Ryzen Embedded V25xx and V27xx.
• EPYC 2nd Gen and 3rd Gen.
• Athlon – Gold, Silver, 3xxx, 300x.
• Supported AMD processors.

Qualcomm supported processors

• Snapdragon 850.
• Snapdragon 7c.
• Snapdragon 8c.
• Snapdragon 8cx.
• Snapdragon 8cx (Gen2).
• Microsoft SQ1.
• Microsoft SQ2.
• Supported Qualcomm processors.

If the computer doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, you will still be able to upgrade at your own risk using the ISO file or USB bootable media, as long as the device includes a 64-bit processor with at least two cores, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and an enabled TPM 1.2 chip and Secure Boot. If the device does not have a TPM chip or Secure Boot, installing Windows 11 with different workarounds is still possible. 

Windows 11 features requirements

Alongside the minimum system requirement, Microsoft has also published a list of specific hardware required to support specific features of Windows 11.

• 5G support: requires 5G capable modem.
• Auto HDR: requires an HDR monitor.
• BitLocker to Go: requires a USB flash drive.
• 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: available with supported games and graphics chips.
• Presence requires a sensor that can detect human distance from the device or intent to interact with the device.
• Intelligent Video Conferencing: This feature requires a 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 a video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output). The app must be compatible with features to enable global mute/unmute.
• Spatial Sound: requires supporting hardware and software.
• Microsoft Teams: This app requires a video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output).
• Touch: requires a screen or monitor that supports multi-touch.
• Two-factor Authentication: requires the use of a PIN, biometric (fingerprint reader or illuminated infrared camera), or a phone with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities.
• Voice Typing: requires a microphone.
• Wake on Voice: requires a 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.

Windows 11 compatibility check

You can use the Microsoft PC Health Check app to confirm whether your computer meets the minimum requirements. If the system configuration isn’t compatible, the app will also show you details of the components that are not compatible. This information will help you determine steps to resolve the problem or whether it’s time to upgrade the device.

To check if your PC’s hardware will run Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open PC Health Check download page.

2. Under the “Check for compatibility” section, click the Download PC Health Check app button.

3. Double-click the WindowsPCHealthCheckSetup.msi file.

4. Click the I accept the terms in the License Agreement option.

5. Click the Install button.

6. Check the Open Windows PC Health Check option.

   

7. Click the Finish button.

8. Under the “Introducing Windows 11” section, click the Check now button.

   

9. (Optional) Click the See all results button to view a list of the components that passed the compatibility.

   

10. (Optional) Click the Device specifications button to understand the system requirements better.

Once you complete the steps, if the hardware is compatible, you will receive a message confirming you can upgrade to Windows 11. If the hardware does not pass the check, you will get a message detailing why the device can run Windows 11.

Windows 11 enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot

On Windows 11, one of the most important requirements is the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 and Secure Boot. According to Microsoft, the TPM chip and Secure Boot are needed to provide a better security environment and prevent sophisticated threats against hardware and firmware, common malware, ransomware, and other attacks.

Check if PC has TPM 2.0

To determine if TPM is enabled, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for tpm.msc and click the top result to open the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management tool.

3. In the Status and TPM Manufacturer Information to confirm TPM is present and version.

   

If the device includes TPM, you’ll see the hardware information and its status. Otherwise, if it reads “Compatible TPM cannot be found,” the chip is disabled on the UEFI, or the device doesn’t have the module.

Enable TPM 2.0 on system firmware

To enable TPM 2.0 for Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click on Recovery.

4. Under the “Advanced startup” section, click the Restart now button.

   

5. Click on Troubleshoot.

   

6. Click on Advanced options.

7. Click the UEFI Firmware settings option.

   

8. Click the Restart button.

9. Click the advanced, security, or boot settings page, depending on the motherboard.

10. Select the TPM 2.0 option and choose the Enabled option.

    

If the motherboard doesn’t have a TPM chip, and you are running an AMD processor, the module is likely built into the processor, and the option will be available as “fTPM” (firmware-based TPM 2.0) or “AMD fTPM switch.” If the device is an Intel-based system, TPM will be available as Platform Trust Technology (PTT).

If the device does not have a TPM option, and this is a custom build, you may be able to purchase a module to add the support. However, make sure to consult the motherboard’s manufacturer website to confirm that the support exists.

After you complete the steps, the Windows 11 check should pass, allowing you to upgrade the computer to the new OS.

Check if PC has Secure Boot

To determine whether Secure Boot is enabled, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for System Information and click the top result to open the app.

3. Click on System Summary on the left pane.

4. Check the “Secure Boot State” information and confirm the feature is set to On. If it’s not, you need to enable the option manually.

   

Once you complete the steps, if the security feature is enabled, you can continue installing Windows 11. Otherwise, follow the steps to enable it inside the motherboard’s firmware.

Enable Secure Boot for Windows 11

If the device uses the legacy BIOS, you first need to convert the MBR drive to GPT and then switch to UEFI mode and enable Secure Boot. Otherwise, the computer won’t boot. If you are trying to perform a clean installation, you can skip the convention, but this is a requirement if you are trying to upgrade from the Windows 10 desktop.

To enable Secure Boot on your computer, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click on Recovery.

4. Under the “Advanced startup” section, click the Restart now button.

   

5. Click on Troubleshoot.

   

6. Click on Advanced options.

7. Click the UEFI Firmware settings option.

   

8. Click the Restart button.

9. Click the advanced, security, or boot settings page, depending on the motherboard.

10. Select the “Secure Boot” option and choose the Enabled option.

Almost all devices featuring UEFI firmware will include Secure Boot, but if this is not the case, you will need to upgrade the system or get a new computer.

After you complete the steps, the computer should pass the hardware verification process to proceed with the in-place upgrade or clean install of Windows 11.