Introduction
Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 11, is set to release later this year. With a redesigned user interface and several new features, many people are wondering if their current PCs will be compatible with Windows 11. In this article, I will discuss the system requirements for Windows 11 and help you determine if my PC has what it takes to run the new OS.
Minimum System Requirements
Microsoft has published the minimum system requirements needed to install and run Windows 11. I will summarize the key requirements here:
CPU
- 1 GHz or faster processor with at least two cores on a compatible 64-bit processor
- Compatible processors: Intel 8th Gen Coffee Lake or newer, AMD Zen 2 or newer
RAM
- 4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended
Storage
- 64 GB minimum, 128 GB recommended
System Firmware
- UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Graphics Card
- DirectX 12 compatible graphics card
Display
- High definition (720p) display greater than 9″ diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
Checking My PC’s Compatibility
To check if my PC meets the requirements for Windows 11, I will need to:
1. Identify the CPU
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I can check my CPU model in the System Information app or Task Manager.
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I need to verify it is an Intel 8th generation or newer or an AMD Zen 2 or newer. Older CPUs will not be compatible.
2. Check the RAM amount
- I need at least 4GB of RAM, 8GB is recommended. I can check this in the System Information app.
3. Confirm TPM 2.0 is present
- I need to enter my PC’s BIOS and verify there is a TPM 2.0 chip available and enabled.
4. Verify UEFI and Secure Boot
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In the BIOS, I must confirm UEFI boot is enabled instead of Legacy BIOS.
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Secure Boot must also be turned on. Both are required.
5. Ensure storage space
- My drive needs at least 64GB of storage available. I can check disk space in File Explorer.
6. Check graphics card and display
- My graphics card needs DX12 support and my display must be 720p or higher resolution.
Using Microsoft’s PC Health Check App
To easily check all these requirements, I can download and run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. This will inspect my PC and report if it is compatible with Windows 11.
The app checks the CPU, RAM, storage space, boot firmware, TPM version, graphics card, and display to validate everything meets Microsoft’s minimum requirements. It’s the simplest way to determine if my current PC will be able to run Windows 11.
Conclusion
Upgrading to Windows 11 will require a compatible 64-bit CPU, TPM 2.0, UEFI boot, Secure Boot, DirectX 12 capable graphics, and sufficient RAM and disk space. By checking these key components in my PC against the minimum requirements, I can determine if it will be able to successfully run Windows 11 later this year when it is released. Using the PC Health Check app will quickly validate compatibility and help decide if my system needs any upgrades before installing the new OS.
