Windows 11 minimum requirements: How to check your system

With the end of life of Windows 10 having come and gone, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Windows 11 system requirements.

Many businesses are still using Windows 10 with the support extension, but the cost and the risk of not migrating will only continue to increase. One of the reasons for holding on is the inevitable hardware refresh, which will be costly. However, it's likely that a new fleet of machines will be more affordable in the long run, over repeated extension payments, or any security issue that result from using an unsupported system.

There are several things to consider when migrating to Windows 11, as Microsoft's next flagship OS won't simply run on any old machine. The minimum requirements must be met, and these range from CPU compatibility to the inclusion of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2 chip. As such, you need to know if the devices you have can make that leap – otherwise, it's time to go shopping for laptops.

Windows 11 minimum requirements

Microsoft has set out what it believes are the most basic requirements to run Windows 11 properly. These are:

• A CPU of at least 1GHz, with two cores
• At least 4GB of RAM
• 64GB of free hard drive space
• Support for Secure Boot
• Support for Trusted Platform Module 2.0
• Meet the UEFI standard
• A graphics card (GPU) that supports DX12
• Support for Windows Display Driver Model 2
• An active internet connection
• A display resolution of at least 720p

Keep in mind, these are just Windows 11's minimum requirements, and is not a guarantee that the operating system will run well. It's also worth noting that there are a number of incompatible processors that Windows 11 will not support, even if the machine otherwise meets the minimum requirements. Specifically, 7th-Gen Intel Core processors and older.

When it comes to Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) standard, these are all designed to increase the security of the Windows operating system, although it's not always immediately obvious if your system is compatible. 

For a more in-depth look, we have a handy guide on the Trusted Platform Module and how it works with Windows 11.

There are also a number of non-essential hardware requirements for specific features that you may or may not want to use, too. For example, multiple tools and services require you to have a webcam and microphone, including Cortana and Microsoft Teams.

How do I check if my system meets the Windows 11 minimum requirements?

To check if your device can be upgraded to Windows 11, you can try two different methods. Number 1 is simply clicking for an update. Go to 'Check for Updates' and you'll see instantly if your device is compatible. From there, you just need to follow the instructions to start and complete the installation process.

The second method is to use the PC Health Check app, which is available in the Microsoft Store. You'll know this as the place to help you refresh your backup settings or see how much hard drive space you can free up, but it's also a useful tool for checking the requirements for Windows 11.

What's more, the 'Check Now' button will not just tell you whether your system is compatible with Windows 11, it will also indicate why; it will tell you if it's your CPU, GPU or if its the lack of TPM.

From there, you can move on to learn more about Windows 11 from Microsoft’s website, or return to the app’s home screen.

While you're still deciding whether or not to upgrade, you can check out how to use some of Windows 11’s most exciting features, or some of the tips and tricks for IT professionals.