With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft has put some strict minimum requirements in place, especially the forced requirement for TPU 2.0 and newer processors to get a stable and secure experience for users adapting to the new OS.

In this article, we’re going over the minimum hardware requirements you need to meet before you can hop on to the latest version of Windows. 

Windows 11 won’t work on 7th-gen or older Intel chipset and AMD Zen 1

Previous versions of Windows weren’t forced with such rigorous requirements. According to Microsoft, there are three reasons for this.

• Security: To meet Windows 11’s new security requirements, you need to have a CPU with an embedded TPM, support for secure boot and support for VBS, as well as certain VBS capabilities. 
• Reliability: You need a CPU that has adapted to the new Windows Driver model and is supported by Microsoft’s OEM and silicon partners, who, as claimed by Microsoft, are achieving a 99.8% crash-free experience. 
• Compatibility: These are certain basic compatibilities aligning with minimum system requirements for Office and Microsoft Teams. You need to have at least a 2-core processor with over 1GHz clock speed, 4GB RAM and over 64GB of Storage.

At the moment, Windows 11 is only officially supported on 8th-gen Intel, AMD Zen 2 and Qualcomm 7 and 8 series processors. However, Microsoft promises to test compatibility with Intel 7th gen and AMD Zen 1 processors as its Windows Insiders program progresses. 

Also read: Windows 10 start menu won’t open: 6 fixes

How to check Windows 11 compatibility?

Microsoft had released the PC Health Check App for users to check whether their PCs were compatible with Windows 11 or not. However, they have since then removed the app as “it was not fully prepared to share the level of detail or accuracy” why a certain Windows 10 PC wouldn’t be compatible. 

Windows 11 System Requirements

In the meantime, you can refer to these minimum requirements for Windows 11.

Windows 11 feature-specific system requirements

Some Windows 11 features have increased requirements apart from the base requirements.

• 5G Support: Requires capable 5G modem.
• Auto HDR: Requires an HDR capable monitor.
• BitLocker to Go: Requires a USB flash drive (available in Windows Pro and above editions).
• 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 United States.
• DirectStorage: Requires an NVMe SSD to store and run games that use the Standard NVM Express Controller driver and a DirectX12 GPU with Shader Model 6.0 support.
• DirectX12 Ultimate: Available for supported games and GPUs.
• Presence: Requires sensors that can detect human distance from the device or intent to interact.
• Intelligent Video Conferencing: Requires video camera, microphone, and speaker.
• 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 video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output). The app must be compatible with the feature to enable global mute/unmute.
• Spatial Sound: Requires supported hardware and software.
• Teams: Requires video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output).
• Touch: Requires a screen or monitor that supports multi-touch.
• Two-factor Authentication: Requires use of a PIN, biometric (fingerprint reader or illuminated infrared camera), or a smartphone.
• Voice Typing: Requires a PC with a microphone.
• Wake on Voice: Requires Modern Standby power model and microphone.
• WiFi 6E: Requires new WLAN IHV hardware and driver and a WiFi 6E capable AP/router.
• Windows Hello: Requires a camera configured for near-infrared (IR) imaging or 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 WDDM 2.0 and a WiFi adapter that supports WiFi Direct.
• Xbox: Requires an Xbox Live account. Some features may require an Xbox Game Pass subscription.

For more information on feature deprecations, refer to this page. 

Also read: What is the Redo shortcut for Windows and Mac?