Windows 11 dropped last week and it came with significant compatibility questions.
The question of compatibility has been on a lot of PC users’ minds since Microsoft first unveiled its first major OS upgrade in six years over the summer. Fortunately, Windows 11 should work with most PCs, according to a company blog post. However, though its release date has finally arrived, compatible devices will not necessarily get the upgrade yet — Microsoft says you might have to wait until mid-2022 to download and install Windows 11.
Annoyingly, Microsoft’s own tool for determining device compatibility — the PC Health Check app — was not up to par when Microsoft first announced Windows 11 (there were reports it did not give people enough information as to why their devices were not compatible), so the company temporarily removed the app. But luckily, Microsoft’s PC Health Check is now back online and in working order. The app will tell you if your computer meets the requirements to run Windows 11 — and if it does not, it will tell you why and provide links for more support.
Option 1: Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to see if your computer can run Windows 11
Follow these steps to test whether your PC meets the system requirements for Windows 11.
- Download Microsoft’s PC Health Check. Open the file, and agree to the terms of service and click Install. Make sure the box is checked that says Open PC Health Check and then click Finish.
- 2. The app home page that pops up says, “PC health at a glance.” At the top, a box will read, “Introducing Windows 11.” Click Check now.
- If your machine is not compatible, you will get a message that says, “This PC does not currently meet Windows 11 system requirements,” with more information below.
- If your machine is compatible, then you are able to download the Windows 11 update for free. The official Windows 11 release date was Oct. 5, but Microsoft is planning a staggered rollout, and many devices will not see the upgrade until 2022.
Option 2: Check Microsoft’s list of system specifications for Windows 11
To determine if your current PC will be able to run Windows 11, you can check out this list of system specifications on Microsoft’s website, or in the chart below. If your machine is compatible, you can download the Windows 11 update for free when it becomes available.
What are the system requirements to run Windows 11?
Here is the full list of system requirements for Windows 11, including at least 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and a 720p display larger than 9 inches diagonally.
WINDOWS 11 REQUIREMENTS
| Spec | Requirement |
| Processor | 1GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB or larger storage device |
| System firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 |
| Graphics card | Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | HD (720p) display greater than 9 inches diagonally, 8 bits per color channel |
| Internet connection and Microsoft account | For Windows 11 Home edition: internet connectivity; Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use. For all Windows 11 editions: Internet access to perform updates and to download and use some features; Microsoft account for some features |
As always, if you have any questions or would like some guidance in your PC’s compatibility with Windows 11, give us a call and we will be happy to assist with any questions you may have.
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