Is your PC ready to use Windows 11? Microsoft has comprehensive system requirements.
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| If somehow the PC Health Check app doesn't work, try WhyNotWin11 |
According to a Windows blog post published after the introduction of Microsoft's first major software upgrade in six years, the great majority of PCs should be compatible with the new Windows 11 operating system. However, if you're going to upgrade your current PC rather than purchasing a new one, be sure the upgraded OS is compatible with your machine. Otherwise, as Microsoft phases down Windows 10 over the next few years, you'll most likely need to replace your PC by 2025.
When Microsoft first encouraged Windows users to download the PC Health Check software to see if their PC met the system requirements for Windows 11, several users complained that it didn't provide enough information about why their device wasn't compatible. The tool was temporarily taken down by Microsoft, but the company stated in a blog post that it intends to address the concerns and bring it back online before Windows 11 is released to the general public in the autumn.
However, there are a few additional ways to determine whether or not your device will run Windows 11. Here's what you should do.
What exactly is WhyNotWin11?
WhyNotWin11, a new open-source utility, could be an excellent alternative to Microsoft's official PC Health Check app, especially when Microsoft's official application is unavailable. The Github app, which was written by a non-Microsoft developer, has a less user-friendly interface, but it should provide you with more information and go into greater depth about various potential compatibility issues. More information on how to use it to check your own device's compatibility with Windows 11 can be found here.
Will Windows 11 run on my laptop?
To see if your current PC can run Windows 11, go to Microsoft's website and look at the list of system requirements, or look at the table below. If your PC is compatible, you'll be able to get the Windows 11 update for free when it's released during the holiday season of 2021. You can now download the Insider Preview build version if you're a member of the Windows Insider Program.
What are the prerequisites for running Windows 11?
The entire list of system requirements for Windows 11 can be seen here, which includes at least 4 gigabytes of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a 720p display with a diagonal size of more than 9 inches.
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 |