Will Windows 11 Work on My Computer?

The new Windows 11 is out now, and many PC users are anxiously awaiting its arrival. However, upgrading to the latest version is not a guarantee due to the stringent hardware requirements imposed by Microsoft. This article delves into the specific requirements and checks needed to determine if your computer can run Windows 11.

Basic Requirements for Windows 11

To ensure that Windows 11 works on your computer, there are several key requirements to meet:

Processor

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores 64-bit compatible processor or System on a Chip (SoC)

RAM

4 gigabytes (GB)

Storage

64 GB or larger storage device

System Firmware

UEFI Secure Boot capable

Graphics Card

Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver

Display

High definition (HD) 720p display with a diagonal size of at least 9 inches 8 bits per color channel

However, the most critical requirement that often causes compatibility issues is the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. The majority of devices come with version 1.4, and you need a version 2.0 to run Windows 11. Here's how to check your TPM version:

Checking TPM Version

You can check whether your device has a TPM 2.0 by using the following steps:

Press Windows Key R to open the Run menu. Enter dxdiag and press Enter. Scroll down to the System section and look for the TPM value.

If the value is V2.0, you have a compatible TPM. Otherwise, your system may not meet the requirements for Windows 11.

Checking Overall Compatibility

To see if your device is fully compatible with Windows 11, Microsoft provides the PC Health Check App. This tool can help you determine if your system meets the necessary hardware standards:

Steps to Download and Run PC Health Check App

Visit Click on the Download now button for PC Health Check. Follow the installation prompts to install the app on your system. Open the app and let it scan your system to check for compatibility.

Alternative Method

Alternatively, you can manually check your system's specifications using the steps mentioned earlier to verify the TPM version. If the app does not recognize your system, it’s likely that it doesn’t meet the requirements for Windows 11 based on the hardware standards set by Microsoft.

Why the Limited Support for Windows 11

There are two main reasons for the limited support for Windows 11:

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Version 2.0

Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 for security reasons. This means if your device does not have TPM 2.0 by default, you'll need to either upgrade your firmware or enable the TPM option in your system BIOS settings.

Secure Boot

The new version of Windows also requires Secure Boot to run correctly. Secure Boot can be enabled through the BIOS settings page, which is often enabled by default.

Additional Tips

If your TPM is not enabled on default, you can toggle it on with the following steps:

Restart your PC. Watch for a message during the boot process that prompts you to press a specific key to trigger the BIOS settings page. Once in the BIOS settings, find the TPM option and toggle it on. Note that the term may vary depending on the manufacturer (e.g., AMD refers to it as fTPM, Intel as IPTT).

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your system meets the requirements to run the latest Windows 11. If your device doesn't meet the hardware standards, you can still use Windows 10 or look into upgrading your hardware components to meet the new requirements.