Microsoft has revealed its {hardware} necessities for Windows 11, including strict new safety necessities for its subsequent working system. Here’s what you’ll want to run Windows 11 when Microsoft releases it within the fall. Check our our Windows 11 superguide for complete information, evaluations, ideas and extra about Microsoft’s new working system.
Microsoft will launch Windows 11 by vacation 2021, so that you’ll have ample time to arrange. Microsoft is working with PC makers to develop Windows 11-ready PCs, and also you could possibly improve to Windows 11 at no cost along with your present PC—offered that it meets the mandatory {hardware} necessities.
Fortunately, in case your PC doesn’t meet the {hardware} necessities, you’ll have a number of years to exchange it, as Windows 10 can be supported till 2025.
Windows 10 vs. Windows 11 system necessities
For Windows 10, the PC {hardware} necessities essential to run it are comparatively tame: a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM (2GB for a 64-bit model of the OS), 16GB of storage, and a show able to 800×600.
On Windows 11, you’ll want a extra refined PC. According to Microsoft’s record of PC {hardware} necessities for Windows 11, that is the primary time that you just’ll want a multicore processor to run Windows, although it gained’t must be that highly effective: only a 1GHz, 64-bit processor with 2 or extra cores. (Don’t fear about whether or not your PC features a 64-bit chip, as nearly all PCs have included 64-bit processors for the reason that 2000s.)
After we initially revealed our story, a reader alerted us to this assist doc: Windows 11 would require an Eighth-gen Core CPU and above, in accordance with the Windows 11 {hardware} necessities for Intel CPUs. An analogous record of supported AMD processors on Windows 11 point out that the Ryzen 2000 sequence and above is supported. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 850 and up, via the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2, are additionally supported by Windows 11.
Eliminating older Seventh-generation Core processors will definitely minimize out a considerable portion of the PC market from a Windows 11 improve, although what number of is not precisely clear. We’re already seeing Microsoft itself declare a considerable chunk of its Surface lineup ineligible for Windows 11 upgrades.
You may even want extra reminiscence. Microsoft is growing the minimal quantity of RAM to 4GB, and requiring a far bigger quantity of storage—64GB—then earlier than. That’s as a result of the quantity of storage required is, in accordance with Microsoft, “highly variable.” Windows’ storage demand will depend on what variations of Windows have been beforehand put in; the quantity of storage already claimed by Windows; the dimensions of your web page file (often known as the swap file), which acts like a reduction valve in your fundamental system reminiscence; and extra. You’ll additionally want a DirectX 12-capable GPU, and no less than a 720p show.
Second, Microsoft is offering a free app to find out whether or not your PC is able to working Windows 11: the PC Health Check app. (Note: If you click on that hyperlink, it can obtain instantly.) PC Health Check is already stay on Microsoft’s web site, and it’s value downloading. It’s a small Win32 app that gives a abstract of what’s in your PC. It additionally provides a one-click verify of your PC’s capabilities on the prime of the window, to see whether or not you’ll be able to run Windows 11.
Mark Hachman / IDGThe PC Health Check app solutions the query: can my PC run Windows 11?
If you’ll be able to’t run Windows 11, you might have a number of choices. You can follow Windows 10, which Microsoft will assist till it’s “retired” in 2025. Or you should purchase a “Ready for Windows 11” PC, which PC distributors will start releasing later this yr.
This story was up to date at 1:24 PM on June 25 with extra particulars.
