Looking to upgrade from Windows 10? Here’s how to figure out if your current PC will support Windows 11 and what you need to do to install Microsoft’s new operating system.
Windows 11, the first new version in six years of the world’s most popular desktop operating system, is almost here. With rounded corners for all windows, relocated taskbar icons, and more elegant Settings dialogs, it’s a significant visual refinement of Windows 10. It’s also a free update, which means you’re probably keen to install it on your existing PC as soon as it’s available. The good news is that if you’re planning to buy a mainstream desktop or laptop now, or you bought one in the past four years, it’s probably already compatible with Windows 11. But the system requirements for the new OS aren’t exactly straightforward. Microsoft made things more confusing with a problematic compatibility checker tool, which the company withdrew just a few days after its release. While there are third-party tools designed to scan your system for Windows 11 compatibility, the only surefire current way to ensure you can upgrade is to do it by hand. So grab your current PC’s specs and follow along as we go over the extensive lists of requirements that Microsoft has published so far. Windows 11 Hardware Requirements, Explained As with any new piece of software, the most important compatibility concerns for Windows 11 are whether your PC has the basic computing resources to run it. Here is what Microsoft requires—at a minimum—for memory, storage, main processor, and graphics processor: At least 4GB of system memory (RAM). At least 64GB of available storage. One of the officially approved processors (CPUs), currently found on three lists for AMD models, Intel models, and Qualcomm models. A graphics processor that is compatible with DirectX 12 and Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.0 or greater. You can check whether your current Windows 10 PC meets these minimum standards using two built-in apps. First open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool by typing dxdiag into the Taskbar search box and pressing Enter.
