If you want to install or upgrade to Windows 11 on your computer, you need to meet the basic Windows 11 system requirements. In this post, MiniTool Software will show you the Windows 11 minimum system requirements and how to check whether your computer meets these requirements.
Can I Install Windows 11 on My Computer?
Windows 11 is a new version of Windows, which has been released for months. As a new system, your computer should first meet the basic hardware and system requirements for Windows 11 and then you can install this update.
Can I install Windows 11 on my computer? You might ask this question.
What are the Windows system requirements? Let’s make a long story short and get to the point.
Windows 11 Minimum System Requirements
If you want to install or upgrade to Windows 11 on your PC or laptop, your computer should meet the following Windows 11 system requirements. Otherwise, you might be unable to install this new Windows operating system on your devices.
Item | Minimum Requirements |
Processor | 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC) |
RAM | 4 GB |
Storage | 64 GB 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 | High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel |
Internet connection and Microsoft accounts | l Windows 11 Home edition: needs internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete the device setup on first use. l Switching a device out of Windows 11 Home in S mode also requires internet connectivity. l For all Windows 11 editions, internet access is required to perform updates and to download and take advantage of some features. A Microsoft account is required for some features. |
The above are the basic system requirements for Windows 11. You know them now, but do you know how to check whether your computer meets the above-mentioned requirements?
How to Check Whether Your Computer Meets the Basic Windows 11 System Requirements?
In this part, we will show you how to check your computer for the Windows 11 system requirements.
Processor and RAM
You can go to Start > Settings > System > About and check the Device specifications section. In this section, you can see the processor and installed RAM on your computer.
Storage
You can go to Settings > System > Storage to check your computer storage.
System Firmware
In this respect, you need to make sure that your computer is using UEFI mode and Secure Boot capable.
How to Check if Windows 10 Is Using UEFI or Legacy BIOS?
- Press Win+R to open Run.
- Type msinfo32 into Run and press Enter to open System Information.
- Find BIOS Mode to check.
How to Enable Secure Boot in Windows 10?
Secure Boot was introduced in Windows 8. Your Windows 10 computer supports it. You need to enable it if you want to install Windows 11 on your computer.
TPM
The full name of TPM is Trusted Platform Module, which is an international standard for a secure cryptoprocessor. Windows 11 needs your computer has TPM 2.0 installed.
How to know whether your computer has TPM 2.0 for upgrading to Windows 11?
You can make a confirmation via Run.
- Press Win+R to open Run.
- Type tpm.msc in Run and press OK.
- The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Management on Local Computer interface will pop up. If you see the TPM is ready for use under Status and Specification Version: 2.0 under TPM Manufacturer Information, it means that your computer supports Windows 11.
If the interface says Compatible TPM cannot be found, you need to check whether your computer has TPM. You can go to Device Manager > Security devices to make a confirmation and check its version.
If you have TPM 2.0 installed on your computer but it is not enabled, you need to manually enable it.
How to Enable TPM 2.0 on Your Windows 10 Computer?
1. Click Start.
2. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
3. Click Restart now under Advanced startup.
4. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
5. Click Restart to go to Security Settings.
6. Select Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and press Enter.
7. Select Enabled and press Enter.
8. Exit the UEFI settings.
9. Restart your computer apply the changes.
Graphics Card
You can use DirectX Diagnostic Tool to check whether your graphics card is compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
1. Press Win+R to open Run.
2. Type dxdiag and press Enter to open DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
3. Under System, you can check the DirectX Version. If it is DirectX 12, your graphics card is compatible with DirectX 12.
4. Switch to Display and check the Driver Model. It should be WDDM 2.0 or later.
Display
If you want to run Windows 11 on your computer, you also need to make sure that your computer has a high definition (at least 720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel.
Internet Connection and Microsoft Accounts
Of course, the Windows 11 upgrade needs an internet connection. Besides, if you want to enjoy the full features of Windows 11, you’d better have a Microsoft Account.
Bottom Line
These are the Windows 11 system requirements and they are the basic & minimum requirements. That’s, your computer should at least meet these requirements. Before upgrading to Windows 11, you can use the methods mentioned in this post to check whether you can run Windows 11 on your PC or laptop.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Stella has been working in MiniTool Software as an English Editor for more than 7 years. Her articles mainly cover the fields of data recovery including storage media data recovery and phone data recovery, YouTube videos download, partition management, and video conversions.