Windows 11 is coming on October 5, introducing a streamlined user experience and refreshed "Fluent" design that is set to mark the biggest shakeup for the operating system since 2015's launch of Windows 10. While the end of support for Windows 10 is still years away, many users around the world are ready to dive headfirst into Microsoft's next-generation operating system. Not all Windows PCs are built the same, however, and not all PCs will be upgradeable to Windows 11 natively.
Windows Insiders are able to check for compatibility with Microsoft's revised PC Health Check tool, but the company has also released more details on the power that PCs will need to upgrade to the newest OS.
Windows 11 System Requirements
| Processor | 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC). |
| RAM | 4 gigabyte (GB). |
| Storage | 64 GB or larger storage device Note: See below under “More information on storage space to keep Windows 11 up-to-date” for more details. |
| System firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable. Check here for information on how your PC might be able to meet this requirement. |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Check here for instructions on how your PC might be enabled to meet this requirement. |
| 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 account | Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account. Switching a device out of Windows 11 Home in S mode also requires internet connectivity. Learn more about S mode here. 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. |
While the overall requirements are pretty standard, TPM 2.0 is a new requirement that is causing headaches for some users.
What is TPM 2.0 in Windows 11?
TPM, or Trusted Platform Module, provides an additional layer of security at a hardware level that is designed to keep users protected. Microsoft defines TPM 2.0 as "a secure crypto-processor that helps you with actions such as generating, storing, and limiting the use of cryptographic keys." Additionally, the technology helps shore up defenses against malicious software and hardware tampering.
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