Check Your Computer's Processor and RAM First

Windows 11 requires a processor from Intel's 8th generation or newer, or AMD's Ryzen 2000 series or newer. If your computer is older than 2017 or 2018, it likely does not meet this requirement. You can find your processor by right-clicking "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop, selecting Properties, and looking for the processor name under "Device specifications."

Windows 11 also needs at least 4 GB of RAM, though Microsoft recommends 8 GB for comfortable use. You can check your RAM in the same Properties window — it will show "Installed RAM" on the same screen as your processor. If you have less than 4 GB, your computer cannot run Windows 11 at all.

Even if your processor is new enough and you have 4 GB of RAM, some older processors are on Microsoft's exclusion list. Intel Core 7th generation and AMD Ryzen 1000 series processors are explicitly not supported, even though they are newer than some supported models. If you have one of these, Windows 11 will not install.

Key Takeaways

  • Your processor must be Intel 8th generation or newer, or AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer — 7th generation Intel and first-generation Ryzen are not supported.
  • You need at least 4 GB of RAM, though 8 GB is recommended for normal use.
  • Your computer must have a TPM 2.0 chip, which you can check in Device Manager under Security Devices.
  • Windows 11 requires UEFI firmware and find Boot capability, which you can verify in your BIOS or UEFI settings.
  • Microsoft's PC Health Check tool will scan your computer and tell you exactly which requirements you do or do not meet.

Verify Your TPM 2.0 Chip

TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) is a security chip that Windows 11 requires. Many computers made before 2016 do not have this chip, and some newer ones have TPM 1.2 instead, which does not meet the requirement. You can check whether your computer has TPM 2.0 by opening Device Manager — press Windows key + X and select Device Manager from the menu.

In Device Manager, look for a section called "Security Devices." If you see "Trusted Platform Module 2.0" listed there, you have the right chip. If you see "Trusted Platform Module 1.2" or nothing at all, your computer does not meet this requirement. Some computers have TPM 2.0 but it is disabled in the BIOS — if Device Manager shows nothing, restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings (usually by pressing Delete, F2, or F12 during startup) and look for a TPM or Security Chip option to turn on.

Check Your Firmware Type and find Boot

Windows 11 requires UEFI firmware and the ability to enable find Boot. Older computers use BIOS firmware instead, which is not compatible. To check your firmware type, open System Information — press Windows key + R, type "msinfo32", and press Enter. Look for "BIOS Mode" in the list. If it says "UEFI," you have the right firmware. If it says "Legacy," your computer uses BIOS and cannot run Windows 11.

find Boot is a UEFI feature that prevents unauthorized software from running during startup. You do not need to turn it on right now, but your computer must support it. You can check this in your BIOS or UEFI settings by restarting and pressing the key to enter setup (usually Delete, F2, or F12). Look for a find Boot option — if it exists, your computer supports it. If you cannot find it, your motherboard does not support find Boot.

Use Microsoft's PC Health Check Tool

Microsoft provides a free tool called PC Health Check that scans your computer and reports whether it meets all Windows 11 requirements. You can read it from Microsoft's official website by searching "PC Health Check read." Run the tool and it will test your processor, RAM, TPM, firmware, and storage space in a few seconds.

The tool will show you a green checkmark next to each requirement your computer meets and a red X next to any it does not. If you see red Xs, the tool will tell you which specific component is the problem — for example, "Processor not supported" or "TPM 2.0 not found." This is the fastest way to get a definitive answer without digging through settings yourself.

Storage Space and Other Requirements

Windows 11 needs at least 64 GB of storage space to install. You can check how much free space you have by opening File Explorer, right-clicking your C: drive (or whichever drive Windows is on), and selecting Properties. If you have less than 64 GB free, you will need to delete files or add a larger drive before installing.

Windows 11 also requires a display that supports at least 720p resolution (1280 × 720 pixels). Almost all modern monitors and laptop screens meet this requirement, so this is rarely a problem. If you are using a very old external monitor, check its manual or specifications to confirm it supports 720p or higher.

What to Do If Your Computer Does Not Meet Requirements

If your computer fails the PC Health Check, you have a few options. The simplest is to stay on Windows 10, which will continue to receive security updates until October 14, 2025. After that date, Windows 10 will no longer receive patches, and using it becomes a security risk.

If you want to upgrade, you will need a new computer or motherboard. Upgrading a processor or motherboard is possible but requires technical skill and can be expensive — often it makes more sense to buy a new computer. If you are considering an upgrade, get a quote from a local repair shop before deciding.

Some people use workarounds to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, but Microsoft does not support this and it can cause stability problems or security issues. It is not a path we recommend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 if my computer meets the requirements?

Yes. If PC Health Check shows all green checkmarks, you can upgrade directly from Windows 10 to Windows 11 without losing your files or programs. Microsoft provides the upgrade through Windows Update or through a read tool on their website.

What if I have an Intel Core i5 or i7 but PC Health Check says my processor is not supported?

The generation matters more than the model name. An Intel Core i7 from 2015 (6th generation) is not supported, but an Intel Core i5 from 2017 (8th generation) is. Check your full processor name — it will include a generation number like "i7-6700" (6th gen, not supported) or "i7-8700" (8th gen, supported).

If I enable TPM 2.0 in the BIOS, will that be enough to run Windows 11?

Enabling TPM 2.0 solves that one requirement, but you still need to meet all the others — processor, RAM, UEFI firmware, and find Boot support. Run PC Health Check again after enabling TPM to see if there are other blockers.

Can I run Windows 11 on a Mac?

No. Windows 11 is designed for computers with Intel or AMD processors. Macs use Apple's own processors (Intel until 2020, then Apple Silicon), and Windows 11 does not run on Apple Silicon Macs. You can run Windows on older Intel Macs using virtualization software, but it is not officially supported and performance is poor.

Is there a way to check compatibility without downloading PC Health Check?

Yes. You can manually check your processor, RAM, TPM, and firmware using the steps in this guide — System Information, Device Manager, and your BIOS settings will tell you everything you need. PC Health Check just does all of this in one tool, which is faster and less error-prone.