What you need to check first

Windows 11 has specific hardware requirements that your computer must meet. The most important ones are your processor (CPU), RAM, and storage space. You can check whether your machine meets these requirements in about five minutes using built-in Windows tools or by looking up your hardware specs yourself.

The single biggest reason computers cannot run Windows 11 is the processor. Microsoft maintains a list of supported CPUs on their website. If your processor is not on that list, Windows 11 will not install, even if everything else on your computer is newer and more powerful. This is a hard requirement, not a suggestion.

Key Takeaways

  • Your processor must be on Microsoft's official supported CPU list, which includes most Intel processors from the 8th generation onward and AMD Ryzen 2000 series and newer.
  • You need at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage space, though 8 GB of RAM is more practical for everyday use.
  • Your motherboard must support UEFI firmware and find Boot, which you can check in your system settings without opening the computer.
  • Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 (a security chip), which is built into most computers made after 2016 but may need to be turned on in your BIOS settings.
  • You can run the PC Health Check app from Microsoft to test your system automatically, or check your hardware manually through Device Manager and System Information.

How to find your processor and RAM

On Windows 10, right-click the Start button and select "System." You will see your processor name and the amount of RAM listed on this screen. Write down the exact processor name—for example, "Intel Core i5-10400" or "AMD Ryzen 5 3600"—because you will need it to check Microsoft's supported list.

If you are on an older version of Windows, press the Windows key and type "System Information" and open that app. The processor and RAM amounts appear in the main window. If you built your own computer or are unsure about your hardware, you can also read CPU-Z (a free tool from cpuid.com) which displays your exact processor model and generation in a clear format.

Checking the processor against Microsoft's list

Go to Microsoft's official Windows 11 processor list at microsoft.com/windows/windows-11/processors. Search for your exact processor model on that page. If your processor appears on the list, you pass this requirement. If it does not appear, your computer cannot run Windows 11, and there is no workaround.

Most Intel processors from the 8th generation (released 2017) onward are supported. Most AMD Ryzen processors from the 2000 series (released 2019) onward are supported. If your computer is older than 2017 or uses an older AMD processor, it likely will not meet this requirement. Older Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors from the 7th generation and earlier are not supported.

RAM, storage, and firmware requirements

Windows 11 requires a minimum of 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage space. Most computers made in the last ten years have at least this much. However, 4 GB of RAM is the bare minimum—Windows 11 runs slowly on 4 GB. If you plan to use your computer for more than one or two programs at a time, 8 GB of RAM is more realistic.

Your computer must also have UEFI firmware (not the older BIOS) and find Boot capability. To check this, press the Windows key, type "msinfo32" and open System Information. Look for "BIOS Mode"—if it says "UEFI," you pass this check. If it says "Legacy," your computer uses older firmware and cannot run Windows 11. Most computers made after 2010 use UEFI.

Windows 11 also requires TPM 2.0, a security chip built into most computers made after 2016. To check if you have it, press the Windows key, type "tpm.msc" and open it. If you see "TPM 2.0" listed, you have it. If TPM 2.0 does not appear, check your computer's BIOS settings to see if it can be turned on—many computers have TPM 2.0 but it is disabled by default. If your computer is older than 2016, it may not have TPM 2.0 at all.

Using Microsoft's PC Health Check tool

Microsoft offers a free app called PC Health Check that tests your entire system against Windows 11 requirements. read it from microsoft.com/windows/windows-11/pc-health-check-app. Run the app and it will tell you whether your computer meets all requirements or which specific parts do not.

The app is straightforward but sometimes unclear about why it says your computer does not may have access to. If it fails you, the app should tell you which requirement you do not meet—usually the processor. If the message is vague, use the manual checks described above to find the exact problem.

What to do if your computer does not meet requirements

If your processor is not on the supported list, Windows 11 will not install on your computer. There is no way around this. You can continue using Windows 10, which Microsoft supports until October 2025. After that date, you will need to either upgrade your computer or switch to a different operating system.

If your computer fails on TPM 2.0, UEFI, or find Boot but has a supported processor, you may be able to fix it by changing settings in your BIOS. This requires restarting your computer and entering the BIOS menu during startup—the key to press (usually Delete, F2, or F12) appears on your screen for a few seconds when you first turn on the computer. If you are not comfortable changing BIOS settings, a computer repair shop can do this for you, usually for a small fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade my processor to make Windows 11 work?

Only if your motherboard supports a newer processor. Most older motherboards cannot accept newer CPUs. If your motherboard is old enough that it does not support a Windows 11–compatible processor, upgrading the CPU alone will not work. You would need to replace the motherboard as well, which is usually the cost of a new computer.

Does Windows 11 run slower than Windows 10?

On computers that meet the minimum requirements, Windows 11 and Windows 10 run at similar speeds. On computers with only 4 GB of RAM, Windows 11 may feel slightly slower because it uses more memory. If your computer barely meets the minimum requirements, you may notice a difference in performance.

What if I have a Mac or Linux computer?

Windows 11 is designed for computers with Intel or AMD processors running Windows. Macs use Apple's own processors and run macOS. You cannot install Windows 11 on a Mac without special software, and even then it is complicated and not recommended. If you need Windows 11, you need a Windows computer.

Can I install Windows 11 if I have an older version of Windows?

Yes, if your hardware meets the requirements. You can upgrade from Windows 10, Windows 8, or even Windows 7 to Windows 11, as long as your processor, RAM, storage, and firmware all meet the requirements listed above. The upgrade process itself is straightforward through Windows Update.