Windows 11 System Requirements: The Complete 2026 Checklist

Windows 11 system requirements come down to eight hard checks: a 1GHz+ dual-core 64-bit processor from Microsoft’s approved list, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability, a TPM 2.0 chip, a DirectX 12/WDDM 2.0 graphics driver, and a 720p display. Meet all eight and Windows 11 installs cleanly; miss even one (TPM 2.0 trips up the most PCs) and Setup blocks the upgrade outright. Below is the full official checklist, how to actually check your specific PC in under two minutes, what your options are if it falls short, and why this matters more now that Windows 10 support has ended.

Windows 11 Minimum System Requirements (Official Microsoft Specs)

These are Microsoft’s published minimums — every box has to be checked, not just most of them.

Storage requirements can climb over time as feature updates and optional components are installed, so 64GB is a floor, not a comfortable long-term number — see Microsoft’s own Windows 11 specifications page for the current baseline.

Which Processors Are Actually Supported

The 1GHz/2-core rule is only half the story — your CPU also has to appear on Microsoft’s approved compatibility list, regardless of raw specs. In practice that means:

• Intel: 8th Generation Core (Coffee Lake) or newer
• AMD: Ryzen 2000 series (2nd generation) or newer
• Qualcomm: Snapdragon 850 or later SoC

A 7th-gen Intel Core i7 or a 1st-gen Ryzen chip can be faster on paper than some listed 8th-gen parts, but it still fails the official check because it’s missing platform-level security features Microsoft requires, not raw performance. Later Windows 11 versions raise the bar further: starting with version 24H2, the processor must also support the POPCNT and SSE4.2 instruction sets — missing either one means the installer won’t even boot, which mainly rules out CPUs from before roughly 2007–2008.

TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, Explained

These two requirements block more upgrades than the CPU list does, mostly because they’re disabled by default rather than physically missing.

TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 is a small security chip — or firmware equivalent — that stores encryption keys for BitLocker, Windows Hello, and other protections. Almost every PC built since 2016 has TPM 2.0 hardware on the motherboard, but many manufacturers ship it disabled in the BIOS/UEFI, labeled “Intel PTT” (Platform Trust Technology) on Intel systems or “AMD fTPM” on AMD systems. Turning it on in the BIOS is usually all it takes to pass this check.

Secure Boot is a UEFI firmware feature that only allows digitally signed, trusted bootloaders to run, blocking rootkits and other boot-level malware. It requires UEFI firmware (not the older legacy BIOS mode) and, like TPM, is often present but toggled off. Both settings live in the same firmware setup screen, typically reached by pressing F2, Del, or Esc during startup, though the exact key varies by manufacturer.

How to Check If Your PC Meets Windows 11 Requirements

Don’t guess — Microsoft’s own tool gives a definitive answer in about a minute:

1. Download the PC Health Check app from Microsoft’s Get Windows 11 page.
2. Install and open it, then click Check now under the “Introducing Windows 11” section.
3. Read the result. “This PC meets the requirements for Windows 11” means you’re clear; otherwise it names the exact blocker (usually TPM or Secure Boot).
4. Verify TPM manually by pressing Win + R, typing tpm.msc, and checking the “Specification Version” shown under TPM Manufacturer Information — it needs to read 2.0.
5. Verify Secure Boot by pressing Win + R, typing msinfo32, and checking the “Secure Boot State” line in System Summary.
6. If TPM or Secure Boot show as disabled rather than absent, reboot into the firmware setup screen and enable them — no new hardware needed.

Recommended Specs for a Smooth Windows 11 Experience

Meeting the minimum gets Windows 11 installed; it doesn’t guarantee a good experience. For daily use, aim higher:

Can You Install Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware?

There are known workarounds — registry edits during Setup, modified installation media, or third-party tools — that let some unsupported PCs install Windows 11 anyway. Before going that route, understand the real trade-offs:

• No guarantee of updates. Microsoft explicitly states unsupported devices may not receive all future updates, including security patches.
• No official support. If something breaks, Microsoft support won’t troubleshoot an unsupported configuration.
• Driver and stability risk. Older chipsets often lack modern WDDM 2.0-certified drivers, causing graphics glitches or crashes.
• A hard wall at 24H2+. If your CPU lacks POPCNT or SSE4.2 support, no bypass fixes it — the installer refuses to boot at the CPU-instruction level, not just a software check.

For most people the smarter move is running PC Health Check, confirming exactly what’s blocking the upgrade, and fixing it (usually just enabling TPM/Secure Boot in firmware) rather than fighting an unsupported install indefinitely.

Windows 10 Support Has Ended — What That Means for You

Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Your PC keeps working, but Microsoft no longer ships security updates, feature updates, or technical support for it, which makes an unpatched Windows 10 machine an increasingly easy target for malware over time. According to Microsoft’s own support page, you have three realistic paths forward:

1. Upgrade an eligible PC to Windows 11 for free if your hardware meets the requirements above and your Windows 10 copy is genuinely activated.
2. Enroll in Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU), a paid consumer program that extends critical security patches through October 12, 2027, buying time before you move on.
3. Replace unsupported hardware with a Windows 11-capable PC if your current device fails the CPU, TPM, or Secure Boot checks outright.

Already Compatible? Get a Genuine Windows 11 Key

If PC Health Check gives you the green light, the only thing standing between you and a fully licensed Windows 11 install is activation. NDWS Market’s software category lists genuine Windows 11 Home and Pro keys with instant digital delivery, so you can go from “my PC is compatible” to fully activated the same day, without gambling on a sketchy “free key” site. Browse the full NDWS Market shop for other licenses and subscriptions worth bundling with a fresh install. If you’re weighing whether a discounted key is trustworthy, our guide on whether a cheap Windows 11 Pro key is legit breaks down what makes a deal genuine versus risky, and once you’ve got your key in hand, our step-by-step walkthrough on how to activate Windows 11 with a product key covers the exact process and common activation errors. Questions about delivery or refunds are answered in the NDWS Market FAQ.

FAQ

What are the minimum system requirements for Windows 11?

A 1GHz+ dual-core 64-bit processor on Microsoft’s approved list, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability, TPM 2.0, a DirectX 12/WDDM 2.0 graphics driver, and a 720p display. All eight must be met — there’s no partial pass.

How do I check if my PC meets Windows 11 requirements?

Download and run Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app, click “Check now,” and it will tell you either that your PC qualifies or exactly which requirement is blocking it, most commonly TPM or Secure Boot being disabled in firmware.

Can I install Windows 11 without TPM 2.0?

Unofficial workarounds exist, but Microsoft doesn’t guarantee updates or support for the result, and many PCs actually have TPM 2.0 hardware that’s simply switched off in the BIOS — check there before assuming you need a bypass at all.

Is Windows 11 free if I have Windows 10?

Yes, if your Windows 10 installation is genuinely activated and your hardware meets the requirements above, the upgrade itself costs nothing and carries your existing digital license over automatically.

What happens to Windows 10 after October 2025?

It still runs, but without security or feature updates unless you enroll in the paid Extended Security Updates program, which covers critical patches through October 12, 2027 while you plan your move to Windows 11 or new hardware.

Do I still need a product key after installing Windows 11?

Yes, for a fully licensed copy without the activation watermark and personalization lock. You can install without one to test, but a genuine key (or a carried-over digital license from an activated Windows 10 PC) is required for permanent activation.