What are the system requirements for Windows 11? The PC needs a 64-bit processor with at least 1 GHz and 2 cores that is on Microsoft’s list of supported processors, plus 4 GB of memory, 64 GB of storage space, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, a TPM 2.0 and a graphics card for DirectX 12 with a WDDM 2.0 driver. Older PCs most often fail because of the processor or because of a TPM that is missing or merely turned off. Microsoft’s free “PC Health Check” app shows within a minute whether your PC is suitable.
Quick decision
- PC from about 2018 with an 8th generation Intel Core or AMD Ryzen 2000 and later: usually suitable. Check whether TPM and Secure Boot are turned on.
- Self-built PC: on many motherboards the TPM is turned off by default although it is present. Turn it on in the UEFI.
- PC with an older processor: not supported. Memory and drives can be upgraded, the processor in practice cannot.
- PC not suitable: the options are covered under Windows 10 end of support: what to do now.
The minimum requirements
| Component | Requirement according to Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, 2 or more cores, compatible 64-bit processor or SoC, on the list of supported processors |
| Memory | 4 GB or more |
| Storage | 64 GB or more |
| Firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module, version 2.0 |
| Graphics card | compatible with DirectX 12 or later, WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | 720p, greater than 9 inches diagonally, 8 bits per color channel |
| Internet | for updates and some features; Windows 11 Home needs internet and a Microsoft account during initial setup |
The requirements apply equally to Home, Pro and Pro for Workstations. They have not changed since the release of Windows 11; Microsoft most recently confirmed this explicitly. More storage space may be needed over time for updates and individual features.
Windows 11 starts with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, but you cannot work comfortably with that. This is a lower limit, not a recommendation.
Processor: the most common hurdle
Almost every PC of the last 15 years meets the clock speed and the number of cores. What is decisive is the list of supported processors that Microsoft maintains per manufacturer.
| Manufacturer | Supported from (selection from the lists) |
|---|---|
| Intel Core | 8th generation (Core i3, i5, i7, i9 of the 8000 series) and later |
| Intel Core X and Xeon W | individual series from Core 7000X and Xeon W-2100 |
| Intel Pentium and Celeron | newer series, for example Pentium Gold 4000 and Celeron 3000 upwards |
| AMD Ryzen | Ryzen 2000 and later (for example Ryzen 5 2600), plus individual Athlon models such as 3000G |
| AMD EPYC and Threadripper PRO | according to the list |
The table is a summary. What is binding is the entry of your exact model in Microsoft’s list or the result of PC Health Check. You can find the name of your processor under Settings > System > About in the “Processor” row.
Microsoft explains the selection with reliability, security and compatibility. Clock speed and number of cores are properties of the processor and cannot be upgraded.
Check and turn on TPM 2.0
A TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is a security component that stores keys in a protected way. Windows 11 uses it for Windows Hello and BitLocker, among other things. According to Microsoft, most PCs of recent years are capable of running TPM 2.0; often it is just not turned on.
How to check the TPM:
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter the following command and confirm with OK:
tpm.msc
- If it says that the TPM is ready for use, read the Specification Version under “TPM Manufacturer Information”. It must be 2.0.
- If the message appears that a compatible TPM cannot be found, it is probably turned off.
Alternatively on Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Device security > Security processor details.
How to turn on the TPM:
- On Windows 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and select Restart now under “Advanced startup”.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
- In the UEFI, look in a submenu such as “Advanced”, “Security” or “Trusted Computing” for the TPM entry. Depending on the manufacturer it is called, for example, “Security Device Support”, “TPM State”, “AMD fTPM switch”, “AMD PSP fTPM”, “Intel PTT” or “Intel Platform Trust Technology”.
- Turn the entry on, save and restart.
If you are unsure, the instructions from the PC or motherboard manufacturer will help.
UEFI and Secure Boot
UEFI is the successor to the classic BIOS. Secure Boot only allows trusted, digitally signed software at startup and only works with UEFI. For the upgrade, Microsoft requires that the PC is Secure Boot capable, i.e. boots in UEFI mode. Secure Boot does not have to be turned on for this; however, Microsoft recommends it.
According to Microsoft, most modern PCs support Secure Boot. Some firmware settings, however, make it look as if the feature were missing. The most common cause is the boot mode “Legacy” or “CSM”. This is how you switch:
- Open the UEFI firmware settings as described in the section on the TPM.
- Switch the boot mode from “Legacy” or “CSM” to UEFI. If both options exist at the same time, UEFI must be the first or only one.
- Save and restart.
Caution: a Windows that was installed in Legacy mode may no longer start after the switch. In this case, follow your PC manufacturer’s instructions and back up your data beforehand.
Whether your processor is 64-bit capable is shown under Settings > System > About in the “System type” row.
Test the PC with PC Health Check
- Search the taskbar for PC Health Check. If the app is not installed, download it from Microsoft at
aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp. - Select Check now.
- The app shows whether the PC is suitable and otherwise states the reason.
On Windows 10, Windows Update also shows whether the PC is ready for Windows 11. If you have changed hardware to meet the requirements, Microsoft recommends waiting until Windows Update offers the upgrade. How the upgrade itself works is covered under
Moving from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Upper limits per edition
The minimum requirements are the same, the upper limits are not:
| Edition | Maximum memory |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 Home | 128 GB |
| Windows 11 Pro | 2 TB |
| Windows 11 Pro for Workstations | 6 TB |
| Windows 11 Enterprise | 6 TB |
More on the editions: Windows 11 editions at a glance.
Windows 11 on unsupported hardware
Microsoft advises against installing Windows 11 on a device that does not meet the requirements. Such devices are not supported by Microsoft, and it is not guaranteed that they receive updates, including security updates. Windows shows a watermark on the desktop. To anyone who has installed this way, Microsoft recommends returning to Windows 10. For a PC you work with, this is not a viable path.
Typical cases
Office PC from 2019 with a Core i5-8500. Suitable. Just check whether TPM and Secure Boot are active.
Self-built PC with a Ryzen 5 3600, message “TPM missing”. Turn on “AMD fTPM” in the UEFI, then repeat the check.
Laptop from 2016 with a Core i5-6200U. The processor is not on the list. The device stays on Windows 10; how long that remains safe is covered in the guide on the end of support.
Industrial PC without TPM. For fixed-purpose devices, Microsoft states separate, lower minimum requirements for
Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC.
At VivaKeys
Both are in the
Windows 11 category. Check the requirements before you buy. If you are unsure whether your PC is suitable, tell us the processor, memory and year of manufacture using the contact form.
Frequently asked questions
Does Windows 11 really need TPM 2.0? Yes. TPM 2.0 is one of Microsoft’s minimum requirements. Many PCs already have it built in, but turned off in the UEFI.
How much RAM does Windows 11 need? At least 4 GB. That is the lower limit for the installation. For smooth work with several programs, more makes sense.
Which processors does Windows 11 support? Microsoft maintains lists for Intel, AMD and Qualcomm. For Intel they essentially start with the 8th Core generation, for AMD with Ryzen 2000. What counts is the entry of your exact model.
Can I install Windows 11 without TPM or with an old processor? Microsoft advises against it. Such devices are not supported and are not guaranteed to receive updates.
Does Windows 11 run on a 32-bit PC? No. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 only runs on 64-bit processors.
Does Windows 11 need a Microsoft account? Windows 11 Home requires an internet connection and a Microsoft account during initial setup. According to Microsoft, the same applies to Windows 11 Pro when it is set up for personal use.
Do the requirements also apply to a virtual machine? Yes, correspondingly: generation 2, a 64 GB drive, 4 GB of RAM, two virtual processors, Secure Boot and a virtual TPM.
Sources
Checked on 2026-11-10 against the publisher’s information:
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/windows-11-requirements
- support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/compatibility/windows-11-system-requirements
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/windows-processor-requirements
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-amd-processors
- support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/devicesecurity/enable-tpm-2-0-on-your-pc
- support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/devicesecurity/windows-11-and-secure-boot
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-qualcomm-processors
- support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/compatibility/how-to-use-the-pc-health-check-app
- support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/install-upgrade/ways-to-install-windows-11
- support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/experience/compatibility/windows-11-on-devices-that-don-t-meet-minimum-system-requirements
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/memory/memory-limits-for-windows-releases
- www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
- learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/iot-enterprise/Hardware/System_Requirements