Windows 11 is here, and Microsoft is offering a free upgrade (via Windows Update) to most Windows 10 users by mid-2022. If your PC meets the minimum installation requirements, Windows Update should eventually offer you the option to upgrade to Windows 11. So let’s go ahead and see “Can my PC upgrade to Windows 11?”
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Requirements to upgrade my PC to Windows 11-
As with any new piece of software, the most important compatibility concerns for Windows 11 are whether your PC has the basic computing resources to run it. Here is what Microsoft requires—at a minimum—for memory, storage, main processor, and graphics processor:
- At least 4GB of system memory (RAM).
- At least 64GB of available storage.
- One of Windows 11’s officially approved processors (CPUs), currently found on three lists for AMD models, Intel models, and Qualcomm models.
- A graphics processor that is compatible with DirectX 12 and Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.0 or greater.
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
- Display: A display 9 inches or larger, with a resolution of 720p or higher. To verify your display resolution, open Settings > System and see the Display tab. The drop-down menu under Display Resolution will show a recommended resolution; as long as it’s 1,280 by 720 pixels or higher, you’re ready for Windows 11.
Windows 11 is pretty cool, but you don’t want to lose all of your personal data if the preview build breaks on your machine. So make sure to backup your system.
You can check whether your current Windows 10 PC meets these minimum standards using two built-in apps. First, open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool by typing dxdiag into the Taskbar search box and pressing Enter. Once the tool is open, you’ll see your processor name, maximum RAM amount, and DirectX version listed on the System tab. Make sure the name of your processor is present on one of the three lists above. To check which WDDM version you’ve got, click on the Display tab and look in the Drivers section.
The final hardware check is determining how much storage your boot drive has. To do so, open a File Explorer window and click on This PC in the left-hand menu. In the Devices and Drives section, you should see the boot drive listed—typically, it’s named “Windows (C:)”. The graphic below the name depicts how much of the drive space you’ve currently used and how much is remaining.
Do I need TPM to run Windows 11?
Now that you’ve confirmed your basic hardware specs, you’ll need to make sure your computer has an additional security feature that’s a new requirement in Windows 11: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) support. The TPM supplies a unique code called a cryptographic key when you turn on your computer. If everything is normal, the drive encryption is unlocked and your computer starts up. If there’s a problem with the key then perhaps a hacker stole your laptop and tried to tamper with the encrypted drive inside—your PC won’t boot up.
TPMs come in two forms: a physical chip that’s separate from the main processor or a piece of firmware that’s built into it. Finding out whether your PC uses one isn’t straightforward. But if your computer meets the hardware requirements above and is less than five years old, it probably has a TPM.
What if my PC can’t run Windows 11?
If your PC doesn’t meet one or more of the requirements above, it can’t officially run Windows 11. If that’s the case, you’ve got three main options. The easiest is to continue using Windows 10. Microsoft’s current operating system is already excellent, and the company has committed to supporting it through at least 2025, which means your Windows 10 PC will continue to get security and feature updates for years to come.
Your second option is to upgrade the component or components that Windows 11 doesn’t support. Some hardware upgrades are easy, while others are unlikely to be worth the cost and hassle required. If you need more memory or storage space and your PC or laptop has an easily accessible drive bay or memory slot, you may be able to pick up inexpensive replacements and install them yourself.
If all else fails, you can always buy a new PC that supports Windows 11 right out of the box. Most Windows 10 PCs on sale today will be able to upgrade to Windows 11, according to Microsoft.
THANK YOU FOR READING: I hope you guys liked this article and it helped you. If it did then do let us know in the comments down below. Also, if you want to read similar articles then here are a few recommendations for you. How to install or upgrade to Windows 11? How to use snap layout in Windows 11? Windows 11 first look and review.