Windows 11 System Requirements: What Your PC Needs

The minimum system requirements for Windows 11 are the baseline computer parts and security settings your PC needs to run Microsoft’s operating system. Your computer must have a 1 GHz or faster dual-core 64-bit processor, at least 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of free storage space.

Beyond basic speed and memory, Windows 11 requires a TPM 2.0 chip for security and Secure Boot turned on in your computer’s startup settings. You can check if your current PC has these parts by downloading ⬇️ the free PC Health Check app from Microsoft.

🪟 Windows 11 basic requirements

Let’s break down the basic requirements for Windows 11. Your processor needs to be 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with at least two cores, which is similar to Windows 10 but with a few key upgrades. You’ll also need 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. A compatible 64-bit processor is essential, alongside UEFI firmware and Secure Boot capability.

Here’s a quick look at the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. They’re very similar to Windows 10’s minimums, with a few key differences.

Processor	1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).
RAM	4 gigabyte (GB) or more.
Storage	64 GB or larger storage device.
System firmware	UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
TPM	Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
Graphics card	Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
Display	High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9″ diagonally, 8 bits per color channel.
Internet connection and Microsoft account	Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account.

🪟 Windows 11 CPU requirements

CPU requirements for Windows 11 include a 64-bit processor running at least 1 GHz with two or more cores. Most computers made today already meet this specification.

🪟 Windows 11 memory requirements

Your device needs at least 4GB of RAM to run Windows 11. Most devices today come with more than 4GB of RAM, so this requirement is usually met.

🪟 Windows 11 storage requirements

As noted in the table above, you'll need at least 64GB of free space to install and run Windows 11. Most modern devices arrive with plenty of storage, meaning this threshold rarely causes issues.

🪟 Windows 11 graphics requirements

Windows 11 requires a graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.0 (Windows Display Driver Model), with a minimum resolution of 720p. Modern hardware handles this requirement effortlessly.

Today's computers support screen resolutions well above 720p, displaying sharper images and more information at once. For example, many modern laptops and desktops feature displays with 1080p resolution, which offers twice the number of pixels as 720p.

Most computers in use today will meet Windows 11 minimum requirements. If your computer fails to meet the above requirements, it may be time to get a new one.

How to install 🪟 Windows 11 on supported hardware

If your device doesn't meet the basic Windows requirements, we've written a guide on how to create a Windows 11 ISO for unsupported hardware.

You can find that guide by clicking the link below:

How to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware

Conclusion:

Making sure your device meets the minimum system requirements is key to a smooth Windows 11 experience. Here are the main things to remember:

• Processor: Must be a 64-bit processor with at least 1 GHz and 2 or more cores.
• RAM: Minimum of 4 GB required for optimal functionality.
• Storage: A storage device must be 64 GB or larger to accommodate the operating system.
• System Firmware: Device should support UEFI and Secure Boot capability.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 is necessary for enhanced security.
• Graphics Card: Compatibility with DirectX 12 or later and a WDDM 2.0 driver is essential.
• Display: A high definition display (720p or higher) is required for a better visual experience.
• Internet Connection: Windows 11 Home edition necessitates internet connectivity and a Microsoft account.

Confirming your computer meets these criteria lets you transition to Windows 11 without a hitch and enjoy its new features and improvements. If your device doesn't quite make the cut, consider upgrading your hardware for the best possible experience.