Windows 11 System Requirements: What Your PC Needs

Windows 11 system requirements set the strict hardware and security baseline your computer needs to run the operating system. Your PC must have a 1 GHz or faster 64-bit processor with 2 or more cores, at least 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.

Microsoft also requires modern security hardware. That means a TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) security chip and UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability. You can check whether your current machine meets these rules with the free PC Health Check app from Microsoft:

1. Download and install PC Health Check from Microsoft’s website.
2. Open the app and click Check now in the Windows 11 banner at the top.
3. Read the result. A pass shows “This PC can run Windows 11”. A fail lists the specific items that don’t qualify, such as the processor, TPM or Secure Boot.

If the app reports a TPM or Secure Boot problem, don’t assume the hardware is too old. Many PCs from the last several years have both features but ship with them turned off in the BIOS/UEFI settings. Check there before you write the machine off.

🪟 Windows 11 basic requirements

Windows 11 requires a 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor with two or more cores, on a compatible 64-bit chip. It also needs at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Your computer must have UEFI firmware, Secure Boot capability, and a graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 or later.

A PC with a fast processor and plenty of RAM will still fail the check if it has no TPM 2.0 or is running in legacy BIOS mode.

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. Windows 11 asks for two processor cores instead of one, 4GB of RAM instead of 2GB, and 64GB of storage instead of 32GB. It also makes TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot capability hard requirements, which Windows 10 never did.

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.

Clock speed and core count are only part of it. The processor must also be on Microsoft’s list of supported processors. In practice, that generally means Intel 8th generation or newer and AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer. A few exceptions exist, so check the exact model against Microsoft’s list or run PC Health Check. To see which processor you have, open Settings › System › About and look under Device specifications.

🪟 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.

Treat 4GB as the floor, not a comfortable target. Windows will run, but with a browser and a few apps open it will feel slow. 8GB is a more realistic minimum for daily use. To see how much RAM you have, open Settings › System › About and read Installed RAM. If your PC has less than 4GB and uses upgradable memory modules, adding RAM is often the cheapest way to qualify.

🪟 Windows 11 storage requirements

As noted in the table above, you’ll need at least 64GB of storage to install and run Windows 11. Most modern devices exceed this storage threshold.

Plan for more than the bare minimum. Windows keeps adding to its footprint through feature updates, and it needs free space to download and install them. Aim to leave a good amount of free room after the install. To see your drive’s size and free space, open Settings › System › Storage If space is tight, you can clear temporary files from that same screen or move large files to an external drive.

🪟 Windows 11 graphics requirements

Windows 11 requires a graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.0 (Windows Display Driver Model). Your display also needs a minimum resolution of 720p. Most computers made in the last several years meet this standard automatically.

If the app flags your graphics, the cause is often an outdated driver rather than old hardware. Update the driver through Windows Update 🔃 or from your GPU maker’s website, then run the check again. Very old integrated graphics may genuinely lack WDDM 2.0 support, and in that case only a hardware change will fix it.

Today’s computers support screen resolutions well above 720p, displaying sharper images and more information at once. For example, many modern laptops and desktops have 1080p displays, which have more than twice as many pixels as 720p.

The display requirement is modest. Microsoft asks for a screen larger than 9 inches diagonally, with HD (720p) resolution and 8 bits per color channel. Nearly any current monitor or laptop panel qualifies.

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.

Before you buy, work out which requirement failed. A TPM or Secure Boot setting that is simply switched off in the firmware can be fixed in a few minutes. A processor that isn’t supported, or a drive that is too small, usually means a hardware change. A larger drive or more RAM may be a cheaper fix than a new PC.

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.

Microsoft doesn’t support Windows 11 on hardware that fails the checks, and such a PC may not receive every update. Back up your data before you try it, and keep your Windows 10 install or a full system image so you can go back if something goes wrong.

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. It also needs to be on Microsoft's supported processor list.
• RAM: Minimum of 4 GB required. 8 GB is a more comfortable amount for everyday use.
• Storage: A storage device must be 64 GB or larger to accommodate the operating system. Leave extra free space for updates.
• System Firmware: Device should support UEFI and Secure Boot capability. Secure Boot may need to be turned on in the firmware settings.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 is necessary for enhanced security. Many PCs have it but ship with it disabled in the firmware.
• 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 during setup.

Confirming your computer meets these criteria lets you move to Windows 11 without surprises and use its new features and improvements. Run PC Health Check first, since it tells you exactly which requirement fails, if any. If your device doesn't quite make the cut, consider upgrading your hardware for the best possible experience.