Windows 11 minimum requirements - Does your PC meet Windows 11 requirements?

If you have read the Windows 11 vs Windows 10 comparison and decided to upgrade to the latest OS, the Windows 11 minimum requirements might interest you.

With a brand-new interface, Android app support, better security, and improved performance, Windows 11 is a major upgrade to Windows 10. Among the biggest changes to Windows 11 is its strict and demanding hardware requirements.

Assuming you have already decided between Windows 11 Home and Pro, let's take a look at whether your PC meets Windows 11 minimum requirements.

Windows 11 minimum requirements

It seems the main reason for Windows 11's strict hardware requirements is the enhanced security of the operating system. Security hardware such as the TPM 2.0 chip (Trusted Platform Module) and the Secure Boot feature is essential to run Windows 11.

If your PC is old, say, more than five years, there is a good chance it won’t run the latest Windows OS. To make sure your system can run the latest Windows OS, check the Windows 11 minimum requirements below:

• Processor: 1 GHz with 2 cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
• RAM: 4 GB
• Storage: 64 GB
• Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
• System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
• Display: High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per colour channel

So, these are the minimum system requirements to run Windows 11 on your PC. You probably know about the RAM, storage and processor your PC has, but what you might not know is whether your graphics card has WDDM 2.0 driver or your TPM chip is version 2.0.

We will tell you how to check this info using an app in the next section. Keep reading!

Read more: Does Windows 11 support VR?

Windows 11 system requirements checker

If you are unsure whether your PC has a TPM 2.0 chip or it supports Secure Boot, you can use the Windows 11 system requirements checker app aka the PC Health Check app to make sure your computer is capable of running Windows 11.

The PC Health Check app will assess the different components of your device and let you know if your PC is eligible to run Windows 11. The app will also link to info that details steps you can take to make your device meet the minimum system requirements.

Credit: Windows

Windows 11 minimum requirements bypass

If it turns out that your PC doesn't meet the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements, do not despair, because you can still install Windows 11 on your PC.

There are different ways to bypass the TMP 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements for Windows 11, and one of these is a third-party program called Rufus. Here is how you can bypass Windows 11 minimum requirements using Rufus:

• If you do not already have the Windows 11 ISO file, head over to the Windows 11 download page.
• Under the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) section, select Windows 11 and hit Download.
• Confirm your choice of language to proceed.
• Click on the 64-bit Download link to download the ISO file.
• Once done, download Rufus Version 3.16 Beta 2.
• To run Rufus, double-click the downloaded .exe file.
• Then connect the USB drive to your computer.
• Click SELECT to select the ISO file that you downloaded.
• In the Rufus dialog, expand the dropdown menu under Image and select the Extended Windows 11 Installation (No TPM/no Secure Boot/8GB- RAM) option. By choosing this option, you will skip Windows 11's secure boot and TPM 2.0 requirements, along with the minimum demand for 8GB of RAM.
• Finally, to create Windows 11 installation media, click START.

We don't recommend installing Windows 11 on ineligible hardware as there is a risk of running into compatibility issues. Your device might malfunction due to these compatibility or other issues.

Also, it is worth mentioning that PCs that do not meet the Windows 11 minimum requirements will no longer be guaranteed to receive updates, including but not limited to security updates.

In our opinion, it is not a good idea to install Windows 11 on a PC that does not meet the minimum system requirements. Nevertheless, it is up to you to decide.

If you are considering upgrading your system, we recommend you look at our picks of the best budget laptop and best gaming PC.