Windows 11 has stricter system requirements than any previous version of Windows. Before you buy a license, make sure your PC actually qualifies.

Official Minimum Requirements

  • CPU: 1 GHz or faster, 2+ cores, 64-bit, on Microsoft's approved list.
  • RAM: 4 GB minimum.
  • Storage: 64 GB free.
  • Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
  • TPM: Version 2.0 enabled.
  • Graphics: DirectX 12 compatible, WDDM 2.0 driver.
  • Display: 720p resolution, 9 inches+.

What Trips Most People Up: TPM 2.0

The single biggest blocker is TPM 2.0:

  1. Press Win + R, type tpm.msc, hit Enter.
  2. If you see "The TPM is ready for use" with version 2.0, you're good.
  3. If not, check BIOS for fTPM (AMD) or PTT (Intel) and enable it.

Supported CPUs

  • Intel: 8th-gen Core or newer.
  • AMD: Ryzen 2000 series or newer.
  • Qualcomm: Snapdragon 850 or newer.

Use PC Health Check to Verify

  1. Download from microsoft.com.
  2. Run it and click Check now.
  3. The report tells you exactly what passes and fails.

Recommended Specs

  • CPU: 11th-gen Intel or Ryzen 5000+.
  • RAM: 8 GB (16 GB ideal).
  • Storage: 256 GB SSD (NVMe preferred).

If Your PC Doesn't Qualify

1. Stay on Windows 10

Windows 10 receives Extended Security Updates through October 2026. The Windows 10 Pro Retail key is a great choice for older hardware.

2. Bypass Requirements (Advanced)

Tools like Rufus can create a Windows 11 installer that ignores TPM checks.

3. Upgrade Your Hardware

A new motherboard + CPU starting at €200 can bring an old desktop into Windows 11 compatibility.

Getting Windows 11

Browse the full Windows catalog for OEM and additional editions.

Conclusion

Windows 11 demands more modern hardware. If your PC qualifies, the upgrade is worth it. If not, Windows 10 still has another year of support.