Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, and not every PC qualifies. The biggest hurdle for most older machines is the TPM 2.0 requirement. This guide explains how to check whether your PC can run Windows 11, and what to do if it cannot.
Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check App
The quickest way to check compatibility is to use Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app, which was designed specifically for this purpose.
- Search for “PC Health Check” in the Microsoft Store, or download it from the Microsoft website
- Install and open the app
- Click Check now under the “Introducing Windows 11” section
- The app will run a compatibility check and display a clear pass or fail result
- If your PC does not meet the requirements, the app will tell you specifically which requirement is not met
If you pass, you can proceed with upgrading to Windows 11. If you fail, read on.
Windows 11 Hardware Requirements
These are the official minimum requirements for Windows 11:
- Processor: 1GHz or faster, 64-bit, with 2 or more cores — from the Windows 11 supported CPU list
- RAM: 4GB minimum
- Storage: 64GB or larger
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
- Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- Graphics: DirectX 12 compatible graphics card with WDDM 2.0 driver
- Display: HD display (720p), 9″ or larger diagonal screen
For most modern PCs, the only requirements that cause issues are the TPM 2.0 and the supported CPU list. A PC may have a capable processor but still fail if it is not on Microsoft’s approved list (this primarily affects some older Intel 7th generation CPUs).
How to Check If Your PC Has TPM 2.0
TPM 2.0 is a security chip that handles encryption. Most PCs manufactured after 2017 have it, but it may be disabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings.
Method 1 — TPM Management Console
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialogue
- Type
tpm.mscand press Enter - The TPM Management window will open
- Under “Status”, if it says “The TPM is ready for use”, TPM is active
- Check the Specification Version — it should say 2.0
- If it says “Compatible TPM cannot be found”, TPM is either absent or disabled in BIOS
Method 2 — Device Manager
- Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager
- Look for Security Devices in the list
- If you see Trusted Platform Module 2.0, TPM is present and enabled
How to Enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS
If your PC has TPM hardware but it is disabled, you can enable it in the BIOS without buying anything new. The steps vary by manufacturer but the general process is:
- Restart your PC
- Press the BIOS key during startup — usually Delete, F2, F10 or Esc (the key is usually shown on the boot screen)
- Look for a setting related to TPM, PTT (Intel Platform Trust Technology) or fTPM (AMD firmware TPM)
- Enable it
- Save and exit (usually F10)
- Run PC Health Check again
On Intel motherboards this is often labelled Intel PTT. On AMD systems it is usually fTPM. On some Dell, HP and Lenovo systems it appears under Security settings in the BIOS.
How to Check If Secure Boot Is Enabled
Secure Boot is another Windows 11 requirement. To check its status:
- Press Windows key + R, type
msinfo32and press Enter - In the System Information window, look for Secure Boot State in the right pane
- It should say On
- If it says Off, you can enable it in the BIOS under the Boot or Security section
Supported Processors
Not all processors are on Microsoft’s Windows 11 supported CPU list. Most 8th generation Intel Core and AMD Ryzen 2000 series and newer CPUs are supported. Some older generations (Intel 7th gen and AMD Ryzen 1000 series) are not supported, even if they are fast enough.
If PC Health Check tells you that your processor is not supported, this is a hardware limitation that cannot be changed without replacing the CPU or the entire system.
What If My PC Cannot Run Windows 11?
If your PC genuinely cannot meet the requirements, you have several options:
- Buy Extended Security Updates (ESU) — Microsoft sells up to 3 years of continued Windows 10 security patches for around $30 per year per device, buying time to plan a hardware upgrade
- Buy a new PC — modern budget PCs all come with Windows 11 pre-installed and meet the requirements comfortably
- Switch to Linux — distributions like Ubuntu and Linux Mint run well on older hardware and are free
Read our overview: Windows 10 End of Life: What It Means for You
