Windows 11 Requirements: The Complete Minimum Specs List for 2026

Quick Answer

• Windows 11 needs a 64-bit processor with 2 or more cores at 1 GHz or faster, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage.
• Your PC must also have UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card and a 720p display larger than 9 inches.
• Windows 11 Home and Pro (personal use) need an internet connection and a Microsoft account during first setup.
• Version 24H2 and later also need a CPU that supports the SSE4.2 and POPCNT instructions.
• The 26H2 update keeps the same core hardware requirements as 25H2, according to Pureinfotech’s guide.
• The quickest check is Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app.

If you are not sure your computer can run Windows 11, this guide lists every requirement in plain language. You will also see how to check each one and what to do if your PC falls short.

Windows 11 Minimum System Requirements

Microsoft lists these as the minimum specs for Windows 11:

These are minimums. A PC that only just meets them will run Windows 11, but 8 GB of RAM and an SSD give a much smoother experience.

Microsoft also says the free space you need for updates is “highly variable”. It depends on your apps and older Windows files. Keep extra free space beyond the 64 GB minimum so updates install without errors.

Windows 11 CPU Requirements

The processor is the requirement that stops most people. Windows 11 only officially supports newer chips. As summarized by Pureinfotech, the supported lists include:

• Intel: 8th Gen Core processors and newer, plus some Pentium, Celeron, Atom and Xeon chips. A few 7th Gen chips are also supported.
• AMD: Ryzen 2000 series (2nd Gen) and newer, plus some Threadripper, Athlon and EPYC chips.
• Qualcomm: Snapdragon 7c, 8c, 8cx, 850 and X series chips, along with Microsoft SQ1 to SQ3.

SSE4.2 and POPCNT

Windows 11 version 24H2 added another rule. Your CPU must support the POPCNT instruction, which is part of SSE4.2. Guru3d reported in February 2024 that older chips such as Core 2 Duo and Athlon 64 do not have it. Chips from Intel Nehalem and AMD Phenom II onward do, so most PCs from the last 15 years are fine.

This rule is not a loose recommendation. Pureinfotech notes that a system without these instructions will fail to boot 24H2 or later.

TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot Explained

TPM 2.0 is a security chip, or a firmware version of one, that stores encryption keys and protects things like BitLocker and Windows Hello. Secure Boot checks that your PC starts only with trusted software.

Many PCs built in the last several years have both, but they are sometimes turned off in the BIOS. To check TPM:

1. Press Windows + R, type tpm.msc and press Enter.
2. Look at Specification Version in the status box. It should say 2.0.

To check Secure Boot, press Windows + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. Find Secure Boot State in the system summary. It should say On.

If either one is off, you may need to enable it in your BIOS or UEFI settings. Our guide on how to check your BIOS version on Windows 11 is a good first step, because an outdated BIOS can hide these options.

Windows 11 Home vs Pro Requirements

The hardware requirements are the same for Home and Pro. The difference is in setup:

• Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro for personal use need an internet connection and a Microsoft account during first-time device setup.
• S mode is available only on the Home edition, and switching out of S mode also needs an internet connection.

If you are unsure which edition or version you need, read our Windows 11 versions explained guide. It covers the difference between editions (Home, Pro) and update versions (24H2, 25H2, 26H2). It also notes that Home and Pro support for the older 24H2 version ends on October 13, 2026.

Do Windows 11 26H2 Requirements Change?

No major change has been reported. Pureinfotech says Windows 11 26H2 keeps the same core hardware requirements as 25H2, with the same RAM, storage, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and graphics rules. Microsoft’s current specifications page also lists nothing new for 26H2.

The 26H2 update installs as a small enablement package, so if your PC already runs 25H2 you do not need new hardware. For the new features and install steps, see our guide to Windows 11 26H2.

How to Check if Your PC Meets Windows 11 Requirements

The easiest way is Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app.

1. Download and open PC Health Check from Microsoft.
2. Click Check now in the Windows 11 banner.
3. Read the result. If your PC fails, it tells you which part is the problem.

One limit to know: Microsoft says the app does not check your graphics card or display, because most compatible devices already meet those two requirements. For a full check, use tpm.msc for TPM and msinfo32 for Secure Boot, as shown above.

What to Do if Your PC Does Not Meet the Requirements

You have a few options, starting with the easiest:

1. Turn on TPM and Secure Boot in the BIOS. Many “incompatible” PCs actually have both, just disabled.
2. Update the BIOS or UEFI if the options are missing.
3. Upgrade the part that fails, for example adding RAM or an SSD.
4. Replace the PC if the CPU is too old. This is the only fix for an unsupported processor.
5. Install on unsupported hardware at your own risk. Pureinfotech notes this is possible from an ISO or bootable USB on some PCs, but Microsoft does not support it, and the POPCNT rule cannot be bypassed.

If your PC does qualify, the upgrade is free for most people with a genuine Windows 10 license. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to upgrade to Windows 11 for free.

Frequently Asked Questions