What hardware do you need to install Windows 11? You can easily understand what you need with the Windows 11 system requirements article.
These are the minimum system requirements for installing Windows 11 on a PC. If your device does not meet these requirements, you may not be able to install Windows 11 on your device and might want to consider purchasing a new PC. If you are unsure whether your PC meets these requirements, you can check with your PC Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or, if your device is already running Windows 10, you can use the PC Health Check app to assess compatibility. Note that this app does not check for graphics card or display, as most compatible devices will meet those requirements listed below.
Your device must be running Windows 10, version 2004 or later, to upgrade. Free updates are available through Windows Update in Settings>Update and Security.
Windows 11 System Requirements
Processor | 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC). |
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RAM | 4 gigabyte (GB). |
Storage | 64 GB or larger storage device Note: See below under “More information on storage space to keep Windows 11 up-to-date” for more details. |
System firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable. Check here for information on how your PC might be able to meet this requirement. |
TPM | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. Check here for instructions on how your PC might be enabled to meet this requirement. |
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 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during initial device setup. Switching a device out of Windows 11 Home in S mode also requires internet connectivity. Learn more about S mode here. For all Windows 11 editions, internet access is required to perform updates and to download and take advantage of some features. A Microsoft account is required for some features. |
Feature-specific requirements for Windows 11
5G support | requires 5G capable modem where available. |
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Auto HDR | requires an HDR monitor. |
BitLocker to Go | requires a USB flash drive (available in Windows Pro and above editions). |
Client Hyper-V | requires a processor with second level address translation (SLAT) capabilities (available in Windows Pro and above editions). |
Cortana | requires a microphone and speaker and is currently available on Windows 11 for Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States. |
DirectStorage | requires an NVMe SSD to store and run games that use the Standard NVM Express Controller driver and a DirectX12 GPU with Shader Model 6.0 support. |
DirectX 12 Ultimate | is available with supported games and graphics chips. |
Presence | requires sensor that can detect human distance from device or intent to interact with device. |
Intelligent Video Conferencing | requires video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output). |
Multiple Voice Assistant (MVA) | requires a microphone and speaker. |
Snap | three-column layouts requires a screen that is 1920 effective pixels or greater in width. |
Mute/Unmute from Taskbar | requires video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output). App must be compatible with feature to enable global mute/unmute. |
Spatial Sound | requires supporting hardware and software. |
Microsoft Teams | requires video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output). |
Touch | requires a screen or monitor that supports multi-touch. |
Two-factor Authentication | requires use of PIN, biometric (fingerprint reader or illuminated infrared camera), or a phone with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities. |
Voice Typing | requires a PC with a microphone. |
Wake on Voice | requires Modern Standby power model and microphone. |
Wi-Fi 6E | requires new WLAN IHV hardware and driver and a Wi-Fi 6E capable AP/router. |
Windows Hello | requires a camera configured for near infrared (IR) imaging or fingerprint reader for biometric authentication. Devices without biometric sensors can use Windows Hello with a PIN or portable Microsoft compatible security key. |
Windows Projection | requires a display adapter which supports Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.0 and a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct. |
Xbox (app) | requires an Xbox Live account, which is not available in all regions. See Xbox Live Countries and Regions for the most up-to-date information on availability. Some features in the Xbox app will require an active Xbox Game Pass subscription (sold separately). Learn more about the pass. |