System Requirements for Windows 11
Windows 11 introduces a new set of system requirements that extend beyond the focus on Trusted Platform Module (TPM) technology. To ensure optimal performance and security, systems must have Secure Boot enabled, alongside a supported processor. Specifically, the operating system mandates the use of an 8th-generation Intel Core CPU, an AMD Ryzen 2000 series CPU, or a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 CPU or newer. This requirement effectively sidelines several generations of Intel and AMD processors that, while equipped with built-in TPM 2.0 support, do not meet the newer criteria.
In addition to the processor specifications, Windows 11 outlines basic requirements for RAM and processor speed. However, any system that satisfies the CPU or TPM criteria will comfortably meet these additional benchmarks. For users with a compatible CPU but lacking TPM 2.0 support, there is a potential workaround. By accessing the system’s BIOS, users may enable TPM manually or through a BIOS update tailored for their motherboard.
Interestingly, Windows 11 can still be installed on systems that do not meet the standard requirements. This includes machines with older TPM 1.2 modules or those without any TPM enabled. While the installation process for major updates on these unsupported systems can be cumbersome, it’s worth noting that Microsoft retains the authority to withhold updates from such configurations. Nevertheless, users can generally expect Windows 11 to perform comparably to Windows 10 on these devices, maintaining a familiar experience despite the limitations.
