How To Check Windows 11 System Requirements

People are currently reading this guide.

Ready to dive into the world of Windows 11 and see if your trusty machine is up for the upgrade? It's an exciting prospect, bringing a fresh look and feel along with some cool new features. But before you get too carried away with the possibilities, let's make sure your current setup can handle it. Don't worry, it's a straightforward process!

Step 1: The Quick and Easy Check with the PC Health Check App

Microsoft has made this super simple with a dedicated tool. This is often the quickest way to get a definitive answer.

Downloading and Installing the PC Health Check App

Open your web browser. You can use Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser you prefer.
Search for "Download PC Health Check app". The first result should likely be from Microsoft.
Navigate to the Microsoft download page. Look for a link that clearly states "Download the PC Health Check app".
Click the download button. The file will likely be saved in your Downloads folder. It will probably be named something like WindowsPCHealthCheckSetup.msi.
Run the installer. Double-click the downloaded .msi file.
Follow the on-screen instructions. You'll likely need to agree to the license terms and choose an installation location. Click "Install" to begin the process.
Launch the PC Health Check app. Once the installation is complete, you should find it in your Start Menu. Search for "PC Health Check" and click on the application.

Using the PC Health Check App

Open the PC Health Check app. You should see a simple interface.
Look for the "Windows 11 Upgrade" section. It's usually at the top.
Click the "Check now" button. The app will quickly scan your system's hardware and software.
View the results.
- If your PC meets the requirements, you'll see a message like "This PC meets Windows 11 requirements." Congratulations! You're good to go.
- If your PC doesn't meet the requirements, the app will tell you which specific components are the issue (e.g., processor, memory, storage, TPM 2.0). This is super helpful for understanding what might need upgrading.

Step 2: The Manual Deep Dive - Checking System Specifications Yourself

Sometimes, you might want to understand the requirements in detail or if the PC Health Check app isn't working for some reason. Here's how to manually check each key requirement:

Checking Your Processor (CPU)

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type msinfo32 and press Enter. This will open the System Information window.
Look for "Processor" in the list on the right-hand side. The information displayed will tell you the name and model of your CPU.
Compare your processor to the official Windows 11 supported processor list on the Microsoft website. This is a crucial step, as even if your processor is relatively new, it might not be on the compatibility list.

Checking Your RAM (Memory)

In the System Information window (still open from the previous step), look for "Installed Physical Memory (RAM)". This will show you the total amount of RAM installed in your system.
Ensure you have at least 4 GB of RAM. Windows 11 requires a minimum of 4 gigabytes (GB) of memory. More is always better for performance!

Checking Your Storage (Disk Space)

Open File Explorer (by pressing Win + E or clicking the folder icon on your taskbar).
Click on "This PC" in the left-hand pane.
Look at your C: drive (or whichever drive Windows is installed on). You'll see information about the total size and the free space.
Make sure you have at least 64 GB of free disk space. This is the minimum requirement for installing Windows 11. It's always a good idea to have more free space for updates and smooth operation.

Checking Your System Firmware (UEFI and Secure Boot)

Again, in the System Information window, look for "BIOS Mode". It should say "UEFI". If it says "Legacy", you might need to adjust your BIOS settings (this can be a bit more technical).
Look for "Secure Boot State". It should say "Enabled". If it says "Disabled", you might need to enable it in your UEFI settings. Secure Boot is a critical security feature for Windows 11.
- Accessing UEFI/BIOS Settings: You usually access these settings by pressing a specific key (like Delete, F2, F12, or Esc) during your computer's startup process. The exact key varies depending on your motherboard manufacturer, so you might need to consult your computer's manual or look for a prompt on the screen during startup.

Checking Your Graphics Card (GPU) and Display

In the System Information window, expand "Components" and then click on "Display".
Look for "Adapter Type" and "Adapter RAM". While specific GPU models aren't strictly enforced like CPUs, your graphics card needs to be compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver. Most modern GPUs will meet this.
Check your monitor resolution. Windows 11 requires a high-definition (720p) display that is greater than 9 inches diagonally. Most modern monitors easily meet this.

Checking for TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module)

This is a key security requirement for Windows 11 and often causes confusion.

Press Win + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. This will open the TPM Management window.
Look for "TPM Specification Version". It should say "2.0". If it says "1.2" or lower, or if it says "TPM not found", your system doesn't meet this requirement.
- Important Note: Sometimes, even if your system has a TPM 2.0 chip, it might be disabled in the UEFI/BIOS settings. You might need to enable it there.

Step 3: Understanding the Implications

If your system doesn't meet all the requirements, you won't be able to officially upgrade to Windows 11 and receive updates. While there might be workarounds, they are generally not recommended as they can lead to instability and security vulnerabilities.

Step 4: Planning Your Next Steps

Based on the results of your checks, you have a few options:

If your PC meets all requirements: Great! You can proceed with the Windows 11 upgrade when it's offered to you through Windows Update, or you can perform a clean installation.
If your PC misses some requirements:
- Minor issues (like low storage): You might be able to upgrade components like adding more RAM or a larger SSD.
- Major issues (like an incompatible CPU or no TPM 2.0): Upgrading these components can be more complex and might not be cost-effective for older systems. In this case, you might consider purchasing a new PC that is Windows 11 compatible.

Frequently Asked Questions (How to...)

How to find out my computer's processor?

Quick Answer: Press Win + R, type msinfo32, and look for "Processor" in the System Information window.

How to check how much RAM my computer has?

Quick Answer: In the System Information window (msinfo32), look for "Installed Physical Memory (RAM)".

How to see my computer's free disk space?

Quick Answer: Open File Explorer, click "This PC", and look at the information under your C: drive.

How to determine if my system uses UEFI?

Quick Answer: In the System Information window (msinfo32), look for "BIOS Mode". It should say "UEFI".

How to check if Secure Boot is enabled?

Quick Answer: In the System Information window (msinfo32), look for "Secure Boot State". It should say "Enabled".

How to check my TPM version?

Quick Answer: Press Win + R, type tpm.msc, and look for "TPM Specification Version". It should be "2.0".

How to know if my graphics card supports DirectX 12?

Quick Answer: Press Win + R, type dxdiag, press Enter, and look for "DirectX Version" under the "System" tab. Then, under the "Display" tab, look for "Feature Levels". It should include at least "12_0".

How to find my monitor's resolution?

Quick Answer: Right-click on your desktop, select "Display settings", and look for the "Display resolution" setting.

How to access my computer's UEFI/BIOS settings?

Quick Answer: Restart your computer and press the designated key (usually Delete, F2, F12, or Esc) during startup. This key varies by manufacturer.

How to use the PC Health Check app?

Quick Answer: Download and install it from the Microsoft website, open the app, and click the "Check now" button under the "Windows 11 Upgrade" section.

6535240804124457357