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You can find out if your computer can handle the Windows 11 upgrade from Microsoft by using tools like the PC Health Check app and WhyNotWin11.
When Windows 11 came out in October (here’s our full review of Windows 11), there were a lot of questions about whether or not it would work with other programmes. Since Microsoft released its first major Windows OS update in six years this summer, PC users haven’t been sure how well their programmes work together. A company blog post says that Windows 11 should work on most PCs, which is good news. Even though Windows 11 has been out for a while, some devices that can run it may not have the upgrade yet. Microsoft wants all Windows 10 devices to be able to download and install Windows 11 by the middle of 2022.
When Microsoft first announced Windows 11, the PC Health Check app, which was supposed to help people figure out if their devices were compatible, wasn’t up to snuff. People said it didn’t tell them enough about why their devices weren’t compatible, so the company took the app down temporarily. The PC Health Check from Microsoft is now back online and working. If your computer doesn’t have what it needs to run Windows 11, the app will tell you why and give you links to more help.
But that’s not the only way to check if your device will work with the free Windows 11 update. Read on to learn how to find out if a device works with Windows 11 and how to check if it does. Now that the Windows 11 release date has passed, you should check your own computer. However, keep in mind that Windows 11 will be released in stages. Microsoft will slowly stop supporting Windows 10 over the next few years, so if your device doesn’t meet the requirements, you may need to buy a new PC before 2025.
Option 1: Use the Microsoft app PC Health Check to see if your computer can run Windows 11.
Follow these steps to find out if your computer has the right parts to run Windows 11.
1. Get Microsoft’s PC Health Check. Open the file, click Install, and then accept the terms of service. Check the box next to Open PC Health Check, and then click the “Finish” button.
2. On the app’s home page, it says, “PC health at a glance.” “Welcome to Windows 11” is written in a box at the top. Click Check Now.
If your computer isn’t compatible, you’ll see a message that says, “This PC doesn’t currently meet Windows 11 system requirements,” with more information below.
If your computer can handle it, you can get the Windows 11 update for free. The official release date for Windows 11 was October 5, but Microsoft plans to roll it out slowly, so many devices won’t get the upgrade until 2022.
Option 2: Use the WhyNotWin11 app to see if it works with Windows 11.
A good alternative to the PC Health Check app is an open-source app called WhyNotWin11. The GitHub app, which was made by a developer who is not part of Microsoft, has a less friendly interface, but it should give you more information and go into more detail about different possible compatibility problems. Here’s more from TechRadar about how to use it to find out if your device works with Windows 11.
Option 3: Look at the list of system requirements for Windows 11 on the Microsoft website.
Check out this list of system requirements on Microsoft’s website or in the chart below to see if your current PC can run Windows 11. When Windows 11 is ready, you can get it for free if your computer can handle it.
To run Windows 11, what kind of computer do I need?
Here is the full list of what Windows 11 needs from your computer, including at least 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a 720p screen that is at least 9 inches wide.
Windows 11 requirements
| Spec | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB or larger storage device |
| System firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot-capable |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 |
| Graphics card | Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | HD (720p) display greater than 9 inches diagonally, 8 bits per color channel |
| Internet connection and Microsoft account | For Windows 11 Home edition: internet connectivity; Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use. For all Windows 11 editions: Internet access to perform updates and to download and use some features; Microsoft account for some features |
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