Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Check with Microsoft’s PC Health Check app or Windows Update rather than guessing from your PC’s age or one specification. The result identifies whether the device is eligible and, if not, which requirement it fails. Some problems—such as a disabled firmware setting or upgradeable memory—may be fixable; an unsupported processor or platform limitation may not be.
How to check whether your PC can run Windows 11
- Run PC Health Check. Download it from Microsoft’s official Windows 11 page, open the app, and select Check now. It reports whether the PC meets the requirements and explains any failed criteria.
- Check Windows Update. It can also report whether the device is eligible for the upgrade. If this is a workplace-managed PC, ask your IT administrator to assess it.
- Recheck after hardware or firmware changes. Run PC Health Check again. Microsoft says Windows Update eligibility information can take up to 24 hours to refresh after hardware changes; its hardware-change instructions explain how to refresh it manually.
Windows 11’s minimum system requirements
A PC must meet every applicable minimum, including an approved processor. Meeting the speed and core-count thresholds alone does not guarantee that a CPU is supported: Microsoft maintains a list of eligible processors.
| Component | Microsoft minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, at least 2 cores, and included on Microsoft’s approved processor list |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Firmware and security | UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability, and TPM version 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12-compatible graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | More than 9 inches diagonally, with at least 720p resolution |
These are Microsoft’s published Windows 11 minimums; some features require higher specifications. For initial setup, Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro for personal use require an internet connection and a Microsoft account. See Microsoft’s system requirements and eligibility information for the current details and processor lists.
What to do if PC Health Check says your PC is ineligible
Use the exact failed requirement shown in the result to decide what to investigate. Do not buy memory or a TPM module until you have confirmed that the specific PC or motherboard supports the part or upgrade.
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If the PC has less than 4 GB of RAM
Ask the PC manufacturer or a qualified retailer whether the exact model supports a memory upgrade. Check how much memory is installed, the model’s maximum supported capacity, and whether its memory can be replaced. Some devices have fixed or otherwise non-upgradeable memory.
If TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is reported missing
Check the PC’s UEFI/BIOS settings and the manufacturer’s instructions. A feature may be supported but disabled, so a failed check does not by itself prove that the hardware lacks it. Confirm that the system supports TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot before changing settings or buying a component.
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If the processor is unsupported or the platform lacks a required feature
Compare the cost and reliability of a supported repair or upgrade with replacing the PC. If the processor is not on Microsoft’s approved list, sufficient speed and cores do not make it eligible. Microsoft recommends replacing devices that do not meet current Windows technical requirements; consult its guidance on moving to Windows 11 and verify any proposed repair with the manufacturer.
If the PC passes the check
Use Windows Update or Microsoft’s supported installation path to upgrade. Beforehand, back up important files and check that essential applications and peripherals will work. Windows Update may withhold an upgrade temporarily if a safeguard hold applies.
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Choosing between repair, replacement, and another supported system
For a device that cannot meet the requirements as configured, compare the practical trade-offs rather than focusing on the cost of one component alone:
- Total cost: Include parts, labor, replacement, and the time or expense of moving files and reinstalling applications.
- Eligibility after repair: A memory or firmware change cannot solve an unsupported CPU or another fundamental platform limit.
- Supported service life: Consider how long the proposed device or operating system will receive security updates.
- Compatibility and disruption: Check the applications, peripherals, accessibility tools, and support arrangements you rely on.
A different operating system may suit some people, but its application, peripheral, accessibility, and support compatibility must be checked against their own needs. Microsoft recommends a compatible PC for devices that cannot meet Windows 11’s requirements.
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What happens if you keep using Windows 10?
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10 after that date. The PC can still work, but without security fixes it is more exposed to malware and other threats. If you are considering staying on Windows 10, check Microsoft’s current consumer extended-security options and eligibility directly; the availability and terms should not be assumed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you bypass Windows 11’s requirements?
No, not if you want a supported Windows 11 installation. Microsoft warns that a device installed with Windows 11 despite not meeting the requirements may not receive support or updates. Its installation guidance says that if Windows 11 was installed on an ineligible device, Microsoft recommends rolling back to Windows 10 immediately. Installation media does not make an unsupported device eligible. Back up your files before any clean installation, which can erase data. Read Microsoft’s Windows 11 installation guidance before proceeding.
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